Looking out to the Seafarers Wharf precinct and across the Yarra River from my room at 1 Hotel Melbourne, it’s hard to decide what I want to do more – sit and enjoy the sanctuary I’ve just checked into, or go outside and join the many people I can see walking, jogging, bike riding and rowing past the hotel in the beautiful late-afternoon sunshine.
1 Hotels are known internationally for bringing the outside in – blending city and nature through design that feels both grounding and alive. It’s a property like Melbourne has never seen before. An invitation to pause, and a sense of calm in a bustling city of millions. No small feat, but 1 Hotel Melbourne has delivered.
Developed in partnership with Riverlee, the hotel sits along 220 metres of uninterrupted river frontage in the city’s North Wharf precinct. The site’s maritime heritage remains visible through the restoration of Goods Shed No. 5 – Melbourne’s last remaining shipping shed – and the preserved Malcolm Moore crane, now standing proudly as a sculptural feature.
Sustainability is central. Reclaimed timbers from railway bridges, recycled steel, and bluestone pavers feature throughout, alongside more than 7,000 plants that bring the brand’s nature-first philosophy to life. At 1 Hotel Melbourne, the environmental focus is embedded in every detail – smart energy systems, recycled materials, and touchpoints throughout that encourage guests to live lightly – like the 1 Less Thing clothing recycling program, and filtered drinking water taps in every room.
If I had to describe my room in one word, it would be textural – from the timber floors and linen throws to the grain of the wooden benchtops and the ceramic pots housing leafy plants. The layering of materials creates a sense of rustic luxury. Nothing is overstated. Everything has intention.
With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river, it feels like a luxurious treehouse suspended above the water, surrounded by greenery and the gentle hum of the city below.
Alcohol-Free Wining & Decadent Dining
Downstairs, Crane Bar looks too inviting not to stop in for a pre-dinner drink. Spacious would be an understatement for the scale of the room, yet the soft furnishings, greenery and sparkling lights make it feel intimate.
In my second month of a sober-curious journey, I was happy to see an alcohol-free menu that didn’t feel like a compromise – crafted with the same care and flavour layering as its spirited counterparts.
Dinner that night was at From Here by Mike, the hotel’s signature restaurant by chef Mike McEnearney. Known for his produce-driven cooking and low-waste approach, his dishes are simple, seasonal, and full of depth.
I order freshly shucked oysters with pickled daikon and finger-lime mignonette, Portarlington mussels in cider butter with wild garlic shoots, Chicken liver pâté made from Aurum cockerels, Grilled Port Phillip Bay calamari with ink and nduja for the second time that day after already enjoying a plate from room service – and, of course, fries with saltbush salt – because good fries are truly the test of all the best hotel restaurants.
The food was exceptional, with the highlight for me being the Portarlington mussels – oh my goodness! I sip a glass of Ghiddy non-alcoholic wine, which still feels indulgent minus the alcohol (and the hangover), and debate whether to linger in the soft buzz of the dining room or retreat upstairs to my king-size bed. As I sipped the last drop of my “wine”, I sank deeper into my booth seat, satisfied.
A Morning on the Yarra
The next morning, I woke to complete silence. The soundproofing here is impressive – I can see the city moving outside, but I can’t hear it. Sitting up in my bed sipping herbal tea, I watch the river sparkling in the sunrise, flocks of birds in the sky, and rowers gliding by on the river. It’s like watching a silent-film version of the Calm app – mesmerising, vivid, and hypnotically quiet.
I’m strictly not a morning person, but as I sat (granted, still in bed), looking out over the morning light, I’d never felt so at peace being awake before 8am.
Bamford Wellness Spa
Later that day, I visited Bamford Wellness Spa, the first of its kind in Australia. Founded by Carole Bamford in the English countryside, the brand is known for its organic, nature-led approach to wellbeing – a perfect fit for 1 Hotel Melbourne’s ethos of mindful luxury.
The spa’s design is pared back and calm, defined by natural stone and soft whites. A sculptural counter and quiet water feature set the tone on arrival, creating an instant sense of calm before being led into the relaxation lounge pre-treatment.
I booked the Glow HydraFacial, a 90-minute treatment designed to detoxify and rehydrate – the perfect treatment after travel or long days in the city. It began with a deep cleanse using Bamford’s Nourishing Cleansing Balm (so good I bought some to take home), followed by advanced vortex-fusion technology to extract impurities and infuse hydration. LED light therapy and lymphatic drainage eased tension and revived circulation, while a collagen-rich mask finished the treatment with instant plumping and glow. My skin looked brighter, smoother, and hydrated – a glowing, refreshed look you can see immediately, and it lasted for weeks.
Guests also have access to The Field House Gym, which is easily the most impressive hotel fitness space I’ve ever stepped into – complete with premium Technogym equipment and a light, open design overlooking the Yarra River. The adjoining hydrotherapy area includes a Finnish sauna, aromatherapy steam room, vitality pool, and an 18-metre indoor lap pool. In-room wellness options are also available, from recovery sessions with Normatec compression boots to Helsi red-light therapy and HigherDose PEMF infrared mats.
It’s a holistic wellness experience that redefines what a city hotel can deliver – refined, functional, and genuinely restorative.
Finding Calm in the City
One night is never enough in a luxury hotel, but at 1 Hotel Melbourne, time seems to stand still. I left feeling both rested and invigorated – and with almost 500 new photos in my camera roll, it’s a pretty good sign I liked the décor.
Melbourne is a vibrant city. It’s dynamic, it’s busy, it exudes pace and indulgence – yet this hotel is a pocket of stillness that manages to exist right in the heart of it all. It offers a sanctuary without ever taking you out of the rhythm of the city.
At 1 Hotel Melbourne it’s not about escaping the city – it’s about finding calm within it.
For more information or to book, visit www.1hotels.com/melbourne or follow @1hotel.melbourne.
The writer of this article was hosted by for a complimentary stay, dining & spa treatment. All opinions expressed are based on the author’s personal experience.
