Melbourne’s StandardX is world first for huge hotel brand

In one of Melbourne’s most beloved neighbourhoods is a brand new building that does exactly what it is meant to do.

Entrance to the StandardX hotel in Fitzroy, Melbourne.

In one of Melbourne’s most beloved neighbourhoods is a brand new building that does exactly what it is meant to do — it blends in, rather than stands out.

Not just aesthetically, but culturally, too

Down a narrow street in Fitzroy, in the beating heart of Melbourne’s inner northern suburbs, is a low-rise boutique hotel with a rusted facade. Behind a bright red revolving door is an entirely unique offering for a city that does hotels very well.

The StandardX Melbourne is the latest in a line of hugely-successful hotels from The Standard brand in locations from Miami Beach to Manhattan’s East Village and Singapore to Ibiza.

The StandardX promotes itself as “a new breed of Standard hotels for exactly what you want, where you want it”.

It is by no accident that the hotel breaks rank with its competitors a stone’s throw away in the CBD.

The entrance to the StandardX hotel in Fitzroy, Melbourne.

Every detail in the design of the hotel works.

Fancy a drink? A bar at Bang, the hotel’s Thai fusion restaurant.

Spend time in the suburbs

It was positioned in suburbia and designed specifically to pay homage to the neighbourhood itself, especially Fitzroy’s historically eccentric art and punk culture and bohemian roots.

Designed by Melbourne firm Hecker Guthrie, there are eight levels and 125 minimalist rooms, a rooftop with views unmatched in Fitzroy and a restaurant adjacent to the lobby offering the flavours of Thai street food with a twist courtesy of the esteemed Justin Dingle-Garciyya — an Australian born chef who has worked around the world for a number of high-end hotel groups.

The StandardX Melbourne opened in August this year, 25 years after The Standard Hollwood was introduced to the Sunset Strip in 1999.

Miami Beach followed before the brand ventured outside the United States when it opened in London’s Kings Cross and the Maldives in 2019. From there it’s gone from strength to strength.

But what they’ve done in Melbourne is something entirely new, albeit still wrapped up in The Standard DNA.

The Deluxe king room at The StandardX in Fitzroy.

The Box bar and providore at StandardX hotel in Fitzroy, Melbourne.

The Australian site is the first StandardX hotel to open anywhere in the world and the beginning of a vibrant new chapter for the brand — think of it like the chain’s little brother but by no means the inferior sibling.

Visitors to The StandardX are thrust right into the centre of a cultural melting-pot. The hotel door is 200m from the iconic Brunswick Street, renowned for fashion and teaming with restaurants, cafes and bars.

For those who want to get into town, the 11 tram takes you less than 10 minutes to wind its way past Gertrude Street and by St Patrick’s Cathedral and through the Paris End of the CBD.

But having visited cities all over the world I know one thing to be true; If you want to know a city properly, spend time in its suburbs.

That’s where you find all the good stuff. Less touristy, more authentic. Neighbourhoods bordering Fitzroy include Carlton to the east (home of Melbourne’s thriving Italian food scene) and gritty Collingwood to the west (full of bars, pubs and live music venues).

Executive Chef Justin Dingle-Garciyya.

What’s in The Box?

Bang, the restaurant that packs out nightly, is not the only offering on the ground floor of Fitzroy’s newest hotel.

A room known only as The Box offers something different again — a 24-hour convenient store packed with produce from local suppliers and amenities to take back to the room.

The design of the place is worth a mention here, too. From paintings by Dane Lovett and custom furniture in the lobby to the elevated loft and fireplace beyond the tables at Bang, it all works.

The rooms themselves are cosy but impeccably thought out. There’s a millwork ledge that doubles as a writing corner and a plush bed. You need little else.

The bathrooms and shower are surprisingly spacious.

When you venture outside, save time to take the lift up to the roof. There you’ll find a space accessible only to hotel guests with panoramic views across Fitzroy rooftops. You can dine there, too, if you don’t fancy leaving the hotel.

The inaugural StandardX hotel in Melbourne has paved the way for the next in line — The StandardX Bangkok opened its doors this week.

This author was a guest of The StandardX. For more details, visit www.StandardX.com.