Melbourne is famous for its coffee, culture and iconic laneways with a year round event calendar that’s sure to impress. It’s constantly voted as the best city to take a break in by our readers and it’s not hard to see why. It’s the kind of city that you can visit again and again and find something new and fabulous every time. Take a tour of Melbourne’s coffee hot spots to find out exactly how the city’s culture became an icon of the international foodie scene.
Wondering where to stay in Melbourne? Many visitors choose to stay in Melbourne CBD for the convenience to all the major attractions, theatres, laneway bars and shopping, but it’s also worth considering the surrounding precincts, each with their own unique flavour. South Melbourne & Albert Park is a great base for Grand Prix action, beachside suburb St Kilda for cool cafes and the hip hood of Carlton for Italian dining on Lygon Street. Fitzroy is a great spot for bar hopping and bites, while South Yarra is your go-to for boutique shopping and dining. Choose your base and explore the city with our ultimate weekend city break in Melbourne.
From its creative city centre to its hip hoods, Melbourne is the perfect weekend getaway!
Whether you’re visiting Melbourne on business or leisure, choose to stay in the Melbourne CBD for access to most major attractions, shopping, restaurants and laneway bars. You’re spoilt for choice for beautiful boutique hotels in Melbourne city including QT Melbourne, dazzling guests with its quirky signature style and rooftop bar. Enjoy the sweet life? Adelphi Hotel is the world’s premier dessert hotel, with signature desserts and swinging couches, it’s a feast for the senses. Another great option is Ovolo Laneways centrally located to all the Melbourne hot spots and offers loads of freebies for a memorable stay.
South Melbourne is a great location if you’re looking for accommodation near the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre or prefer the excitement of the casino and cultural precinct. Five-star hotel The Langham Melbourne offers timeless elegance and is perfect for a girls’ weekend or indulgent high tea. Nearby, Crown Casino offers a range of hotels to suit your style and budget including the luxe Crown Metropol with its spectacular indoor pool. If you prefer boutique hotels, book Coppersmith Hotel for contemporary rooms above a buzzy neighbourhood bistro.
St Kilda has a cool beach vibe that can’t be beat. Just 4km from the Melbourne CBD, St Kilda is easily accessible via tram and is an affordable choice for Melbourne accommodation. St Kilda offers a range of hotels from well-known chains such as Rydges St Kilda to independent boutique hotels such as Tolarno Hotel. Tolarno was formerly an art gallery and has retained it’s creative roots. Meanwhile, The Prince has contemporary rooms, decadent dining and more within the stunning art deco façade.
Affordable accommodation can be found in Melbourne’s inner-city suburb of Carlton including the Best Western Plus Travel Inn and ibis Melbourne Swanston Street. Many Carlton hotels are within walking distance of the city’s iconic landmarks such as the Queen Victoria Markets and the Royal Exhibition Building.
Melbourne dominates with cultural attractions and not surprising their boutique hotels are equally as arty and unique as their surrounds. Art Series Hotels, originating in Melbourne are Australia’s first art hotels and are now found interstate. These art and design driven hotels are worth seeking out. We especially love The Olsen in South Yarra for its sleek design and wow factor penthouse! Also in South Yarra, The Lyall is a hidden gem of unpretentious, sophisticated luxury; The Lyall has a cult following of discerning travellers, stay here to be in the know. If you’re looking for luxury five-star hotels in Melbourne, consider international hotel brands like The Westin and check out our list of luxury hotels of Melbourne.
Melbourne is one of Australia’s most romantic cities and the perfect destination for a romantic getaway. Make room for romance at one of Melbourne’s most romantic hotels including The Royce a discreet hotel on St Kilda Road next to the Royal Botanic Gardens. For old world glamour and luxury, book a stay at Park Hyatt Melbourne Escape Melbourne and take a sojourn just 30 minutes from the city to Mansion Hotel & Spa for luxury amongst the tranquil surrounds of 10 acres for formal English gardens, day spa and Joseph’s Restaurant & Bar.
Melbourne offers a range of accommodation from luxury hotels, self-contained apartments and some great value city accommodation to lay your head. Alto Hotel on Bourke is a great value hotel in Melbourne with warm service and a cosy breakfast room in a perfectly central location in the Melbourne CBD. For a unique city stay, try Notel Hotel Melbourne for sky high thrills in an Airstream on a Melbourne rooftop. For compact rooms at a tiny price, book a stay at Pensione Melbourne for luxe for less in the city.
You’ll find plenty of Melbourne-based options for a holiday home stay; whether you’re planning a longer stay for a large group or family and want to base yourself in a home away from home, or you want a unique stay in a great location you wouldn’t otherwise get to experience. You can use a number of booking platforms to find the right one for you with options that range from the luxurious to the affordable.
Luxico manages a number of holiday villas in Melbourne and each one is hand-picked from a large selection of applications to ensure it meets their five-star standard before it appears on the site. All homes are beautifully furnished and in great locations in the city and surrounding suburbs. Stayz by HomeAway also offer holiday rentals across Melbourne and Airbnb delivers every kind of home stay imaginable with plenty of Melbourne options to choose from – and every property is hosted by a real person that can be available to answer your questions throughout your stay.
It’s best to avoid major events like Melbourne Cup Carnival, Grand Prix etc if you’re looking for cheap Melbourne accommodation as rates can soar during these peak periods. Our tip is to book in advance to avoid disappointment as well as secure an advanced purchase rate at hotels, which is often up to 20% off. These Melbourne hotel deals offer less flexible cancellation conditions, so read the T&C’s carefully.