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Hannah St Hotel is part of a new crop of Australian boutique hotels that are mastering that elusive “sense of place”. The hotel may be new, but it feels unmistakably Melbourne. It's not a cookie-cutter property where you could wake up and momentarily forget which city you’re in. The design, the art, the energy – it’s all grounded in its surroundings. Designed by Melbourne’s own Flack Studio (who also designed Ace Hotel Sydney), the hotel shares that same strong design language, but the mood is entirely its own. Having stayed in both, I’d say Hannah St Hotel feels fresh, bright and uplifting, whereas the Ace leans moodier and more retro.
There’s art by 13 artists – an entirely female Australian cast – featured all throughout the hotel. And every teeny tiny design detail, from the coat hangers to the in-room slippers, has been thoughtfully considered.
Why stay at Hannah St Hotel?
Apart from being a stylish base and cool cultural hub, it has fabulous facilities – a 20m Instagrammable indoor pool, sauna and steam room, a well-equipped gym, ground-floor restaurant and bar, rooftop bar, and possibly the best co-working space I’ve seen in a hotel.
What are the rooms like at Hannah St Hotel?
Like everything at the hotel, the rooms are beautiful – the style is a blend of modern nostalgia and contemporary polish, with custom-designed furniture and thought behind every little design detail. The first things I notice were the custom-made bed cushions with Hannah St Hotel embroidered emblems and royal-blue backings, as well as the plush, stripey robes and cool green and black tote bags.
I stayed in a Traveller Room, and it had a super-comfy king bed, 55-inch TV with Chromecast, Marshall bluetooth speaker, writer’s desk, minibar hidden in a beautiful wooden bureau, coffee maker, hardware by Flack Studio, Malin + Goetz toiletries, and a red chaise lounge where I could relax by the window with a view of the city skyline.
The bathroom was lovely (I love a new hotel bathroom!), with a mix of marble, timber and metal surfaces.
Interested? Find out about booking, here.
Where to eat and drink at Hannah St Hotel
In a major collaboration, Melbourne hospitality heavyweights The Mulberry Group (the team behind spots like Hazel and Dessous) have five venues within the hotel. Led by founder Nathan Toleman, the offering moves seamlessly from morning espresso to late-night cocktails.
Coupette Corner Bistro & Bar
This all-day European bistro is polished yet relaxed – equally suited to a long lunch, pre-theatre dinner or celebratory meal. It’s where hotel guests enjoy an à la carte breakfast, but make sure you go for lunch, dinner or a drink, too. There’s a bar in the middle of the room, lined with pretty bottles and also vintage-looking glassware like vases and bowls.
We loved the steak frites and the scampi with citrus butter and sea herbs (and the blue swimmer crab omelette with coriander, chilli and sourdough toast for breakfast was the ultimate start to a great day in Melbourne).
The Terrace Lounge
This stylish terrace bar and lounge delivers Southbank views. It’s got a cleverly designed outdoor bar section that’s a suntrap – and the glass walls help protect you from wind. It’s a must-visit if you’re staying at the hotel (and even if you’re not).
Hannah St Coffee
Southbank isn’t renowned for having loads of top coffee spots, so this new hole-in-the-wall espresso bar pouring Square One Coffee brews is a welcome addition to the area (for locals and visitors alike). Perfect for a quick grab-and-go or a morning ritual before exploring the neighbourhood.
Bar Hannah
Located in the lobby, this is your go-to for aperitifs and nightcaps – cute enough for a date, relaxed enough for a solo Martini. But you could also start the morning there with a coffee.
Carriage Lounge
The Carriage Lounge offers a more intimate space for drinks and casual bites.
Room service
The room service menu draws from Coupette's kitchen, so you can order some delicious stuff straight to your bed.
What facilities does Hannah St Hotel have?
There’s a beautiful heated 20m indoor pool with a glass wall out over the city, and black and white tiles that look classy under the aquamarine water. There’s both a steam room and sauna at the pool, and a small outdoor terrace outside. There’s also a bigger-than-usual gym space with loads of equipment.
A stand-out is their co-working space – a great office away from home for business travellers. It’s a big, stylish and comfortable area, and it even has a podcast recording studio (available for hire).
There are many dining and drinking options – including Coupette, the Terrace Lounge and others (all mentioned above). Plus a 24-hour reception and concierge.
What’s the area like around Hannah St Hotel?
Hannah St Hotel is in Southbank, and despite being close to the Crown Melbourne precinct, it’s in an edgy little pocket of its own. When you walk out of the hotel, there’s an underpass above and a disused block of concrete that they’ve made pretty with patterns in pink paint. It's urban cool. You’re within easy walking distance of the Yarra River, Southbank’s restaurants as well as those on the other side of the water, galleries and theatres. We stayed there during the Australian Open, and it was an easy walk to Melbourne Park.
And why is it called Hannah St, if it’s on Queens Bridge St? Well, they say that’s “a tribute to the past and a celebration of the present”. It refers to a little street that once was – and the name, like the street, has now been reimagined as part of the neighbourhood’s ongoing transformation.
Who should book a stay at Hannah St Hotel?
Design lovers, arts enthusiasts, food-focused travellers, and those travelling for business wanting a cool place to work while they’re away. If your idea of luxury is culture, character and connection to place (rather than chandeliers) Hannah St delivers. Plus, it won't break the bank – what's not to love?
Address: 90 Queens Bridge Street, Southbank, Melbourne VIC 3006
Price per night: From a very good-value $295 for a Local Room
Closest transport link: Flinders Street Station
Book now: Click here
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