Review: Novotel Melbourne South Wharf

Novotel Melbourne South Wharf has opened its doors, adjacent to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). The AU$150 million (US$112 million) tower sits 26 storeys over its South Wharf location with a distinctive golden façade and is now offering conference and event planners a golden ticket solution for accommodation options within the city.

The property is designed by Woods Bagot, NH Architecture and with interiors by Fender Katsalidis and Woods Bagot.

Rooms

Inside the hotel you’ll find modern facilities that carry over into the guestrooms. The rooms offer guests a quiet space to retreat. With 347 guestrooms and suites, the rooms are spacious and ideal for the corporate traveller or conference delegate. 

The bathrooms in particular are spacious with large, walk-in showers. There’s also an LED Smart TV with media hub and free WiFi. Rooms offer large floor-to-ceiling windows with city views over the South Wharf precinct.

Event spaces

The hotel is situated directly adjacent to the MCEC, which is currently undergoing a AU$350 million (US$263 million) expansion, making it the largest facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Both the hotel and MCEC are linked by a pedestrian bridge, allowing delegates the ease of travelling to and from their accommodation and venue space.

With the Novotel’s co-location, event organisers can also save on transport costs to and from the conference or event venue. The Novotel team are able to connect organisers with MCEC’s event team who can offer a huge range of function and exhibitions spaces for events including small break-out meeting and boardrooms to large scale plenary spaces big enough for concerts, and 20 connecting exhibition bays. 

F&B

The hotel sits within an ever-buzzing food and shopping district so there’s a wealth of dining options everywhere. Guests can enjoy Mr. Carpano Bar + Dining, named after the Italian distiller Antonio Carpono who invented Vermouth.

It’s also a good spot to unwind after a meeting or a full day of conferencing on one of the two outdoor terraces serving up a range of Italian and local beverages. In the tradition of 'Aperitivio hour' the bar menu serves Italian treats ideal for sharing.

On the lobby at level 5, you’ll also find the Allora Cafe – a handy spot to grab a quick coffee and to-go breakfast if you’re on your way to a meeting or conference. Alternatively, it makes a convenient location for a quick morning meeting prior to making your way to the MCEC.

Surrounds

Sitting directly adjacent to the MCEC, guests are only a short stroll away from the centre; a win for conference planners.

The hotel is also located within Melbourne’s historic maritime precinct among the nearby docks and cargo sheds, as well as an original working ship, the Polly Woodside, which has been preserved and permanently moored. Built in Belfast in 1885, the Polly Woodside is now a key tourist attraction.

While the hotel is suited to the corporate and conference traveller, it’s also a great spot to extend your stay for a day or two and enjoy the wide variety of sports venues, restaurants and shopping in the immediate area as well as the broader Southbank and city attractions close by.