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

A change is as good as a holiday, but never more so than in the Bendigo region when it’s the seasons putting in the transformative work.

With its gold rush history, opulent architecture and booming food and wine industry, there’s no denying that the Bendigo region is beautiful to visit at any time of year. Visit between March and May, however, and you’ll find the Bendigo in autumn really comes alive. Foliage erupts in a canvas of golden colours and the cooling air makes immersing yourself in nature all the more enticing.

Need a few ideas to get you started? We’re so glad you asked.

1. Tackle the bike trails

Pink Cliffs Reserve in Heathcote can be seen on the O’Keefe Rail Trail. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey)

Welcome to a region that punches well above its weight when it comes to cycling. This is where hammies are tested on multi-day rides, and first-timers fall in love with the sport on short (and ridiculously pretty) trails.

The 49-kilometre O’Keefe Rail Trail is the headline act, following the old railway line between Bendigo and Heathcote. Cross the Campaspe River at Axedale Recreation Reserve and pause at the Platypus Compass Sculpture and the First Nations mural marking the connection between Djaara and Taungurung Country, with Axedale acting as the perfect halfway stop to refuel at a pub or cafe.

Pedal a little further Heathcote’s Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve to be rewarded with views of sculpted pink clay cliffs and narrow gorges that are perfect for a photo stop. Searching for a different type of reward? The Heatchote Wine Region is full of inviting cellar doors.

There are plenty of other options in the Bendigo region, from the 210-kilometre Goldfields Track , to the Bendigo Creek Trail and Back Creek Trail – both ideal for riders of all abilities. The 3.7 kilometre Little Lake Boort loop is a great family-friendly option.

Prefer something more adventurous? Spring Gully Mountain Bike Park has been keeping BMX Bandits’ dreams alive for years.

2. Enjoy the crunch of autumn leaves

two people having a picnic at Valley of Liquidambers heathcote — Pack a picnic and head to the Valley of Liquidambers.

Blinding clusters of crimson, burnt orange and brilliant yellow; here, autumn leaves are crisp confetti of fire and gold. See the magic up close with a slew of parks seemingly dedicated to showcasing Mother Nature’s colour wheel, especially from mid April to early June.

Pack a picnic for an afternoon at Valley of Liquidambers in Heathcote, where Liquidamber trees transform into a wonderworld of magical foliage. Don’t miss taking a leisurely stroll across the swinging bridge back towards the main street.

Rosalind Park might be celebrated for its annual tulip display come springtime, but it’s hard to compete with the theatre of autumn. Here, many trees date back to the 1800s, and there’s no better place for a romantic stroll than along the elms, oak and Queensland Kauri that dominate this park.

Head straight to Lake Weeroona, where an ornamental lake begs for a leisurely lap around its edges, either on foot, or with pedal power.

3. Immerse yourself in First Nations culture

woman exploring Kooyoora State Park with guides — Explore Kooyoora State Park on a cultural tour.

Its ‘Mountain of Light’ (Guyura in the Dja Dja Wurrung language) title is impressive, but so too is Kooyoora State Park’s rugged landscape of granite outcrops, rocky ridgelines and wide-open skies.

While there’s nothing to suggest you couldn’t explore Kooyoora’s walking tracks on your own, the best way to understand the 40,000 years of history behind its natural wonders is to book a 2.5-hour Kooyoora Cultural Tour with Dumawul Tours .

Led by Djaara cultural guides, expect a traditional Welcome to Country smoking ceremony, before engaging storytelling rewinds the clock to reveal the deep cultural significance of the land, its flora, fauna and its continuing connection to Country.

Keen to stay a little longer? Consider staying overnight at the campground and committing to the park’s wealth of walking trails, such as the 5.3-kilometre hike from the camping ground to the lookout on the Long Rock Walking Track.

4. Splash in the region’s waterways

Paddle through Serpentine Creek Canoe Trail. (Image: Visit Vic)

Water babies rejoice: the Bendigo region offers a wealth of waterways to explore.

Flowing 392-kilometres from the Great Dividing Range to the Murray River, the best way to enjoy Loddon River is with a stop at Bridgewater. Here you can swim in the natural infinity pool or tackle the all-abilities, five-kilometre Serpentine Creek Canoe Trail before browsing the cute stores in town. Hungry? Grab a bite at Bridgewater Hotel .

Lake Eppalock is popular for water activities, but don’t miss a visit to Little Lake Boort and Big Lake Boort. Birders, in particular, will love the former, thanks to the large variety of bird species that nest in the boardwalk area surrounding the lake.

Meanwhile, Big Lake Boort is celebrated for its significant Indigenous history and over 400 scarred trees, and offers an opportunity to spot birds and go canoing.

Meanwhile, watersports and recreational activities at Crusoe Reservoir, located on the outskirts of Bendigo, are the order of the day. Take a walk to the picnic spots of No. 7 Park nearby, and maybe even camp there for the night.

5. View epic lookouts

customers at Peregrine Ridge — Spend time at Peregrine Ridge.

Sometimes a holiday requires a phenomenal spot on which to perch as you survey your temporary kingdom below. The Bendigo region, happily, doesn’t do anything by halves.

Located in Heathcote-Graytown National Park, Viewing Rock Lookout – a rocky outcrop offering spectacular views over Heathcote and surrounds – remains a popular choice. Take the hour-long Viewing Rock Circuit Walk and try your hand at gold prospecting nearby.

Prefer the romance of sunrise or sunset? Pyramid Hill, a stunning granite hill rising 187-metres above sea level, is the place to be (preferably with a coffee and a bagel)

Over in Terrick Terrick National Park, a walk to the summit delivers a full 360-degree panorama of woodlands, farms and open-sky plains. Pack lunch – and perhaps a tent – as picnic tables and camping are available.

Carve out time for Peregrine Ridge , a vineyard situated at the eastern side of Mt Camel Range with an elevation ranging from 250-290 metres. Be rewarded with delicious wine and a cellar door which offers floor-to-ceiling views.

6. Enjoy the Bendigo region’s parks and gardens

Rosalind Park in bendigo — Stroll through Bendigo’s best gardens. (Image: Visit Vic)

Rosalind Park, located right in the centre of town, is considered Bendigo’s backyard and rightly so. Home to the Bendigo Easter Festival , it’s just as popular year-round for its sixty acres of rolling lawns, towering elms, fernery and winding paths – not to mention the playground which has plenty of little fans of its own. A short drive away, Bendigo Botanic Gardens – established in 1857 – offers a more tranquil space for deep-level nature immersion.

Those who favour something a little more formal, cottage-style Canterbury Park Gardens – famous for its dahlias in autumn – delivers. Stroll through its meticulously maintained ornamental gardens before checking out Lake Tom Thumb and Lake Neangar nearby.

Time to start planning your adventure to the Bendigo Region, visit bendigoregion.com.au.