In the crowded, ultra-competitive marketplace that is the hotel industry, standing out from the crowd is often a challenge.
Quincy Hotel Melbourne does not have this problem.
They have atomised the cookie-cutter concept in favour of a funky, urban style that is a little bit out there…and that’s just the way they like it.
“We’re not a normal hotel. We don’t want to be bland,” says General Manager Michael Gibson as we chat in his office.
This philosophy is evident in every aspect of Quincy, from its innovative dining concept to its approach to customer service.
“I think we offer a curated experience,” adds Michael. “We adapt to people’s needs and we try to provide different elements to make their stay more enjoyable and memorable.
“I think that any hotel is about a customer’s journey and it’s all about what we can do to make that customer journey in this building unique and for them to go, ‘wow, I remember Quincy’.”
And remember it you will, because from the first moment you walk in the door you know you’re in for something a little bit different.
First impressions
Tammy in her stylish teal jacket was a delight, as were the rest of the check-in staff, smiling and apologising that my room was still another five minutes away.
While waiting it gave me time to admire the adjacent hallway that was a clear homage to the famous, graffiti-splattered Melbourne laneways. More was to come when the lift doors opened on the 27th floor to reveal a wall bedecked in gold tassels.
Quincy has 241 rooms decorated in shades of jade, pink and blue, which create a very calming and peaceful backdrop. There are several categories but my Skyline Room offered great views of the CBD through the floor to ceiling windows (I tried waving at the office workers in the building opposite but no-one waved back… ☹)
The double bed was large, firm and comfortable with an assortment of pillows (they offer a pillow menu), with charging ports handily placed on either side.
A large TV screen offered a wide variety of channels and in-house movies, while the fast, complimentary Wi-Fi enabled me to keep on top of work, fuelled by the Espresso coffee machine.
The bathroom was compact but functional, with Kevin Murphy accessories and a large rainforest shower. Elsewhere there was an iron and ironing board, safe, hairdryer and mini bar with all the usual drinks, nibbles, etc.
Time to dine & wine
One of the major drawcards for the hotel is Salted Egg, its celebrated in-house restaurant which is hugely popular with both guests and Melburnians alike.
While the scrambled eggs at breakfast were some of the lightest I’ve ever eaten, it was the South East Asian influenced dinner menu that I was most looking forward to…and it didn’t disappoint.
Scanning the extensive options I plumped for the Panang curry of beef brisket with chilli, peanuts, Thai basil and steamed egg…mainly because I could smell it coming from the kitchen and it was intoxicating. (The waiter also recommended the Mu Hong pork with black pepper sauce, cardamon and pickled shallot…maybe next time!).
When it arrived I was slightly concerned that it would blow my socks off but it was delicate, fragrant and uber delicious, with the brisket melting in the mouth. The sauce was almost a meal in itself, which I greedily mopped up with the crumbly roti bread.
Totally sated I made my way up to the Q rooftop bar on level 28 for a nightcap. Walking in it reminded me a little of the Cavern Club in Liverpool but I’m not sure the birthplace of the Beatles ever had gold chainmail draped from the ceiling…
More roof balcony than actual roof top, the Q bar is a great place to watch the world go by 28 floors below while also enjoying views across the skyscraper clad metropolis which is the Melbourne CBD.
The joint was jumping on the Thursday night I visited with happy hour (4-6pm) clearly a favourite with locals as well, drawn by the varied cocktails and beautiful city sunsets.
For those who like to exercise when they’re away, Quincy also has a heated pool and a gym, which both offer the same city-scape views while either swimming or sweating.
Sustainability matters
Despite their off-the-wall thinking, sustainability is never far from mind at Quincy.
The entire building operates on a carbon-neutral basis, featuring innovative technologies like a hybrid air conditioning system and touch-less entry points.
The GM is even exploring partnerships with sustainable fish farms to further enhance the hotel’s green credentials.
The future
Michael tells me that a new executive chef is coming onboard to take the already stellar reputation of Salted Egg to new levels of excellence.
“We’re probably going to open that up a bit more with a focus on Thai, Malaysian and Vietnamese – a little bit more Asian fusion,” he says.
They are also planning to bring in an “intelligence pack” which will allow VIPs to seamlessly check-in via their mobile phone.
“From a corporate point of view, the more seamless you can make their experience, the better, because they are time poor.
“So you can pre check in before you get her and then we’re going to offer you things even before you check in. Would you like this, would you like that? How can we make your experience when you arrive as you would like it?”
Final thoughts
My stay was regrettably short but I still had the chance to ask Michael, who’s only been in the GM role for a couple of months, what attracted him to the role in the first place.
“It was probably to take the hotel to the next stage. It’s had the same offering for about four years and I think it was time to work with the owners and take it in a different direction. Everything has its time limit.”
As Melbourne continues to evolve as a global destination, Quincy stands as a testament to innovative hospitality – a place where design, cuisine, technology and the personal touch come together to create something truly different.
“A hotel is only as good as its culture. Every failure presents an opportunity and as long as you learn from that opportunity, you grow from it,” says Michael.
“We’re not fixed. We’re always changing, always improving.”
For guests of Quincy Hotel Melbourne, that means an experience that’s anything but ordinary.
