Russell Street / East End

QT Melbourne

★★★★★

QT Melbourne is a boutique luxury hotel with a big personality, set at 133 Russell Street in the heart of the city, between the Bourke Street shopping strip, the theatre district and Chinatown. It occupies an eleven-storey building with 188 rooms and suites, and it is a favourite with visitors who want something more playful than a traditional five-star. The public spaces are exuberant: neon installation art, quirky sculpture, bold colours and design curiosities around every corner, with a dash of theatre in the welcome. The rooms are the opposite, calm and minimalist with an industrial edge, with high ceilings, whitewashed walls, parquetry floors, comfortable signature beds and spacious bathrooms, which makes them a good retreat after a busy day. The rooftop bar, Rooftop at QT, is one of the city's best places for a drink with a view across the towers, and it draws a lively local crowd from late afternoon. On the ground floor there is a bar and grill with an Italian accent that also serves breakfast, a cocktail bar and a deli, so there is plenty to enjoy without leaving the building. The location is excellent for theatre-goers, shoppers and anyone who wants to walk to the laneways, Chinatown, the Melbourne Museum and Fitzroy. Service is personal and attentive, with staff who are good at recommending local restaurants. QT suits couples, friends on a city break and solo travellers who enjoy design and atmosphere. It is a little less suited to families with small children, who may find the rooms compact and the vibe more adult.

The neighbourhood is the eastern half of the central grid, a block from the Paris End of Collins Street with its upmarket boutiques. From QT, Bourke Street Mall and the department stores are a few minutes away, the theatres of the East End, including the Princess, Regent, Comedy and Her Majesty's, are within easy walking distance, and Chinatown on Little Bourke Street is around the corner for dumplings and late-night noodles. The laneways and Federation Square are about ten minutes' walk south. Trams run along Bourke and Collins streets inside the Free Tram Zone, and Parliament Station is close by.

The rooms deserve their reputation for comfort. Despite the flamboyant lobby, they are restful spaces with good blackout curtains, quality linens and practical touches such as well-stocked minibars and good showers. Suites add space and city views. The rooftop bar is the hotel's social centre: book ahead or arrive early on Friday and Saturday evenings, when it fills quickly. Breakfast in the ground-floor restaurant is a good start to the day, and the deli is handy for a quick coffee.

Who should book? Couples and friends on a weekend away, theatre lovers, and anyone who wants a stylish, central base with personality. Rates are in the upper-middle to luxury range and climb during major events. Travellers who prefer a large resort-style hotel with a pool should look at the Langham or the Park Hyatt, as QT does not focus on that kind of facility. For a sophisticated, entertaining stay in the middle of everything, though, QT is one of Melbourne's best.