This one-time Holiday Inn has undergone a $20-million facelift to turn it in a groovy new art hotel inspired by the photography of German fashion snapper Helmut Newton, whose work in the 50s and 60s in London and Paris became world famous.
Helmut Newton, whose stylistic black-and-white fashion snaps defined an era, spent a lot of his time living in Australia. This connection informs the style of Hotel Indigo that has his work all over the hotel. The photographer’s wall-sized black-and-white portraits (including an early selfie behind the front desk) dominate the always-busy lobby along with a riot of colour from an ostentatious rug, giving the whole place a Swinging Sixties vibe. Front of house staff are switched on and dressed sharp; the whole check-in process has the feel of being welcomed to a savvy private members’ club which is echoed by the dark red-and-black hallways covered in brooding silhouettes.
What’s the neighbourhood like?
Spencer Street is still a work in progress that mostly consists of fast-food outlets for the hoards hustling to or from Southern Cross station. But new openings like Hotel Indigo Melbourne (and the Ritz-Carlton and Dorsett further north) up this end of town foreshadow the change ahead. For now, you can spend an entire evening in Hotel Indigo happily with drinks at the lobby bar and the inhouse restaurant from Sydney celeb chef Luke Mangan who has headed south to open Bistrot Bisou. Sitting right on Flinders Lane though you can stroll to pretty much anywhere.
Where am I sleeping?
In an Austin Powers-like fever dream. The Corner Suite with Spencer Street View has two giant Helmut Newton portraits – one near the front door and one over the bed – both sporting avant-garde sunnies peeping out from behind lush curtains. The living space features a brash red couch channelling Salvador Dali’s famous lip sofa, a pair of egg-like plush chairs and is lit by a studio photography lamp on a tripod. The curved floor-to-ceiling windows look out on the historic façade of the Grand Hotel and the ants-nest that is Southern Cross. There’s a hypnotic, balletic flow to the railway crowds when you are sitting at the window with a Hotel Indigo/Little Lon Distilling Co collab Old Fashioned in hand. It brings to mind Jacques Tati’s classic city-symphony film Playtime; you don’t need a TV, but you do have two should you wish.
The bathroom sports a Newton decal of a futuristic synchronised swimmer and there are other artworks throughout. The separate bedroom would be big enough all on its own and block-out blinds throughout make for a great sleep.
What's on the menu?
Bistrot Bisou takes casual French classics like gratins, terrines and tartares and elevates them using top Victorian produce. A chalkboard special of anchovies on panisse (chickpea fritters) with olive jam and lemon butter is a perfect salty-sweet mouthful while a cheese galette is covered in earthy beetroot and onion and topped with a honey and thyme dressing. Confit of duck leg served with bacon is freshened up by a mint sauce and peas and apple tarte tartin is the perfect mix of sweetness and char. Wines tend to steer a course from the Yarra to the Seine.
And how about drinks?
The lobby bar is also run by the Bistrot Bisou team where you can have de rigueur two-sip martinis (gin or vodka), classic sours or aperitifs with liberal use of vermouths, bitters and citrus twists. Tap beers stem from Wolf of the Willows in the city to the regional Bridge Road in Beechworth.
What are the facilities like?
Hotel Indigo is compact but fits in a very smart gym on the mezzanine and a lush boudoir-like photo booth to take your own portrait in.
What sets Hotel Indigo Melbourne apart?
It’s a flashy entry to the Melbourne hotel scene that is crazy convenient to Southern Cross Station but also head and nattily-dressed shoulders above the nearby offerings.
Who will love Hotel Indigo Melbourne?
The sort of guest that has a sense of fun and is not afraid of a bit of spotlight and who enjoys a front row seat to rush-hour people watching.
The writer was a guest of the hotel.
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