Hotel's new restorative package offers a chance to wind down in the heart of Melbourne

As we reach the halfway point of 2024 and the winter weather begins to bite, we're all deserving of a mid-year reset to unwind. While a Euro summer sounds dreamy, purse pinches mean many of us will opt for something a bit closer to home. Truthfully, a staycation or interstate holiday comes with a lot less stress, but can leave you feeling just as refreshed.Nestled along the Yarra River, Element Melbourne Richmond is the perfect escape to treat those winter blues and give yourself the chance to slow down and detach from your busy life. It's also perfectly placed if you happen to be heading to Melbourne for NRL's State of Origin, with Game Two taking place at the MCG this week.READ MORE: You don't have to leave the Melbourne CBD for a taste of the Euro summer lifeA subsidiary of Westin by Marriott, the hotel itself has been attracting business and leisure travellers since its opening in 2019, but its newly launched Restore Floor is attracting a new crowd of wellness enthusiasts. The Restore FloorA pass to restore floor is your ticket to Element's wealth of wellness offerings. Signature Element robes and slippers in tow, we headed straight for the infrared sauna room, where we were welcomed into an oasis of calm.I'll admit first stepping into the sauna left me a little confused – where was the steam and the fogged up windows?But upon some research, we discovered that infrared saunas operate at slightly lower temperatures to traditional steam saunas, and your body directly absorbs the infrared heat, rather than the hot air or steam.Thankfully, they give you all the same benefits, including stress reduction, better sleep and improved muscle recovery.Once we were feeling nice and toasty, we shuffled on to the massage room, where electronic massage chairs were waiting to relieve the stress and tension from both our muscles and our minds. Moving from the massage room to the meditation-centred balance room felt like a natural progression, where the same soothing soundtrack of soft hums and trickling water helped us feel present but at peace.This room is a treat for guests who have experience with meditation and yoga and know their way around a downward facing dog.The hotel's much-loved arcade room and karaoke room have also been retained for a bit of fun once you're feeling recharged, with traditional Pac Man games and old school vinyls sure to bring back fond childhood memories.A one-hour pass to the Restore Floor is complimentary when you book a Rest & Restore package at the hotel. The Restore Floor experiences can also be booked by guests who do not book the Rest & Restore package, for an extra fee.The roomIt was evident to us that the hotel is really built to match its surroundings – with an eco-conscious approach and spacious, Scandinavian inspired design.We stayed in one of five deluxe balcony rooms, which looked out over Swan Street and onto a gorgeous landscape of native bushland.During our stay, we found the spacious balcony provided both a tranquil space to enjoy the sunset over a drink, and was also the perfect setting to pause and listen to the birds chirp over a coffee in the morning.Dog friendly accommodation is also available so guests can bring their furry friends along, however I opted to leave my one-year-old dachshund at home, because he hasn't quite grasped the meaning of 'relaxation' yet. In-room amenities were endless and desk staff were friendly and keen to make our stay as comfortable as possible.For me, the ultimate test of a good hotel is not the firmness of the mattress, but the integrity of the pillow.When my head hit the pillow at Element, I immediately knew it had passed the plush pillow test. Large, dense yet simultaneously fluffy, I felt like I was melting into a marshmallow and it made for a very restful sleep.When it came to the spa-inspired bathroom, the rain showers, black marble bathroom counter top and backlit bathroom mirror made for an indulgent experience – and made it clear I wasn't in my grungy inner-city share house anymore.In and around the hotel While the hotel is situated on the doorstep of Richmond's bustling Swan Street, the wealth of in-house options makes it difficult to want to leave.If you do plan to head out during your stay, public transport options are just minutes away, with close proximity to the CBD and Melbourne's sports and entertainment precinct.But we were encouraged to advantage of the area's scenic cycling trails with the hotel's 'Bikes to Borrow' program.We were recommended a trail by hotel staff which meander the Yarra River and brings you back through Swan Street – capturing the true essence of an urban paradise.The hotel also features a 24/7 motion fitness centre, equipped with Technogym equipment that allows guests to personalise their workouts via an app.If you've worked up an appetite after your cycle or sweat session, head straight to the in-house Mint Lane Restaurant and Bar, which serves a breakfast buffet and other food and beverage options throughout the day.While we opted for a cholesterol promoting, hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs, followed by pastries, those with a more health-conscious focus can enjoy a selection fruit, yoghurt and muesli and wellness juice shots.After breakfast, we spent some time in the cosy communal area, which houses a compact library and reading area, as well as a pool table, which weThe communal area is situated conveniently next to the Restore Floor pantry – where a selection of locally sourced snacks and beverages were hard to turn down as our pool game dragged on, exposing my amateur status in the game.The writer stayed at Element Melbourne Richmond as a guest of Westin.FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest travel news and deals via our WhatsApp channel. 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