AC Hotels by Marriott opens first hotel in Australia

by | 04 Jun 2022 | Design

Imagery © Marriott

The opening of AC Hotel by Marriott Melbourne Southbank marks this Marriott brand’s entry to the country.

The property represents the design-led lifestyle brand it’s under with thoughtfully designed interiors and a location in one of Melbourne’s premier arts precincts.

Entry to Melbourne

The 205-key AC Hotel by Marriott Melbourne Southbank is now welcoming guests into a thoughtfully designed space with highlights including a signature dining venue and an infinity pool and cocktail bar with views over the city.

Marriott International’s ninth hotel in Melbourne, this property is owned by the diversified mixed-use real estate developer and investment company, Capital Alliance.

The architecturally striking building this hotel is housed within places guests in Melbourne’s prestigious Southbank area, close to the Central Business District and South Wharf precinct, as well as South Melbourne Market, Melbourne Convention Centre, South Wharf and the Arts precinct.

Commenting on the opening, Jeff Tomczek, vice president and global brand leader of AC Hotels, said: “We are thrilled to celebrate the arrival of the AC Hotels brand in Australia with the opening of AC Melbourne Southbank.”

“Melbourne is the cultural and design capital of Australia, allowing for a seamless fit with AC Hotels, known for its purposeful design and obsession with detail. With Australia’s border reopening, we look forward to welcoming travellers with a distinctive experience that has been edited to offer only the best of what guests truly need.”

“I am truly delighted to open the first AC Hotel in Australia,” added Harry Singh, general manager of the hotel. “Working in collaboration with DKO, we have brought to life the core elements of the AC design philosophy – every detail of the experience is meticulously over-thought to create a seamless stay, right in the heart of the city known as the design capital of Australia.”

A new design-led social hub

In collaboration with Capital Alliance, DKO Architecture led the architectural design of this bold structure set apart by a geometric glass facade that’s activated by LED lighting by night. A sculptural canopy distinguishes the entrance leading into this property’s modern interiors.

Each guest room and suite offers multi-functional space featuring sleek desks, open closets and integrated bathrooms, with sweeping views over the Yarra River and skyline. Inspired by the industrial warehouses of South Melbourne, each space pairs warm textured timber and metal detail with drapery, brass accents and stone tiling.

Shared spaces throughout the property then include the brand’s signature AC Lounge, which transitions from a creative co-working space by day to a social hub offering European-style tapas each evening. Breakfast is served in the hotel’s restaurant Sorolla and food and drink is offered throughout the day in Triana Bar and the poolside Bar de Buceo.

Additional facilities throughout the property range from an outdoor infinity-edge swimming pool and 24-hour fitness centre to 576 sq m of event space with floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace.

Related Articles

Virgin Hotels previews second UK site

Virgin Hotels previews second UK site

Imagery courtesy of Virgin Hotels. Virgin Hotels has given a sneak peek at its upcoming Glasgow development ahead of its opening in December this year. Virgin Hotels Glasgow is the second site for the brand in the UK and will feature 240 Chambers spanning across 15...

Six Senses to open highly anticipated Swiss resort this December

Six Senses to open highly anticipated Swiss resort this December

Imagery © Six Senses. Six Senses Crans-Montana is on track for making its debut, just in time for the 2022-23 winter season, at the end of the year. The year-round slope-side property promises to combine vitality, serenity and adventure in a space featuring luxury...

Design concept: Shiroiya Hotel

Design concept: Shiroiya Hotel

Imagery © Katsumasa Tanaka. This week’s TOPHOTELDESIGN exclusive places the focus on industrial-chic Shiroiya Hotel featuring a man-made grassy hill. The 2020-completed hotel in Japan is the result of a collaborative design effort between several architecture and...

Boutique brand rebuilds historic houses for Japanese luxury resort

Boutique brand rebuilds historic houses for Japanese luxury resort

Imagery courtesy of The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts. The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts is relocating 19th century traditional kominka Japanese houses for a new luxury resort in Hokkaido. The Pavilions Niseko Resort will launch in Q4 2024, and the build includes...

Design showcase: Top 5 corridor designs

Design showcase: Top 5 corridor designs

This week’s collaboration with TOPHOTELDESIGN highlights the hotel hallways which make moving from one area to the next a fascinating exploration. We have chosen five properties which focus on the journey as well as the destination. These corridors not only lead to...

Roost moves further into the American south

Roost moves further into the American south

Imagery courtesy of Morris Adjmi Architects. Hot on the heels of an opening in Tampa, Florida, the Roost aparthotel brand is heading to neighbouring US state South Carolina with a development scheduled to launch in early 2024. Roost Charleston is intended to be a...

ABOUT THE CHAIN

 

AC Hotels was born from the vision of Spanish hotelier Antonio Catalan - who wanted to create a new kind of stay for a new kind of traveller that prefers to have fewer things, but expects them to be better than good.