InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto

InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto Review

Unveiled late 2009 after a A$60 million upgrade, this luxury hotel occupies one of Melbourne's most historic sites. The impressive Gothic Revival Rialto Building was built in 1889 by William Pitt, a famous architect who designed many Melbourne landmarks, including the Princess Theatre on Spring Street. The new-looking hotel is the only five-star property in the financial quarter of central Melbourne, and is adjacent to the Rialto Observation Tower, Melbourne's tallest building until 2006. The renovation has retained the lovely façade; the grand internal atrium (overlooked by five stories of rooms) and the impressive Alluvial Restaurant are notable as well. Two lobby bars—Bluestone and Market Lane—offer more casual fare, the latter with a 100-martini cocktail list. Rooms are decorated in subdued tones of chocolate, cream, and tan, and equipped with the latest CD and DVD players and i-Pod docking stations; some rooms have coffee machines and rainwater showers. The most interesting rooms, with sloping walls and almost "Sleeping Beauty castle" windows are just below the hotel's two turrents at the front of the building.