Mr & Mrs Smith

Andre's Mews

Melbourne, Australia

In Melbourne's ritzy Richmond, Andre’s Mews offers a chic cluster of five one-bedroom and six two-bedroom serviced apartments, set in a converted Edwardian townhouse and its former stables and leafy courtyard. Inspired by English mews houses and glam Notting Hill style, this former family home includes flats named after dad Andre, mum Ellen, siblings and nieces, as well as artists Tamara de Lempica, Louis Icart, Isaac Maimon and author Somerset Maugham.

Need to know

• Rates information From AU$360 a night for a one-bedroom apartment to AU$590 for a two-bedroom apartment.
• Ideal for Romantic couples on a city minibreak, friends holidaying together or long-stay guests. Two-bedroom apartments include a split-queen bed that can be separated or joined as one for added flexibility.
• Sleeps 2-4
• Property style Tardis-like, this double-fronted trad Edwardian townhouse opens up to reveal a surprisingly spacious warren of 11 one- and two-bedroom apartments, converted from a family home. Elegant decor blends antique and modern design.
• Grounds Although the property is set right a busy Church Street corner, its balconied apartments surround a tranquil courtyard garden at the back, with a table and chairs for sipping a latte beside the shady trees, pretty plants and fountain.
• Minimum hire Two-night minimum hire.
• Children Andre's Mews is not suitable for children over 12 months or under 12 years of age, as its stylish apartments are full of elegant breakables.
• Booking process Bookings are guaranteed with a 50 per cent deposit, with the remaining 50 per cent balance due to be paid in full two weeks' prior to arrival. Payment is via credit card only (Visa, MasterCard and Amex – note Amex has a three per cent surcharge). On check-in, guests can pick up keys from reception at the front of Andre's Mews, which is usually open 10am–4pm on weekdays or staff are available 24-hours on site by phone. Enjoy discounts for longer stays of 10 per cent off for one week; 15 per cent off for two weeks; 20 per cent off for three weeks and 25 per cent off for four or more weeks.
• Also Smoking is allowed outside only (on balconies or in the main courtyard); pets are not permitted. Andre's Mews is not suitable for children over 12 months or under 12 years of age, as its stylish apartments are full of elegant breakables.

Floor plan

• Bedrooms

  One-bedroom apartments include:

  The Maxine: in sophisticated silver-blue and lavender with lashings of mirror, this airy feminine first-floor apartment is largely open-plan. At one end sits a queen-size bedroom and a bathroom with freestanding claw-foot bath and shower. The compact kitchen leads onto a small south-facing balcony overlooking the internal courtyard. A generous living/dining room is bookended with an art deco gas fireplace, with split-queen beds for extra guests screened off to one side. A north-facing terrace with outdoor seating flanks the lounge. Clear acrylic Louis Ghost chairs, Tamara de Lempicka prints and bird figurines add playful touches.

  The Yvette: light, bright and beautiful, this elegant second-floor apartment sits above the Maxine, with a south-facing balcony overlooking the internal courtyard. It includes a queen-size bedroom with built-in wardrobes, a bathroom with a shower, a comfy lounge with skylight windows, and a kitchen. Prints by Tamara de Lempicka inject fashionable flair. There's also a sunny north-facing terrace.

  The Claudine: opposite the Yvette on the first-floor of one of the courtyard buildings, pretty Claudine includes a bedroom with queen-size bed and a freestanding wardrobe, an ensuite with a shower, a living room with desk, a kitchen with island-bench seating for two, and a long balcony overlooking the verdant garden.

  The Andre Junior: this contemporary loft apartment on the second floor of the original townhouse faces Church Street with city skyline views. A queen-size bed area beside the large, light open-plan lounge space comes with ample storage, plus there's a shower room and separate toilet, dining for two, a desk and kitchen. The contrasting white sofa and black leather armchair adds to Andre Junior's appeal.

  The Michel Roget: in smart shades of black and white with hits of red, this second-floor loft beside the Andre Junior has elegant unisex style, with an airy balcony looking east over the internal courtyard. The light open-plan space features a queen-size bed off the main sitting, living and dining area (with table for four), backed by a kitchen, a separate toilet and second day-bed sleeping area with ensuite shower. Chic 1920s Erté prints add to the French Deco feel.

  Two-bedroom apartments include:

  The Carl-James: the first-floor 'penthouse' apartment is the most spacious, set right on Church Street. Each of the two bedrooms has a queen-size bed with fitted wardrobes and ensuite bathroom. The master bedroom boasts windows overlooking a private terrace, and its ensuite has a large bath and shower; the second ensuite has a shower only. Two huge sofas and dining for four make for sociable lounging in the classic-meets-contemporary 'Great Room', which includes art deco details and Erté prints. Spanning its length is a stunning north-facing terrace with a water feature, and French doors open onto a balcony for city views. There's also a sleek kitchen.

  The Lempicka: named after artist Tamara de Lempicka, and featuring many of her bold, beautiful prints of fashionable guys and gals, this elegant ground-floor apartment to the right of reception in the main townhouse is one for art deco fans. The master bedroom has a queen-size bed with French doors opening onto the rear courtyard balcony; the second bedroom offers a split-queen bed. Both come with built-in wardrobes. As well as a pretty main bathroom with full-size bath, separate shower and double sinks, there's a smaller powder room. A huge living/dining area divided by a double-facing fireplace sports pretty peach sofas with wood and mirror detailing and glam chrome, black and mirrored decor. French doors give onto a private leafy courtyard at the front with seating for four. The canny kitchen by the dining area can be closed away behind discreet doors.

  The Ellen: to the left of reception opposite the Lempicka on the ground floor, the gorgeously glam Ellen offers a spacious open-plan living room divided by a double-sided gas fireplace from the dining area. Interiors feature a chic palette of black, red and white, monochrome Tamara de Lempicka prints and antique mirrors. Beyond the clean-lined kitchen is the smaller bedroom with split-queen bed and a master bedroom with queen-size bed opening out onto the rear courtyard terrace, both with fitted wardrobes. A bathroom with bath, separate shower and chandelier completes the swanky setting. At the front of the lounge, French doors give onto a private terrace with seating for four.

  The Icart: named after 1920s artist Louis Icart, known for playful pictures of stylish ladies and their pets, this first-floor apartment features masculine modern design in sharply tailored black and white and a fabulous balcony overlooking Church Street with city views. The contemporary kitchen blends into the generous open-plan lounge, with dining for four in a lovely light conservatory alongside. Off the conservatory, the master bedroom has a queen-size bed and ensuite bath; a smaller double bedroom, left of the main entrance, offers an ensuite shower, and both have fitted wardrobes. Can be connected with the Andre Junior to form a two-storey townhouse.

  The Maimon: on the first-floor of the original townhouse, this sultry apartment stars a striking internal conservatory dining area with skylight roof and mirrored dresser. The indoor/outdoor feel continues in the queen-size bedroom, which boasts French doors giving onto a balcony overlooking the internal courtyard, and an ensuite with bath and window seat. A second bedroom has a split-queen bed and ensuite with a shower; both come with fitted wardrobes. Punchy red sofas face off in the luxurious open-plan living room, adjoining the conservatory and kitchen, also fringed with French doors to the balcony. Glass coffeetables, mirror finishes, bold florals and vibrant prints by artist Isaac Maimon add Gallic glamour. Interconnects with the Michel Roget above to form an impressive two-storey townhouse.

  The Somerset: a homage to author Somerset Maugham and his tropical Twenties and Thirties island style, this lush first-floor apartment at the back of the courtyard has a trad-modern colonial vibe. The main bedroom sports a queen-size bed; the second a split-queen bed, both with fitted wardrobes. A large open-plan living/dining area and kitchen opens onto a north-facing terrace, plus there's a long balcony overlooking the central courtyard.

• Kitchen

  Crisply contemporary white kitchens are fully equipped with everything you could need, including generous fridge and freezer, electric oven and hotplates, dishwasher, microwave and a washing-machine, as well as chic modern appliances, tableware and utensils. Most are split into two parallel work stations. so there's plenty of room to manoeuvre, and form part of the open-plan living/dining space.

• Living room

  As well as offering LCD TV, CD/DVD players and internet connection, living areas are stocked with appealing vintage books, and furnished in an eclectic mix of antique and modern accessories. Art work features in all apartments, including prints that helped inspire the interiors. Expect comfy sofas, inviting armchairs and tactile rugs, with fresh flowers and plants adding to the homely feel.

• Dining room

  All apartments come with elegant dining tables and chairs, either in or off the main open-plan living area within easy reach of the kitchen. In one-bedroom apartments tables seat two; in two-bed flats they seat four.

• Poolside There's no pool at the property but the nearby leisure centre sports a 50-metre pool and gym.
• Gardens Filled with shady trees and foliage, a small courtyard garden sits at the core of Andre's Mews, flanked by the original townhouse building on Church Street and more recent extensions at the back and sides. It's a peaceful spot for checking emails or perusing the papers, with an elegant metal garden table and chairs and an ornate fountain.
• Private parking Undercover parking is available but must be pre-booked; an on-street parking permit can also be arranged.
• Other Apartments all feature a laundry with separate washer/dryer, ironing board and iron, as well as central heating and air-conditioning.