We checked into the 40-storey Oakwood Premier Melbourne for a solo staycation in an Executive Twin Room, and found it to be a hotel built with the modern business traveller firmly in mind — extraordinary Port Phillip Bay views, serviced-apartment flexibility, and a genuinely useful set of work-friendly facilities.
Travelling with a partner instead? We also stayed at Oakwood Premier for a couples weekend escape — read that staycation here.
First Impressions
Reception was excellent throughout, set in a spacious and stylish arrival area. The lift system is something else — state-of-the-art and super efficient, which matters when you're moving between meetings and your room on a tight schedule.
Cocktails in the sky are a highlight.
Drinks & Dinner at Strato and Oak Lounge Bar
Cocktails at Strato Melbourne, with spectacular views of the city, were a highlight of the stay — the Beeswax Negroni is the one to order. Dinner at Oak Lounge Bar followed, where I sampled the newly elevated menu (kudos to exceptional Simon behind the bar).
Check out the Oak Lounge Bar - so many options to enjoy your stay as a business traveller.
Oak Lounge Bar is perfect for evening drinks and light meals after a day of meetings. Standout dishes included the must-order Prawn and Crab Spiced Remoulade on Brioche, a refreshing Smoked Salmon Ceviche, a perfectly cooked 250g Striploin (Porterhouse), and moreish Spice Dusted Fries.
The menu changes but we discovered there's the ability to order a couple of dishes also off the hotel main menu - from the bar.
We've found that if you're looking for steak you can generally access from either the bar menu or wider hotel menu.
We've also discovered this hotel has decent wine partners - and recently we attended a Majella Wines event which featured their high quality Coonawarra Wines.
Location & Views
Oakwood Premier Melbourne is a standout five-star hotel that also features serviced apartments, in a convenient location on the edge of the city, close to South Melbourne Market and the Yarra River precincts including Southbank and DFO. Convenient parking across the road was a bonus for anyone driving in for work.
The hotel boasts 360-degree views of the city, Port Phillip Bay and beyond — a genuinely unique and spectacular perspective compared to other hotels in this part of town.
Well appointed generous rooms for the business traveller.
Spectacular views are a feature.
All the little things needed for your business stay.
The Executive Twin Room
My twin room was state-of-the-art and fully equipped for every need — next level in terms of comfort and convenience, including great entertainment, furniture, a proper work desk, and kitchen and laundry amenities, all with a touch of class. For a solo work trip, having a real desk and kitchenette made a noticeable difference to how productive the stay felt.
Entertainment and recreation in style.
Spectacular views for my morning workout.
Business & Wellness Facilities
Oakwood Premier Melbourne is also equipped with a generous Fitness Centre (check out the MyWellness app and in-room wellness options), a Games Room, a Residents' Lounge, and numerous outdoor areas, each overlooking the city, Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne surrounds — useful for unwinding after a full day of calls.
Business travellers will particularly appreciate the property's meeting facilities: a co-working space, five versatile meeting spaces, and a ballroom for larger events and functions.
An exceptional buffet breakfast rounded off the stay.
Breakfast at Fifth
A hearty breakfast buffet at in-house restaurant Fifth set me up well for the day ahead. Order an omelette cooked fresh by the chef, or load up from the various stations — sausages, tomatoes, various breads, baked beans, scrambled eggs and the like — or keep it lighter with yoghurt and fruit salad.
The hotel also offers restaurant-quality room service, and there's a standout Superette convenience store adjacent, where guests can grab a free coffee or tea plus pick up essentials — handy for anyone working odd hours.
A handy shop for all your snack and stay needs.
The Verdict
All in all, a complete offering for anyone travelling for work. Staff were engaging and helpful throughout, the facilities genuinely support a productive stay, and the views make even a business trip feel like a bit of an occasion. Such a great stay.
Also explore these related guides:
• A Couple's Weekend Staycation at Oakwood Premier Melbourne
• 50 Things to Do in Melbourne