I stayed at the InterContinental Melbourne Rialto to use an IHG free night award that was about to expire. Living in Melbourne, I wouldn’t normally book a hotel in my own city, but it seemed like a good opportunity to finally try one of the city’s best-known luxury hotels. As an IHG Diamond member, I was also interested to see how the property stacked up and whether the elite benefits would make a difference.
The first impression is definitely a good one. The hotel is set inside the historic Rialto building, and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular on Instagram. The heritage architecture, grand lobby and overall atmosphere give it plenty of character that newer hotels just don’t have. It’s one of Melbourne’s most recognisable buildings, and from the public areas alone, it certainly looks the part.
Unfortunately, once you get beyond those first impressions, the hotel starts to show its age.
Check-in wasn’t a great start. I arrived at around 12pm, knowing it was before the official check-in time, so I wasn’t expecting guarantees. Even so, the hotel was incredibly quiet. There was barely anyone around, and the lobby certainly didn’t feel busy. I was told my room wasn’t ready, so I left my bag and came back later.
Normally I wouldn’t think much of it, but that evening I noticed hardly any rooms with lights on, which only reinforced how empty the hotel seemed. Obviously I don’t know the actual occupancy, but it made me question why a room couldn’t have been ready by midday. It wasn’t a huge issue, but it wasn’t the best first impression either.
When I returned, the actual check-in process was fairly average. As a Diamond member I was thanked for my loyalty and upgraded to a larger Premium Room, which I appreciated, but the interaction itself felt pretty routine. There wasn’t much warmth or personality, and it lacked the sort of welcome I’d expect from a hotel carrying the InterContinental name.
Walking to the room was when the age of the hotel really became obvious. The hallways looked worn, with marked walls, dated carpets and tired finishes. Everything was clean, but it didn’t feel like a luxury hotel.
The room followed the same pattern. I appreciated the upgrade, and it was definitely more spacious than what I’d booked, but it never felt premium. The furniture, decor and fittings all looked well overdue for an update. Compared to newer luxury hotels in Melbourne, it simply feels dated.
That said, there were a few things the hotel got right. The room was spotless, the bed was genuinely comfortable and I had an excellent night’s sleep. Despite being right in the middle of the CBD, it was also surprisingly quiet. Once I was in the room, it was an easy place to relax.
The bathroom was much the same as the bedroom. It was clean and everything worked properly, but it looked tired and lacked the more modern finishes you’d expect at this price point.
The gym was actually quite decent, with enough equipment for a good workout and everything in good condition. It’s not huge, but it does the job.
The pool was less impressive. It’s fairly small, and on a weekend it became crowded pretty quickly. Instead of feeling like somewhere to unwind, it felt a bit cramped.
Breakfast was probably one of the better parts of the stay. There was a good range of hot and cold options, the food was fresh and the quality was solid overall.
The only real downside was the ventilation. You could constantly smell eggs being cooked throughout the restaurant, and the whole dining room had that lingering cooked breakfast smell. It sounds minor, but it was surprisingly noticeable.
Service at breakfast was also slower than expected. Staff were friendly enough, but tables weren’t cleared quickly, buffet items took time to be refilled and getting someone’s attention wasn’t always easy.
Looking back, I think the InterContinental Melbourne Rialto is a hotel that looks better than it actually feels to stay in. The building itself is beautiful and full of history, and it’s easy to understand why it’s such a popular spot for photos. It has a level of character that modern hotels simply can’t copy.
The problem is that once you get into the guest areas, the hotel feels tired. The rooms, hallways and overall condition don’t really match what you’d expect from the InterContinental brand today. Nothing was bad enough to ruin the stay, but nothing really stood out either.
I don’t regret staying here, especially since I was using an expiring IHG free night award. The room was clean, the bed was comfortable, the hotel was quiet and breakfast was enjoyable. I also appreciated receiving the room upgrade as a Diamond member, even if the upgraded room itself didn’t feel particularly premium.
Would I pay the rates this hotel often charges? Probably not. Melbourne has plenty of newer luxury hotels that offer a much more modern experience for similar money. The Rialto still has one of the city’s most impressive buildings, but it feels like it’s relying on that history a little too much.
I’m glad I finally stayed here after walking past it for years, but I left feeling that the hotel is well overdue for a refurbishment. Until that happens, it’s a property that’s far more impressive in photos than it is to actually stay in.
