About this episode

Ray and Silvia interview Will from Mel Boutique Property about boutique hosting in Melbourne's Degraves Street Apartment.

This week on Superhosts Down Under , Ray and Silvia sit down with Will from Mel Boutique Property, the operator behind Degraves Street Apartment — a design-led short-term rental tucked into one of Melbourne’s most iconic laneways. Located just moments from cafés, galleries, and the city’s creative pulse, Degraves Street Apartment is a thoughtful example of how boutique hospitality can exist within a dense urban environment without losing warmth, comfort, or personality. Will shares how Mel Boutique Property approaches hosting differently, focusing on guest experience, consistency, and the details that turn a central-city stay into something memorable. Ray, Silvia, and Will explore what it takes to run a high-performing inner-city apartment — from managing noise expectations and body corporate realities to designing spaces that photograph beautifully but still function for real guests. They discuss the balance between style and durability, why clear communication matters even more in CBD listings, and how Melbourne’s short-stay market has evolved post-pandemic. The conversation also touches on distribution strategy, guest screening, and why boutique operators often outperform…

People in this episode

Hosts: Ray, Silvia

Guest: Will

Topics covered

• boutique hospitality
• urban hosting
• guest experience
• short-term rental
• Melbourne laneways

Keywords

• boutique hosting
• Melbourne
• short-term rental
• guest experience
• urban apartment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mel Boutique Property

Places: Melbourne, Degraves Street Apartment

More episodes of Superhosts Down Under with Silvia and Ray

• Ep 56 - From Separation to Superhost: Jenny’s Airbnb Journey · April 19, 2026 · 57 min
• Ep 55 - The Arbitrage Edge: Building a Multi-Property Portfolio with Siblings Eloi & Emiie · March 22, 2026 · 45 min
• Ep 54 - Scaling with a Personal Touch with Elena Stepanova · March 8, 2026 · 44 min
• Ep 53 - Lifestyle Hosting: Funding Travel From a One-Bedroom in Melbourne · February 22, 2026 · 43 min
• Ep 52 - The Trinity Beach Townhouse with Emma · February 8, 2026 · 38 min
• Ep 51 - Designing a standout one-bedroom Airbnb in Brisbane · January 25, 2026 · 36 min

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