Mercure Caroline Springs
In August this year, the new Mercure Melbourne Caroline Springs officially opened and as general manager, Carl Forest put it, “Set a new benchmark for Australia in hotel design”. Located 25 minutes from the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, the four star Mercure Melbourne Caroline Springs is an evolution in hotel design in a number of ways.
Carl said, “Mercure Melbourne Caroline Springs is warm, contemporary and purely functional hotel where the focus is breaking away from the traditional. Gone is the dark enclosed hallway of yesteryear as the hotel is turned inside out with lots of natural light and fresh air through the heart of the hotel.”
Featuring 104 rooms in four styles of accommodation all built around a central atrium – the standard queen room; superior king suite; privilege king suite and deluxe king suite – each room has been designed to offer enhanced comfort and refinement with individuality in mind.
Each apartment offers stylish modern décor including LCD televisions, broadband Internet access, pillow menus, bedding with plush zoned contour controlled springs and individual pieces of furniture.
Carl said, “The beds were specifically designed by AH Beard a significant point of difference in the mid-scale market and the interior design and furniture was supplied by Danona Australia.”
Michaela Steensen from Danona said, “The vision of the project was formulated on creating a design that represented a refined five-star corporate look with a “home away from home” atmosphere, thereby meeting guests expectations. Also an important part was being able to stay in line with the budgets proposed by the developer.
“The point of difference was created not only in the soft furnishings and colour schemes but also the exclusive design of our San Sebastian Collection for this project. Incorporating timber veneer, polished stainless steel and coloured glass, it not only accommodates a contemporary point of difference but also provides functionality and durability that is essential when furnishing a serviced apartment or hotel.
“While Danona Australia provided a full turnkey service for all the apartments, we followed through with the same angle and concept when supplying products for the public areas.
Taking inspiration from the buildings unique materials such as the roof canopy and orange alucabond metal panelling throughout the inside and outside of the property, the reception is enhanced by an oversized artichoke aluminum leaf pendant light, resulting in distinct and unique light source. The decor concept was also followed through to the 60-seat restaurant and conference areas catering up to 300 people.
“One of our major challenges with this project was coordinating all the logistical deliveries and installations, whilst various trades were still working on site, both within the rooms and the public areas. Danona Australia remained on schedule in accordance with the initial program put forward to us by the builder and, as a result, successfully completed a full turnkey fitout of 104 apartments and public areas in only ten days,” Ms Steensen said.
Jenny Clifton from AH Beard said they worked closely with the developers of the hotel to design and develop the beds.
“We worked side-by-side with the developers of the Mercure Melbourne Caroline Springs to gain a thorough understanding of their business in order to provide a range of products to meet their different customer requirements. Functional but comfortable Suparest beds cater for the business traveller through to AH Beard’s King Koil luxury back care sleep systems for the longer stay leisure guests. The result exceeded expectations for product specification, presentation, service and value for money.”
The standard queen room features a large queen bed, lots of natural light with floor to ceiling windows, modern, contemporary style furnishings and state-of-the-art technology such as Wi-Fi, broadband, in-room safe and LCD televisions.
The superior king suite is a spacious room for the modern traveller with separate living and private balcony, king or twin king single beds, plenty of natural light and all the technological necessities.
The privilege king suite offers guaranteed city views, espresso machine, bathrobes, slippers, free Internet and complimentary chocolates on arrival. The rooms are well appointed with king or twin king single beds, lots of natural light and private balcony and separate living room.
The deluxe suite is Mercure Melbourne Caroline Springs most luxurious room. This generous room features a king sized bed, separate living area, private balcony and soothing jet spa bath.
Mercure Melbourne Caroline Springs also has four meeting rooms catering for conferences, events, weddings and cocktail parties. The on-premise licensed restaurant and bar, Zephyr Dining, offers indoor al fresco dining with a diverse menu focusing on regional seasonal produce and wines. The complex will also contain a benchmark day and medi spa named Harmony.
Carl has been in the accommodation and restaurant industry for 15 years having started in the mid 90s working in Hilton and Conrad hotels and the private sector. In the last three years Carl has been heavily involved implementing key initiatives into the Mercure brand culminating in opening the Mercure Melbourne Caroline Springs.
“A hotel isn’t a hotel unless it functions like one properly. It is important for the venue to have a sense of arrival, a sense of departure and then delivery on every promise.”
The end result?
“A hotel that is warm, contemporary and purely functional with a distinct personality – a more personal experience,” Carl said.
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