STAY > The Prince, Melbourne

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Fitzroy Street, St Kilda is a street that oscillates between grunge, derelict, hip, smart and fashionable and then back again. Once famed for its seedier side of life today the bayside suburb of St Kilda is a lot more gentrified though its darker edges still remain.

The Prince was once old Prince of Wales, famed for its rough front bar which had pool tables for patrons and a live rock and roll venue upstairs. But a major renovation and now it is just ‘The Prince’ which is a smart boutique hotel with just 39 rooms.

Designed by Melbourne architect Alan Powell the hotel features classic Stark bathrooms, dark wooden floors with smart furnishings that make you feel you are staying somewhere hip but welcoming. The heritage of the art deco building remains but there is a warmth and calm in the wall colours and furnishings.

There is plenty of marble in the minimalist bathrooms and there are the usual range of hotel amenities including ‘Grown Alchemist’ products and a Bose speaker in the room. At the time of writing they did not offer pod coffee machines in the standard rooms.

SLEEP >

Of the thirty nine rooms, there are five different classes of room available to select from the entry level ’boutique’ to the spacious ‘premier suite’ there is quite a level of choice for such a small hotel.

Boutique rooms are simple and cozy they feature a double bed and ensuite bathroom its enough space and you will be quite comfortable prices start about $230 AUD per night.

At the other end of the scale is the ‘Premier Suite’ which has a seperate living area a balcony over Fitzroy street and two bathrooms. This is a room where you could spend a week living comfortably and having a little space to do some work as well. Rooms start at $499 per night.

EAT >

When it comes to dining The Prince has two options the Prince Dining Room which offers a smart a la carte mediterranean menu. With starter options like cured ocean trout tartlet with goat cheese, wasabi and spring peas ($12), duck liver mousse, choux, crispy duck confit and rhubarb ($12) and main options like Swordfish, raisins, pine nuts and pickled onion ($47), Tasmanian lamb saddle, nettle, smoked eggplant and zucchini ($55) you know that they have the goods to keep your appetite sated. The Prince Dining Room was awarded ‘one hat’ by The Age Good Food Guide in 2023.

But if you are feeling for something a little more casual consider eating in the Prince Public Bar. Its open for breakfast (from 7am weekdays and 8am weekends) and for lunch and dinner. The rooms is bright and smartly designed, gone the grunge and pool tables this is beautiful modern space ready to serve you a beer or a steak frites.

Food is also available at the Little Prince Wine Bar where you can start with antipasti and progress as the mood takes you.

WORK OUT >

This is a boutique hotel so you are not going to find a gym or pool here but why not walk out the front door and walk down St Kilda beach, there you can walk on more than 10 kilometres of foreshore paths and you will see people swimming, kite surfing, playing beach volleyball and more.

If the weather is a little inclement a heated salt water pool the St Kilda Sea Baths is only a short walk away.

DRINK >

Little Prince Wine is a lovely wine bar that offers take away and dine in options for wine and food. There is a large communal table and smaller dining tables. A perfect place for a glass of wine and some cheese but the food options range from snack to something more substantial. With over 4000 bottles of local and international wine we are sure you will find something that suits your taste buds.

The Prince Bandroom is part of St Kilda folklore a venue that has been in almost continual operation since the 1950’s in the 70’s artists like ‘The Birthday Party’ and ‘Nick Cave’ performed here in the 80’s it was Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, Silverchair, Lenny Kravitz and even Prince. Today you might see Billie Eilish, G-Flip or Michael Franti.

Prince Front Bar once the grungy pool room on Fitzroy Street is now a bright and breezy space where you can order a draft beer or a negroni and be confident in the selection. A comfortable place to eat drink and hang out.