Royce Hotel - Melbourne (Review) |
Thursday, 03 May 2007 |
Melbourne’s Royce Hotel, housed in a former Rolls-Royce showroom, has
being overhauled by design firm SJB Architects and Interior Design. The
multi-million upgrade includes a refurbishment of most original rooms
and two brand-new floors with 29 new rooms and suites. It is a case of
out with the terracotta, moss green carpets and faux armoires -
in with Isernia limestone, moody Vistosi lighting and flatscreens.
SJB has created a collection of seven types of conservative,
contemporary suites, all with a sense of drama, privacy and calm. The
Royal Suites come with four-poster beds and curved modular lounges.
Most suites have extended king-sized beds with faux leather headboards.
Bedding includes duvets, crisp white linens, down pillows and soft
cushions. Room layouts are intelligent with a sensible use of space and
the touch lighting has myriad settings for just the right mood. There
is plenty of seating; chaises, ottomans, desk chairs and even little
round tables, an ample work area and broadband access from the bed as
well as the desk – hallelujah. The marble bathrooms feature a deep spa
bath with its own flatscreen television, separate shower and WC.
Although not expansive, these bathrooms would have to be contender for
best boutique bathroom in the city. Several junior executive suites
come with views over Barry Humphries’ (aka Dame Edna’s) grammar school,
the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance.
Although the main public areas, restaurant Dish and Amberoom bar of the
hotel have been revamped, the refurbishment has a way to go. The glam
lobby aesthetic of animal skins, chandeliers and quirky chair
collection is almost ruined by a glass cabinet displaying polo shirts
and travel brochures, standard rooms are still awaiting their
makeovers. However, in the right suite, the Royce Hotel experience at
$215-315 per night offers serious value, right on the edge of the CBD
in South Yarra close to some of the city’s best shopping, restaurants
and gardens. The trick is, make sure you don’t book a standard room,
insist on a room on the fifth or sixth floor, or a suite on the lower
levels. By Emily Ross
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