Mercure Melbourne Doncaster: authentic sustainability & local experiences exceed guest expectations
From indulgence to convenience, new hotel offers something for everyone
Presenting the first of its kind in Australia, the new Mercure Melbourne Doncaster is the next generation of this global brand.
The newly built hotel recently welcomed guests to enjoy “authentic local experiences with approachable elegance, state-of-the-art technology and leading environmental sustainability practices”.
Sitting on the elevated hills of Doncaster, and adjacent to one of Australia’s premier shopping centres, this hotel is the perfect destination for work and play. It offers accommodation in 183 contemporary styled guest rooms and suites that combine comfort with space, and its outdoor terraces boast expansive views of Melbourne City and the Yarra Ranges.
All rooms have been stylishly designed with modern conveniences, including individually controlled smart air-conditioning, dedicated high-speed wifi, QR code ordering options, on-demand minibar and the newly created Foxtel Business iQ. The private bathrooms offer the option of a bath or shower and complimentary sustainable toiletries. The luxurious beds with pillow top mattresses ensure a delightful sleep experience.
The secure underground ticketless parking makes for a seamless arrival with self-parking or valet, and drivers can power up using one of 10 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations provided.
General Manager at Mercure Melbourne Doncaster, Glen Erickson is eager for guests to discover the hotel’s outstanding location and take in the impressive views, in addition to the hotel’s perfect position he says there are many more reasons why it stands out.
“There is the hotel’s indoor heated swimming pool and elite fitness centre, the three expansive outdoor terrace areas that can be used for everything from a wedding reception to an outdoor yoga session or to just enjoy the views with a signature cocktail,” he said.
“Furthermore, our Chido Restaurant & Bar serves some of the best Central and South American food in Australia, with the perfect combination of flavours and the best local produce.
“Mercure Melbourne Doncaster brings together everything guests asked for over the years from function rooms with natural light and state-of-the-art technology, to premium leisure facilities, the best guest entertainment system on the market and most importantly, authentically engaging service. We offer something for everyone, from indulgence to convenience and we are flexible.”
“However, he explained, “It is sustainability that is front and centre of everything we do.
“The hotel’s biggest point of difference is its ability to truly deliver a more environmentally sustainable hotel without the need to sacrifice the indulgences that everybody wants to experience for that special night away.
From our ‘no single use plastic bottle’ policy to providing complimentary electric vehicle charging stations, solar power, ticketless parking, to the intelligent lighting and air conditioning throughout the hotel we offer sustainable practices that actually enhance the experience.”
About opening the hotel Mr Erickson admitted: “While it is always an exciting opportunity to bring to life a product that’s been designed with such precision and artistic flair, ultimately the best part of any new opening is putting together an elite team of professionals who are truly best-in-class.
He said: “The team we brought together at Mercure Melbourne Doncaster represent true artists in human connection and a passion for delivering an experience above all expectations. Having said that, we are no different to any other hotel and at times it was difficult to find resumes that showcased extensive hotel experience. Yet, this challenge was exactly what we needed and gave us a push in the right direction to think outside the box and recruit a team of passionate and enthusiastic individuals.
“Our team is genuine in its desire to exceed all expectations and makes sure it has fun doing so.”
On how staff were recruited, Mr Erickson said: “Accor naturally attracts people because it gives them access to the best career and development opportunities around the world and genuinely cares for people, demonstrating this in a multitude of different ways. Most applicants were recommended by friends or family who are either already working at the hotel or have recently experienced Accor for themselves.
“Most importantly, effectively managing a team comes down to recognition, flexibility and empathy which enable us to tailor roles to team members so that work feels like a second home and a second family.”
Feedback also indicates guests love the new hotel; it exceeds their expectations in so many ways.
Mr Erickson said: “Many guests comment that the hotel brings a feeling of indulgence to the suburbs offering qualities previously limited to the city. The premium finishes and facilities, extravagant views and first-class service truly transport guests to a feeling of approachable elegance where you can feel comfort and luxury at the same time.
“We like our guests to feel a sense of belonging, we aim to treat them like a close family member arriving home.”
The hotel building itself boasts an attractive external design that fits perfectly within its lush surrounds. It is encased with subtle and contemporary bronze glass, clean white walls and led light fixtures and manages to successfully highlight the magnificent views without negatively impacting on the skyline of the community.
The interior design was largely influenced by the history of the location.
Mr Erickson said: “The area is famous for having the first electric tram in the Southern Hemisphere, the very popular Doncaster Tower tourist attraction and some of the oldest orchards in the region, the design reflects that history.
“The interiors find perfect synergy across traditional and modern with historical feature walls, floor to ceiling windows that perfectly frame the signature views and an abundance of natural light that is highlighted in the four-storey glass atrium above the restaurant’s show kitchen.
“Without doubt, my favourite feature is the abundance of natural light that fills the building, through the glass atrium that runs the height of the building from the restaurant on level three to the roof above level six. This piece opens the corridors so that you can feel alive when you open your guest room door while also providing a feature in the restaurant that brightens up anybody’s day, when they are enjoying breakfast in the morning. This piece is accompanied by floor to ceiling windows through all public spaces with 360-degree views.”
Kreat-Studio was engaged by Accord Property Group to lead the hotel’s interior design.
Lead designers Akib A Razak and Patricia S. Dumayas said that despite COVID-19 travel restrictions disrupting face to face communication and site visits (they are based in Singapore) the hotel’s desired interior design aesthetic was achieved by implementing a ‘new norm’, enabled by audio/visual meetings, live Zoom sessions and a ‘mock-up room’.
The designers described this flagship Mercure as a “modern version of old-world simplicity and stylish glamour” and to achieve this they prioritised comfort, flexibility and ease of use for guests.
The overall concept was to emphasise creativity and innovation, inspired by the hotel’s unique story, therefore colours and furnishings were carefully chosen to reflect location and history.
The flashes of red and navy-blue used in this modern industrial design were inspired by the first electric-powered tram in Melbourne, the background of neutral layers featuring beige, ivory, taupe, and warm grey create a warm statement and present a classy, sophisticated look, influenced by the bench seating and white-painted roof of the tram.
However, the designers really turned up the volume of the story when they chose the customised wall-to-wall carpet featuring a map of Melbourne, the tram inspired wall art and the custom-made navy-blue ‘armchair cum chaise’ lounge with ottoman.
In guest rooms, the streamlined aerodynamic furniture was inspired by the curving forms and long horizontal lines used in the industrial design for railroad locomotives. Other design elements such as the brass metal table and wall lamps, full height mirror, wardrobe, and luggage rack give the impression of sleekness and modernity.
The impressive hotel lobby and entrance are both inviting and unique. The designers say the “avantgarde decor combined with simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication”.
Mercure’s tram-inspired brand wall welcomes guests, showcasing the metal works of the tram’s open sides and bench seating with muted brass metal finish.
Mural designs created from old photos from the heyday of the electric tram, the tower, and the prime days of Doncaster are a feature that inspire curiosity and conversation with guests.
The modern influences in the hotel’s reception area cleverly combine with 19th-century furnishings and railway elements to highlight the philosophy and character of the hotel.
The wonderful ambiance throughout the hotel successfully manages to blend simple modern lines with warmth, colour, and versatility to create a unique space that is both space-efficient and elegantly designed with a welcoming, comfortable feeling.
AH Beard is proud to have been chosen to supply beds for Mercure Melbourne Doncaster.
The owners conducted a rigorous selection process to determine the best fit supplier for the property, which guest comfort and satisfaction being key factors in the selection process.
The product that was selected was AH Beard’s Accor Luxury model, a higher specification product than the brand standard for Mercure properties, but a choice that reflected the intention to provide the guest with a superb sleep experience.
Once AH Beard was successful in winning the project, the team worked closely with key staff on-site to ensure they had all the information needed to make the delivery and installation run as seamlessly as possible.
Given that there was still building work going on while the installation was completed, AH Beard needed to work with other contractors and complete the works with minimal disruption to any of the other work that was going on at the time.
The reaction from guests has been enthusiastic, with great feedback on the beds and several enquiries from guests wanting to purchase the beds, which AH Beard can facilitate via the Guest Bed program offered to customers.
Foxtel was excited to partner with Mercure Doncaster for their opening, by providing the best in market in-room entertainment system, Foxtel Business iQ.
With this system, Mercure Doncaster can provide their guests with a variety of over 90 channels, a huge content library, digital compendium and concierge, as well as connection capabilities that makes guest interaction a premium and streamlined experience. Feedback from their guests has been exceptional. They found the technology simple to use and loved the enormous content offering.
Mandy has over 17 years of accommodation and tourism industry writing experience and is Editor of AccomNews & Resort News, Publisher of SchoolNews & Director of Multimedia Pty Ltd. She is a retired registered nurse with a 25-year NHS career that followed a few unforgettable years in hotel housekeeping.
