Situated along the bank of the Yarra River in Melbourne’s CBD, 1 Hotel Melbourne is the newest addition to the waterfront – but it’s here to connect with the locals as much as offering a sustainable, luxury stay to visitors.

Opening it’s doors just one month ago, the hotel is located on the north bank in the heritage-listed Goods Shed No. 5, a busy cargo processing site until the 1970s.

Now, the historical piece of architecture has been rebuilt to create an open hospitality offering on the ground floor with From Here by Mike restaurant, Neighbours cafe, Crane bar and lounge area open to the public to also enjoy: a hub for connectivity for all: passers-by, residents and hotel guests alike. With an active schedule of Happenings, from morning river runs, DJ sets at the bar and tarot card sessions in the lounge, 1 Hotel Melbourne is a place to either find calm in one of the 277 guest rooms (including 36 suites) or connectivity in the communal spaces.

The location of the hotel is more than ideal. Set along 220 metres of uninterrupted Yarra River frontage, the hotel is walking distance to both the city centre and free trams into the city, and the waterfront pathway can be utilised in many ways (a morning run or a 15 minute stroll to the National Art Gallery of Victoria nearby).

Developed in partnership with Melbourne-based Riverlee, the first 1 Hotel in Australia (part of Starwood Hotels) shares the best parts of the group’s portfolio, keeping in tune with the company’s ethos of sustainable hospitality.

From interiors to operations, the 1 Hotel group focus on sustainability across the board, from smart thermostats, energy-saving switches, and low-VOC materials in room interiors, harnessing the power of indoor plants to help purify air, to dehydrating organic waste used in dining, alongside partnering with chefs with a low-impact ethos. Guest room door numbers are displayed on reclaimed timber panels crafted from original subaquatic piers salvaged during the site’s wharf restoration, accompanied by preserved living moss atop, bringing life to each floor of the hotel.

There is filtered water taps in each room (indeed, there is filtered water throughout the whole hotel), no single-use amenities, natural fibres in the interiors, and repurposed materials for glassware, the hotel has come up with practical solutions to simple problems in hotel operations. There is even a small hourglass timer in the shower to encourage guests to save water when they shower, and a new initiative by the hotel: a ‘stone’ to place on any unwanted garments from guests to be donated to partner charities of the hotel. 

As our first introduction to the 1 Hotel group, they’re leading in sustainability where other hotels built this year don’t even try. From dedicated recycling areas to the recycling of organic waste and circular initiatives, in addition to structural commitments such as 50kW solar array and 50kl rainwater harvesting, this group is one to watch as they expand their already-renowned portfolio in the Americas and Europe to Tokyo, Japan in October (we’ll see you there!)

Continuing on their commitment to sustainability, 1 Hotel Melbourne was brought to life with 2000 repurposed items from the original Goods Shed structure. Remnants of the site’s history are found and repurposed for the build: bluestone pavers and steel trusses in the lobby, and 4,500 square meters of reclaimed timber slats and boards now call 1 Hotel Melbourne home, naturally fitting into the overall design of the hotel.

7,000 plants have found a new home here, organically blending into the hotel spaces, with a minimum of 4 plants per room or suite.

Artist works are also found throughout, marking the launch of Regeneration: The Art of Renewal, a site-specific art program curated for the property by One Design Office in collaboration with DarkLab, a subsidiary of the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). Artist works are found dotted throughout the hotel, for those curious enough to find them. Portuguese artist Vanessa Barragao’s sculpture – made from 60 kilograms of textiles destined for landfill – greets guests at reception of check-in. Indigenous artist Yhonnie Scarce’s hanging sculpture of hand-blown glass eels is found near the Seafarers event space at the hotel, as is North Arnhem Land-artist “Nami” Maymuru-White’s hand-painted artwork ‘Milnuyawuy The Milky Way’.

Wellness is taken seriously here, offering a luxurious Bamford Spa on-site, pool, spa, sauna and The Field House gym fully-equipped (with the latest Technogym). This is also where yoga sessions and group fitness takes place, a multi-purpose space for any type of exercise. In line with the brand, the gym has also been designed with locally sourced timber, Troldtekt acoustic panels made from certified wood, and Danish cement—materials selected for durability, performance, and low environmental impact for workouts in the confined space. We wish every gym was designed like this….

The Bamford Wellness Spa. Where to start? As expected, this beautifully-designed and tranquil spa presents a luxury offering. Created in partnership with Carole Bamford of the British brand Bamford, the spa offers a range of all-natural treatments conducted with Bamford’s own products. 

Experiencing the ‘Bamford Signature Ritual’, my masseuse Tiana was gentle and comforting – just like the overall spa space. With cream tones and natural textures throughout the spa area, it’s a comfortable and serene space, very well designed. The 90-minute full-body ritual included Shiatsu and Swedish massage techniques to release tension. And whilst I don’t remember the yogic breathwork or the warm Chakra stones, I do remember the facial acupressure and Indian head massage was brilliant.

Ofcourse, I couldn’t leave without trying the ‘Soundwave Therapy by Welnamis’ a 30 or 60 minute session using touch-less binaural vibro-acoustic technology for soundwave therapy presented through a vibrational bed, essential-oil infused eye mask and headphones radiating the intentional healing sounds.

I’m very familiar with sound wave therapy and know of its benefits, but here in the Bamford Spa they intertwine it with comforting the other senses – sight, smell, touch – for the deepest relaxation.

Brilliant dining by From Here by Mike the signature restaurant by renowned Australian chef Mike McEnearney is found on the ground floor – river-side – and offers a stellar breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. This is the first hotel partnership for chef McEearney, and proves that his passion for local suppliers and low-waste ethos is real, connecting people to place.

Our highlights from the impressive menu were the ‘Collagen Broth – Skin & Joint Tonic’ (Lion’s Mane Mushroom, Turmeric, Ginger, Spring Onion, Pepper Berry) at breakfast, and on the dinner menu, the ‘Chicken Liver Pate’ (Made With The Livers From The Aurum Cockerels, Four Spiced Salt, Toast), the ‘Wanderers Beef Tartare’ (Pilu Bottarga, Kefir Cream, Gnocco Fritto) and a 15 Year Vintage Matriarch Wagyu – Boneless Rib-Eye from Gippsland. The restaurant are only able to purchase this twice per year because of availability, and it was certainly respectfully grilled to make our dining experience more than memorable. We’ll certainly be back, McEearney’s menu is inventive, responsible and delicious. 

All of From Here by Mike’s ingredients are sourced from local artisan producers who share our values of authenticity, sustainability and who practice ethical farming. Find them on the map they made, including Honest Eggs Co.in Strangways, Portarlington Mussels in Portarlington, Mickael & Sam’s Farm in Gippsland, Five Tales Farm in Piedmont, or even Sam Gordon the potter that made the water pitchers.

Like his other suppliers, McEearney’s wine selection is 40% local. The wine list includes with organic, biodynamic and sulphite-free selections, with wine by the glass and bottle from makers such as Mmad Vineyard in SA, Patrick Sullivan from Victoria and Domaine Jean Dauvissant from Burgundy, France. We ordered a Shiraz from Hickenbottom in Clarendon, McLaren Vale, SA, which was both organic and Biodynamic. The wine list even includes a Wine Glossary explaining the selection with codes for Bio Dynamic (BD), Organic (O), Organic Practices (OP), Minimal Intervention (MI) and No Sulphites (NS) wines. We absolutely loved that.

Zero-waste cocktails in the Crane bar continue the sustainability focus, with many home-made ingredients utilised from wastage.

1 Hotel Melbourne quietly launched in the city, but it’s not long before it becomes a mainstay for many.

With easy and efficient valet parking, close connectivity to the CBD by foot, and everything under its roof from dining to unwinding, this hotel will become an easy favourite as the 1 Hotel brand becomes more familiar on Australian shores. 

1 Hotel Melbourne
9 Maritime Place, Melbourne, 3008

Text: Editorial Director Monique Kawecki
Images: As credited, Champ Creative© and 1 Hotel Melbourne