Nature-inspired 1 Hotel Melbourne opens its doors

1 Hotel Melbourne offers nature-inspired design, sustainable hospitality, and a focus on local experiences along the city’s waterfront

1 Hotel Melbourne has opened its doors, marking the highly anticipated Australian debut of the nature-focused, sustainability-driven 1 Hotels brand. Set on the banks of the Yarra River in the revitalised North Wharf district, the hotel combines contemporary architecture with heritage restoration, underscored by a biophilic design ethos.

“At 1 Hotels, we’ve always believed that true luxury is rooted in purpose, impact, and authentic experiences,” said Raul Leal, CEO of Starwood Hotels. “1 Hotel Melbourne brings sustainability and style into harmony, with a focus on wellness, local connection, and day-to-night programming that creates a tangible sense of place. From the moment you arrive, you feel like you’re part of the city.”

Design

1 Hotel Melbourne’s design stays true to the brand’s nature-inspired philosophy, with both palette and materials nodding to the landscapes of Victoria – from the jagged cliffs of the Great Ocean Road to the lush Dandenong Ranges. The building’s asymmetric façade, with its reflective glass panels, mirrors the movement of the river, connecting the hotel visually to its waterfront location.

Its site on the historic Seafarers wharf, in continuous use since 1855, serves as the heart of 1 Hotel Melbourne’s design. The lobby showcases a dramatic rock wall constructed from split-faced granite – a nod to Victoria’s coastal geology – along with furnishings crafted from elements of the original Goods Shed No. 5. More than 2,000 original elements from the shed have been salvaged, catalogued and reincorporated, including its original support beams – now dramatic portals in the restaurant, bluestone pavers, steel trusses, timber doors and window frames. The adjacent Malcolm Moore crane, a 1942 industrial relic and the last of its kind in Victoria, has also been restored and repositioned as a sculptural tribute to Melbourne’s maritime history.

More than 4,500 square meters of reclaimed timber (the equivalent of 18 tennis courts) have been used throughout the hotel all up – from the reception desk made from repurposed elm trees from Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel works to the staircase in the lounge, made from decommissioned railway bridges.

Rooms

The property offers 277 rooms, including 36 suites, each designed as a tranquil retreat with natural light and views of the Yarra River or Melbourne skyline. Interiors continue the biophilic theme, heroing natural materials throughout, including live-edge timber furniture, moss wall panels, and more salvaged wharf timber details. Energy-efficient systems, smart thermostats, and low-VOC finishes complete the rooms’ focus on mindful, sustainable luxury.

In addition to the rooms and suites, 1 Hotel Melbourne offers 114 hotel-branded waterfront homes, with the crowning jewel the 18th floor penthouse replete with a private outdoor terrace, lounge, library, and dining space.

Sustainability

Sustainability is embedded across 1 Hotel Melbourne’s broader design and operations. The hotel is targeting LEED Silver certification and prioritises the use of recycled and reclaimed materials in its architecture. Advanced air quality management, water conservation technologies, and a zero single-use plastics policy are in place, while a partnership with Foodprint Group aims to divert over 90% of operational waste from landfill. 

The number of living plants found throughout the hotel, meanwhile, exceeds 7,000.

Dining

1 Hotel Melbourne’s dining lineup is led by From Here by Mike – the first hotel collaboration from acclaimed Australian chef Mike McEnearney. Known for his low-waste, produce-driven cooking, McEnearney brings a hyper-local menu to the hotel’s signature restaurant, with dishes like freshly shucked oysters with pickled daikon and a twice-baked goat’s cheese soufflé. A 40 per cent local wine list, biodynamic selections, and cocktails made with repurposed ingredients round out the offering.

Additional venues at 1 Hotel Melbourne include Crane Bar & Lounge, with botanical cocktails and DJ sets; Neighbours Café, a light-filled spot for smoothies and nutrient-rich meals; and Upstairs, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar tucked away on the first floor.

Experiences

Wellness is a core focus at 1 Hotel Melbourne, anchored by the Bamford Wellness Spa. The spa offers a range of natural treatments alongside a dedicated wellness space featuring an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and spa. Guests also have access to The Field House Gym, a high-performance fitness centre with state-of-the-art equipment, personal training and movement classes including yoga and meditation. The gym’s design incorporates sustainably sourced materials such as local timber, Danish cement and acoustic panels made from certified wood.

1 Hotel Melbourne is located in close proximity to Melbourne’s CBD, Marvel Stadium, and the Botanic Gardens, and guests have immediate access to riverfront walking and cycling trails. Event spaces, meanwhile, include the Seafarers Event Space, a 1,000-square-metre riverside venue for up to 900 guests, along with flexible meeting rooms designed with natural materials and state-of-the-art technology.

1 Hotel Melbourne’s opening follows the 2023 debut of 1 Hotel Mayfair, London – the brand’s first foray into Europe. Future openings are planned for Cabo San Lucas, Paris, Crete, Austin, Copenhagen, Riyadh, Seattle, and San Miguel de Allende.

“The opening of 1 Hotel Melbourne marks a powerful moment for our brand as we expand in the Asia Pacific region,” says Barry Sternlicht, 1 Hotels Founder and Chairman of Starwood Hotels. “As we grow our global footprint, we’re focused on markets that reflect our values – places where nature, culture, and innovation converge in meaningful ways. Melbourne is a city that not only understands the importance of sustainability, it celebrates it.”

Reservations for 1 Hotel Melbourne are open now.

1hotels.com/melbourne