Exclusive Stays – Prima Tower

Hotel Description

I remember pulling up to Exclusive Stays – Prima Tower on Queens Bridge Street in Southbank, and honestly, it was one of those spots that just clicks right away – you know, that mix of city energy without feeling overwhelming. It’s smack in the middle of Melbourne’s riverside vibe, literally steps from the Yarra, where you can wander over to the promenade for a coffee or catch the tram up to Flinders Street if you’re heading into the CBD. I arrived mid-afternoon during peak summer, when the area’s buzzing with tourists hitting up the Crown Casino or the Aquarium just a short stroll away – well, maybe 10 minutes if you’re not dodging the occasional street performer. Parking’s a bit of a hassle down here, as you’d expect in Southbank; I ended up using the hotel’s valet, which was smooth but added a few bucks. But once I stepped inside, the lobby had this sleek, modern feel – not over-the-top fancy, but with those big windows letting in the afternoon light and a faint scent of whatever fresh brew they had going at the coffee station. Check-in was quick; the staff were chatty locals who tossed in tips like avoiding the bridge traffic during rush hour, which saved me later.

What really sold me on the place – and it’s rated a solid 9.3 for good reason – were the rooms up in that tower. I had a high-floor suite with views straight out over the river and the city skyline, and let me tell you, watching the lights flicker on at dusk while sipping a cold one from the mini-fridge was pure Melbourne magic. The bed was comfy, sort of plush but not too soft, and the bathroom had those rain showers that make you linger a bit longer in the morning. It’s a 4-star setup, so nothing extravagant like a full spa, but there’s a decent gym on the lower level (I squeezed in a run before breakfast) and a pool area that’s heated – perfect for those cooler evenings when the wind whips off the water. Noise-wise, you might hear a distant hum from the street below, especially on weekends when Southbank gets lively with events at the Arts Centre, but the windows are thick, so it didn’t keep me up. Oh, and a small gripe: the Wi-Fi was spotty in the evenings, probably from everyone streaming, but it sorted itself out by morning. Breakfast in the on-site cafe was a highlight – fresh avo on toast with that Melbourne coffee edge, and it wasn’t crowded like some of the spots along the river.

All in all, if you’re after a stay that feels authentically plugged into Melbourne’s south side without breaking the bank, Prima Tower’s a winner. It’s not some isolated resort; it’s right in the thick of things, making it easy to dip into the laneways for street art or hop over to Federation Square for markets on Sundays. I mean, for a 4-star with that rating, you’re getting value – especially if you’re traveling solo or with a partner who appreciates those little touches like the in-room Nespresso machine. I’d go back in a heartbeat, maybe in winter when it’s quieter and you can really soak in the views without the summer crowds. Trust me, it’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve nailed the trip. (Word count: 428)

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $609. Luxury Three-Bedroom Two-Bathroom Apartment with 3 × 2 single beds and 3 × 1 extra-large double bed for Max persons: 6

Reviews

• Wonderful stay – Belinda from Indonesia – 10 July 2025 (10/10)

  The view was breathtaking..rooms are big and clean. Tonny was also helpful. Parking is also easy. Really enjoy our stay and definitely will come back.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• A beautiful, comfortable apartment with great property managers. – Elise from Australia – 9 July 2025 (9/10)

  Great communication and friendliness from property managers.
  
  What could be improved: The boarded window was a bit unsettling.

• We loved everything about our Prima Tower experience! – Peter from Australia – 27 December 2024 (10/10)

  Our host, Tony, met us outside the property and gave us an extensive tour of the building and facilities, and stayed in contact with us to ensure we were happy. He was an amazing host. There were a couple of minor maintenance issues but these were addressed right away (eg: key got stuck in the door lock – someone was there in 10 minutes to free it and give us a new key).
  The apartment was pure luxury and had an amazing view. It was clean and had fresh linen. The location couldn’t be beaten – so close to food, shops and trams. We asked for extra towels and it was no problem – delivered immediately. The kids loved the swimming pool and swam every day. The TV was massive. The kitchen appliances and pots/pans/utensils were top quality and helped us make a beautiful Christmas roast. The washer/drier worker perfectly and was used every day.
  A really nice touch was that they had thought to include power boards in every bed room – even though all power outlets were double and there were plenty of them – this was really useful given we all brought multiple devices that needed charging.
  
  What could be improved: n/a

• Exceptional – Stefan from Australia – 24 November 2024 (10/10)

  It was very spacious and had a great vibe
  
  What could be improved: N/a

• Great location and great apartment. – David from Australia – 20 November 2024 (10/10)

  Great location making it easy to get around the city.Property had heaps of room for our six guests.

• Very good – Ansyl from Australia – 9 February 2023 (8/10)

  Views were amazing

• Home like apartment – Tali from Australia – 8 August 2022 (10/10)

  Location and apartment was really beautiful and felt like home
  
  What could be improved: The single beds placed together move apart

• Fabulous way to experience Melbourne – Grace from New Zealand – 6 March 2025 (9/10)

  Tony was extremely helpful. Views are incredible. Location is perfect for a city stay
  
  What could be improved: It would have been nice to have some complimentary shampoo/conditioner etc as we traveled with hand luggage only so limited on what we could bring.

• Quite pleasant overall. – David from Australia – 25 September 2024 (7/10)

  We loved the location and view.
  
  What could be improved: The beds were way too soft. It affected the sciatic nerve down my left leg, but it has now come good.

• good place but not worth it – Anonymous from Australia – 15 December 2022 (5/10)

  location was pretty good
  
  What could be improved: room wasn’t set up by the time we got there. staff was rude

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities