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From Drab to Fab: Rydges Melbourne’s Stylish Transformation

Refreshed and revitalised, Rydges Melbourne is a hip hotel that is strutting back onto the scene as one of the best hotels in Melbourne CBD, ready to blow your mind and charm your taste buds!

Forget boring hotel experiences, folks. Rydges Melbourne has gone full local and is serving up a hospitality extravaganza. It’s perfectly located, with the city’s theatre district at its doorstep, lots of interesting laneways to explore, and swanky Collins Street boutiques just a strut away. This place is the bee’s knees! I stayed in a plush 20th-floor corner room with a gorgeous view and a large bath and loved it.

Now that Melbourne has regained the top preferred holiday spot pipping the Gold Coast (according to Roy Morgan research) post-pandemic, you’ll be looking for somewhere new and interesting to stay. Here it is!

Some things change, but the old Sydney/Melbourne rivalry is still going strong! A local laughingly told me that in Melbourne, you wander down a laneway and find a hidden bar or hatted restaurant, while in Sydney, you wander down a laneway and get mugged. Sydney people might disagree!

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Greetings and welcome to Eat, Drink, and Be Kerry! We’re thrilled to have you join our community of food and travel enthusiasts. Your support means the world to us, and we’re grateful for the time you’ve taken to explore our content. If you’re enjoying what you find here, feel free to leave a comment, give us a “like,” share with friends, and consider subscribing for even more culinary and travel delights! Just a heads up—this page has some affiliate links. If you decide to buy something through one of these links, I might earn a small commission, but don’t worry, it won’t cost you anything extra. Thanks a bunch for your support!

best hotels in Melbourne CBD Rydges Melbourne I

Their in-room TVs are like magic wands – casting spells, dishing out room service, and more!

All-new Rydges Melbourne – one of the best hotels in Melbourne CBD

You won’t recognise the all-new Rydges Melbourne! It’s undergone a complete transformation with a stylish new foyer, high-tech check-ins and a luxury feel throughout the rooms. What hasn’t changed is the great location surrounded by top restaurants and the theatre district. This is the hotel to book for a theatre experience with a pre-theatre dinner as a bonus.

They’ve got 370 revamped chambers that’ll tickle your fancy, each one with a DreamBed that guarantees sleep like you’ve never dreamt before. I had a great night’s sleep and loved waking up to a fabulous view over Melbourne without even leaving the bed!

Tech-savvy, too, no doubt! Say goodbye to the boring reception desk and hello to self-check-in on your phone or a snazzy kiosk. Plus, their in-room TVs are like magic wands – casting spells, dishing out room service, and more!

Shop, stroll or eat?

Got the urge to shop till you drop? Check! Want to catch a game at the sporting precincts? Double-check! Need retail therapy at Bourke Street Mall? Triple-check! This place is a primo spot for all you fancy city slickers. You can also hop on a tram and sneak over the bridge to the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) and catch the latest blockbuster exhibition. 

And the cherry on top? The Rooftop Terrace! A little slice of paradise at one of the best hotels in Melbourne CBD is where you can soak in the sunshine and snap Instagram-worthy panoramas of the city’s iconic landmarks. We’re talking Her Majesty’s Theatre and Chinatown in all their glory! Think endless options for top tastes throughout Chinatown. Walk down Little Bourke Street, and you’ll find a Chinese apothecary where the smell of moxa makes you feel like you are in Hong Kong. There are steamed bun restaurants, Karoke bars, Kobe beef, milk tea and baked rice on the menu.

Plus, there are some exceptional restaurants just around the block – Longrain offers banquet-style modern Thai food, while cult classic Daughter in Law promises unauthentic Australian Indian butter chicken and India’s most loved street food, Balls of Happiness. There’s also Pearl Diver Oyster Bar and Bistro, Florentino, Ombra, Bottega, Pellegrini’s and Gingerboy down Crossley Street along with bookshops and bespoke tailors.

But wait, there’s more! Bossley Bar & Restaurant! Located right on the ground floor, this joint is all about that theatre district vibe, serving up dishes that scream, “We’re locally sourced and lip-smackingly good!” Victoria’s diverse flavours take centre stage here, and you’re in for a culinary extravaganza. Here’s what I liked when I dined there. Yum! You can order the menu on room service, too, so you don’t have to leave the fabulous view.

Breakfast at Bossley is kinda neat, too, with everything you could wish for, including hand-carved, thick-cut bacon and an Asian station full of interesting flavours.

Rydges Melbourne dawn from 20th floor room IMAGE Kerry Heaney
best hotels in Melbourne CBD Rydges Melbourne 20th floor
Rydges Melbourne glam bathroom IMAGE Kerry Heaney

Contemporary Aussie charm

The masterminds behind this fabulous transformation into one of the best hotels in Melbourne CBD wanted to capture that true-blue Aussie spirit. Boy, did they nail it! With eucalyptus green and rusty ochre tones, tactile textures, and an art collection to swoon over, this place oozes contemporary Aussie charm. Oh, and did we mention the local suppliers they’ve teamed up with? Supporting local has never tasted so good!

Hey, fitness fanatics! They’ve got your back too. A modern fitness studio with all the bells and whistles to keep you in tip-top shape during your stay.

Calling all conference kings and queens! Rydges Melbourne has one colossal conference playground! They’ve pimped out 11 redesigned meeting spaces covering a mind-boggling 1500 sqm! Picture yourself strutting through that stunning ballroom with its sky-high ceilings and a gigantic HD LED screen. Just wow!

Need to know

So, if you’re looking for the best hotels in Melbourne CBD, Rydges Melbourne is your top pick! You’ll thank us later!

Plan Your Trip to Melbourne

Visiting Melbourne is an immersive experience that blends art, history, and a dynamic culinary scene into one unforgettable trip. Wander through cobblestone laneways adorned with vibrant street art, an ever-evolving canvas showcasing the city’s passion for creativity. Stop by the many hidden cafés tucked away in these arcades to sample Melbourne’s renowned coffee culture—baristas here take their craft seriously, resulting in consistently remarkable brews. Take a stroll along the Yarra River for a leisurely perspective of the skyline, or head to Federation Square for cultural happenings and enthralling exhibitions. As dusk falls, explore Melbourne’s world-class dining spots, where inventive chefs champion local produce through menus that cater to every palate. With an edgy vibe that’s both cosmopolitan and welcoming, Melbourne will quickly feel like your own personal playground waiting to be discovered.

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Kerry Heaney in Monet in Paris photo garden

Written by Kerry Heaney

Meet Kerry Heaney, an intrepid gastronomic explorer, travelling the globe one delectable bite at a time. Drawing on two decades of experience, she unveils hidden culinary gems and palate-pleasing dishes for your indulgence. A seasoned writer and editor, Kerry's travel stories feature in print and online travel publications, and her food odyssey continues at Eat drink and be Kerry. Follow her escapades on Facebook or join on her latest adventures via Instagram. Kerry's passions include savouring oysters, indulging in art, embracing aquatic experiences, and delighting in new culinary discoveries every time.

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