The Thousands

Adelphi was Melbourne’s iconic architectural hotel long before it became a prerequisite for any decent hotel to be iconic and architectural. Converted from a several story warehouse in the early-nineties, every feature has been purpose-designed by Melbourne-based international architects Denton Corker Marshall.

It’s definitely throwback to another time – the time of the Hush Puppies phenomenon and Jason Donovan – but if you are even the slightest bit design-inclined, you’ll love staying here. Believe me, I have seen a grown man piss his pants with excitement over the DCM x Edra furniture in our room, and I scoured every floor to see a different incarnation of these angular Memphis-palette couches.

Adelphi’s crowning glory is its glass-ended rooftop pool, sloshing out nine stories above Flinders Lane, and scene of many B grade TV shows back when this was the shit. In my opinion, it still is the shit, and you have no idea how much I regret not swimming in this thing.

Dining wise, you’ve got the two-hatted Ezard downstairs, and Andrew McConnell’s Cumulus down the road, so I’d recommend skipping out on room service. It is also worth noting that there are large construction works going on across the road right now. Adelphi wears this on its sleeve, publishing updates on its website and providing ear plugs in every room. Though the views are compromised, it’s not as bad as it could be, and I would recommend taking advantage of the reduced rack rates while 171 Collins goes up.