Vanessa de Largie | Topic Media | October 2nd, 2012
The scene is black and white, you can hear the sound of the horses hooves up Spring Street. Pretty ladies in radiant gowns exit the carriage and make their way to the Grand Ballroom.
Sorry, I was in a dream but this is how The Hotel Windsor makes me feel, it takes me back to a Victorian era, a time of elegance and class.
The Hotel Windsor is about to celebrate it’s 130th Birthday.
It was the dream and vision of shipping magnate George Nipper, who commissioned renowned architect Charles Webb to design it. Back then, The Hotel Windsor was known as ‘The Grand’, it first opened it’s doors in 1883.
Proudly, it pre-dates other grand hotels of the Victorian era, such as The Savoy, The Plaza, The Ritz and The Waldorf, to name a few.
In 1976 it came under threat of demolition and thankfully the Victorian Government bought it, to ensure conservation of Victorian Heritage.
The Hotel Windsor is that elegant buidling that stands at 111 Spring Street, Melbourne. It overlooks the majestic Parliament House and Treasury Gardens, as well as being the next-door neighbour of The Princess Theatre and the hustle and bustle of the city.
You can experience the glamour of The Hotel Windsor in many different ways. Let’s begin with their afternoon high teas, which have been a staple since they opened.
Afternoon Tea at The Windsor is a ‘grand’ affair. Freshly baked scones with jam and cream, finger sandwiches and cakes are delivered to you on a three tiered silver stand. Next comes a glass of sparkling wine and if that’s not enough to shift your gears into elegance, you will be served freshly brewed tea and coffee for the rest of the afternoon. For just $59 per head, you can’t go wrong.
Looking for somewhere classy to stay? Well you can’t go past The Hotel Windsor. The Hotel Windsor will delight you with its Edwardian colours, its grand spiral staircase (perfect for photographs and weddings) and its old school suites. If you are an art enthusiast, The Hotel Windsor boasts many original art works throughout their hotel, worth your perusal.
They have an array of rooms and suites to accommodate your individual needs, check out their selection here. Each room has a marble bathroom to kill for with a clawfoot tub.
If you are rolling in dough, then let me suggest The Royal Suite. It has a powder room, a dining room, a bathroom and it’s own secure entrance – Pretty Woman eat your heart out!
Now ladies, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Please keep it to yourselves! Have very little cash? You can still feel elegant and like a lady of yesteryear.
Go into the Cricketers Bar and order a lemon squash and say to the barman, ‘May I use the ladies?’ He will point to the door, swan downstairs and you will arrive at the Powder Room.
Now this is not any Powder Room. This is the POWDER ROOM of Powder Rooms. Sit in there, pose in there, apply your lippy in there. Breathe the glamour in and strut out into the world and kick some butt.
Last but not least, what do Lauren Bacall, Margaret Thatcher, Muhummad Ali, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Gregory Peck all have in common?
They all stayed at The Hotel Windsor.
Check out their website today, you’ll be in good company.