Cosmopolitan Melbourne has a well-earned reputation as one of Australia's most artsy cities, with a vibrant cultural offering, an ever-evolving foodie scene and some fabulous annual festivals. It’s a wonderful destination for a city break, with almost endless possibilities for exploration. It’s also an excellent springboard for exploring the many wonders of Victoria. Whether you’re eager to taste the best of the region’s food and wine or dreaming of exciting exhibitions, street art tours and live music events, our guide to the best places to stay in Melbourne is a cracking starting point.
Most of Melbourne’s best museums — the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Museum, Museum of Immigration and others — are set close to the heart of the city and the CBD. Soak up the sights with a stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens, along the Yarra River and art-filled Hosier Lane, or fill your bags with fresh produce from the iconic Queen Victoria Market. Hipster Fitzroy is brilliant for shopping and rambling, whilst you’ll find great coffee in Carlton and the city’s old Italian district. For designer shopping, look to Collins Street and trendy Chapel Street.
Sports fans will adore the buzz of the Melbourne Cricket Ground when there’s an international match, whilst beachgoers can join the city’s bright young things on the beaches of Brighton, Altona and St Kilda. Back in town, the new rooftop bars and alleyway eateries of the laneways — a series of converted industrial buildings — now showcase some of the best food and drink the city. Many of the best places to stay in Melbourne are nearby, with terrific restaurants and rooftop bars of their own. There’s a reason that travellers return to Melbourne again and again!
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Melbourne (Victoria)
A 20-floor tower in the heart of Melbourne's CBD, this slick yet affordable hotel has contemporary interiors with crisp white linens, city views & lots of light. Business rooms come with desks; studio apartments have kitchenettes & guests share access to a great gym. Super central, simple & stylish.
Melbourne (Victoria, Australia)
A period building opposite the Albert Park Australian Grand Prix - a must for racing fans! Guests can enjoy meals in the Brasserie restaurant with a side of Ozzie charm. Rooms are decorated in a fuss free 'loft' style in greys and accent reds. Dramatic, dark tiled bathrooms feature roll top baths.
Melbourne (Victoria)
An affordable high-rise hotel centred on the bright paintings of Chinese-born Australian artist Zhong Chen. Smart yet playful, this is a place of sleek rooms with bold pink & blue accents, floor-to-ceiling windows & lots of light. A cool rooftop pool & superb dim sum restaurant complete the picture.
Melbourne (South Yarra, Australia)
Contemporary hotel with a central location in South Yarra offering good amenities and comfortable rooms. Boasts a glass-bottom swimming pool, spa and gym, and all within easy reach of nearby restaurants.
Melbourne (Victoria)
A warm & welcoming restaurant with rooms set in a 150-year-old building just opposite Melbourne University. Airy, light-filled guest rooms sit above a convivial, green-painted pub which prides itself on its seasonal fare & sustainable approach to modern cooking. A relaxed neighbourhood favourite.
Melbourne (North Melbourne, Australia)
An art centric hotel boasting an excellent central location. Contemporary rooms are clean in design with soft hues and plenty of glass offset by vibrant modern artworks. A health thread runs through the property with designated snacks, meditation and yoga mats offered in room. Modern living defined.
Melbourne (Australia)
Located opposite the bustling Prahran Market and Chapel St, this quirky looking hotel doesn't disappoint with lashings of artwork by Adam Cullen. Large suites come with a fully equipped kitchenette. Babysitting services, free pram hire and family suites available.
Melbourne (Australia)
A hard to beat location in the seaside suburb of St Kilda, offering the best of city living by the ocean. This hip boutique hotel boasts tasteful decor and great amenities, including a sauna and steam room to unwind in after a hard day at the beach. The wine bar and live music space are sensational.
Melbourne (Victoria)
A collection of fresh, contemporary serviced apartments in the hip Fitzroy neighbourhood. Spaces have a minimalist feel with white and grey interiors, well-equipped kitchens & comfortable sitting rooms. Boasting one, two- or three-bedrooms, these are ideal for longer stays in an artsy part of town.
Melbourne (Australia)
Tucked away on one of Melbourne's famous laneways, this hotel is situated in the heart of the bustling CBD close to the city's best bars, cafes and restaurants. Complimentary breakfast is also included.
Melbourne (Fitzroy)
A hip addition to Melbourne's creative Fitzroy district, The Standard Group's first opening in Australia is superb. The 125 rooms are slick & stylish, with crisp white linens, striped blue & white carpets & cosy armchairs. Expect flavoursome Thai-inspired fare at BANG. A seriously cool party pad.
Melbourne (Victoria)
A hip boutique hotel in up-and-coming South Melbourne with chic, minimalist rooms hidden behind an 1860s façade. Airy, understated interiors have big beds, desks & all the mod-cons. The big draws are the buzzy bistro — specialising in seasonal European cuisine — and the relaxed rooftop terrace.
Melbourne (CBD)
A hip hotel on Lygon Street, this spot packs a punch when it comes to food & design. Slick rooms & suites feature a grown-up grey & white palette with playful touches; shared spaces are clad in moody blues & dark tones. Expect cracking coffee & brunch, plus an atmospheric wine bar. Very glamorous.
Melbourne (Victoria)
Bordering Chinatown & the theatre district, this sleek city hotel promises crisp linens in white-on-white rooms with clean lines, all the mod-cons & city views. Two-bedroom suites are ideal for families or groups. The roof terrace is fabulous, as are the theatres & restaurants which await nearby.
Melbourne (Victoria)
A modern high-rise hotel alongside the Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne's CBD. White & grey-clad rooms & suites are smart and minimalist, with chic bathrooms & city views. The indoor pool is spectacular, as is the access to the restaurants, bars, casino & games spaces of the Crown site.
Melbourne (CBD)
The Royce promises all the dazzling glitz & glamour of the 1920s, with sleek marble & chrome interiors in what was once Melbourne's first luxury automobile showroom. This restored city landmark now boasts slick guest rooms, gourmet eateries & a sensational cocktail bar. Gorgeous & great fun.
Melbourne (Australia)
Luxury hotel at the heart of Melbourne's bustling Chapel St. Near to all the attractions, art galleries, restaurants and boutiques. Family friendly suites available, with top-notch facilities including a gym, swimming pool and BBQ area.
Melbourne (Australia)
Treasury on Collins is an award winning boutique hotel located in a heritage building and offers chic accommodation with suites and apartments in the heart of the city. All rooms benefit from a kitchenette and washer/dryer - ideal for families!
Melbourne (Australia)
This luxury hotel offers unrivalled views of the city from its location on the Yarra river. The decor inside is impressive, with a marble staircase, waterfall features and chandeliers dripping from the roof. The perfect place to mix business and pleasure.
Melbourne (Victoria)
A funky boutique hotel on hip Flinders Lane, the art-filled Adelphi has bold guest rooms with monochromatic zigzag carpeting & bright pops of pink. The Om Nom Restaurant & Cocktail Bar is a local favourite, and the dramatic cantilevered rooftop pool reflects the hotel's quirky energy. Fresh & fun.
Melbourne (Victoria)
Set alongside the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, this swish hotel promises marvellous Yarra River views from contemporary rooms & suites. Think crisp white linens, floor-to-ceiling windows & earthy tones. There's a lively restaurant-bar, gym and meeting spaces aplenty. Smart & stylish.
Melbourne (Australia)
A fashionable industrial-chic style downtown hotel with a buzzing rooftop bar, with in-house gourmet restaurant. Featuring great views of the city and centrally located within easy distance of sights such as the Regent's Theatre, St Paul's Cathedral and Federation Square.
Melbourne (Victoria)
A grand dame of a hotel, this five star icon has been welcoming guests to elegant rooms & suites with carved wooden beds, rich textiles & 12ft ceilings since 1883. Famous afternoon teas & gourmet fare are a highlight — as is the superb central location. A classic stay for business or leisure.
Melbourne (Werribee Park, Australia)
Escape to the country with a stay in this luxurious hotel and spa surrounded by ten acres of extensive parkland only thirty minutes from Melbourne's CBD. Tasteful decor matches the stunning 1870s Italianate Werribee Mansion setting.
Melbourne (CBD)
A chic, French-inspired hotel with 363 striking rooms & suites on lively Collins Street. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame city views & interiors feature cream tones, big beds with crisp white linens, blue velvet armchairs & smart marble bathrooms. Expect a stylish bar, restaurant & event spaces, too.
Melbourne (Victoria)
A sleek city hotel with contemporary rooms and great skyline views. Expect smart interiors featuring grown-up grey & cream tones topped with warm reds & purples. Italian marble bathrooms are very indulgent — as is the spa. A hip cocktail bar & great Australian BBQ restaurant complete the picture.
Melbourne (Australia)
Sleek and smart contemporary hotel situated on the banks of the Yarra. Fantastic facilities, including luxurious large rooms and two tennis courts on the rooftop garden, combine glamour and wellbeing.
Melbourne (Australia)
This grand five star hotel offers contemporary luxury in the heart of Melbourne. Spacious rooms complete with Italian marble bathrooms and views to the historic St Patrick's Cathedral ensure a lavish stay.
Melbourne (South Yarra)
A beautiful hotel in upmarket South Yarra, with elegant rooms & suites featuring indulgent marble bathrooms & soothing colour schemes. Each room has a private balcony or terrace, and there's a superb spa for unwinding. Sip a cold glass of wine at the bistro, which showcases top-notch seasonal fare.
Melbourne (South Yarra)
Twelve design-led suites overlooking Melbourne's gorgeous Botanic Gardens. Think swish, minimalist interiors with understated kitchens, cosy beds & black marble soaking tubs. In-suite breakfasts are a delight, whilst acclaimed sister restaurant Matilda 159 is mere steps away. Seriously cool.
Melbourne (CBD)
A glitzy high-rise hotel in central Melbourne, this luxurious city pad offers all the swish style & facilities that have become synonymous with the Ritz-Carlton group. Expect slick rooms & suites with panoramic views, deluxe bathrooms & clean lines. A serene spa & chic eateries complete the picture.
