The Cullen Hotel

164 Commercial Road Prahran VIC 3181

the Cullen doesn’t have a concierge, it has ‘experience managers’, each ready to help you get the best from your stay: whatever you need, just ask. the first outpost of the Art Series Hotel Group, the Cullen is named after Australian painter Adam Cullen, whose gaudy yet sensitive works adorn the walls. the hotel has a hip, youthful vibe: staff are edgy (though terribly polite) and actively encouraged to show off any body art (such as tattoos and piercings). Design touches include a life-size metal cow in the foyer, lofty glass atriums lit by bare bulbs dangling on long red cords, laser cut chairs, perspex tables and stacks of art books dotted about. our room made excellent use of space, with two queen beds – each with a plasma tV at the end – separated by an etched-glass walled bathroom. A stainless steel kitchenette and smart living area added to a sense of space. located in Prahran, the hotel is close to Chapel Street – a strip of independent boutiques and every kind of restaurant imaginable – as well as the district’s outstanding covered food market. the hotel itself has two eating options: Italian-leaning terrace bar & bistro, with pastas and pizzas aplenty (a rich pumpkin and mascarpone risotto stood out, as did the devilish chocolate soufflé that followed) and the busy Hutong dumpling bar. it’s a pleasant walk to ever trendy St Kilda, while the business district is just a tram ride away. there’s a small but perfectly formed gym and an open-air stretching area/yoga deck to keep you calm and collected during your stay.

Why go? With its quirky artworks, clever design touches and trend-setting staff, the Cullen is cool without being pretentious. And thanks to its location, it’s the ideal base from which to explore arty Melbourne.

Details Suite from £130. 164 Commercial road, Prahran, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (00 61 3 9098 1555; artserieshotels.com.au).