The Royce
St Kilda Road, near the Botanic Gardens; Melbourne, Australia
The Royce turns a former prestige-car showroom into a distinctive Melbourne boutique hotel. The building’s automotive history is carried through the interiors in wood panelling, chrome, marble, leather and curved forms, while preserved Art Deco details give the design a clear architectural foundation. Rooms use a handsome monochrome palette, with suites introducing a softer, more residential atmosphere. The Showroom restaurant and bar make dining part of that story, while breakfast in the conservatory and drinks beside fireplaces offer different ways to enjoy the shared spaces. Its St Kilda Road address places the hotel just south of the central business district, useful for a stay that combines city excursions with the surrounding garden precinct. This is especially appealing to travellers who enjoy restoration with a strong design narrative. Its appeal rests on the consistency of the transformation, allowing the building’s former purpose to remain legible without preventing the hotel from feeling comfortable, sociable and relevant to present-day Melbourne.