Despite the drizzly Melbourne weather, watching my little one enjoy the skyline view of the CBD while pointing out the cars and trucks whizzing past on the freeway was a wholesome start to our first interstate weekend away as a family.
We stayed in an Executive Suite at Oakwood Premier Melbournewhich is ideally located in Southbank.
After smooth check in, where the little miss was given a teddy bear as a surprise gift, we made our way into the one-bedroom suitewith a cot already set up and ready to go.
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The location
The location was certainly the standout feature of this hotel. We weren’t keen on staying right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the CBD with our little one so this offered the best of both worlds.
Ideally situated in Southbank, the five-star hotel is just a short walk to key attractions such as Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, South Melbourne Market, Marvel Stadium, and DFO South Wharf.
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And as we’ve already pointed out you really get unparalleled skyline views thanks to the curved windows that let you look out over Melbourne city or Port Phillip Bay.
The room
The suite was the perfect size for three people. The in-room kitchen and laundry facilities are ideal when caring for a small human, and needing to wash bottles and the like.
The cot was set up in the living space, which also meant we didn’t have to go to bed at the same time as baby. We could put her down, and then close the bedroom door, and enjoy our own TV and ensuite bathroom.
The block-out blinds were great for making sure we didn’t wake too early – after daylight saving time came into play on our first night.
Only things to note really was there was no dead blot on the hotel door (something I’ve become accustomed to especially when travelling solo) and the hot water from the sink was hot.
During our stay we made use of the convenience of in-room dining. Think restaurant-quality dishes like lamb shank, pumpkin risotto, and Margherita pizza delivered straight to your door.
You’ll find the room service menu on the in-room iPad or by scanning the QR code on the TV screen. For us unfortunately the iPad didn’t work and we couldn’t reach the front desk on the phone so instead we downloaded the app and that worked a treat.
The bars
This year Oakwood unveiled their revamped lobby bar, Oak Lounge. The venue is committed to supporting local producers, giving guests a taste of the area while fostering a sense of community.
It was the perfect place to relax a little and escape the blustering Melbourne weather. Even with a little one we could perch ourselves in the corner on the comfortable lounges and enjoy a sip while she had her afternoon nap in the pram.
The hotel is also home to Strato Melbourne, a 360-degree rooftop bar and restaurant lounge located on the 40th floor. Not quite the go with a baby, but still a fun place to appreciate the stunning city views.
The writer stayed as a guest of Oakwood Premier Melbourne.
