voco Melbourne Central – Hotel Review

A tiny laneway holds the sanctuary that is voco Melbourne Central, a CBD hotel that effortlessly combines luxury and comfort. Given the location (close enough to celebrated Cantonese restaurant Flower Drum that you can almost smell the hoisin on the Peking duck pancakes), it’s the perfect spot for city weekenders and staycationers alike. Read on for the full review.

Atmospherically lit and sheathed in rich blue tones, voco Melbourne Central has a kind of speakeasy feel. The open-air rooftop pool and bar terrace – somewhat of a rarity for Melbourne hotels – answers the call to surprise and delight guests, as do delicious on-site dining options (especially the very reasonable $1 breakfasts for guests).

Where is voco Melbourne Central?

The hotel sits on Timothy Lane – a simple two-step from Lonsdale Street, in the heart of the city and its wealth of good shopping and great eating. It’s also a straight shot from Melbourne Airport, taking half an hour door-to-door by car.

What’s near voco Melbourne Central?

While a short walk to RMIT, the Queen Victoria Market, and just across the river from the National Gallery of Victoria, the free CBD tram runs either side of the hotel, on Lonsdale, La Trobe (and Flinders) streets. That means easy access to Melbourne’s incredible arts and eatery scene, whether you’re walking, tramming or training.

Room types

The rooms begin from level six, with floor-to-ceiling windows to enhance those city views (which are particularly show-stopping in the evening). They’re comfortable, quiet and mercifully dark come sleep time, and are stocked with sustainable amenities and coffee machines with eco-friendly pods. The King Bed Premium Corner Room, with 31 square feet of space to spread out in, features incredible views over the always-interesting Lonsdale Street.

Restaurants and bars

If you’re looking to dine on-site, Blacksmith Bar and Grill – where the famous $1 à la carte breakfast is served – offers hotel dining favourites such as grilled rib eye on the bone smothered in café de Paris butter (order a side of fries to soak up all that sauce), and for the vegetarians, a homestyle lentil and chickpea stew. And if you’re really committed to not even leaving the room, their club sandwich is well worth the order for dinner al letta. Outside the hotel and just down the road, there’s the award-winning Italian fine diner Grossi Florentino and pasta mecca, Tipo OO.

Travel for work

For business travellers, the rooms offer plenty of power points and come furnished with a small desk for comfy remote working. There’s also a selection of on-site meeting rooms for hire, with capacity from eight to 70 people. Wi-fi is speedy and for any copying/scanning/printing services, the front desk is happy to help.

Gym and pool

You won’t find too many pools in Melbourne hotels and even fewer on the rooftops. Heated to a chill-busting 28C and surrounded by stunning skyline views, voco’s outdoor pool and attached terrace shouldn’t be missed for a dip (or at the very least, a gander). There’s also a fitness centre on-site equipped with free weights, stationary bike and elliptical machines.

Sustainability

The hotel’s sustainability efforts can be directly experienced by guests, even while sleeping. voco’s beds are crafted from 100 per cent recycled materials and the sheets they’re dressed in are made with sustainably-farmed cotton. The eco showers run off rainwater and the bar often plucks ingredients for their cocktails from the rooftop garden.

Accessibility

voco Melbourne has an “all welcome” policy. The hotel entrance offers wheelchair access along with disabled parking, wheelchair accessible lifts and six of the guest rooms are wheelchair accessible, with roll-in showers.

What you need to know

Tossing up whether to bring the kids? They’ll eat free at voco, if that sways you.

SEE ALSO: The Best Hotels in Melbourne’s CBD