Next Hotel Melbourne Review: Tech-Forward Five-Star

Rooms are modern and well-proportioned , King rooms start at 30sqm with floor-to-ceiling windows. The tech integration is the differentiator: app-controlled lighting, curtains, temperature, and TV. When it works (which is most of the time), it's genuinely convenient. When it doesn't, you're standing in a dark room trying to restart an app. Design is clean lines, neutral tones, good materials , it feels like a well-designed modern apartment rather than a traditional hotel room. Bathrooms have rainfall showers and decent counter space.

Flinders Street between Swanston and Russell , you can't get more central in Melbourne. Flinders Street Station is a 2-minute walk. Federation Square is across the road. Hosier Lane street art is around the corner. Flinders Lane restaurants and bars are a 1-minute walk north. The free tram zone covers the immediate area. For a central-Melbourne stay, this location is hard to beat.

The rooftop pool is the standout , heated, CBD skyline views, and genuinely enjoyable rather than just ticking a box. Decent gym with modern equipment. No spa (a miss at this price point). The co-working lounge on the lobby level is well-designed for remote workers. No executive lounge , a gap for business travellers who'd pay for the upgrade.

The ground-floor restaurant and bar attracts local workers for lunch and after-work drinks , always a good sign. Modern Australian menu, competent execution, reasonable prices by hotel standards. The rooftop bar operates seasonally and is worth visiting for drinks with views. Room service is available but the app-ordering system, while efficient, lacks the personal touch of a phone call.

Service leans toward efficient rather than warm. The tech-forward approach means less face-to-face interaction , digital check-in, app ordering, automated responses. For guests who prefer efficiency, this is a feature. For guests who value personal connection, it can feel cold. When you do interact with staff, they're professional and helpful. The concierge function is good.

At $250-380/night, Next Hotel sits below the traditional five-stars (Grand Hyatt $350-500, Sofitel $300-500) while delivering comparable room quality and a better pool. The absence of a loyalty programme hurts for frequent travellers , no status benefits, no points accumulation. For infrequent travellers or those outside the big chain ecosystems, it represents good value. The rooftop pool alone puts it ahead of Sofitel (no pool) at a lower price.