Rab, The Grand Hotel
Editorial
The Grand Hotel is located in what was once the Railway Administrative Building, an iconic heritage-listed building that harks back to the gold rush days, when government bodies scored themselves immense, neo-classic buildings built by European stonemasons (these days they’re lucky to get a prefab from Berwick). The building had sat empty and unloved for many years before the Accor Hotel group purchased it and had it fully restored into a hotel with a standard well beyond its former utilitarian glory. Visitors to Melbourne who don’t have budget restrictions should consider booking into one of the many rooms, ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments, all of which have high vaulted ceilings and boutique comforts. If you don’t mind traipsing down all the colossal corridors, then it’s worth a stay – even the Minogues said it felt more like a home than a hotel, and that says something (I’m just not sure what).
The Grand Hotel Restaurant and Bar (or RAB) caters mostly to hotel guests, offering a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu in the enormous old lounge. Some guests may be tempted to have their cocktails sent into the beautiful library, just one of the many gracious rooms spread throughout this vast building. The menu offers a variety of modern Australian dishes made with some quality organic produce, sourced from regional Victoria, which is always good to see (and eat). The wine list is well chosen mix of imported and local wines, and includes some tasty by-the-glass options from local vineyards such as Innocent Bystander and Snobs Creek (you really have to love unpretentious Aussie wine labels).
While The Grand Hotel is centrally located in the southwest corner of the CBD, a stone’s throw from Southern Cross Station and within walking distance to the Crown Casino and Etihad Stadium, the bar is really better suited to hotel guests. But for those who appreciate architecture, you can always use it as a good excuse to take a peek into this unique part of Melbourne’s stylish history.
Din Heagney, Citysearch
User Feedback
Your Feedback
0 User review (add yours)