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.

Some of our Melbourne Collections:

• Melbourne Hotels with Balconies
• Wine Hotels in the Mornington Peninsula
• Yarra Valley Wine Hotels
• Top Foodie Hotels in Melbourne
• Affordable Hotels in Melbourne
• Luxury Hotels in Melbourne
• Top Boutique Hotels in Melbourne
• Where to stay in Melbourne — Our Neighbourhood Guide

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!

The Best Places to Stay in Melbourne

For a Design Hotel

• Zagame's House is a hip design-led hotel on Lygon Street, on the edge of Melbourne's Little Italy. Think swish, moody guest rooms with a grown-up grey & white palette and blue velvet in the communal areas. Kick off the day with cracking brunches, and cosy up in the wine bar each evening. Very glamorous.
• The Royce, housed in what was once Melbourne's first luxury automobile showroom, is also seriously cool. Rooms are modern and understated, but shared spaces with sleek marble & chrome accents ooze 1920s style. The cocktail bar has to be one of the top design spots in the city.
• Adelphi Hotel Melbourne is a zany, art-filled gem with playful zigzag carpets and bright pops of pink. Brilliantly located on Flinders Lane, the hotel also has a popular eatery, cocktail bar and cantilevered rooftop pool. Fresh and fun.
• The Lyall Hotel's elegant rooms & suites are wonderfully soothing and indulgent, with marble bathrooms, white, grey and burnt orange interiors, and big windows inviting lots of light. There's a serene spa, too. One for fans of sophisticated contemporary-classic design.

For Foodies

• The Prince is an appealing, affordable hotel in seaside St Kilda. Modern interiors are understated, but the real buzz can be found in the hip wine bar. Savour top-notch Victoria wines in the bar, the flavoursome Mediterranean restaurant or the laid-back pub. The Prince Band Room hosts international rock acts and DJs, too.
• Naughtons Hotel offers just 15 guest rooms above an acclaimed restaurant in a 150-year-old building. Set just opposite Melbourne University, this trendy spot specialises in hearty pub fare using seasonal ingredients and a strong commitment to sustainable, low-waste cooking. A local favourite.
• United Places Botanic Gardens is made up of 12 swish, design-led suites overlooking the Botanic Gardens. Big breakfasts are served in-suite, and guests get priority seating at Chef Scott Pickett's much-admired Matlida 159 restaurant, just next door. Innovative fare will delight sophisticated foodies.
• Coppersmith Hotel in up-and-coming South Melbourne has whitewashed rooms and suites with a modern, minimalist feel. The 1860s façade also hides a buzzy neighbourhood bistro, where seasonal dishes are inspired by European cuisine. With 18 crafts beers on tap, this is a very tricky place to leave.
• Hotel Windsor is the grand dame of the Melbourne hotel scene. Opened in 1883, the hotel has period features aplenty. It's also a food-focused spot, with multiple gourmet eateries including Aru, Sunda and One Eleven. Expect terrific high teas and fresh pastries, too.

For Families or Groups

• Tyrian Serviced Apartments Fitzroy have two- to three-bedroom options with well-equipped kitchens and sitting rooms, ideal for family or group trips. The apartments themselves are clean, simple and modern, and the cafes, eateries, boutiques and galleries of trendy Fitzroy are right on your doorstep.
• Laneways by Ovolo has a vibrant, playful feel, with soft furnishings in block colours. Two-bedroom suites are well-suited to families or groups of friends. Kitchenettes and dining tables mean that you're able to sit down together for relaxed meals — or play board games in the afternoon before heading out again.
• Crown Metropol Melbourne, a high-rise hotel in the CBD, offers guests access to the bars, eateries and venues of the Crown Entertainment Complex. Hit the casino as a group, dance to live music and DJ nights or take the whole family to the bowling alley. Great fun.
• The Olsen is a cool, contemporary hotel in South Yarra, with two-bedroom suites and a refreshing swimming pool. A great city pick for those looking for all the amenities of an urban hotel, plus the chance for little ones to cool off in the pool after big days out in the city.
• QT Melbourne is another group favourite, with sociable communal spaces including a trendy rooftop bar. Previously a cinema, the hotel has stacks of quirky character and a great buzz. Double and twin rooms are well-suited to trips with friends and families with older kids.

For Urban Luxury

• Park Hyatt Melbourne sits between historic St Patrick's Cathedral and Parliament house, in the heart of the city. Spacious rooms and suites have a classic, grown up feel, with grey, cream and white tones balanced by plenty of polished walnut and marble bathrooms. The Park Club Health & Day Spa is excellent.
• Crown Towers is a luxurious option on the banks of the Yarra River, with glamorous rooms and suites oozing a real sense of contemporary opulence. Fabulous facilities include two rooftop tennis courts, a 25-metre heated indoor pool and a spa. The Crown Entertainment Complex is on your doorstep.
• Grand Hyatt Melbourne offers sleek urban style and great city views from sophisticated guest rooms with warm reds and purples balancing a grey and cream colour palette. Italian marble bathrooms invite guests to unwind — as do the spa, cocktail bar and modern Australian BBQ restaurant. A local landmark.
• The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne promises five-star style in central Melbourne, with a superb spa, indoor pool and chic restaurants. Glitzy rooms and suites with brass accents and crisp white linens boast panoramic views of the city skyline and the sea.

For Great Value

• Brady Hotel Jones Lane offers contemporary interiors with city views, white linens and pops of orange. Business rooms come with desks; studio apartments have kitchenettes & guests share access to a great gym. A 20-storey tower in Melbourne's CBD promising a superb location at a great price.
• The Cullen, just opposite Prahran Market and Chapel Street, showcases bold artwork by artist Adam Cullen in otherwise understated interiors. Suites with kitchenettes are well-suited to long stay guests, as are the affordable prices. Well-located for exploring Melbourne.
• Middle Park Hotel is housed in a period building just opposite Albert Park. A top choice for fans of the Melbourne Grand Prix, it's also a very affordable hotel with simple, comfortable modern interiors and a good bistro. A nice balance of classic and contemporary style.
• The Larwill Studio is a fresh and vibrant art-centric hotel with modern artwork and soft textures in contermporary spaces. Bicycles are available to hire, the team can arrange city tours and there are yoga mats in each room. Youthful, sociable and budget-friendly.

FOR AN APARTMENT OR HOLIDAY VILLA

• If you'd prefer a self-catering option, we suggest that you visit our online partner Booking.com.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

• Fly to Melbourne Airport, and take the regular SkyBus shuttle service into the city centre, or the 901 bus to Frankston and get off at Broadmeadows Station in Melbourne. Alternatively, hop in a taxi directly to your destination. Many hotels will also be happy to arrange an airport pick up in advance.
• Melbourne is well-connected by public transport, but you may want the independence of your own ride if you're planning to explore beyond the city. Contact our online partner Rentalcars if you would like to hire a car.
• Summers (December to February) are warm and pleasant, with temperatures hovering at around 26°C. Visit in March or November for fewer crowds and good hotel deals - this is a very busy city during the peak summer months, festival season or when there are international cricket matches being played at the MCG.

STILL NOT SURE?

• Explore our list of all the best places to stay in Daylesford.
• Alternatively, expand your search to see our pick of the best places to stay in Victoria.
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.