Once a tin factory, this is now one of Melbourne's most impressive hotels

Stepping into the lobby of the brand-new Mercure Melbourne La Trobe Street, you wouldn't have thought it was a tin factory in its previous life. Or maybe you would. With abstract art made out of tin offcuts displayed proudly on the walls behind the reception desk, you can tell the venue's new owners wanted to honour the site's history. But the space certainly doesn't look or feel like a tin factory anymore. It's modern, vibrant, welcoming and colourful - and 18 storeys, with 195 rooms, six suites, a gym, a restaurant and a bar.

A major part of the hotel's appeal is its location. You're as central as you'd want to be without feeling like you're in the city centre. The property is just steps away from the gorgeous Flagstaff Gardens, and surrounded by restaurants, cafes and bars that showcase the best of Melbourne's culture and charm. The hotel is an eight-minute walk to Marvel Stadium, a 12-minute walk to Queen Victoria Market and is easily accessible by public transport, with Flagstaff Station a six-minute walk and Southern Cross a similar distance. From the hotel itself, you're spoilt with views of Docklands, the CBD and out towards North Melbourne.

As you make your way through the hotel, it's clear every detail has been carefully curated. Textures are used intentionally, from leather chairs and travertine benches to soft carpets, draping curtains and enveloping couches. Pops of colour and unique shapes catch your eye, from abstract mirrors to bright-red outdoor table settings. Art also plays a big part in the interior design of the hotel, with pieces that blend into the colour scheme of the room and nod to the landmarks that surround the building.

I stood in the doorway for a few too many seconds as I opened the door to my room for the first time. It took me a moment to take in the spacious room, with a big bed facing a huge TV, a couch that would fit more friends than I would have even thought to invite, a coffee table that became my make-shift desk and a kitchenette with all the amenities I required for my two-night stay. The ensuite was bigger than I expected, with a double vanity and dreamy rainfall shower. However, what truly took my breath away was the view outside my window - looking out to Flagstaff Gardens and the CBD is a luxury you don't get in many hotel rooms. Watching the colour of the sky change as dusk took over provided the most beautiful end to a day in the city.

On level six of the hotel, the lift doors open to reveal the stunning bar and restaurant Foundry, which is open to guests and the public. Spend an afternoon making your way through the bar's endless list of cocktails, wine and beer, or stay for the evening and indulge in the delicious food menu. From meat on the grill to lamb shoulder, fettuccine ragu and barramundi, there's something to suit any tastebud (and that's not even mentioning the starters and desserts). Foundry also hosts buffet breakfasts each morning, with everything you could want to start your day (and more - have you ever had a cheese platter for breakfast?).

While there's plenty to see and do inside the hotel, the options are limitless as you walk out its doors. You've got pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes on every nearby corner, as well as theatres, cinemas and markets a quick train or tram ride away. I chose to walk through Flagstaff Gardens to the Queen Victoria Market for its night market, which was bustling with people and food vans of every cuisine you could imagine. On my second day I walked to the State Library and did a nearby reformer pilates class before getting dumplings for lunch in Chinatown.

While it's hard to look past the CBD views on the Foundry terrace with a cocktail in hand, there's nothing more important about a hotel stay than having a good night's sleep. And at Mercure, not only are the beds, blankets and pillows a dream to sleep on, they're good for the environment, too. The bedding and pillows are sourced from DreamGreen, a company that turns plastic bottles into sustainable bedding. The hotel has helped recycle 54,154 plastic bottles through this initiative.

The writer was a guest of the hotel