Date Night in Melbourne

Chantal and her hubby experience Melbourne after dark on a romantic date for two.

One Bedroom Suite at Melbourne Marriott Hotel

It’s always going to be a special evening when it’s date night and this one was to be no exception.

With our evening accommodation booked at the Melbourne Marriott Hotel and dinner at fine dining restaurant Essence, we knew we were in for a unique treat.

The five star hotel is situated right in the heart of the theatre arena of Melbourne and courtesy of the lights of the Comedy Theatre and Her Majesty’s Theatre, the area has an almost Broadway-like appeal.

Recently refurbished, and looking every bit a modern and luxurious hotel, the Melbourne Marriott has everything you need for a comfortable overnight stay.

It boasts many fine features such as a 24-hour sauna and fully equipped gymnasium, a downstairs bar and its own restaurant.

Our room was fitted with a widescreen television, a most comfortable and indulgent king size bed, the obligatory and well-stocked mini bar and a modern bathroom with all the overnight necessities, including some warm white bathrobes.

We soon headed downstairs to the hotel restaurant Essence. The menu is modern and varied and includes a fine array of entrees, mains and desserts plus an extensive wine list.

Chantal tucks in at Essence

Being pasta-lovers, my husband and I opted for the delicious Italian-inspired dishes on offer. I indulged in the potato gnocchi with pumpkin, sundried tomatoes and pine nuts, while my husband was treated to the homemade linguine with slow roast tomatoes, olives, basil and a white wine sauce.

The house serving of warm black olive and onion bread was a nice accompaniment to a glass of bubbly for starters. Once our meals arrived, we were both spoilt by Essence’s rich and varied flavours.

After our delicious meals, we decided to venture out into Melbourne’s nightlife. A quick drink at The Elephant and the Wheelbarrow on the corner of Bourke and Exhibition Streets saw us enjoy some good local music and lap up the buzzing atmosphere with a growing number of Melbourne tourists and late night revellers ready for a night on the town.

Afterwards, we wandered the laneways where street acts from all persuasions showcased their diverse range of performances. Beautiful Asian-inspired melodies, Rock of Ages-type music acts, and even magic shows were all on offer throughout the city.

We soon found our way to Federation Square where we grabbed a quick latte and tucked into some sweet treats and admired Melbourne at its midnight best.

Flinders Street Station

Everything in this nocturnal city awakens at night. Flinders Street station is at its most ambient and is quietly back dropped by the lights of Southbank and the Arts Centre. The beautiful view of the Yarra River from the Princes Bridge on Swanston Street beckons for a late night stroll. Melbourne has many gems to keep the lovebirds interested.

With the cool night breeze, we made our way back to the Marriott. Jumping into bed and quickly pampered by the thick doona and indulgent pillows, it was a great way to reflect on an enjoyable night in the arms of such an interesting and social city like Melbourne.

While it might not have the Eiffel Tower or the Trevi Fountain, the romance is never lacking in this eclectic and culturally significant city.