It’s not at Melbourne’s Paris end, but this hotel has Parisian vibes

The place

The Lyall S Yarra, Melbourne

Check-in

Parisian vibes in the heart of South Yarra.Credit: Sharyn Cairns

There’s a certain Parisian vibe at this refurbished and redesigned South Yarra hotel. Tucked on a quiet, leafy street a moment from the hair salons, restaurants and boutiques of Toorak Road, it looks more like a smart French apartment than a hotel: wrought-iron balconettes, an oatmeal-coloured facade and outdoor tables and chairs waiting for breakfast visitors. The relaxed residential mood continues in the lobby, with a collection of textured sofas and an open fireplace you’ll wish was burning, even in summer. The check-in desk is just that, a bureau, where you’re pleasantly greeted and a swipe card is handed over.

The look

The lobby’s aesthetic channels an expensive home rather than a hotel.Credit: Sharyn Cairns

In a word: sophisticated. The luxe lobby has lovely warm lighting and a complementary mix of cream, beige and grey furniture – the type you find in expensive homes. Your luggage rolls across elegant chevron timber flooring, and the petit breakfast room (which shares the ground floor entrance area), is equally charming with black and white marble, dark timber and sheer curtains.

The room

Fresh air courtesy of a balconette, for the air-con averse.Credit: Sharyn Cairns

The Lyall has 51 rooms and suites, some facing the street and others overlooking what they’ve called the Japanese maple garden. I had the classic room, and while I’m soothed by the sight of a white pebble as much as anyone, the internal courtyard garden doesn’t allow for oodles of sun to filter into the rooms on the lower floors. That said, it’s perfect for getting a quiet, darkened sleep, and clever lighting creates a cosy mood.

The room is big (an impressive 32 square metres), with a king-sized bed, a large flatscreen TV attached to the wall opposite with free movies and local TV, a Nespresso machine and a simple mini-bar offering. It had a small balcony, so I could open the doors for fresh air – a win for the air-con averse. (If money isn’t an issue, opt for the penthouse suite – it comes with a large outdoor terrace and two fireplaces.)

Deep ensuite soaking tub.Credit: Sharyn Cairns

The entrance area and the generous-sized bedroom are separated by a large bathroom with shower and bathtub, a separate toilet, and a walk-in wardrobe with more storage and hanging space than I have at home. For perfecting your look, there’s a Dyson hair dryer and Molton Brown products.

Out + about

South Yarra is a pretty suburb for exploring on foot, so pull on a pair of (stylish) sneakers and check out the impressively large homes. The 1847-built Como House, Australia’s first house museum, isn’t far away, and it’s got some of the city’s finest gardens. The Royal Botanic Gardens and Melbourne’s famous running track, the Tan, is an easy jog away. If fashion is more your jam, stroll along Chapel Street and Toorak Road. To explore further afield, South Yarra railway station is a four-minute walk from The Lyall and is only a couple stops from the CBD’s Flinders Street station.

Food + drink

A charming petit breakfast room on the ground floor.Credit: Sharyn Cairns

At the moment the hotel is only offering breakfast, but that’s OK because there’s plenty of great eating nearby. For a Melbourne classic, head to fabulous France-Soir; for people-watching, new rooftop bar Beverly offers California-cool vibes; and for Asian food in a dazzling setting go underground to Yugen Dining. One suburb away, in Prahran, lively new Sri Lankan restaurant Hopper Joint is serving excellent curries, sambals and unlimited hoppers.

The essentials

From $295-$475 a night; the penthouse is $905 a night. The Lyall S Yarra, 16 Murphy Street, South Yarra, Victoria. Phone: [phone]. See thelyall.com

The verdict

The design aims for a sense of calm and comfort.Credit: Sharyn Cairns

This is more boutique townhouse than hotel, with a calm ambience that makes returning after a busy day all that much more relaxing. The rooms are quiet and fresh air is a plus. It’s also an excellent location if you’re in town for the Grand Prix.

Our rating out of five

★★★★

Highlight

Feeling like you’re a Melbourne local: staying just outside the CBD on a residential street gives you an experience you can’t get in the city.

Lowlight

If you desire pops of colour for a good night’s sleep, this room isn’t for you. It’s 50 shades of grey.

The writer stayed as a guest of Visit Victoria. See visitvictoria.com