You’ll find a delightful debut hotel or must-visit eatery around every laneway corner in Australia’s cultural capital.

WHERE TO STAY

SHANGRI-LA

Surely one of the most anticipated openings of 2022, Sapphire by the Gardens will be Melbourne’s most exclusive address and a destination of international renown. As well as the luxury residential tower, known as the Sapphire, there
will be the five-star Shangri-La hotel — with a sky bridge connecting the two over Exhibition Street.

LANCEMORE MANSION HOTEL

If you’re after a grand stay, the Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park is a 19th-Century estate with rambling English gardens, only a half- hour drive from central Melbourne. The Italianate mansion boasts luxurious guest rooms and excellent service with all the tranquil trimmings, including a day spa.

NEXT HOTEL

The shiny new 80 Collins precinct is now open, and with it the Next Hotel. In the vicinity of high fashion and sophisticated hospitality, it’s a chance to explore the city on your doorstep. When it’s time to retreat, we recommend unwinding in the La Madonna Restaurant & Bar, or simply relaxing in the refined rooms.

QUINCY HOTEL

Located on the iconic Flinders Lane — with the CBD’s highest concentration of award-winning fine diners and popular eateries — Quincy Melbourne reflects the vibrancy of its city. Beaming 29 stories high into the skyline, it brings the essence of South East Asia to Melbourne with impeccably finished rooms and amenities.

W HOTEL

Another Flinders Lane local, W Melbourne holds the keys to what’s new and noteworthy. With two bars and three restaurants, it’s best to get your bearings in the hotel before stepping out. Lollo is under the creative direction of one of the most talked-about chefs in town, Adam D’Sylva, while the WET® features a poolside bar and panoramic skyline.

RITZ-CARLTON

Slated to open later in 2022, the Ritz-Carlton Melbourne will become the southern hemisphere’s tallest (and might we add, most glamorous) hotel. In what will be the centrepiece of the West Side Place development, it will showcase signature dining experiences, holistic wellness spaces and, of course, an infinity pool.

WHERE TO EAT

SOCIETY

Another new entry at 80 Collins Street is the multi-faceted Society. The art of à la carte is the centrepiece of the Dining Room, which also boasts over 10,000 bottles in its formidable cellar. The Lillian Terrace is named after the Collins Street denizen Lillian Wightman, and overlooks her former couture salon, Le Louvre.

GIMLET

Located on a corner of Flinders Lane, Gimlet at Cavendish House is the latest addition to Melbourne’s dining scene by critically acclaimed chef Andrew McConnell. In the landmark 1920s building, expect a cocktail bar, dining room and caviar service with a classic European charisma, lavishly reimagined.

ANCHOVY

Lauded chef Thi Le has consistently championed the progression of South East Asian cuisine in Australia. At Anchovy — in the multicultural locality of Richmond — she advances the ethos of Vietnamese cuisine, now offering a Back to Our Roots set menu and Banh Mi sessions to keep things fresh.

NOMAD

Sydney’s much-loved restaurant has stayed true to its name and opened a new outpost on Flinders Lane. Believing that some of the world’s finest produce is grown in greater Victoria, the local resources lend themselves to Nomad’s menu, which is inspired by the team’s travels through Spain, Morocco and the Middle East — and finished with fire and smoke.

ENTRECÔTE

Taking a nod from the famous one-dish Steakhouse Le Relais De L’Entrecôte, which opened in Paris in the late 50s, Entrecôte welcomes a new era of refined decadence in Prahran. Marrying French cuisine with Melbourne produce, within a party scene, it’s simply fantastique.

REPEAT OFFENDER

A short stroll from Elwood Beach, Repeat Offender is attracting the usual dining-out suspects with a tapas fusion bar. Creating worldly interpretations of classic Latin-American cuisine with plenty of flare and flavour — and a long drinks list — you’ll want to let loose here.