“When the scaffolding came down a few weeks ago, the United Places hotel emerged as a sharp, modernist grid amid the froufrou of Victorian terraces on Melbourne’s tiny Domain road. If it doesn’t shout “posh accommodation” that’s because it was designed to insinuate itself gently into its Royal Botanic Gardens setting. And to whisper to those in the know, “Shhhh, 12 suites over four floors: this is the new luxe.”