It’s not an unlikely concept that a hotel would be able to ignite excitement in a weary traveller at the vision of a hotel bed. But it’s certainly a great feat of engineering for the bed to feel like you’ve just dived head first straight onto a cloud of bliss.
If that were the only compliment I could pay The Cullen, they’d be doing just fine. But fine is not how things are done in Melbourne and this five star boutique hotel is all about the art of ‘living fearlessly’ and doing it right.
Unveiled in 2009, it was the first hotel to open from the Art Series Hotel Group, who have combined hospitality and art and merged them into one brilliant conception – creating hotel galleries that honour the work of famed Australian artists.
In this case, The Cullen is based on the work of enfant terrible, Adam Cullen, winner of the 2000 Archibald prize. Echoing his daring and stylistically streaky, dripping paintings, The Cullen have taken on board his artistic spirit and run wild with it.
A fusion of light and electric colour greets guests in the foyer, along with custom-made fibreglass cows who have taken up residency. Besides the 450 pieces of his work on display (some of it commissioned exclusively for the hotel), Cullen’s impression bounces off every surface – including the smart cars and bikes the hotel have for rent, all that have been imprinted with his handwork. A cascading stem of red corded lights drip down the 6 floors of the 119 room hotel, and bring to mind the stylistic paint splatters that cover his canvases.
The suites themselves all echo a similar theme and benefit from minimalist, contemporary interiors that complement the featured artworks in the room. Black and white dominates, with orange pillows and rugs adorning the furniture to add splashes of colour. The highlight of each room is a Cullen decal frosted onto the glass doors that separate the bedroom and the bathroom.
Each suite makes good use of the space, and contains shelves that heave with art books, a Plasma television, Ghost armchairs and black out curtains. The rooms also feature a kitchenette that allows guests to make the most of the Prahran markets that are conveniently located across the road. Some of the rooms also have balconies that overlook buzzy Commercial Road, whilst the Penthouses afford a view of the CBD from the surprisingly striking vantage point of Prahran.
Though Cullen’s garish work may not be what peaceful dreams are made of, the hotel inspires a great sense of vibrant hospitality that would excite any jaded traveller. And promises of a really comfortable nights sleep.
The Cullen, 164 Commercial Rd, Prahran, Victoria.
