1 Hotel Lands in Melbourne With Its Signature Style Ahead of the 2026 Australian Open

There’s a certain buzz that hits when a hotel opens and immediately feels important.

Not flashy, not try-hard — just quietly confident. That’s exactly the vibe at 1 Hotel Melbourne, the brand’s first Australian outpost, which has already settled into the city like it’s always belonged here.

OK! recently had an exclusive visit to the newly opened property, and from the first step inside, it’s clear this is very much a 1 Hotel — just with an Australian accent.

If you’ve stayed at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, you’ll recognize the DNA instantly.

Where Brooklyn looks out over the East River, Melbourne’s version opens up to the Yarra River, offering the same sense of calm-meets-cool that made the New York property such a favorite with creatives, celebs and in-the-know travelers.

The design doesn’t scream for attention — and that’s the point. Reclaimed wood, stone textures, soft lighting and plenty of greenery create spaces that feel relaxed but polished, Sustainability is baked in, not broadcasted, which somehow makes it feel more luxurious.

Rooms follow that same easy rhythm. They’re warm, pared-back and genuinely comfortable, with views stretching out over the river or city skyline. The beds are seriously comfortable, bathrooms lean spa-like, and there’s an overall sense that every detail has been considered without feeling overdesigned.

Downstairs, the hotel’s restaurant From Here by Mike has quickly found its footing as a destination in its own right. Led by chef Mike McEnearney, it’s the kind of place that works whether you’re staying upstairs or simply stopping by because you’ve heard how good the food is — which, judging by the buzz, plenty of people have. Recently awarded a Michelin Key, the restaurant focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, delivering dishes that feel confident and refined without ever trying too hard.

Breakfast, in particular, has quietly become one of Melbourne’s more interesting morning stops.

During OK!’s visit, we spotted Jannik Sinner, the world men's tennis number one, enjoying breakfast like it was any other day. No fanfare, no crowd — just excellent food and genuinely good coffee, which feels perfectly on brand for both Melbourne and the 1 Hotel.

Just off the lobby, Crane Bar & Lounge is already pulling double duty as a hangout for guests and a destination in its own right. It’s stylish without being stiff, social without being loud. By day it’s laid-back and bright; by night it fills up fast, with a mix of locals, travelers and very familiar faces.

Unsurprisingly, the hotel has become a go-to base for the Australian Open 2026 crowd. Players, media and industry insiders have all gravitated here, and the energy during the tournament was unmistakable.

What really makes 1 Hotel Melbourne work is how livable it feels. There’s a strong wellness focus, a well-equipped gym, inviting communal spaces and that rare hotel quality where you actually want to hang out instead of rushing out the door.

By the end of our visit, it was clear: this isn’t just another luxury hotel opening. 1 Hotel Melbourne already feels like part of the city’s fabric — a place where you might spot a tennis star at breakfast, grab a cocktail with friends, or simply watch the Yarra roll by from your room and forget about time altogether.

And if this is how the brand’s Australian chapter begins, Melbourne is very lucky it got there first.