The Langham Melbourne, Southbank facing the Yarra River
Located in Southbank facing the Yarra River, the Langham Hotel is a Melbourne institution and exudes old world charm and elegance.
As soon as I drive up to the front entrance, I am greeted by friendly staff who immediately arrange valet parking and welcome me inside. I ascend the escalator, mesmerised by the impressive water features and lights. I know I am in for a special stay.
Once checked into my thoughtfully appointed suite situated on the 22nd floor with views of the CBD and Yarra River, I don’t waste much time in getting comfortable and enjoy a glass of bubbles and gaze across Melbourne.
The Langham is close to theatres, luxury shops, major shopping retailers, restaurants, cafes, Federation Square and Melbourne’s lane ways filled with street art is walking distance from the hotel.
The Langham Accommodation
Accommodation at the Langham Hotel Melbourne comprises of 363 Superior, Deluxe and Executive rooms including:
- 12 Balcony/Terrace Rooms
- 11 One Bedroom Suites
- 1 Residence Suite
- 1 Chairman Suite
All the rooms feature marble bathrooms with generous sized baths.
Rooms in the executive class are on higher floors of the 24-storey property and have access to the Club Lounge for complimentary breakfast, drinks and canapés.
The Langham: High tea and restaurants
The Langham has two restaurant options:
Aria Bar and Lounge is known for their afternoon high tea and also offers casual dining.
Melba Restaurant is renowned for an extensive buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner and is the highlight of Southbank restaurants.
The Monday night that I attend the buffet dinner at Melba, the restaurant is fully booked (300 people over the course of the evening) and there are strict regulations in place because of COVID. Once you leave your table you must wear a mask when approaching the array of open kitchens available where you order only with the chefs.
The Langham Spa
The Langham’s Chuan Spa offers traditional Chinese massages, facials, scrubs and wraps and there is also a 15-metre pool and a gym. The gym also has inviting views that encourages me to work off the calories I gained from the buffet the night before. Yoga and pilates classes are also available.
A message from Langham management:
“In light of the Covid-19 situation, I have implemented stringent precautionary operational measures at all our hotels to safeguard the health and Ill-being of our guests and colleagues. To assist guests whose travel may be impacted, I are waiving cancellation fees for all individual stays booked directly through March 31, 2021. Exceptions may apply to specific offers and packages, please refer to the terms and conditions provided on your booking confirmation”.
Art Series – The Olsen Hotel, Melbourne
If you name a hotel the Olsen you want to be sure you’ve got a product that lives up to the artist’s legendary name and reputation.
The Olsen Hotel in Melbourne’s South Yarra offers boutique accommodation surrounded by John Olsen’s paintings and prints. Located at the north end of Chapel Street near Toorak Road, the Olsen is part of the two art series hotels. The other is the Cullen on Commercial Road, Prahran.
A design highlight of the hotel is the first floor’s pool. With its glass bottom hanging over Chapel Street’s footpath, you can observe the passers-by as you swim laps at this uber address.
Next to the pool is the gym and also on the first floor is a sundeck and a conference and business centre.
The Norbu Urban Retreat Spa offers standard beauty and aesthetic treatments, detoxification programs, remedial massage, endermologie, LED, microdermabrasion, intense facial treatments and much more to make your stay a more relaxing one.
The hotel’s ‘Spoonbill’ restaurant and bar celebrates Australia’s regional produce. As the seasons change so does the restaurant’s menu, ensuring the freshest of fare. This focus has helped boost the Spoonbill to become one of the leading restaurants in South Yarra.
The Olsen Accommodation
Accommodation comprises of 224 elegant spacious suites all highlighted by John Olsen’s works of art.
- Studio Suites – 93
- Studio Suite with Balcony – 6
- Deluxe Studio Suite – 78
- Deluxe Studio Suite Twin – 6
- Deluxe Studio Suite with Balcony – 18
- One Bedroom Deluxe Suite – 10
- Two Bedroom Deluxe Balcony – 5
- Two Bedroom Open Plan Suite – 6
- John Olsen Penthouse – 1
- Lake Eyre Penthouse – 1
We stayed in a spacious one-bedroom deluxe suite on the eighth floor with a separate lounge area and pleasant outlook. The modern glass wall separating the bathroom and living rooms also have Olsen’s work etched on to it giving the room a pleasurable and quirky twist.
A message from the Olsen management:
“As we navigate this unprecedented crisis, rest assured that our first priority remains keeping our guests, staff and communities safe. In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, we have implemented even more rigorous cleaning and disinfection measures according to official World Health Organization (WHO) and local guidelines and are closely monitoring the advice of medical and government authorities”.
For more personalised information tips and advice, or to book this incredible holiday contact your local TravelManagers’ personal travel manager here.
