THE WESTIN MELBOURNE
205 Collins Street, Melbourne westinmelbourne.com
This outpost of the five-star Westin chain has a distinctly Melbourne heart, thanks to its laneway entry, vignettes of Victorian architecture and blue-chip position for business and pleasure. Aesthetics are the strong suit here: the 262 rooms (minimum 38 square metres) feel more like smart apartments with fruit-wood finishes and, in some, Juliet balconies. ↓ Business facilities The hotel has an entire floor of meeting and conference rooms. There’s no business centre but Westin “associates” are on call to handle all corporate needs. Wi-fi It’s $20 a day for non-Starwood Preferred Guest members and free in the lobby. Food and wine The recently expanded lobby lounge doubles as a bar and all-day diner serving staples such as Wagyu burgers and cocktails like the Chilli Mango Margarita. In-house restaurant Allegro does an express two-course lunch for $39 (or $52 for three courses). Fitness and wellbeing In addition to the hotel’s gym, pool and sauna, some rooms are equipped with treadmills, exercise bikes, yoga mats and dumbbells. Run route Leave your running gear at home. The Westin will lend you a full kit, including sanitised sneakers, for $5 during your stay. Running maps chart a course across the Yarra River and around the Tan Track’s 3.8-kilometre Botanic Gardens circuit. Or join a group jog with a “running concierge”. Complimentary towels and bottled water await your return to the hotel.