Everybody knows the importance of first impressions. But how many times have you entered a store, restaurant or hotel only to be ignored and overlooked? Far too often in the hospitality industry we encounter negative first impressions and mediocre service. Not so, when alluxia recently checked in to Melbourne boutique hotel, Adelphi on Flinders Lane.
They say our first impressions are formed in the seven second window upon first meeting someone. This means hotel staff need to act quickly in order to make a brilliant first impression on check-in.
Arriving at the Adelphi Hotel, I stopped for a moment to gather my luggage and before I even had a chance to move, a friendly and enthusiastic Adelphi team member swooped upon me and whisked my luggage upstairs before I even had a chance to think about awkwardly navigating the stairs before me. This exceptional welcome continued in the lobby, with more smiling team members who ushered me to the lobby's communal table, offered me a welcome drink (a coffee thank you very much) peppered me with questions about my stay in Melbourne and distracted me with general pleasant banter that I barely noticed that the formalities of check-in and pre-authorisation of credit cards had been completed. There was genuine warmth in their welcome that's hard to train and comes from strong leadership, empowerment and culture.
After that fantastic first impression, quite frankly anything could have gone wrong with my room and I wouldn't have cared! Of course it didn't, everything was thoroughly perfect. My room was a very sweet suite indeed – a Flinders King corner suite with the sun streaming in and the bustling city street below.
The warm welcome continued with personal message scrawled on the mirror and lots of fun extra inclusions. The décor is like a liquorice allsorts of colour, but it works! Black and white chevron carpet, lolly pink couch and textured fur throw rug on the bed complete the designer look and making it the world's first dessert themed hotel.
Tasty temptations are included in your stay, a lolly jar full of goodies such as nuts, jellies, and chips all locally sourced and replenished daily. The complimentary minibar is filled with juices and waters to keep you happily hydrated.
The list of inclusions continues with complimentary WiFi, latest release movies and local phone calls to keep you entertained and connected. You'll need all your will power to resist the tempting treats and entertainment with the movies proving a total distraction when there is work to be done! There's also a Lavazza Amodo Mio coffee pod machine if you're desperate for a coffee, but this is Melbourne and I'm out to explore.
I wander just a little further along Flinders Lane to Cumulus Inc, Andrew McConnell's famed all-day eating house. Midweek it's buzzing with business people caffeinating before work and I prop up at the bar to order breakfast. I'm presented with a petite menu with a few well-crafted items and I opt for the indulgent Shakshouka – baked eggs with roasted peppers and shanklish. Service is swift and professional and the perfect cup of Single Origin Coffee House Blend #7 is delivered with efficiency.
The following morning I opt for breakfast in-house at Adelphi, the mood lighting, which is ideal for the evening Om Nom's dessert bar offering, feels at odds with the early breakfast hour. Service in the restaurant is a low point, with staff indifferent and not as attentive as their front office counterparts. The 63-degree egg, grilled asparagus, smoked salmon and sourdough toast with burnt butter and sage was a pleasant light breakfast option.
Adelphi Hotel was previously famous for its cantilever swimming pool which was ahead of its time when the boutique hotel was conceived in the early 90's. After a change of ownership and the hotel's refurbishment in 2013, further plans are now afoot for a makeover of the iconic pool deck and it will be interesting to see how they transform the rooftop haven.
For now, Adelphi is a small hotel big on service, presenting enticing temptations at every turn from the delicious Om Nom signature desserts, eye catching Liquorice All-Sort stools and the sweet smell of lollies in the lobby – it's a feast for the senses.
Have you stayed at Adelphi Hotel? Tell us about your experience.
Adelphi Hotel
187 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Book at Adelphi Hotel here.
