The Interlude

Superb! It’s not in the tourist part of Melbourne but that’s not why you come here. It’s a great hotel experience and unlike anything around. Service was great, accommodation was clean and comfortable. Food was quality. Perfect end to a trip in Melbourne.

This place is so beautiful it’s difficult to comprehend the history of what was once one of Australia’s most notorious prisons as it’s now been fully renovated into this amazing hotel. Everything about it so aesthetically pleasing. The converted cells that are now suites with all the mod cons. The basement now an incredible pool along with common areas becoming a fabulous wine bars with old cells now booths to have an intimate dining experience. The staff are wonderfull. Big shout of to the lovely Maddi who was our designated host, and also hosted an additional add on called Place of Time, were you sit outside in the old exercise yard and sip red wine, eat yummy cheeses whilst she goes through the history of the prison and the surrounding areas. Food was delicious in the wine bar and cocktails yummy. We had a bit of an accidental overcharge but Natasha on the front desk sorted everything out admirably and promptly. The staff are all so friendly and appear to genuinely love their jobs. We’d definitely love the chance to come back soon. Thank you.

Unfortunately there was a function during our stay which went past 10pm and continued into the bar, which was all heard from the rooms.

The whole experience of staying in an actual prison was amazing. The level of effort taken to keep the original look was second to none. The service especially on check in was excellent. The pool was a unique spectacular experience. Also try the fish and chip shop in the shopping precinct it was next level.

It was surreal. Having travelled the world we have yet to experience something as unique as the interlude (with pool offer coupled with wine tasting.

Oh wow, if you want an experience with a difference, this is for you. We had a ball and they have done an incredible job transforming cells into luxury rooms. Staff are so incredible too. Highly recommend!!

I have to say I was very underwhelmed by my stay at Interlude. I paid $420 per night for two nights which didn't include breakfast! So I forked out the extra $70 per night for breakfast ($140 in total), and expected a great tasting full breakfast. However at breakfast they told me I could choose one item from the breakfast menu, one coffee and one juice. The scrambled eggs with 2 dry rashes of bacon on sour dough bread was bland and tasteless. At $70 I was hugely disappointed by this and felt cheated. The room itself was good and the experience of staying in the cells was unique. However the staff had no knowledge of their own hotel. The lady at reception could not help my brother find my room to visit me because she wasn't sure how to direct me!!! He ended up finding it himself. The waitress at breakfast could not tell me where the swimming pool was located!!!!!!..I asked her "how long have you been working here?", and she told me since September 2023- That's 7 months!!!!!!!! Further, the concierge could not find the light switch at the swimming pool area so that I could read the newspaper there.....!!!!!He finally found it -after a frustrating 15 minutes and then just laughed about it!!! I was shocked that staff did not know about the venue that they are working in!!!!! It would not happen in my field of work. Anyway, the experience was ok but the price point was way too high (at $70 For eggs and a coffee for breakfast)!!!!!! Marc

I really enjoyed our experience at The Interlude. We had our own concierge who managed our day. Starting with a welcome sparkling wine and an introduction to the facility. The room was unique as it was 3 prison cells combined and completly renovated as you would expect. There were specialist teas and a coffee machine, bar fridge stocked with drinks and various snacks. Our package included $30 worth of treats from the room. We also had a bespoke wine tasting hosted by a lovely American girl who was very knowledgable and engaging. We also indulged in an hour long pool experience. It was very relaxing with mood music and premium snacks. After an hour or so we went to the restaurant (Olivine) and had the set menu. There were some amazing flavours although I don't consider bread as a first course. Our waiter, Anna, was sensational. Very engaging and we enjoyed her Italian insights as Italy is one of our favourite places in the would. The wines were good and not to over the top as many high end establishments tend to overprice wines. The only negative is the bed, although very comfortable, one person has to climb over the other in order to get in and out of bed as the bed is hard up against the wall. Nothing can be helped as it is limited by the dimensions of the cell. Overall a great experience enhanced by great staff and service.

What a fantastic and unusual venue this is. It was luxury from start to finish with staff who were wonderfully accommodating and knowledgeable. We stayed overnight as a team and experienced wine tasting, the story of the prison and tea making. A lot of fun and a lot of learning. The design of the Interlude is breathtaking, an experience I will remember forever.