The penthouse hotel bringing true luxury to Melbourne's Southbank

Shadow Play by Peppers in Melbourne’s Southbank has flourished into one of the city’s top hotels.

Entering the lobby at Shadow Play by Peppers instantly sets a tone of romance and mystery, with mood lighting and refrigerated wine racks lining the back wall, warm lights illuminating every drop on offer. Once the mood is well and truly set, 45 levels up is where guests will discover it’s all about natural light.

Launching in 2019 and adding the luxury penthouses at the end of 2023, Shadow Play is now brimming with an eclectic crowd, all clambering to taste the onsite restaurant and swim in the outdoor pool that looms over the city on level nine. However, it’s the five penthouse apartments on the 45th floor – decked to the nines with every comfort you could think of – where you really feel the luxury.

Head 45 levels up at Shadow Play by Peppers.

So, if you’re in Melbourne for the weekend or planning a staycation away from your run-of-the-mill abode, here’s what to expect at Shadow Play by Peppers.

Penthouse luxury

After checking in with the ultra-professional staff, take a swift vertical ride to the tippy-top of the hotel where you’ll find the hotel’s pièce de résistance – the penthouse suites.

Each of the five suites has a slightly different layout to cater to your viewing preference. Whether you prefer to gaze over Port Phillip Bay and watch the ships sail along the horizon, or you want front-row seats to Crown’s dazzling fire spectacle, there’s a penthouse ready to put on a show.

Enjoy incredible views from every room.

Not dissimilar to the houses you see lining Beach Road and overlooking the bay, these penthouses are designed for groups to congregate and celebrate. Grandiose dining tables and spacious, kitted-out kitchens allow for top-shelf entertaining, while each suite greets you with a care package found in the dreams of night owls. Not to mention a washing machine and dryer down the hall from the dining room.

Complimentary bottles of wine and whisky can be found on the bar cart tucked away next to the boucle armchairs, and the floor-to-ceiling windows that surround every suite serve as a dazzling reminder of just how high you are (and just how sprawling Melbourne is).

Have every need taken care of.

Room sizes vary from penthouse to penthouse, so opt for a suite with a study if there’s work to be done on your trip. Bear in mind that productivity might be significantly lower as you get lost in your thoughts, watching from the window for hours on end as the city hums below.

Sleep in the ultimate comfort.

The best of Melbourne dining, onsite

Feeling peckish after those tipples of whisky? Edwin Wine Bar will quickly become your nearest and dearest friend.

Located on the ground floor, Edwin is a prime example of why some travellers rarely leave their hotels. Entrees of kimchi oysters and salted ricotta zucchini flowers; mains of Fior di Latte gnocchi and Gippsland grass-fed scotch fillet; desserts like pistachio madeleines and berry tortes – your taste buds won’t know what’s hit them.

Treat your tastebuds to Edwin Wine Bar.

Edwin’s beverage list is extensive and exclusively Victorian, not to mention the wine Edwin is tailor-made to each guest.  The restaurant’s seasonal menu focus on local produce source from small, boutique Victorian suppliers.

With catering available, bring Edwin up to your suite and have the full dining experience without changing out of your robe.

Alternatively, head to the Cloakroom Bar and Cocktail Lounge to whet your whistle before you venture out to explore the inimitable Melbourne grid.

Enjoy Edwin Wine Bar catering in the comfort of your penthouse.

A world of hotel amenities

Before hitting your 10,000 steps by wandering around the CBD, exploration of the hotel itself is a must.

As mentioned, level nine is home to the LA-esque outdoor pool that conveniently lacks the sand and swell found at any of the beaches dotted along Port Phillip Bay.

After a thorough lounge and dip session, make a beeline to the sauna and steam room to open up the pores and sweat out any leftover stress you’ve harboured throughout the day.

Dive into the outdoor pool with city views.

In keeping with the trend of Shadow Play acting as a home away from home, an on-site gym is available for those who like to keep their fitness in check, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows so you can exert your body and treat your eyes.

On level 46, a winter garden and indoor fireplace make the perfect sanctuary for the introverted traveller who needs some alone time. Grab a book, head to the green oasis and bask in the serenity.

Local area guide

For the uninitiated, Shadow Play by Peppers is located a stone’s throw away from the Yarra River, sharing the south side with the likes of the Arts Centre and the NGV.

Wander along the the nearby Yarra River. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The NGV hosts a rotating door of exhibits from renowned Australian and international artists, including a handful of free events on any given month. Located a brisk 20-minute walk from Shadow Play, the NGV and Arts Centre strip will lead you to Melbourne’s iconic Flinders Street Station. From there, hidden lanes brimming with bars, restaurants and vintage stores will reveal themselves.

For a riverside jaunt, start from Shadow Play and take a five-minute stroll towards Crown Casino, where there’s a steady supply of waterfront eateries and if you’re lucky (or unlucky depending on your personality), performers lining the river ready to paint an unflattering caricature.

Be moved by the BBC Earth Experience. (Image: Philip Volkers)

West of Shadow Play you’ll find the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, home to every weird and wonderful event under the sun—the BBC Earth Experience is currently running which is an unmissable experience for lovers of David Attenborough.

As Shadow Play is situated in the thick of the action, simply walking in any direction will be the best way to uncover Melbourne’s limitless entertainment.

Discover everything on offer at Shadow Play by Peppers by heading to hotelshadowplay.com.au.