Movenpick’s Melbourne
Movenpick was founded by a visionary
Words and photos by Daniel Resnik
When Swiss hotelier, the late Ueli Prager, founded the Mövenpick brand in 1948, he redefined the European restaurant scene and paved the way for a new style of modern hospitality conceived on a simple premise of ‘doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way’.
A visionary of his time, Prager created a restaurant concept based on simplicity, innovation, commitment to service and a passion for culinary and hospitality excellence and the rest, as they say, is history.
There are now 80 Movenpick properties, hotels, resorts and Nile Cruisers worldwide with another 30 planned or under construction across the Middle East and Asia.
There are two Movenpick Hotels in Australia, Melbourne and Hobart.
A premium location in the Melbourne CBD
I recently stayed two nights at Movenpick Melbourne on Spencer.
Located on Spencer Street in the heart of the city in the tram free zone and very close to the Southern Cross Station makes it an ideal location.
The hotel forms the first six floors of the new Premier Tower building on the corner of Bourke and Spencer Streets. Designed by Elenberg Fraser architects, the curved building is a new stunning landmark for Melbourne’s skyline.
The Spencer Street end of the CBD is a great location with cafes, bars, restaurants and the numerous office blocks that have been built in recent times. When staying at Movenpick you’re walking distance to Melbourne’s boutique and outlet shopping centres and close to all the famous and many laneways filled with food and drink outlets and world-renowned street art.
For football aficionados the hotel is an easy stroll to the impressive Marvel Stadium and the Southbank promenade. A great location that will satisfy everyone’s needs.
Check-in
We were checked in by the personable, bubbly and professional Blaire at reception who set the tone for a great but short two-night stay.
Rooms and Suites
The Movenpick offers 172 rooms along with 10 suites.
Our 41m2 suite was generous in size, design and the vibrant colour palette of the décor. A plush king size bed opposite a flat screen TV that also swivels towards the lounge area, along with an oversized bathroom with a generous size freestanding bath and massive shower made me want to permanently move in. If that wasn’t enough, a pillow menu also allows you to pick a pillow to suit your needs to assist with a blissful sleep.
My highlight of the room was a Nespresso coffee machine that I worked overtime to satisfy my caffeine cravings.
Daily chocolate hour
After settling in, we had just one reason to leave swiftly and that was to experience Movenpick’s daily complimentary mouth-watering chocolate hour which begins at 430 pm. This chocolate extravaganza includes profiteroles rolls, chocolate petit fours, churros, chocolate dipped strawberries, marshmallows, mini ice-cream cones and many other tempting treats.
Gorging on this chocolate feast each afternoon meant I was very grateful for the excellent fitness facilities available.
Pool and facilities
A 25-metre pool heated to a comfortable 26 degrees that features glass louvres that opens up the space to the street offers a nice mix between indoor and outdoor. There’s also a hot tub and sauna.
There is a state-of-the-art gym that is operational 24/7 and is equipped with Technogym exercise equipment.
During our short two night stay I made the most of the pool facilities that are open daily till 10pm and worked out in the gym and finished off with a satisfying sauna session.
The hotel also honours Melbourne’s vivacious art scene and the five-star hotel showcases collection of works from some of Melbourne’s best photographers which are displayed throughout the hotel.
Miss Mi
Miss Mi is a modern Asian restaurant, winner of a Good Food Chef’s Hat award that merges the exotic with the familiar. Time-honoured Asian techniques, ingredients and flavours are paired with modern methods to take you on a culinary journey to the heart of Asia. Ever evolving, Miss Mi menu encourages you to explore new tastes and aromas.
Our short but extremely fulfilling two-night stay at the Movenpick Hotel on Spencer exceeded all our expectations and I look forward to returning back soon.
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