COMO Hotels announces its second Australian property in Melbourne.
COMO Hotels and Resorts, globally recognised for its tailored approach to holistic luxury, is set to redefine Melbourne’s hospitality landscape with its second Australian outpost.
The prestigious wellness luxury resort and hotel operator has been officially appointed as the hotel manager for a visionary hospitality and residential project on the city’s iconic St Kilda Road.
Helmed by pioneering developer Orchard Piper in partnership with The Carter Group, this project is poised to make a mark on the east coast’s luxury accommodation scene, with doors set to open in early 2028.
As Melbourne’s most iconic boulevard prepares to welcome a new era of understated refinement, COMO Melbourne looks set not only to attract international acclaim but to redefine what luxury wellness hospitality means in Australia’s most creative city.
Whether you are seeking a rejuvenating getaway, a sophisticated social address, or a permanent residence infused with the spirit of global elegance, COMO Melbourne promises to be a transformative addition to the city’s lifestyle landscape.
COMO Melbourne: An Ambitious New Chapter
The imminent opening of COMO Melbourne will help build Australia’s stature as a key emerging destination on the global luxury hospitality map.
Since earning accolades for COMO The Treasury in Perth — widely lauded since its 2015 launch for its blend of historic architecture and impeccable modernity — the brand’s east coast debut has been eagerly anticipated by international travellers and design aficionados alike.
“Melbourne is a city celebrated for its design, food and culture, making it the ideal destination for COMO Hotels and Resorts,” said Olivier Jolivet, CEO of COMO Hotels and Resorts. “We look forward to bringing COMO’s signature hospitality, culinary innovation and holistic approach to wellbeing to the city through this landmark development.” Jolivet’s statement captures the essence of Melbourne’s cosmopolitan allure and cements the city’s synergy with COMO’s core values.
Redefining Urban Hospitality on St Kilda Road
Occupying the first nine floors of Orchard Piper’s The Carter Building, COMO Melbourne will deliver 102 highly curated rooms, including bespoke family suites designed to anticipate the needs of multi-generational travellers and extended stays. The property will feature a delicate interplay between privacy and conviviality, thanks to its thoughtfully zoned amenities.
A cornerstone of COMO’s global appeal — its wellness philosophy — finds a dedicated home in the new location via a state-of-the-art COMO Shambhala wellness centre. The facility will offer a comprehensive fitness centre, 20-metre indoor lap pool, immersive thermal experience, and a multi-purpose function space.
COMO Shambhala, renowned for its holistic therapies and mind-body balance treatments across the brand’s international properties, is set to elevate the wellness offering in Melbourne, meeting the city’s growing appetite for sophisticated retreats in urban spaces.
Epicures and locals alike can anticipate a highly curated dining journey across the on-site restaurant, café and bar, each assured to echo COMO’s signature culinary philosophy: ingredient-driven menus, elegant execution, and attentive yet unpretentious service.
While the restaurant scene in Melbourne is fiercely competitive, COMO’s knack for blending global inspiration with locally sourced produce (as seen at COMO The Treasury’s Wildflower in Perth) is expected to set new benchmarks for both visiting guests and discerning residents.
Apartments Above, Lifestyle Beyond
The upper levels of The Carter Building will house 54 premium apartments, designed for residents who value both exclusivity and belonging. In addition to panoramic views of Melbourne’s leafy boulevards and dynamic cityscape, residents will receive access to COMO’s world-class hospitality services and its acclaimed global recognition programme, Comoclub.
This integration of residential and hospitality offerings — a hallmark of leading international cities such as Singapore, London and New York — is relatively rare in Melbourne and is seen as a pivotal evolution in luxury urban living.
Luke McKie, Director at Orchard Piper, underscores the strategic alignment: “COMO has a market-leading reputation earned over decades of consistent delivery and is known the world over for its expertise in nurturing mind-body wellness, world-class cuisine and exacting service.
They’re the ideal partner for Orchard Piper and The Carter Group, who share the same values and focus on more traditional principles of hospitality and service.”
Context-Driven Design: The Kerry Hill Architects Touch
Good design is at the heart of every COMO experience, and the new Melbourne project is no exception. The hotel has been conceived by the revered Kerry Hill Architects (KHA), a practice respected globally for its contextual, site-specific approach to luxury. With an ethos shaped by projects such as the Capella Singapore, Aman Tokyo, and COMO Uma Canggu in Bali, KHA is known for avoiding fleeting trends in favour of enduring and tranquil spaces.
The new property is described as “a return to a more understated and timeless luxury experience,” with interiors prioritising tactile materials, diffused light, natural finishes, and a subtle nod to both heritage and modernity. In an era where luxury is often synonymous with excess, COMO and KHA are intent on delivering sanctuary-like calm; spaces where every detail, from acoustic privacy to intuitive spatial flow, is meditated and refined.
Melbourne’s Emergence as a Global Luxury Hospitality Hub
Melbourne’s elevation as a luxury travel destination is underscored by the arrival of brands like COMO, which choose cities with strong cultural identities and a deep appreciation for aesthetic excellence.
Recent years have seen rivals such as The Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels, Intercontinental and Shangri-La announce or unveil ambitious Victorian outposts, yet COMO’s distinct focus on wellness and unobtrusive luxury sets it apart.
A 2024 report by Colliers International notes Melbourne’s resilience and growth in the luxury hotel segment, anticipating increased international arrivals and heightened domestic demand for premium experiences following the global travel recovery.
The report highlights that guests now seek more than just a place to stay; they seek a holistic journey — authentic, restorative, and deeply personalised. COMO Melbourne emerges as the embodiment of this evolving traveller mindset.
Looking Ahead
Construction commenced in August 2025, with completion expected in early 2028. Anticipation for the opening is underpinned by both confidence in Orchard Piper’s visionary execution and COMO’s commitment to maintaining its lofty standards.
