THE BLACKMAN
452 St Kilda Road, Melbourne artserieshotels.com.au
Art and commerce go hand in hand at The Blackman, a contemporary hotel that brings the bohemian spirit of Australian painter Charles Blackman to the corporate heartland of St Kilda Road. Its 209 rooms and suites offer apartment-style features, including kitchenettes, coffee machines, cable TV and balconies or terraces. The hotel is ideal for creative types visiting neighbourhood ad agencies and is handy to bayside Melbourne. ↓ Business facilities Six conference/event spaces are available, including the Garden Penthouse with a wraparound terrace above Albert Park. A conferencing concierge can handle all logistics. Wi-fi Free throughout Food and wine On-site restaurant Classico is a welcome find in the culinary backwaters of St Kilda Road. Its heavily Italianaccented menu name-checks all the classics, such as pizza, fried polenta with Gorgonzola, and tiramisu. Or you could give the expense account a thorough workout at St Kilda’s Italian institution, Café Di Stasio (31 Fitzroy Street; distasio. com.au). Fitness and wellbeing There’s a serviceable gym on the first floor of this 18-storey building. Guests can also hire a cult Dutch Lekker bicycle for $30 a day. Run route The 4.7-kilometre jogging track around Albert Park Lake traces the route of the Melbourne Grand Prix. Situated right behind The Blackman, it’s a serene setting for some highoctane exercise.