New Melbourne hotel exceeds expectations (and is less than $200 a night)

The hotel

Mercure Melbourne La Trobe Street

Check-in

Marking Mercure’s first new Melbourne CBD hotel in over a decade, this 18-storey property is dressed to impress – but without a black-tie price tag. That value-minded focus is clear from arrival with kiosks handling self-check-in, much like an economy flight. There are reception staff on hand, if preferred – and not exclusively for priority members.

The look

The lobby showcases artwork incorporating tin offcuts, giving a nod to the site’s former life as a tinsmith factory, but there’s little else to make the welcome distinctly “Mercure”. Beyond the lobby, the broader design theme by Sola Interiors is less industrial, with soft lighting and neutral colours emulating retreat vibes as you reach the rooms. The gym is functional but less on-theme, tucked away in the basement. Above ground, the red-wrapped cocktail bar flows outdoors to a rooftop terrace – a must-visit at sunset.

The room

An otherwise-subdued palette is brightened with patterned carpets of subtle blue, red and orange tones, but your eyes are naturally tuned towards the views. These are best on the building’s eastern side, where the greens of Flagstaff Gardens bring a reprieve to this skyscraper-wrapped pocket of the city.

Standard and Superior rooms share the same floor plan, but the Superior category is exclusive to the higher floors – the view itself is the upgrade. The bathroom is tucked away around a corner. In turn, the living space feels grander as there’s no wasted space or short hallway to traverse as you enter.

My Superior Suite takes things further with a lounge room, separate bedroom, working nook and a dual-sink bathroom, complete with a soaking tub by the window. There are no plastic water bottles here, except for the 54,144 bottles recycled and processed into the property’s pillow fillings by DreamGreen. I’m initially sceptical, but I have a great night’s sleep. I may even upgrade my pillows at home.

Food + drink

Foundry Kitchen and Bar has breakfast covered with its typical buffet and egg station. Kransky sausages enhance the usual spread – a staple enshrined by the hotel’s general manager, Justin Phillips. My latte is up to scratch, and free, courtesy of Accor Live Limitless status (Silver and above receive drink vouchers). The venue reopens for drinks and dinner; the outdoor terrace is a must at sunset.

Scrumptious triple cheese croquettes are difficult to pass up, while the Humpty Doo barramundi’s crispy skin beautifully complements the protein’s tenderness. House-made raspberry sorbet with lemon curd, biscuit crumb and white chocolate shavings has me going back for seconds. Flash an Accor ALL+ Explorer card for 30 per cent off (membership costs $349 per year).

Out + about

The hotel is a mere six-minute walk from Southern Cross Station for trains and the airport bus, while Marvel Stadium – home to AFL, major concerts and future host of the Rugby World Cup – is eight minutes on foot. The Queen Victoria Market are also an easy walk.

Hop on the free City Circle Tram at the hotel’s doorstep to explore Melbourne’s key sights, or any other tram for a gratis ride within the CBD’s Free Tram Zone.

The verdict

Combining a great location with modern stylings and enjoyable dining, Mercure Melbourne La Trobe Street exceeds my expectations of a midscale brand. It’s easy on the wallet, but not at the expense of comfort and convenience.

Essentials

From $179 a night for a King room; $359 for a Superior Suite. Eight accessible rooms. 492 La Trobe Street, West Melbourne. See all.accor.com

Our score out of five

★★★½

Highlight

You can’t beat having free public transport right at your doorstep, and major sites within easy walking distance.

Lowlight

My air conditioner behaves much like a kettle, clicking off after just a few minutes, ad nauseam. It’s a teething glitch that, after a few staff visits to the room, is resolved before bedtime for a blissfully cool sleep.

The writer stayed as a guest of Accor.