Hotel Review: Element Melbourne Richmond

Sometimes a corporate hotel is just a corporate hotel. Other times, it’s like the Element Melbourne Richmond: a sophisticated, pet-friendly paradise packed with all the amenities.

When Marriott International announced the opening of the new Element Melbourne Richmond, the brand knew it would need key points of difference to stand out from the state’s already saturated hotel market. Turns out, it delivered.

Details

Element Melbourne Richmond
588 Swan Street, Richmond, Melbourne

First Impressions

As a Melburnian, I thought I knew every nook and cranny of Richmond’s bustling Swan Street. However, nestled within the new Botanicca Corporate Park is the Element Melbourne Richmond, in all its grand and vibrant glory.

The location itself was a little further away from the action than I was expecting, but in such an interconnected city, there are plenty of means to get you there in a flash. And hey, who doesn’t like a whole lot of privacy?

The property itself has all the trimmings of a luxe, new build, featuring an abundance of natural light and boutique furnishings. Designed by local architecture firm, Rothelowman, the curved façade is beautifully modern, integrating well with the surrounding industrial landscape.

Check-in was seamless, and the lobby felt both busy and connected, while still retaining an air of relaxation – a combination that is challenging to nail.

One of the drawcards of the Element Melbourne Richmond, aside from the obvious brand recognition and competitive price point is that your furry friends are welcome, too. It’s one of the only pet-friendly hotels in the area, and the property goes above and beyond to welcome your favourite travelling companions.

The rooms

The room was good. Nice. Nothing out of the ordinary here. It was generous in size with a big, comfy bed – a detail that doesn’t go unnoticed. However, the real drawcard of my Balcony King Room was the massive outdoor terrace.

I’d go as far as to say it’s the biggest balcony I’ve encountered in any hotel room. There were sweeping views of Melbourne’s city skyline, alongside a table and chairs that were begging for a sunset Champagne.

If you are in the mood for a little in-room beverage, there is one small catch. The minibar facilities are located in the lobby, meaning you’ll have to venture downstairs if the mood strikes you. This isn’t a super surprising contingency to come across in a new hotel. In fact, a lot of properties have made the decision to cut the minibar altogether. Firstly, they take up space that could be otherwise utilised; secondly, they generate a mere fraction of hotel revenue, cost time and money to monitor inventory and are often just not worth the bother.

Balcony King Room Element Hotel Richmond — The balcony king room featuring an outdoor terrace

The food

The Mint Lane Restaurant and Bar serves contemporary Australian food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The space integrates seamlessly with the rest of the hotel: it’s clean and sophisticated, while the food is also up to scratch. I definitely enjoyed the buffet breakfast, but would probably advocate for shopping around the area for lunch and dinner if time permits.

The amenities

The amenities are the real star of the Element Melbourne Richmond show. For starters, there’s free Wi-Fi for all guests, which is always a nice touch. There’s also a 24-hour fitness centre, as well as bike hire for you to explore the banks of the surrounding Yarra River. Corporate travellers can take advantage of the 280 square-metre event space, alongside catering and expert planning services, which are on offer, too.

Oh, and there’s also an on-site laundry, electric car charging points and car rental.

Element Hotel Richmond — Boardroom amenities

Sustainability

A recognised industry leader in the longer-stay eco space, it made sense for the hotel brand to lean into its already sustainably conscious ethos with this property. And that is precisely what they did.

Oversized windows provided an abundance of natural light, alongside a number of other eco-conscious touches. The property utilised energy-saving LED lighting, CO2 sensors monitoring air quality as well as water-saving taps in the bathrooms.

The verdict

The Element Melbourne Richmond did very few things wrong during my stay. Everyone I encountered was super friendly and accommodating, while the pet-friendly inclusion really helped to boost brand loyalty for me. Very few complaints.

We rated

You’d be surprised how much a good robe influences my purchasing decisions – and this one was a doozy. I also loved the scale of the outdoor terrace and the plushness of the bed. It felt like they paid attention to my Zen, and made an effort to ensure that, even if you’re there on business, your room is a place to relax.

We’d change

While the bathroom does provide the classic hotel toiletries, the shower was another story, merely offering a 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner. This is a disastrous outcome for many travellers. I’d love to see traditionally corporate hotels veer away from catering to an (often male) unfussy, low-maintenance guest, to one that is considered and sophisticated with its bathroom amenities.

Score

4/5

Just over an hour from Melbourne, spectacular walking and hiking trails encompass ancient landscapes, forested ridgelines and volcanic peaks.

Just a short drive from the city, the urban sprawl gives way to rolling hills, mineral springs, and lush forests that will have you feeling like you’re in the bucolic countryside of France. Encompassing Daylesford , the Macedon Ranges, Castlemaine and the Central Goldfields, this pocket of Victoria is a region where nature, art, and wellness intertwine. Heritage towns hum with creativity, good food and wine, and welcoming locals. While Daylesford hikes, and those nearby, offer the chance to take a pause and reconnect with nature.

1. Hanging Rock Summit Walk

Etched into folklore, few places in Australia carry as much mystique as Hanging Rock. Rising dramatically from the plains near Woodend, this volcanic mamelon offers a beautiful nature walk. The walk begins at a gentle pace, weaving through shaded woodland before it gets a little steeper as the path starts to climb and twist to the summit. From here, you’ll have views that stretch across the Macedon Ranges. The walk is roughly 1.8 kilometres return, but the real reward lies in standing among the weathered boulders, feeling the age and energy of the earth beneath your feet.

2. Macedon Ranges Walking Trail

Macedon Ranges Walking Trail camel's hump lookout — Walk to Camel’s Hump. (Image: Clair Derwort)

The Macedon Ranges Walking Trail traverses around 19 kilometres of forest and mountain landscapes. The full trail is a six-hour circuit, with most of the walk being a grade three; however, you don’t have to tackle it all at once. There are shorter walks that will take you through the tall mountain ash forests, to tranquil picnic areas, and sweeping views from Camels Hump and the Memorial Cross. The best times of year to head out are autumn, when the mountain turns into a tapestry of crimson and gold, and spring, when wildflowers brighten the trail.

3. Mount Alexander Traverse

Towering above the goldfields near Castlemaine, Mount Alexander is a granite giant that offers some great bushwalking trails. The Mount Alexander Traverse winds along the mountain’s rocky spine through dry eucalypt forest that opens up in sections to reveal beautiful panoramas across Loddon Valley and all the way to the distant Grampians. Once a site of ancient volcanic activity (and later a gathering place for the Dja Dja Wurrung people), the mountain’s granite tors are now quiet and create a beautiful, serene atmosphere for a moment of reflection while walking.

4. Murmuring Walk

Murmuring Walk daylesford hikes — Circle the picturesque Sanatorium Lake.

Located an easy drive from Daylesford, Murmuring Walk offers something a little different. Circling Sanatorium Lake, this free audio-guided walk aims to immerse you in the rhythms of Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country by blending the sounds of nature with a multi-layered soundtrack. There are two routes to explore while you listen: a shorter loop around the lake itself and a longer circuit that extends deeper into the woodland.

5. La Gerche Forest Walk

Located in Creswick, the La Gerche Forest Walk honours the legacy of John La Gerche, a 19th-century forester who championed the regeneration of the then gold-rush-ravaged land. Today, over 100 years later, his replanting efforts have grown into a living cathedral of towering pines, oaks, and native gums. As you meander along the 2.2-kilometre circuit, you’ll find interpretive panels along the way that help tell the story of La Gerche’s vision, so you can learn as you wander.

6. Sailors Falls Loop

Just outside Daylesford, Sailors Falls tumbles through a fern-lined gorge, fed by mineral springs. Thought to be named after the sailors who jumped ship to seek gold in the area during the 1850s gold rush, the loop walk begins at the car park and descends through a cool, shaded gully to the base of the falls. From here, you’ll make the climb back via the mineral springs. It’s a short but enchanting walk – about 1.5 kilometres in total, so make a day of it by packing a picnic to sit by the springs; you’ll feel worlds away from the city.

7. Paddys Ranges Loop Walk

Further north, the Paddys Ranges State Park loop reveals a different side of Victoria’s Heartland – dry forest, golden light and hints of a gold-rush past. This protected reserve is a stronghold of box-ironbark woodland, providing vital refuge for endangered species. In spring, the forest floor is awash with the colour of over 230 species of wildflowers, so a springtime walk is a must-do. As you walk the 4.5-kilometre loop trail, keep an eye out for remnants of old mine shafts and rusted relics from the prospectors who once sought their fortunes here.

8. Mount Franklin Summit Walk

An extinct volcano turned picnic ground, Mount Franklin (known as Lalgambook to the Dja Dja Wurrung people) is one of the region’s quiet marvels. The summit walk follows a narrow, winding path through native forest to the crater’s rim, where you’ll get glimpses of farmland and forest below. It’s a moderate climb – just over an hour return, so it can easily be done if you’re camping in the surrounding reserve for a weekend nature retreat.

The trails of Victoria’s Heartland offer a chance to reconnect with the landscape, local history and yourself. Start planning your next adventure at daylesfordmacedonlife.com.au.