Hotel review: Quincy Melbourne Hotel
Traveller: Margaret Barca
Room: Hosier Club Room
Address: 509 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Date: November 2021
Price range: $$
Best for: Foodies, Millenials seeking a staycation, adventure seekers
Location
The Quincy Hotel Melbourne is on the corner of King Street and Flinders Lane, in Melbourne CBD’s burgeoning west end (the skyline is crisscrossed with cranes).
From the hotel it takes just 8 minutes by tram and 13 minutes walking to Flinders Street Station. The hotel is roughly 40 minutes from Melbourne Airport on the Skybus or 22 minutes in an Uber.
It’s close to the Yarra River, with easy access to wining, dining and the arts precinct.
Within a short walk, you can find …
You might be surprised. Melbourne’s fine-dining destination Vue de Monde is a mere two minutes’ walk away. You could enjoy a tipple at the bluestone KSR Art Bar or the multi-level State of Grace cocktail bar (kitsch but luxe, mod Euro food, cool crowd).
You could sign up to dive with sharks at Melbourne Aquarium (if you are that way inclined!), or toss in your chips with the high rollers at Crown Casino. Crown and Southbank’s extensive boardwalk of dining options lie just across the river.
Claim to fame
The first Australian iteration of Singapore’s famed Quincy Hotel taps into the original’s lively Southeast Asian concept of a ‘bespoke experience’ for Millenials – or anyone with a sense of adventure. One of Quincy’s ‘Q-urators’ was on the phone well ahead to check if we needed any local intel, or bookings for bars, restaurants, theatre, excursions.
The show-stopper
Q Bar on the 28th floor is a must. Sensational views. And the bar staff really know their stuff – ask about the Antagonist gin and locally made aperitivos. On a balmy night sit outside and indulge in a cocktail and house-made mini chocolate and calamansi ice cream (divine!).
The room
Pared-back sophistication with modernist clubby chairs, subtle tones of jade, pink and blue (the colours of good fortune, apparently), muted gold trim and the occasional lovely bolt of colour (a gorgeous raspberry red in our Club Room). All 241 rooms, from the petit (but perfectly sized city bolthole) Celestial Rooms to the progressively roomier Caledonian and Hosier Club Rooms are similar – some just have more impressive views. There are two über-spacious penthouse suites.
Not to rave, but the bed was heavenly (and there’s a pillow menu). Coffee pod maker, always a good idea. Someone has put together the minibar with genuine care: Asian beers, Dal Zotto prosecco in cans, Archie Rose Espresso Martini and Negroni, wines from Margaret River and the Quincy ‘s own handcrafted Gin Cocktail with lemon and lemongrass (in the most adorable squat bottle). Plus health juices and laksa potato chips – among other things.
Green-leaning factors? Refillable Kevin Murphy toiletries (no mini plastic bottle trash), and toilet paper from the socially proactive Who gives a crap company. No wasteful paper brochures – everything is on screen.
Beyond the rooms
Graffiti from the city’s famed laneways line the lifts, and playful three-dimensional wall hangings – golden tassels, felted wool, latticed leather – greet guests on each level.
On the ground floor, Asian-inspired SingSong bar, opening onto Flinders Lane, offers exotic coffees, pastries, banh mih and more.
The elegant Q Bar hidden away on the 28th floor, perfectly channels Melbourne’s near-obsession with secret bars and clever cocktails. Hosier Club members can chill here from 6 am – 6 pm, with complimentary all-day snacks, lunch items such as shiitake dumplings, tea and coffee. Beer, wine and a cocktail of the day are also complimentary for members from 4 pm – 5 pm.
At night there’s a tropical, big-city vibe at Q Bar, with its louvered windows and sparkly night-time views. Adjacent, the heated indoor pool with high-rise outlook is open until 10 pm for late night swimmers (cocktails served). There’s a small gym (but do you really have time to hit the treadmill?)
And there’s the outstanding Salted Egg restaurant, of course, for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Dish to dine for
Tough call. I’d say find some friends so you can sample as many dishes as possible
Salted Egg has some fantastic dishes. Son-in-law eggs with their spicy yellow bean sauce, sticky sauce and slivered green mango are a house specialty. The twice-cooked duck is a cracker. And then there’s the crispy whole fried flounder. All the sides were excellent (roti, coconut and lime rice). The mango with mini cashew meringue desert was also pretty spesh.
Before booking …
Check for special deals. And speak to a Q-urater for the inside info on what’s happening.
Insiders’ tips
From level 10 up there are clear views but try for a corner room for max impact.
If you’ll be spending extra time in-house, Hosier Club Rooms offer member-only access to Q Bar during the day, and special perks.
Staying in
If you long to linger in your room, throw open the mini bar for pre-dinner drinks and order up room service. The ‘Tiffin service’ is a three-course degustation delivered in a traditional, three-tiered tiffin box. Plump those cushions and access your own streaming services on the TV or settle in with the hotel’s free movies.
Stepping out
You’re a stroll or a free tram ride from the city’s multiple shopping options, the casino, art galleries, quirky laneways, restaurants (from five-star to hole-in-the-wall) and rooftop bars.
If only…
Senior staff were fantastic but juniors were still finding their way. The Quincy had only just re-opened after lockdown though, so definitely understandable.
V&T expert rating
8 out of 10.
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