Staying above the clouds at Oakwood Melbourne

Standing on its own, the Oakwood Premier towers at 40 levels distinguished by its striking contemporary facade featuring a harmonious blend of deep, modern tones accented by luminous copper highlights. Its distinctive exterior makes it a prominent landmark amidst Melbourne’s skyline and claims its place among the finest accommodations along Southbank.

As the first instalment Down Under of the global luxury brand, the doors of Oakwood Premier Melbourne swung open barely over a year ago and it has already been recognised as a special place to call home when in the Victorian capital.

We were immediately taken by the large water feature spanning the entire driveway as we pulled up to the lobby doors. The modern design elements combining sea and earth are notable and extend through the Lobby where we were met by the immaculate and professional team who welcomed us most warmly.

The city of Melbourne was on absolute spectacular display from our apartment on the 35th floor, with uninterrupted views over the city and the Yarra as it snakes its way past the Casino and toward Flinders Street Station.  The spacious kitchen, dining and living room looked out through floor-to-ceiling windows with expansive views that instantly took our breath away and lulled us into a state of relaxation.

Within our charming haven, every intricate detail had been meticulously curated to infuse an aura of opulence, creating an ambiance that enveloped us like a cocoon of intimacy and personal indulgence.

Our abode boasted a comprehensive kitchen arrangement featuring a spacious full-size refrigerator, a modern cooktop, an oven, a convenient microwave, a washing machine, and an air conditioning system to ensure optimal temperature control. Also stocked with an array of essential cooking utensils, complemented by exquisite crockery, elegant glassware, and fine cutlery. The attention to detail extends to the  bathroom with provision of indulgent amenities such as high-quality accessories, soaps, plush towels, and cosy robes. Quite remarkably, every single aspect has been attended to – a testament to Oakwood’s commitment to excellence. Indeed, every conceivable item, without exception, was thoughtfully provided.

In awe, we stood transfixed, witnessing as the sun gracefully dipped beneath the horizon, a celestial dance emerged above – stars shimmering and city lights below twinkling like a flowing river of luminescence. The scene before us was an exquisite masterpiece, a testament to the captivating beauty of nature and urban life harmoniously converging. Amidst this splendid panorama, my beloved and I found ourselves immersed in the moment, whilst sipping the complimentary bubbles – a delightful touch of the thoughtful welcome package. The effervescent liquid mirrored our spirits, infusing a sense of celebratory tranquillity.

We awoke snuggled in feathery pillows surrounded by soft white sheets feeling loved and a little apprehensive of leaving the comfort of the huge king bed. Reluctantly, we rose and readied ourselves, quickly becoming excited for the buffet, prepared for our indulgence – down on level five.

The lavish breakfast spread was mouthwatering. Artfully arranged in a sprawling setting for guests to dine in intimacy & comfort. Chefs cooking omelettes at your personal request to accompany the array of sausages, bacon, a variety of breads, plus fruits and cereals. The culinary temptation was more than ample and almost too much to choose from. A great way to start the day.

Following a satisfying breakfast, we leisurely strolled into Oakwood’s grand lounge area, an expanse of elegance where productivity beckoned with the option to work enveloped by the comfort of plush furnishings, all while indulging in the warmth of complimentary coffee. Yet, on this occasion, we opted to retreat back to our apartment – a haven that felt uniquely and authentically ‘us’. 

The thought of an extended stay, perhaps a week or more, was undoubtedly tempting, a testament to the remarkable blend of luxurious comfort and homely charm that Oakwood effortlessly provided.

Our stay at Oakwood Premier required a touch of work, a purpose that had brought us to Melbourne. Yet, even within the realm of tasks, the atmosphere retained a holiday-like allure. Seated by the window, our gazes wandered over the cityscape below as we seamlessly blended work with leisure, basking in a tranquil fusion of calm yet focused productivity.

The allure of our apartment was so captivating that even though the Strato sky bar and eatery beckoned from the pinnacle of the 40th floor – an experience that is a must and we indulged in another night (read about it here), but we found ourselves opting for the pleasure of dining in. Such was the enchantment that our apartment held, even in the face of such a tempting alternative.

However, we whipped up a platter of cheeses, antipasto, fresh bread and dips we had scored at the local South Melbourne Markets (if you are a foodie, don’t leave town without strolling through this amazing food hub extraordinaire), followed by one of our favourites, fresh pan-seared salmon with a light mix of greens and hand-made pumpkin ravioli purchased from said market. It was a perfect way to try out the kitchen and taste what living at the ‘Oaks’ (what we fondly called it) would be like… 

The Oakwood is centrally located to the Convention Centre, Southbank and the CBD as well as only minutes from the markets, ample quirky pubs and loads of eateries and activities, be it the aquarium, casino, King Pin alley (more on this here) and DFO shopping centre, literally at our doorstep.

Later, it was an easy walk to Melbourne’s South Bank. Here, we enjoyed the vibrant array of shopping, restaurants and bars along the tranquil Yarra River. We stayed out late, witnessed the fire bursts that flare up on the hourn (a must see), before making use of one of the ample electric scooters found on every corner to zoom back to our hotel to end our day.

The next morning, we awoke early to make our morning flight – a hard departure as we could have soaked up the comfy bed and our home in the clouds indefinitely. It was sad to leave the Oakwood perfectly located close to downtown Melbourne as well as everything business we had come for. 

Heed these words of warning that if you stay here, allow for an extra couple of days, as you’ll love it so much you won’t want to leave. This is exactly what happened to us.

The Oakwood Premier is Melbourne’s newest, finest and most opulent Hotel on Southbank, featuring 132 rooms and 260 serviced apartments in its 140 metre tall landmark property – one you definitely have to experience for yourself next time you are headed to Melbourne.

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The Oakwood Premier – book here.

Our Rating
Five out of Five Pillows

(yes, easily a place we would want to claim as our favourite in Melbourne)