Melbourne's newest hotel has a secret ingredient that will elevate your city stay
The elevator dings and the doors open to the sixth floor of Mercure Melbourne La Trobe Street.
A cocktail mixologist warmly greets me from a backlit, ceiling-high bar that is not unlike a New York City speakeasy.
This detail is why I'll almost certainly be returning to this hotel - and I haven't even stepped out onto the rooftop terrace yet.
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Mercure La Trobe Street in Melbourne boasts an incredible bar and restaurant named Foundry. 9Travel
It is golden hour and the crown jewel of Mercure's newly-opened CBD location - aptly named Foundry in a nod to the building's tin factory roots - is drenched in sunlight and good vibes.
Foundry is this establishment's piece de la resistance.
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The location
But it is clear this entire Accor-owned hotel has been designed with indulgence in mind.
Tucked away onto an unassuming corner of Melbourne's famous La Trobe street, the building is conveniently located right opposite a tram stop and a short walk to Flagstaff station.
It may have a prime location in the bustling Melbourne CBD, but this hotel feels like a quiet oasis.
The bar has a terrace with sweeping city views. 9Travel
The skyline lit up around the hotel. 9Travel
The room
The impressive 18-storey inner-city stay boasts a chic restaurant, the aforementioned bar, 195 rooms and a gym.
I stayed in a spacious room overlooking Flagstaff Gardens with a comfortable king bed, sofa and generously-sized bathroom that included a waterfall shower.
The modern room is best appreciated at dawn, when it is filled with dancing pink and orange light from the rising sun thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows.
But for those keen for a sleep in, it's also exceptionally quiet, despite plenty of bookings on my floor.
There are amenities galore: a large TV, a sofa, twin sinks in the bathroom and a mini bar.
I stayed in a spacious room overlooking Flagstaff Gardens, Supplied
The sunrise drifting through the curtains in the morning. 9Travel
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The food
You'd be doing yourself a disservice if a night at Mercure La Trobe was only spent in the room.
A good hotel bar is the unsung hero of any accommodation.
Foundry is a shining example of how to keep your guests well fed, watered and well rested - all in the same place.
The carefully-crafted cocktails are best enjoyed as the sun sets on the terrace, which overlooks a row of Melbourne's sparkling high-rises.
If you fancy a bite at a little higher price, the seasonal menu is tasty and varied.
The newly-opened hotel has a prime location on La Trobe street. 9Travel
The lamb shoulder melted in my mouth and, as simple as it sounds, the crispy potatoes were a highlight of the menu.
The design of the bar and restaurant itself is the epitome of quiet luxury, with marble tables and a huge open kitchen attached to a marble island bench.
It's also opened to any guest, not just those staying at the hotel.
I won't be surprised if Foundry is featured soon in an influencer's wrap-up of "Melbourne's hidden gems".
But I don't think it will stay hidden for long.
The writer stayed as a guest of Accor.
