New Melbourne hotel feels like New York meets ... Collingwood
The Place
Veriu, Collingwood.
Check-in
New York meets Melbourne – Veriu on Johnston Street, Collingwood.
Situated on Collingwood’s busy Johnston Street, the Veriu’s downstairs lobby has a calming, well-designed feel reminiscent of a New York-style loft or renovated warehouse. Two brown Chesterfield leather couches face off at either side of the room, complemented by an exposed brick wall behind the check-in counter and a smattering of tables with requisite hardback books for perusing.
Reception staff are approachable and welcoming, with the bonus of being genuinely knowledgeable about the area. It’s probably no coincidence; I’m told a heavy emphasis was given to front-of-house staff training, with recruits even being sent on scavenger hunts around the neighbourhood to find the nearest post office, ATM, supermarket and more.
The look
The rooftop pool, said to be the only one in Collingwood.
The hotel was designed in conjunction with property developer Tim Gurner, who is known to be a fiend for all things New York and especially its Meat Packing District. Gurner clearly drew parallels between the two neighbourhoods’ artistic leanings: the aesthetic through line reflecting this, with lots of exposed brick, steel girders, timber floorboards and a tasteful, minimalist approach.
Colour tones are accented towards a simple, monochromatic palette with much of the artwork – predominantly showcasing, you guessed it, New York architecture – also following suit. On the rooftop, an elongated outdoor pool (apparently the only one in Collingwood) skirts a bar area that can be hired for private functions.
The room
The 95-room property has three tiers of accommodation: Leading, Superior and Executive. Mine, a Leading room, is kind of like a latter-day Rolling Stones album; it’s fine, just functional, and somewhat mediocre rather than anything terribly exciting.
Inside one of the Superior rooms.
Though it’s small (about 27 square metres), it comes with all the mod cons you’d expect from a serviced apartment, including a basic stove top, fridge, washer and dryer, microwave and coffee machine. It’s ideal for the business traveller, but if you have a few extra dollars to spare, I’d recommend upgrading to a Superior room, which feels far more expansive (about 32 square metres) and has a balcony and freestanding bathtub, which I’m bemused to note is positioned in the centre of the room.
Food + drink
Adjacent to the front lobby, JollyGood Diner has recently opened its doors – the second facility following the success of its other outlet around the corner on Brunswick Street – and has teamed up with Veriu to offer guests a variety of sandwiches and burgers.
Part of the rooftop event space.
There’s anything from a New York deli sandwich (of course) to a cheeseburger or grilled three-cheese toastie, but I opt for the roast beef melt sandwich. Stuffed chock-full of beef, topped with pickles, mustard and lettuce on a warm bun, it’s great, and if other items on the menu similarly hit the spot, room service drink-dials could be a serious issue. There’s also a small selection of beers on tap, with the diner doubling as a casual bar come sundown. Bar codes in the room will soon be implemented to facilitate room-service orders ′til late.
Out + about
Definitely one of the hotel’s strongest attributes, Veriu is located just around the corner from Smith Street in the heart of Collingwood, with more quality bars, pubs, restaurants and shops than you could shake a pot of overpriced pineapple-infused sour at. Additionally, the nearby 86 tram can whisk you straight into the heart of the CBD, but truthfully, for the leisure traveller at least, there’s probably more to offer on your own doorstep. A few hundred metres around the corner, The Gem Bar offers free live music nightly, while Shop Ramen, Plug Seven Records and Molly Rose Brewing are other favourites nearby.
The Verdict
Veriu might lack the genuine wow factor of some of the more upscale Melbourne hotels, but its ethos of marrying the convenience of a self-contained serviced apartment with some of the more fun offerings of a hotel works well, especially when combined with its standout location.
Essentials
Rooms from $219 a night, 25 Johnston Street, Melbourne, (03) 9989 8100. See veriu.com.au
Our rating out of five
★★★★
Highlight
Well-trained, friendly and knowledgeable front-of-house staff who understand the importance of first impressions.
Lowlight
My room having all the thrill factor of a two-day-old gluten-free sushi roll.
The writer was a guest of Veriu Collingwood.
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