Many visitors come to Melbourne to enjoy the Australian lifestyle in this world renowned centre for culture, sports, entertainment, heritage and tourism. Melbourne, Australia’s second largest city is the state capital of Victoria, and this Melbourne CBD accommodation article examines a very traditional and elegant accommodation option in one of Melbourne’s oldest hotels.
The Hotel Windsor, which is in Melbourne city centre, in Spring Street, is an independently owned Grand Hotel, in fact the only one in Australia. It is within easy walking distance of many of central Melbourne landmarks, including Federation Square, the National Gallery, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The Hotel Windsor has been part of Melbourne life for just over 125 years. It was built in 1883 to the designs of Charles Webb. The first owner was the shipping magnate George Nipper. An early expansion saw the addition of the Grand Central Staircase. At 127 years of age, the Windsor is in fact older than many of the extremely well known Grand Hotels of Paris, London and New York. In its early history the Windsor was a meeting place for the highest echelons of Melbourne society, from business people and politicians, to actresses and music hall performers, and in 1898 it was the scene of the drafting of Australia’s constitution.
By the 1970s a decline had set in, and there was a real risk that the hotel might be demolished. Luckily the Victorian state government were not prepared to countenance the loss of such an important part of Melbourne’s heritage, and they intervened to save the hotel. Since then heritage specialists have organised a restoration programme for the hotel, and it is now back in business and in independent ownership. The Hotel Windsor’s elegant surroundings are now protected for future generations of visitors to Melbourne.
The high teas served at the hotel have even played a part in reviving old traditions amongst local people and visitors. English style high teas (afternoon teas with sandwiches, cakes etc) are often regarded in other places as part of an old fashioned tradition, but in Melbourne the tradition has been revived by younger people steeped in the foodie culture of the city. Many younger people and tourists now take high tea after a busy day shopping in Melbourne, and one place they go to is the Hotel Windsor. Unlike some of the restaurants and other hotels offering high teas, the Windsor has stayed true to the oldest traditions of cucumber and egg sandwiches, and scones and pastries.
Rooms at the Hotel Windsor are all non smoking and fully air conditioned. The hotel has twenty suites, and 160 other luxury bedrooms. Guests at the Windsor have the use of services such as valet parking (the car park is off site), and may make complimentary use of the fitness centre. High speed wireless internet is available throughout the hotel.
The Windsor’s restaurant is named 111 Spring Street Restaurant, and it offers an exciting menu, combining the classic French style with modern Australian influence. Jerome Tremoulet, the executive chef, believes in providing a dining experience suitably fitting to the beauty and style of the hotel’s architecture and interiors. There is also an outstanding selection from the wine cellars.
Visitors to the Cricketers’ Bar can choose from a wide variety of foreign and Australian beers. As one can judge by the name, the Cricketers has played a part in Melbourne’s sporting heritage over its long history. The bar holds a large collection of memorabilia from the last one hundred years of Australian cricket, and on many occasions the bar has hosted the victory celebrations of Australian Test teams.
Having resided all his lifetime around the inner Melbourne suburbs John Theil has matured with almost everything which is iconically Melbourne. He is a well recognised contributor on countless web based forums and operates from his Melbourne Accommodation arranging reports for a variety of publishers.
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