Go to cover page of Festivale online magazineGo to contents page of current issueSee the latest additions to FestivaleTake the tour of Festivalesign our guestbookgo to Pictorial Guidebook to Melbourne and Victoriahistoric sitesgo to the list of Melbourne Parks and GardensMap indexSee a related map get there by public transport Suggest a linked URL; 159x20 go to Reel Life, the movie lover's section for film reviews, release dates and morego to the Bookroom, the book lover's sectionGo to the free stuff, wallpapers, screen savers and morego to the technology section of Festivale

Films at Festivale, movie reviews, commentary, coming attractions, release dates

Phryne Fisher private detective series by Kerry Greenwood

Visit Victoria

Festivale on Facebook

Free movie tickets and prizes

Britannia Internet Award Winner

The Hotel Windsor

Melbourne

At the top end of Melbourne's central district is Spring Street, home to the Princess Theatre, Parliament House, the Old Treasury Building, and The Hotel Windsor.

The Hotel Windsor exterior, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (c) 2014 Ali Kayn; 310x207

This landmark hotel was designed by Charles Webb, and began operation as The Grand in December 1883. It predates other internationally known great hotels such as The Plaza and The Savoy.

Australia's national parliament originally sat in Melbourne at the Royal Exhibition Buildings. Australia's constitution was drafted at The Hotel Windsor between February and March 1898.

Hotel Windsor, Melbourne, Australia (c) Ali Kayn 2014; 310x207

First floor sitting area (c) Ali Kayn 2014

Hotel Windsor grand staircase (c) Richard Hryckiewicz 2014; 310x207

Hotel Windsor grand staircase (c) Richard Hryckiewicz 2014

In 1976, rather than see the historic hotel demolished the Victorian Government purchased it. In 1980 the lease was acquired by The Oberoi Group which subsequently purchased the property in 1990.

Now in private hands, the Hotel Windsor management have plans for, "A sensitive yet extensive refurbishment is being planned in order to ensure the property remains one of the world's finest grand hotels."

Celebrity guests to stay at The Hotel Windsor include stars of stage and screen, sports persons, and politicians. Kerry Greenwood fans will remember the hotel as Phryne Fisher's first home when she returned to Melbourne in The Cocaine Blues.

In Spring 2014 we toured one of the original suites, The Queen Victoria Suite. It features a main bedroom, bathroom, maid's bedroom, sitting room, and dining room.

Sitting room, Queen Victoria suite, Hotel Windsor, Melbourne (c) Ali Kayn 2014; 310x465

Sitting room, Queen Victoria suite, Hotel Windsor, Melbourne (c) Ali Kayn 2014

And yes, we found this handsome fellow in the lobby.

Just the facts:

Contact:
For more information, see The Hotel Windsor web site
Visit Victoria
Getting there:

111 Spring St, Melbourne
Near Parliament Station on the City (rail) Loop, top of Bourke Street, step off a Parliament House on City Circle Tram.

Seating, The Hotel Windsor (c) Ali Kayn 2014; 280x420 Queen Victoria Suite, Hotel Windsor (c) Ali Kayn 2014; 280x420

Entrance, Queen Victoria Suite, Hotel Windsor (c) Ali Kayn 2014

Dining room, Queen Victoria Suite, Hotel Windsor (c) Richard Hryckiewicz 2014; 279x215

Dining room, Queen Victoria Suite, Hotel Windsor (c) Richard Hryckiewicz 2014

The Hotel Windsor in Melbourne has been serving traditional afternoon tea every day since 1883. We visited in Spring 2014 (see our review).

The Hotel Windsor bear (c) Ali Kayn 2014; 280x276
The Ballroom, The Hotel Windsor, Melbourne, Australia (c) Ali Kayn 2014; 494x343

The Ballroom, The Hotel Windsor, Melbourne, Australia (c) Ali Kayn 2014



For posts about Melbourne events, places, news, reviews, giveaways, see our Facebook Page: