When it comes to travel, we have a list of essentials. To stay close to the best bars and restaurants, and of course the latest luxe-y shops. Editor Trudi Brewer and style director Louise Hilsz share the places to visit in Melbourne city - the perfect urban playground for a girls weekend away and it’s only four hours from Auckland city.
Editor Trudi Brewer and style director Louise Hilsz on the rooftop room at Ovolo Laneways on Little Bourke Street. Brewer wears Maggie Marilyn The Only One I See Top, $620, Maggie Marilyn Road Less Travelled Pant, $580, Karen Walker Nirvana sunglasses, $369 and Sempre Di Leora boots, $370. Hilsz wears World High Hat Shirt Dress, $599, Four Corners earrings, $80 and Beau Coops Frana heels, $439.
Where to stay
Images Ovolo Hotel Little Bourke Street, Melbourne Instagram. Scroll down to watch the video of the best of palaces in Melbourne.
Ovolo Laneways
Super-central, the Ovolo Laneways is smack-bang in the middle of Laneways, the street art district of Melbourne. Part of the Mr & Mrs. Smith boutique hotel group, the moment you walk through the door the staff are exceptional. This hotel takes service with a smile to the next level. While it's situated in one of the busiest parts of Melbourne city, on Little Bourke Street, once you're inside this uber-cool hotel, it's also relaxed and calm. From the moment you book in, there is a selection of sweets (a counter full of candy on offer both day and night) free WiFi, Apple TV, and iPads on offer, minibar treats in your room also free of charge. At 5pm the Ovolo’s lobby turns into a free bar, where the staff host happy hour each night with complimentary wine and beer - there is also T2 tea or coffee that flows all day. These little extras are rare in a hotel stay, but at the Ovolo it's all part of the excellent service this luxe-y hotel prides itself on offering their guests. The rooms are modern and spacious, with pops of colourful furniture, comfy beds, and simple white, tiled bathrooms with organic, naked beauty brand Biology Smart Skincare, soap, shampoo, and conditioner on offer. Within walking distance to some of the city's restaurants and bars, it's not only central, but the staff, are exceptional at sharing great dining spots, and new bars to visit during your stay. One of it's hidden gems is the rooftop room, where you can enjoy breakfast or ‘grab and go’ with a selection fruit, freshly baked pastries from the little French patisserie across the road, (which also sells great coffee) bread, cheese, and bottled green smoothies. Or take your glass of wine up to the rooftop in the evening and be amongst the cities skyscrapers (on the day we visited the rooftop it was blazing sunshine) and blue sky to catch the best view across the city. If you are looking for a friendly, modern (the staff are super flexible with arrival and check out times) fashionable place to stay in this vibrant city - here it is.
Where to shop
As a self-confessed maximalist, style director Louise Hilsz is in her fashion element when shopping for colour. Here, she shares the best places to buy fashion with attitude in Australia's style capital, Melbourne.
Beauty destinations
Melbourne is the ideal place for an indulgent girls’ weekend away. From the perfect blow-dry to relaxing spa treatments, editor Trudi Brewer reveals her guide to the city’s best beauty destinations.
Where to eat
Treat your taste buds to a gourmet dining experience with our guide to the top places to eat in Melbourne. Editor Trudi Brewer shares her gourmet list of favourites to suit any budget.
The best bars
One of the best ways to enjoy a glass of vino or fruity cocktail in Melbourne is at one of the rooftop bars. The team at BeautyEQ (purely for research of course) share six of the best waterholes in this urban oasis.
Photographed on the rooftop at Ovolo. The team travelled to Melbourne with thanks to Visit Melbourne