A stunning hotel with a rooftop pool has just opened in Melbourne

With mid-century design and a focus on arts, culture and cuisine, the property overlooks Parliament House from its prime Bourke Street location.

With a rooftop pool and terrace, mid-century design and a focus on arts, culture and cuisine, Le Meridien Melbourne has opened with a splash, overlooking Parliament House from its prime Bourke Street location.

The site of the five-star 235-room hotel, part of the Marriott Bonvoy group, was originally a hotel in the 1850s and has since been a theatre, cinema, live performance venue and night club.

Its latest iteration pays homage to this rich history through its design, art installations (guests are greeted in the driveway and on the rooftop by large-scale murals by local artist Stephen Baker) and culinary collaborations.

The showpiece rooftop features an open-air bar serving cocktails, poolside snacks and gelato. There will also be a seasonal pop-up cinema launching later this year.