Art Series – The Cullen

A trendy, modern design hotel that showcases hundreds of different works by the artist Adam Cullen, The Cullen is filled with bold and colorful paintings and sculptures. Every nook and cranny has something to catch the eye, whether it's quirky furniture or dramatic artwork. Even the exterior architecture appears to be a modern work of art, with blocks jutting out at strange angles from the building. The entrance is bright red, and a print of a happy dog welcomes you on arrival. The glass inner door holds a life-size silver cow daubed in artistic sentiments. The lobby's high ceilings run all the way to the top of the hotel, allowing in floods of light, while large pendant lights swing downwards. With its abundance of artwork, the lobby feels more like an art gallery than a hotel. The staff are youthful, but travelers of all ages frequent the hotel, and the hotel makes an effort to cater to young families, too.

The Cullen is located in the upmarket neighborhood of Prahran, just across the street from Prahran Market and close to St. Kilda Beach. The hotel is on a busy street, with trams stopping out front that can get passengers anywhere in Melbourne. It takes about five-minutes to walk to Chapel Street, which has anything and everything you could think of in a maze of nooks crammed full of shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Greville Street -- a five-minute stroll around the corner -- is the spiritual hub of Prahran; the street has a unique vibrancy thanks to a smattering of vintage stores, independent record shops, edgy cafes, gallery spaces, and outposts of local designers. Prahran train station is five-minute stroll away, and, from there, passengers can get a train to Flinders station in Melbourne. Airport transfers can be arranged for a fee.

Rooms at the Cullen are classic boutique-hotel style: comfortable and luxurious, but not big on space unless you go for a top-tier option. All are, naturally, decorated with plenty of artwork and pops of bright color to off-set the predominantly black-and-white color scheme and geometric prints. Bathrooms are small, surrounded by frosted glass, and have designer fixtures and shower-tub combinations. Beds are queen-size and famously comfortable, designed by an Australian bedding company called A.H. Beard. All products come from top brands, including EVO toiletries and T2 tea. Rooms are outfitted with all the requisite luxury conveniences, including air-conditioning, good closet space, soft robes and slippers, and flat-screen TVs -- some even have two TVs. Other perks include art books dotted around the room, a free Melbourne Time Out magazine, a map of local highlights, and the dice found on the pillows -- which invite guests to roll for an art tour or bike ride. Despite the busy street outside, rooms are quiet thanks to double glazing and soundproofed walls. The frosted-glass walls around the bathroom might not be to everyone's comfort level, and families may not have enough privacy, especially with the room-divider curtain in some rooms.

The Cullen has two trendy restaurants: Gramercy Bar & Bistro and Hu Tong Dumpling Bar. Gramercy restaurant has a popular happy hour, and serves New York-style food with a Melbourne twist in a sleek, black-white-and-subway-tiled dining room inspired by New York stalwarts such as the Standard Hotel and the Fat Radish. In keeping with the Art Series Hotel's philosophy, the restaurant has a rotating collection of art work from the nearby Metro Gallery. Decorated with antique wood screens, Chinese silk curtains, and red lanterns, Hu Tong Dumpling Bar has a chef from Quanjude, China, who specializes in the region's signature roast duck.

The hotel also features a small, modern gym on the roof level with great views, and a scenic rooftop function space. There's an acclaimed hair salon on site. The hotel offers a range of vehicles to rent, including a Porsche Cayenne, Smart Car, electric scooter, and vintage Lekker bicycles. There's even a Bugaboo stroller to borrow. The front desk also has iPods stocked with playlists available for guests to rent. Babysitting can be arranged, and local tours are offered regularly. Wi-Fi and parking are both available for a fee.