Review: The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne
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The second Ritz-Carlton hotel in Australia, The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne opened its doors in March 2023. After staying at the W Melbourne, I decided to check out this hotel perched on the 80th floor, offering 180-degree views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay.
The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne – Booking
To stay at The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne with points, you’ll need between 52,000 and 84,000 points depending on the period. In cash, an overnight stay costs between 551 and 732 AUD (500 and 660 CAD).
Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points
The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at over 8,000 hotels worldwide is to have the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card (and/or the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card).
In addition to the great welcome bonus on both cards, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all purchases and 5 points per dollar at Marriott locations. And each year, you’ll earn a free hotel night certificate (35,000 point value) as well as 15 Elite nights towards your Marriott Bonvoy status.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 | |||
| $150 |
The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne – At a glance
Here is some information about the hotel:
| Date of opening (or renovation) | 2023 | Number of rooms | 257 |
| Restaurants | Yes | USB sockets in the room | Yes |
| Accepts animals | No | Smart TV | Yes |
| Mobile card | Yes | Shower/Bath | Shower/Bath |
| Balcony | No | Accessible for people with reduced mobility | Common areas, some rooms |
| Parking | 75 AUD / day | Lounge | Yes if club room |
| Gym | Yes, 24/7 | Breakfast included | No |
| Pools and Spas | Yes | Room with kitchenette | No |
The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne – Location
Nestled among the skyscrapers of Melbourne’s city center, the Ritz-Carlton Melbourne is ideally located for exploring the city despite its location in the central business district.
Located at 650 Lonsdale St, the hotel is just a short stroll from major tourist attractions, fine restaurants and luxury boutiques. Getting around Melbourne is easy with the free City Circle Tram line.
A three-minute walk takes you to Southern Cross Station, where you can catch the Sky Bus to the city center and Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport in 30 minutes (AUD 23.90 one way and AUD 40 round trip).
Other points of interest are between 5 and 45 minutes’ walk away:
- Federation Square : lively public square with art galleries, cafés and events. (5-minute walk) ;
- St. Paul’s Cathedral : magnificent neo-Gothic Anglican cathedral. (eight-minute walk) ;
- Flinders Street Station : historic station and hub of Melbourne’s public transport network. (10-minute walk) ;
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne : a green haven of peace, home to a variety of plants and flowers (15 minutes by cab or 45 minutes on foot).
The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne – Registration
As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by the valet who took our luggage and brought it to our room. The concierge in the lobby then escorted us to the elevator to the reception area on the 80th floor.
The entrance hall is packed with over 1,000 works of art by some 40 artists. The concierge is just outside the entrance, and can help you find a restaurant or plan a route around the city. To our great surprise, he spoke French!
Once you reach the 80th floor, you’re immediately captivated by the 180-degree view over Melbourne. At sunset, the effect of infinity and luminosity is just incredible!
Check-in was quick and we were upgraded to a Premier Ritz-Carlton Club room, however we did not have access to the lounge.
Access to the Ritz-Carlton Club is only available when paying for a Club room. Marriott Bonvoy Platinum and Superior status does not include lounge access at Ritz-Carlton hotels.
The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne – Premier Ritz-Carlton Club Room
Measuring 484 square feet, the Premier Ritz-Carlton Club room offers a beautiful living space. The main room features a lounge area with a beautiful velvet chaise longue, a small table and an armchair.
A very large table seats six, but there are only two chairs. It takes up space, but doesn’t really add value.
A mini bar and Nespresso coffee machine are located to one side.
A well-designed closet integrates harmoniously into the hallway: it offers a dedicated space for your suitcase, a rod for your clothes and an elegant dressing table in its center. Functional, refined equipment that’s uncommon in bedrooms.
The toilet is located at the entrance to the room. We appreciated that they were separate from the bathroom. However, the sink is aesthetically pleasing, but not at all practical. It’s so small that it’s virtually impossible to wash your hands without getting water everywhere.
A timelessly elegant bathroom, clad in black and white marble, opens onto the hallway. The walk-in shower and bathtub offer optimal relaxation space, while a sliding panel provides flexible privacy. Dyptique Paris products and Frette bathrobes add an extra touch of refinement.
The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne – Panoramic Room
The Panoramic Room offers a visual escape over Port Phillip Bay. Its compact size in no way detracts from its comfort, thanks to an ingenious layout. It has the same layout as the Premier bedroom, with its separate toilet and closet.
A cosy lounge area with a round table invites you to relax. Subdued lighting and the soft light of sunset create a very pleasant atmosphere. As for the breathtaking view from the large bay window, it’s simply unreal, so breathtaking.
The bathroom is identical to that of the Premier room, though slightly smaller.
The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne – Catering
During our stay, we didn’t try out the hotel’s bars and restaurants, so we can’t comment on their quality.
- The Lobby Lounge on the 80th floor is open from 10am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and until 9pm on Sundays. It’s the ideal place to enjoy a coffee or a cocktail. When we checked in, the Lobby lounge was packed, as it offers a beautiful view of Port Phillip Bay and the city;
- Atria is open for lunch and dinner. It features modern Australian cuisine. Breakfast is also served here;
- Cameo is a cocktail bar open Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm until late.
The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne – Other services
The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne – Swimming pool
The infinity pool is open 24 hours a day. It is heated all year round to 28 degrees and offers a breathtaking view of the city. Maximum pool depth is 1m20. It’s as pleasant to go there during the day to enjoy the view as it is at night, with its subdued lighting and lanterns.
The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne – SPA
The Ritz-Carlton SPA is located on the same floor as the swimming pool. Open from 10am to 6pm.
Each men’s and women’s changing room features a sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi. However, during our stay, the temperature of the Jacuzzi was not very high, which was not very pleasant.
The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne – Fitness room
The fitness room, open 24 hours a day, offers a magnificent view of the city. The gym is equipped with Technogym brand equipment, including free weights, strength training and cardiovascular equipment. A yoga room is also available.
The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne – My overall impression
From the moment you walk through the doors of The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne, you’re overwhelmed by its grandeur and refined luxury. This majestic hotel, perched atop the central business district, offers breathtaking views of the city, making it an exceptional address.
Despite its location in the heart of the urban hustle and bustle, The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne offers an oasis of calm and serenity. We particularly enjoyed relaxing in the heated pool, a true haven of peace, and taking advantage of the vitality area in the changing room for a moment of absolute relaxation. Every detail has been meticulously thought out to ensure an unforgettable stay.
While our stay was marked by excellent service and impeccable comfort, a few minor cleanliness details (fingerprints on the mirrors) slightly tarnished our experience. However, the staff reacted with professionalism and promptness in changing our room, demonstrating their attention to customer satisfaction.
Despite these minor inconveniences, we had an excellent stay at the Ritz-Carlton Melbourne and will definitely return on our next trip. We look forward to discovering the hotel’s refined gastronomy, which will undoubtedly perfectly complement the experience of this luxury haven.
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
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