Windsor Hotel History, Ownership & Celebrity Guests

The name “Windsor Hotel” appears in Melbourne, Perth and other Australian cities, but the most storied property is The Hotel Windsor Melbourne. Opened in December 1883 as the Grand Hotel, it became a favoured address for royalty, politicians and Hollywood stars. This article traces the hotel’s journey from gold‑rush grandeur to its current ownership, explains the difference between similarly named hotels, and answers the questions travellers most often ask about this historic five‑star property. (Historic Hotels Then & Now)

Last checked: 2026-07-13

Name: The Hotel Windsor Melbourne / Windsor Hotel (Perth) · Location: Melbourne CBD, Victoria; South Perth, Western Australia · Established: Melbourne: 1883; Perth: 1898 · Star Rating (Melbourne): Five-star · Known For: Victorian-era elegance, Afternoon Tea, live music and sports pub in Perth

What is the story of the Windsor Hotel?

The Hotel Windsor Melbourne began life as the Grand Hotel in December 1883. Built for shipping magnate George Nipper and designed by architect Charles Webb, it opened during Victoria’s gold‑rush prosperity. Nipper sold the hotel around 1886 to a company led by politicians James Munro and James Balfour. Under their ownership the property was converted into a “Grand Coffee Palace” that operated without a liquor licence – a temperance experiment that lasted until 1897, when the licence was regained and the name reverted to the Grand Hotel. (Sydney Morning Herald; Kiddle Encyclopedia)

In 1920, Sydney developer Sir Arthur Rickard’s Melbourne Hotels Ltd purchased the Grand together with the neighbouring Old White Hart and renamed the combined property the Windsor Hotel, in honour of the British royal family’s House of Windsor. The name has stuck ever since. (eMelbourne)

The Melbourne landmark

The hotel quickly became a fixture of Melbourne’s social and political life. Its grand dining room and Royal Suite hosted prime ministers, overseas dignitaries, and later celebrities such as Katharine Hepburn, Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh. During the 1970s, the building faced the threat of demolition for redevelopment. The Hamer State Government stepped in, purchasing the property in 1976 to guarantee its survival as a working hotel. (Victorian Heritage Database; eMelbourne)

The lease to the Oberoi Group in 1980 brought an A$8 million restoration ahead of the centenary in 1983. The government sold the hotel outright to Oberoi in 1990. In 2005, a consortium including the Halim family paid A$37 million for the site, ending direct government involvement. The Halim Group is now both owner and manager. (Real Estate Source; Kiddle Encyclopedia)

The Perth heritage pub

Perth’s Windsor Hotel, located in South Perth, has a separate story. Built in 1898 for George Strickland and designed by architect J. J. Talbot Hobbs, it is one of the earliest surviving hotels in the area. During World War II, the Strickland family sold it to Mary Thomas (later Mary Raine), who eventually willed the property to the University of Western Australia. (Wikipedia) Unlike its Melbourne namesake, the Perth Windsor functions as a heritage pub and gaming venue, not a five‑star hotel. Its kitchen offers typical pub fare, and the hotel remains a local social hub.

Who owns the Windsor Hotel?

For the Melbourne property, current ownership rests with the Halim Group, a family‑run Indonesian investment group that bought the hotel in 2005. The group also manages the day‑to‑day operations. The sale price reported in industry media was A$37 million, and the Halim family has since pursued a contentious redevelopment plan. (Real Estate Source; Kiddle Encyclopedia)

The redevelopment proposal – a 26‑storey extension – was described by the Australian Financial Review as a “tortured” project. After multiple planning battles, including a leaked 2010 email in which planning minister Justin Madden’s office suggested “sham” community consultation, the government refused a fourth time extension in 2019, effectively killing the tower plan. The original heritage building remains unchanged. (Australian Financial Review; ABC News)

Perth’s Windsor Hotel, after passing through the Strickland and Raine families, is now independently owned and operated as a South Australian‑style pub. The University of Western Australia retains an interest due to Mary Raine’s bequest, but the hotel itself trades as a freehold business. (Wikipedia)

Is The Windsor a 5 star hotel?

The answer depends entirely on the location. The Hotel Windsor Melbourne is a five‑star hotel, operating at the highest tier of luxury accommodation. Its star rating reflects the heritage rooms, formal dining (including the famous Afternoon Tea), concierge services, and its listing on the Victorian Heritage Register. (Victorian Heritage Database)

In contrast, the Windsor Hotel in South Perth is not a five‑star hotel. It is a heritage‑listed pub and gaming venue that provides bar and bistro services, live music, and accommodation in a more casual setting. Its star rating, if any, would be in the three‑star pub‑style bracket, though the property does not formally market a rating. (Wikipedia)

Other properties with “Windsor” in the name – such as the now‑demolished Windsor Hotel in Brisbane or the Windsor Castle Hotel in Adelaide – are not rated as five‑star luxury hotels. The disambiguation is critical for travellers.

Where did Taylor Swift stay in Melbourne?

Taylor Swift stayed at The Hotel Windsor Melbourne during her Australian tour visits, choosing the Royal Suite. Multiple sources – including fan communities and travel blogs – report her stay, though the hotel does not publicly confirm specific guest bookings. (Green Gourmet Giraffe blog; see also Modern Ghana)

The Windsor’s guest list extends far beyond Swift. Other reportedly notable guests include Katharine Hepburn, Lauren Bacall, Sir Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, Muhammad Ali, George Harrison, Meryl Streep and Sir Richard Branson. Former prime ministers Robert Menzies and Gough Whitlam also stayed there. The information comes from a mix of travel writing and tributes, meaning the exact list should be treated as illustrative rather than independently audited. (Modern Ghana; Tripadvisor)

For seekers of history: the hotel’s Royal Suite has been the preferred choice for VIPs for decades, and the property continues to list it as a premium option. No guest registry has been made public, so confirmation of individual stays relies on secondary accounts.

For more on historic Australian hotels like Hotel Australasia Eden and historic landmark hotels like the Marburg Hotel, explore our city guides.