khabah

Le Méridien is making a comeback to Australia in 2020 - the hotel will be housed on the site of the Palace Theatre which has been subject to a lot of controversy regarding preservation efforts and several on-again, off-again mixed-use proposals that included the first pitch for a W in Melbourne. The approved 100 million AUD plans will see the original theatre façade retained but the rest of the building torn down to make way for a twelve-story structure housing 235 rooms, a restaurant, meeting facilities, gym and pool.

Opening late 2020. Thrilled to see LM expanding and going back down under.

khabah

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Marriott's Le Meridien hotel brand to replace Melbourne's former Palace Theatre

February 14, 2018 - Marriott International will re-launch the colourful Le Meridien hotel brand in Australia on the site of Melbourne's former Palace Theatre at the top of Bourke Street.

The world's biggest hotel company has partnered with Chinese developer Jinshan Investments on a new 235-room hotel rising 12 storeys above what was once one of Melbourne's premier live entertainment venues.

The developer will retain the art-deco facade of the 1912-built venue, but controversially demolish the rest of the building to make way for the $100 million hotel, which will open in late 2020.

Despite a passionate appeal by Melbourne music lovers, Victoria's planning tribunal granted Jinshan the right to demolish the Palace Theatre in 2016. Jinshan bought the Palace Theatre from receivers for $11.2 million in 2012.

The upscale lifestyle hotel will include Le Meridien's signature Le Meridien Hub, a daytime coffee house that transforms into a sophisticated cocktail bar at night.

Le Meridien Melbourne will also feature Cuisines, a 90-seat restaurant; a 210-square metre function space and three breakout rooms; a heated swimming pool and fitness centre.

Marriott will operate the hotel under a long-term management agreement with Jinshan.

Marriott's Australian and NZ head of development, Richard Crawford, told The Australian Financial Review it would be the first Le Meridien hotel to operate in Australia in over a decade. The brand was established in France in 1972 and acquired by Starwood (now part of Marriott) in 2005.

"We're very optimistic about the Melbourne hotel market," Mr Crawford said.

The latest announcement will further strengthen Marriott's foothold in Melbourne. At Collins Arch – the $1.25 billion mixed-use development – Marriott will open a new W Hotel to be owned by Japan's Daisho. It also operates one of Melbourne's flagship hotels, the Westin Hotel, as well as the Sheraton Melbourne, and recently sold Jeff Xu's Golden Age for a reported $130 million to Qatar Airways.

Marriott plans to open 50 hotels in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific by the end of 2021.

"We're excited to partner with Marriott International to open Le Meridien Melbourne," said Tony Chau, project manager, Jinshan Investment Group.

Source: Marriott's Le Meridien hotel brand to replace Melbourne's former Palace Theatre | afr.com

paolo64

Probably the best outcome. At least the facade will be retained. The inside is a far cry from anything of historical interest or architectural merit.
Being a near neighbour I do not have fond memories of this a live music venue over the past 15 or 20 years, so a LeM is a good outcome.

zzap

Looks like this property is now bookable on Marriott's website as of today. The GM has been announced to be Peter Minatsis, who was previously the GM of the Sheraton Melbourne since 2017.

khabah

As per yesterday's announcement from Marriott, Le Méridien Melbourne is now open.

khabah

Alawyer

Finishing a one night stay here with a lovely upgrade to the 1 bedroom Lumiere suite. The room came well equipped with a Marshall speaker, dining table and even a microwave. There is no lounge in this hotel. No welcome drinks at the lobby bar offered for elites too. Platinums get either 1000 points or a buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant in the basement.

I enjoyed my stay but the experience was not exceptional especially at its premium price point. The location is ideal for visitors heading into the city for a show next door. Maybe due to low occupancy before the holidays, the place feels like it is missing a certain je ne sais quoi.



One bedroom Lumiere suite - well furnished for extended stays

Basement breakfast area

Pool with a view. Maybe not over the coldest Easter weekend in Melbourne in years

Lobby and bar. All dressed up and no one here

Mister P.

Hi, does anyone know what the email address for the hotel is? Thanks

ElevatorEnthusiast

I really enjoyed the Le Meridien Melbourne - the rooms seem very well-designed and comfortable. Here are my pros, cons, and photos:

Pros:

• Upgraded before arrival to a Parliament Suite, which is a corner suite facing Parliament with 1.5 baths
• Room design is strong, unique, and residential with lots of good art, such as the croissant parachute
• Furniture was comfortable - even the high stool for the "desk"
• Views are fantastic - especially the rainbow right at checkout
• Bed is comfortable - plush covers, plush pillows, just-right mattress on the sturdy or supportive side
• Shower pressure was fantastic from the rainfall head
• A nice orange cake was waiting in my room as a welcome gift
• Staff at the front desk was friendly - think this is common in Australia
• Offered late checkout - no issue with 4 PM
• Restaurant breakfast (no lounge, so must pick as welcome gift) was very tasty - delicious croissant, tasty waffles, and one of the best omelets as the staff suggested GOAT CHEESE - yum, yum, yum
• Best towels I have had in Australia

Cons:

• 2nd omelet had peppers added - must have been the universe telling me I didn't need a 2nd omelet ;-)

Overall, I would absolutely return.

Photos:

cyborg

Hey E2,

Nice review, thanks! I've been thinking about booking this place for a few months; usually stay at the Marriott a few blocks away. Since they moved the lounge into a dark ground floor with a less desirable breakfast I locked into your review as far as the breakfast looks far better (Le Meridien breakfast perk when selected). So, just made the switch. Booked lowest room rate and applied SNAs (fingers crossed). Not an Ambassador, so we'll see ;-)

Cheers,

-Cyborg

Alawyer

Just to set your expectations, breakfast at the le Meridien Melb is served in their basement floor (albeit brightly lit) with no views. The buffet is quite limited as well but the food selection and quality did seem better than the Marriott.

I concur that the club space at the Marriott was depressing. Seating is very tight and you could end up in the middle of the queue for the happy hour wine. Its such a pity they don't utilise the lounge space outside the club. But at least you have a club there, this LM doesn't even provide welcome drinks or a happy hour special.

cyborg

Many thanks for the fine tuned info ;-). I have a favorite place for drinks (Troika) and also booked up dinners for the trip at places that have very nice cocktails, wine, and spirits; no need for house swill :-)

I was getting real tired of the Melbourne Marriott Breakfast over the last 10 years, but the view from the top floor made it a worthwhile experience overall. Last year I found the dark ground floor experience lacking in both food, beverage and atmosphere. Looking forward to trying the LM as a change of pace even if the experience is to be taken with a dash of sodium...

Cheers,

-Cyborg

Isochronous

Does the Le Meridien have a sauna / jacuzzi / steam room?

frigginbrownie

Does anyone have an e-mail address for this property? Thanks!

Marriott Bonvoy Lurker

Hi frigginbrownie,

The email addresses we have for Le Méridien Melbourne are [email protected] and [email protected]

Regards,

Robert V.
Social Media Specialist

gooselee

Can anyone help me decipher the room types here? Currently booked at the Westin but the LM is now pricing a few $ cheaper.

It looks like the Heritage rooms are smaller but have some sort of balcony, but then Superior and Deluxe are the same? With Signature a touch smaller but with a view?

frigginbrownie

Your understanding is accurate. From what I could tell on property...

Deluxe: Base room. View may be of a brick wall. Maybe restricted to floors 2-5?
Superior: City view (overlooking Little Bourke Street). Separate shower and bath.
Heritage: Features the facade of the old Palace Theatre/Metro in front, view of Bourke Street, balcony may not be accessible. Restricted to floors 2-5.
Signature: Higher floor, city view (overlooking Little Bourke Street). Basically a deluxe with a view.
Premium: Higher floor, "Parliament view" (overlooking Spring Street).