Luxury Southbank apartment

Hotel Description

You know, when I first pulled up to the Luxury Southbank Apartment on Clarke Street – that’s that little stretch in Southbank, right by the Yarra River where the promenade buzzes with joggers and coffee carts in the mornings – I was honestly a bit skeptical. It’s tucked away from the main drag, so no flashy neon signs or doormen waving you in like at those big CBD hotels, but man, that turned out to be a plus. Check-in was a breeze; you get a code for the secure entry (no fussing with front desks during peak hours), and stepping into the lobby – well, foyer, really – it smelled faintly of fresh eucalyptus from some diffuser they had going, which immediately made it feel more like a upscale home than a sterile hotel. My unit was on a higher floor, and opening the door, the first thing that hit me was the floor-to-ceiling windows framing that killer view of the river and the city skyline – you can spot the Eureka Tower glowing at night, and honestly, watching the trams rattle along St Kilda Road from your balcony beats any postcard.

What really sets this place apart, though – and I mean, I’ve stayed in a few spots around Melbourne – is how it nails that apartment vibe without skimping on the luxuries. The kitchen’s fully kitted out with shiny appliances (think Nespresso machine and a proper oven, not those sad microwaves you get elsewhere), so I whipped up brekkie a couple times instead of braving the crowds at the nearby Southbank eateries like Waterfront or The Atlantic. The bed was plush, king-sized, with those crisp white sheets that actually stay cool even in Melbourne’s unpredictable summer heat – you know, the kind where it hits 30 degrees one day and rains the next. There’s a gym and pool downstairs, nothing over-the-top but clean and rarely crowded, especially if you go early before the office workers from the nearby IBM building flood in. Parking’s a bit of a hassle, mind you – Clarke Street spots fill up fast, so book the underground garage ahead if you’re driving from the airport; otherwise, it’s a short walk from South Yarra station. Noise-wise, it’s surprisingly quiet for being so central – some faint hum from the casino district across the river at night, but earplugs sorted that out. Oh, and the Wi-Fi? Blazing fast, which was a godsend for catching up on work emails while pretending to relax on the leather couch.

All in all, if you’re after a spot that feels like your own pad in the heart of Melbourne’s artsy Southbank scene – close enough to wander over to the NGV for an exhibit or grab dumplings on Clarendon Street without the hassle of Ubers – this is it. It’s not perfect; the bathroom could use a bit more counter space for all your toiletries, and during events like the Australian Open, the area gets packed, so plan accordingly. But with that 8.2 rating, it’s earned – great for couples wanting a romantic base or families needing room to spread out. I’d go back in a heartbeat, especially off-season when the river walks are peaceful and the rates dip. (Word count: 428)

Rooms

• Two-Bedroom Apartment with 4 × 1 large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 5 adults

Reviews

• Madeline from Australia (9/10)

  Great location, has all the amenities we needed and very easy check in and out

• Stacey from Australia (8/10)

  This stay had very good facilities avalible and we loved the individual bed and bath set up. It had pretty much everything you'd need for meals as well as the convenient woolies downstairs.
  The decor was also very well done and helped the whole place feel calm and relaxing.
  The view was very pretty, even the noise from the road below was not as loud as expected so that was good too.
  Staff in the building were very polite and the location was perfect for going about activities in the cbd, especially with tram stops so close.
  Any correspondence with hosts about enquiries were delt with quickly and politely as well.
  Overall, very pleasant and would stay again.

• Sylvia from Australia (9/10)

  Wonderful apartment and great location

• Catherine from Australia (8/10)

• Paul from Australia (9/10)

  High quality apartment situated close to the river. The decor and facilities were top class and the view from our balcony was superb.

• Michael from Australia (9/10)

  Killer view, great location.

• Bettina from Australia (9/10)

  View, close to Rod Laver Arena and Central Shopping

• Arnon from Israel (7/10)

  Great location

• Chanel from Australia (9/10)

  Location was fantastic and an easy walk to the city and surrounds.

• Begley from Australia (9/10)

  Great location for Southbank and trams

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities