Name of hotel
Lyall Hotel and Spa
Year opened
2002
Last refurbishment
2016
Neighbourhood
South Yarra (two and a half kilometres to the CBD). Guests live like a local in urban South Yarra. It has an upmarket village vibe with tree-lined streets and some of Melbourne’s best restaurants, cafes, bars, fashion and concept stores.
Walking distance to
Step out from the hotel armed with The Lyall’s Exclusive Shopping Privilege Card for discounts at stores along Toorak Road and Chapel Street. The Owner’s Guide to local dining provides honest insight and a guaranteed booking at some hard to get into restaurants including France Soir and DaNoi. Cucinetta, across the street is a hole in the wall style Italian while Ned’s Bakery is serving three meals a day and baking the most amazing breads. The sophisticated Palace Cinema is within easy walking distance as is the Village Jam Factory with 18 cinemas between them. The Botanic Gardens are an easy walk overlooked by The Botanical, Bacash and Entrecote restaurants.
Size and style
The Lyall Hotel and Spa is a five-star urban resort with 40 suites ranging from One Bedroom suites (50 square metres) to The Platinum Suite (140 square metres), a bistro, champagne bar, 24 hour room service and concierge, day spa and gymnasium. The hotel’s contemporary oriental interiors create an ambience that is luxurious and calm.
Guest profile
As The Lyall flies under the big chain hotel radar, the hotel’s client are often a well known identity or celebrity, creative or fashion designer. Guests, if working, use the hotel public spaces for meetings or media events while the leisure clients love the spa and fireside armchairs dotted around the hotel. A large percentage are international and over 50 per cent are returning guests who love the recognition of coming home and being greeted by a familiar face.
Family friendly
The Lyall has two bedroom suites catering for families and a bowl of jellybeans on the front desk.
Airport transfers
Yes, for A$100 each way.
You need to know
The Lyall is Melbourne’s only privately owned and operated five-star hotel. All rooms are suites, and all suites have a balcony and a kitchen facility. Tailor made service, with “Insider Information” for local area. Pushbikes are also available to guests without charge. The Lyall houses a mini collection of contemporary art on each level.
On-site dining and drinking facilities
Bistro Lyall: Bistro Lyall is where breakfast is served from 6.30am until 2pm. Brunch, lunch and dinner overlap with dishes from the lunch and dinner menus. This space includes tables on the terrace and fireside in The Library.
On-site facilities
Parking
Yes, at a rate of A$25 per day.
Pool
No
Gym
The Lyall Gymnasium is open 24 hours and is fitted with Life Fitness equipment.
Spa
The Lyall Spa offers an extensive menu of therapeutic and indulgent treatments. Highly trained therapists provide expert care while delivering results. The Lyall Signature Spa Ritual is an holistic head to toe treatment including full body massage and facial, while the Remedial Massage is popular at the Lyall Spa with Health Fund Rebate offered.
Eco and community initiatives
The Lyall supports The Olivia Newton-John Cancer, Wellness and Research Centre by donating A$1 per glass or A$2 per bottle of champagne ordered in The Lyall Champagne Bar. The Lyall supports the environment through sustainable practices.
Concierge recommends
Shopping (with Exclusive Shopping Privilege Card), walk to the Botanic Gardens, visit Como House (built in 1847 and is under the custodianship of the Australian National Trust), take a hotel pushbike and ride along the Yarra River, Hidden Secrets laneway tours, local art galleries.