The StandardX Melbourne Hotel Review

It’s the first of its kind in the world, so naturally, this Fitzroy hotel is setting its own standards.

Back in 1999, hotelier André Balazs opened the first Standard Hotel on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip . With its live models in the lobby’s glass vitrine, a DJ booth at the front desk and affordable prices, it soon became the place to stay and party, even for the celebrity set. Standard Hotels opened all over the world – the New York iteration straddling the High Line was briefly famous thanks to exhibitionists displaying their wares through the full-length windows to the strolling crowds below – but it’s taken 25 years for the brand to reach Australian shores.

Well, kind of. StandardX is the little sister of the original Standard. It’s not quite as brash, and nowhere near as party-hard. This far more subtle offshoot is perfectly suited to its locale in one of Melbourne’s coolest neighbourhoods and offers visitors an attractive alternative to the average CBD stay.

Here’s everything to know about the newly-opened The StandardX, Melbourne.

Location

It’s one of Melbourne’s favourite suburbs, for both locals and travellers. Fitzroy has a few famous streets – Gertrude and Smith, which it shares with Collingwood – but the StandardX is only a hundred metres from the best-known: Brunswick Street. In every direction, there are restaurants, bars, cafes, boutiques, galleries and just about everything else you could possibly want to visit.

Plus, on weekends, the Rose St Artist’s Market next door displays the original creations of local designers and makers. The tram into the city is only a couple of minutes’ walk away.

the exterior of The StandardX Melbourne — The StandardX is only a hundred metres from Brunswick Street.

Style and character

The eye-catching, rusted exterior, designed by Woods Bagot, looks as if it has been part of the neighbourhood for decades. That’s the overall vibe you get from this new-build hotel, even though, when I visit, it’s only been open for days. From the welcoming staff members at check-in to expanses of lush greenery, the StandardX Melbourne feels established.

Sarah Smalltown's macramé work at The StandardX Melbourne — The StandardX Melbourne features Sarah Smalltown’s macramé work. (Image: Carrie Hutchinson)

Imagine you gave your friend with impeccable taste a healthy budget to create a stylish yet modern space for people to hang out. That’s the feeling downstairs in the public spaces designed by Hecker Guthrie.

the interior at StandardX Melbourne — StandardX offers a stylish yet modern space to unwind. (Image: Rhiannon Taylor)

Custom and vintage furniture is used throughout the lobby, the adjoining Bang restaurant and in an almost hidden Loft area, complete with a fireplace. Throughout there are art books to peruse and peaceful corners where you can sit and work. Artist Sarah Smalltown’s mega macrame, used here to wrap cement pylons, adds texture and a hand-crafted element to the sleek finish.

the BANG restaurant at The StandardX Melbourne — The adjoining BANG restaurant feels sleek and classy. (Image: Carrie Hutchinson)

Facilities

There’s no gym or pool, although the hotel has an agreement with one of the local 24-hour facilities for those who want to work out. It’s also just a short walk to the Fitzroy Swimming Pool – on summer weekends, it’s quite the scene. Guests can also access the rooftop, with its Mexican casa fit-out and views of the city.

the rooftop restaurant at The StandardX Melbourne — Enjoy Mexican eats and drinks on the rooftop. (Image: Carrie Hutchinson)

Rooms

At first glance, you might not think the rooms are particularly special. Apart from the blue-and-white striped carpet, they’re understated, with white and cream tones dominating. Look closer, however, and the details shine. At the base of a terracotta-coloured locker that hides the mini bar is a rounded silver shape, designed to prevent kicked toes on a bare metal leg in the middle of the night.

the bedroom interior at The StandardX Melbourne — Each suite is laid out with blue-and-white striped carpet. (Image: Rhiannon Taylor)

There’s a tiny, fluoro artwork by Jane Sinclair and a foldaway ledge, where you can set up your laptop to work. Bathroom walls of fluted glass offer equal parts privacy and natural light. Within, there are full-size bottles of Davines products.

the living room interior at The StandardX Melbourne — You’ll find vintage furniture across the lobby. (Image: Carrie Hutchinson)

The hotel has 125 rooms in total, ranging from Cozy King to Suite Spot. My King View is on level six (of seven), and I spend some quality time watching the streets around me and admiring the view of the city skyline. And, praise be, the windows can be opened.

a look inside one of the bedrooms at The StandardX Melbourne — Rooms overlook the city skyline. (Image: Rhiannon Taylor)

Food and drink

It’s all about Thai street food influences at BANG on the ground floor. Chef Justin Dingle-Garciyya (formerly of Aman Resorts) is sending out dishes like blue swimmer crab pa tong ko donuts, roast pressed duck red curry and white boy noodles, a play on char kway teow with crab and lobster bisque. The punchy flavours are an excellent match to signature cocktails like the Going Incognito (vodka, lychee liqueur, lime) and Koh Ma Phrao (coconut milk, creamy chai, white rum, spiced rum, lime).

the roast duck leg curry at The StandardX Melbourne — Indulge in the roast duck leg curry.

At breakfast, guests can order mango sticky rice, turmeric and ginger porridge, coconut fried eggs and prawn siu mai, or a more traditionally Western take on the day’s first meal.

a waiter arranging the chairs at the BANG restaurant, The StandardX Melbourne — Amble down to the BANG restaurant on the ground floor. (Image: Carrie Hutchinson)

The Box, near check-in and open 24 hours, is essentially your mini bar. It’s stocked with local wine, beers and spirits, Hunted + Gathered chocolate made in Richmond, tubs of ice cream churned by the hotel’s pastry chef and other snacks, as well as books supplied by Bookshop by Uro and clothes made in collaboration with Saint Cloud.

the Box at StandardX Melbourne — Get all your essentials from The Box. (Image: Rhiannon Taylor)

As soon as summer rolls around, Mercado Medellin will open for guests only, serving Mexican eats and drinks on the rooftop.

a Thai dish at the Bang, StandardX Melbourne — Dine authentic Thai at the newly opened restaurant, BANG. (Image: Carrie Hutchinson)

Accessibility

The Cozy Suites have enough room around the bed for a wheelchair and the showers are roll-in. Lifts and facilities are also accessible.

Family-friendly?

There’s no reason you couldn’t bring the kids, but they’ll be sharing your bed. Cots are available; rollaway beds are not. If your family is furry, tell the booking team. You’ll get a pet waiver to sign at check-in, and a bowl, bed and treats will be supplied.

the lobby at StandardX Melbourne — StandardX offers visitors an attractive alternative to the average CBD stay. (Image: Carrie Hutchinson)

Details

Best for: Business travellers, families, and design-savvy travellers.
Address: 62 Rose Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne VIC
Cost: From $224 per night.

the dimly lit interior at StandardX Melbourne — StandardX is the little sister of the original Standard. (Image: Rhiannon Taylor)

Follow our guide to all things Melbourne.

From geothermal pools and luxury spa sanctuaries, Victoria’s mineral-rich waters and restorative landscapes offer total renewal.

I pass waving coastal spear-grass and coast saltbush as I follow the curving path through 15 hectares of thoughtfully curated gardens at the Mornington Peninsula’s Alba Thermal Springs & Spa . I hang my robe at the entrance and slip into the first sunken geothermal pool I find – feeling the tension from the 90-minute drive from Melbourne melt away as I watch steam dance across the surface in the late afternoon light. There are 31 pools, a mix of geothermal, cold plunge and botanical, that range in temperature and design, spread over six regions.

a woman relaxing at Alba Thermal Springs & Spa on the Mornington Peninsula — Alba Thermal Springs & Spa on the Mornington Peninsula. (Image: Visit Victoria)

I gravitate toward The Hemisphere, with its dry sauna, steam room, cold plunge and dreamy open-air pool called The Hide. But it’s Alba’s brand-new Sanctuary that really elevates the experience. The five luxurious stand-alone villas and two additional studio rooms opened in June 2025 and feature an indoor fireplace, oversized bathtub with views across the bay, a deck and extensive all-inclusive (minus the cocktails) mini-bar.

After dining at Alba’s Thyme restaurant, I return to my villa, content to fall asleep early listening to the fire crackle, feeling thoroughly restored. While Alba is one of the newest in the region, it’s certainly not the only place to enjoy a soothing soak. Here are others to book for a wellness weekend.

Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa

A woman bathes in the new Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa private bathing room with marble tiled walls — The marble private bathing room is one of five new designs. (Image: Supplied)

Nestled in the Daylesford region, Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa has been welcoming guests to its historic bathhouse for 130 years. With a $1.7 million renovation now complete (part of the 21st season of Channel 9’s The Block), find five new private bathing rooms, an apothecary experience where guests blend a custom body scrub and all-new spa treatment menu.

There are three bathing areas: Bathhouse for communal bathing for all ages, adults-only Sanctuary and a private bathing space for a personalised experience – try the skin-softening Mineral Milk Bath.

Lake House Daylesford

Inciting deep exhales, the spa at Alla Wolf-Tasker’s iconic Lake House has long been a beacon of wellness in the region. Tucked into the cottage gardens that wind down to the lake’s edge, the spa is beautifully and deliberately cloistered away from guests and diners visiting the celebrated on-site restaurant.

From Ayurvedic facials and hydrotherapy that makes use of Daylesford’s mineral waters, to cocooning thermal rituals and massage, treatments here promote tranquillity. While a day spa experience is delightful on its own, staying on the property adds a luxe layer to your corporeal renewal, especially if you’re in your own private spa villa.

Metung Hot Springs

Imagine immersing yourself in a barrel overflowing with geothermal water, all while taking in views of Gippsland Lakes. It’s one of several unique bathing experiences available at Metung Hot Springs .

There’s also a floating sauna and a Reflexology Walk constructed with carefully placed stones designed to stimulate the acupressure points in your feet as you walk. The 12-hectare site opened in 2022 with three bathing areas – Bathing Ridge, Lagoon Precinct and Hilltop Escarpment – and premium glamping tents that feature king-size beds and private bathing barrels.

Four more blissful day spas to visit

Lon Retreat & Spa is an award-winning, adults-only retreat on the Bellarine Peninsula.

Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs features sensory caves and cleansing waterfalls in Warrnambool.

Peninsula Hot Springs renews with 70 bathing and wellness experiences.

The Benev is an indulgent spa and luxury accommodation in Beechworth.

the Peninsula Hot Springs — Bathe in beautiful surroundings at Peninsula Hot Springs. (Image: Tourism Australia/Harry Pope/Two Palms)

Inside the newly opened The StandardX, Melbourne hotel