Published: December 11, 2008




Published: December 11, 2008

From 15 December 2008, the AU$60 million transformation of The Rialto will deliver a new way to experience Melbourne.

The AU$60 million resurrection of Melbourne's grandest heritage hotel is complete. The iconic The Rialto has reopened as InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto, bringing one of the finest brands in international hotel luxury to Australia’s most cosmopolitan and vibrant city.

Guests can now experience the only luxury hotel in Melbourne's financial district, transformed as one of the city’s last and best remaining examples of 19th century gothic architecture into a world-class international hotel by Joseph Pang Design Studio.

The opening also marks the establishment of InterContinental Hotels & Resorts – the world’s first truly international hotel brand – in the city of Melbourne. Established in 1946, InterContinental is the epitome of superior, understated service and outstanding facilities in premier destinations across more than 60 countries.

The revitalised hotel joins an exclusive global collection of heritage-listed InterContinental hotels and resorts, including InterContinental Paris Le Grand, InterContinental The Willard Washington and InterContinental Sydney.

Joseph Pang and his team have married the historical aspects of a true architectural icon with an exciting and unexpected contemporary design. The result is an encapsulation of the spirit of Melbourne; a blend of rich and unique history with a cosmopolitan culture that cities the world over aspire too but rarely achieve.

"It is our genuine interest in our guests that stands the InterContinental brand apart. Our philosophy is to open up each destination to our guests, making available the authentic local experiences that will enrich their stay and make it memorable," said InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto general manager, Manrique Rodriguez.

"Under the InterContinental brand, this hotel presents a rare opportunity to make the sumptuous mythology of Melbourne accessible to generations of discerning international travellers specifically seeking genuinely local experiences of each destination they visit.

"This revitalised hotel will be one of the best in the country and a flagship example of the InterContinental brand," Mr Rodriguez said.

InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto offers all the facilities and services expected of a luxury international hotel, including a variety of five star dining establishments and bars, a stunning Club InterContinental overlooking Collins Street, private business environments and a unique suite collection that will take best advantage of the building’s gothic heritage.

InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto is open for bookings, with rooms available from AU$295.00. To book, visit www.intercontinental.com/melbourne or call 1800 221 335.