The Future of Guest Experience at 1 Hotel Melbourne
As featured in HM Magazine, October 2025
Image credit: 1 Hotel Melbourne
Curating a new standard for sustainable luxury at 1 Hotel Melbourne.
When 1 Hotel Melbourne opened its doors, it wasn’t just another hotel launch – it was a statement. This was the debut of the globally celebrated, sustainability-driven brand in Australia, and every detail needed to set a new benchmark for design-led hospitality.
Bringing that vision to life required a partner who could do more than supply products. It called for someone who could interpret creative intent, align with sustainability goals, and orchestrate dozens of suppliers into a seamless guest experience.
From concept to guestroom
Swisstrade was engaged early in the process to help shape the property’s operational ecosystem. The brief was ambitious: deliver a guest journey where every touchpoint – from guestrooms to banquets – reflects 1 Hotel’s values of sustainability, craftsmanship, and connection to place. That meant sourcing materials that were as thoughtful as they were beautiful: live-edge timber caddies that celebrate the natural grain, QRenabled coasters linking guests to sustainability stories, locally roasted ST. ALi coffee capsules just kilometres from site, and robes, amenities, and appliances chosen to balance eco-luxury with performance.
Image credit: 1 Hotel Melbourne
The art of collaboration
Beyond the guestrooms, the project called for close collaboration between designers, operators, and procurement teams. Jemmervale Designs worked with Swisstrade to repurpose timber from the original site into luggage trolley decks, create a custom DJ booth, and craft food service furniture from recycled Oregon.
Operational needs were just as critical. Ascolia housekeeping and banquet trolleys were specified to streamline daily routines, while wellness zones were outfitted with spa products, yoga accessories, and pool comforts that aligned with the hotel’s holistic brand philosophy.
“Our vision for 1 Hotel Melbourne was to create a property that feels rooted in place and reflects our commitment to sustainability,” said Johannes Brosmann, Hotel Manager, 1 Hotel Melbourne. “Swisstrade went beyond supply – they were true partners in bringing this vision to life.”
A benchmark for the industry
For Swisstrade, success meant more than delivering products on time and on budget — it meant balancing competing priorities and ensuring every decision honoured the brand story. The result is a property that feels considered, connected, and quietly innovative.
From the lobby’s repurposed timber to the smallest minibar detail, every element was chosen to enhance the guest journey while reducing environmental impact.
1 Hotel Melbourne now stands as a benchmark for what is possible when global partnerships, local collaboration, and operational insight work together. It is a property where guests don’t just stay – they experience a story of sustainability, craftsmanship, and future-focused hospitality.
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