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Fresh from its grand opening last month, InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto has been included in the 2009 Conde Nast Traveler Hot List – one of only three Australian hotels and resorts to make the prestigious list of the world’s hottest hotels.
According to Conde Nast, InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto’s AU $60 million transformation from “1891 Melbourne grand dame into a cool city chick” raised the heritage hotel to world-class. Super-snappy service, minimalist comfort, fantastic dining and bars and the marriage of charm and class were all noted, but the judges were won over by the hotel’s soaring atrium and its “spectacle of light, angles, marble, mosaic, bluestone and carefully selected local art.”
The Conde Nast team was particularly taken by InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto’s two turret suites, which spread over 775 square feet across three split levels and incorporate the gothic turrets overlooking Collins Street.
“As first accolades go, this one would be difficult to beat. You can’t describe what it’s like to receive this sort of international recognition from such a scrupulous and respected authority as Conde Nast,” said InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto general manager, Manrique Rodriguez.
“Awards like this aren’t possible if every element of the guest experience isn’t absolutely world class. I’m especially proud of the team for achieving the exemplary service standards that in such a short time, led to our recognition as one of the hottest hotels in the world.”
With 141 hotels worldwide making the cut, this year’s list is the largest Conde Nast Traveler Hot List ever. InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto was the only internationally-branded Australian hotel to receive 2009 honours.
Designed by luxury hotel doyen, Joseph Pang, InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto opened in December 2008, out of the year-long, AU$60 million restoration of the historic Rialto Building.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
