By Emma Gardiner
As Australia’s fashion, culture and art capital, Melbourne holds one of the most innovative fashion weeks the world over. This year’s event runs from Aug 31 until September 8.
So where to sleep when in town for a show? These hotels offer a chic stay with a dose of art, style and culture while catwalk hopping around the city.
The Art Series Hotels: Named after three generations of iconic Australian paint slingers, The Cullen, The Olsen and The Blackman are the epitome of modern chic. Doused in eponymous artworks and featuring eclectic interior touches that reflect each artist’s oeuvre, these properties have a distinct vibrant attitude.
The Blackman is in the bohemian heart of St Kilda so whet your appetite for distraction with a wander down to the weekend markets, settle into a cafe or take a turn on the promenade for a bit of old school seaside action.
At The Olsen, which is located on Chapel St, breathtaking mural and sculptures greet you on arrival; suites are infused with the lyrical works of revered Australian Landscape artist Dr John Olsen; and large prints adorn all hallways and suites.
The Cullen is perfectly located for strolling around the Royal Botanic Gardens or heading to the National Gallery of Victoria for a hit of fine arts.
The Sofitel: With a slick, contemporary interior, the Sofitel means business in the same way James Bond does; with sharp tailoring, dashing wit and martinis that come as stirred, dirty or chilled as you wish. Located at the “˜Paris end’ of Collins St, the Sofitel also features an Artist in Residence program, as well as up to sixteen exhibitions that are displayed throughout the hotel each year. Check the website for details of what’s on now.
The Langham: Old world glamour and vintage vamp-age more your thing? The Langham is all chintz and Chantilly cream with its famous high tea and frou-frou wallpaper, carpet and chandeliers. Tucked into a corner of the Southbank Promenade, the Langham is mere moments from Flinders Lane where some of Australia’s more inventive new designers flog their wares. Find them before they become famous.
The Prince: The Prince features natural timbers, light, bright rooms and a calming neutral palette of smooth lines and quirky splashes of geometric shapes. Located on Acland St in the centre of the St Kilda action, The Prince is the perfect coming together of food, wine, art and design featuring the award-winning Circa restaurant and beautiful sea views.
This post comes courtesy of Emma Gardiner from HotelsCombined.com. Emma Gardiner is an Australian travel and lifestyle writer. She is a regular contributor for HotelsCombined.com, the world’s leading hotel price comparison website. A free and easy service that combines rates, availability and reviews from hundreds of the top travel websites, HotelsCombined boasts a database of over 400,000 hotels around the globe and is available in 39 different languages.
