The Royce will reopen its doors in February following a two year-long complete refurbishment.
Located on the border of Melbourne’s CBD and the leafy suburb of South Yarra, the heritage-listed building was originally designed in 1928 by the prolific Art Deco architect, Harry Norris and the leading agent for prestige cars, Kellow Falkiner.
Once one of Australia’s most prestigious automobile showrooms and the original home of Rolls Royce in Melbourne, the hotel’s latest iteration pays homage to the prestigious showroom, with an illuminated porte-cochère offering the most glamorous welcome to guests, transporting them to the hey-day of the 1920s.
Comprising 94 guest rooms, the diverse range of room options includes 18 spacious, uniquely designed suites, many of which offer balconies with views of Melbourne’s CBD and Shrine of Remembrance. Six two-storey loft-suites are of particular note – featuring original cornicing, these were once home to the original Rolls Royce mechanic workshop.
Stepping off the leafy tree-lined St Kilda Rd, guests will be greeted by the lavish Lobby Lounge, reminiscent of old-world establishments that once played host to high-society. The art-deco inspired room will be replete with plush furnishings in hues of navy blue and royal purple, as well as a centrepiece 14-metre tall, curved marble fireplace, drawing guests’ eyes to the high ceilings above, adorned with a two-metre wide chandelier. Crossing the threshold of the capacious lounge, the 9m Showroom Bar will stretch out in front, with an elegant dark marble top and leather upholstered bar stools, which will encourage guests to sit back and sip on clandestine drinks well into the night, with an elegant array of British dishes available for dining all-day.
A sweeping marble staircase will curve elegantly around the side of the room, leading guests to the balcony above and through to The Royce’s Library and Ballroom. Designed for private events, The Library will be akin to the bespoke clubs of London, suggestive of the prohibition speakeasies, with floor-to-ceiling Zebrano timber bookshelves lined with a curated collection of classics. The space will also set the evening’s tone before being whisked behind the elegantly concealed doors and into The Ballroom. Echoing the plush hues of the hotel lobby, the 120-person space will allow guests to celebrate underneath six grand chandeliers, whilst the walls will nod to the building’s history, panelled with chrome that draws inspiration from the classic Rolls Royce grill.
Each of the guestrooms and suites have been intricately designed, from the soft leather upholstery to the restored original cornices which will line the ceilings, with state-of-the-art responsive technology making for the most luxurious of escapes. White Italian Carerra marble bathrooms are complete with hand cut glass alcoves and Molton Brown amenities, with many suites offering freestanding baths for an added palatial touch.
In the hotel’s restaurant, timber parquetry floors will lead guests through the bright and airy room with hues of duck egg blue and coral, taking inspiration from the delicate botanical wallpaper, imported from Barcelona, that lines the walls. French doors will fold back and reveal the glass conservatory, lined with striped awnings in French grey and white, and a classic French Lattice tiled floor to match. Just in time for the final months of summer, the hotel’s terrace will provide the perfect place to dine alfresco, or sip on a sparkling glass of champagne in the sunshine, transporting guests to the quintessential summer gardens of Britain, with heated floors and seats in place to ensure the space remains a cosy retreat in cooler months.
Whilst art deco decadence and opulent play is at the heart of The Royce, the hotel also offers three boardrooms, each named after the iconic businessmen that brought the building to life; the Henry Room, the Norris Room and the Kellow Room, making The Royce the ultimate place for both indulgent weekends away or an overnight business stay.
