Melbourne Travel Guide
Where to Stay in Melbourne
How to choose your base in Melbourne: the walkable CBD and its laneways, riverside Southbank, the quiet park side near the MCG, and seaside St Kilda, with this guide's seven hotels matched to each area.
Choosing where to stay in Melbourne is easier than in many big cities, because the centre is compact, walkable and served by free trams. The real question is what kind of trip you want: in the middle of the laneway buzz, by the river with the arts on your doorstep, in a calm park-side setting near the sporting precinct, or by the bay. Here are the main options, with the hotels from this guide placed in each.
The CBD: the laneway heart. Staying in the central grid puts the laneways, arcades, shops, theatres and restaurants on your doorstep, and everything else within a short walk or a free tram ride. It is the best choice for first-timers and food lovers. Within the grid, the western end around Flinders Lane and Collins Street is close to Southern Cross Station and the SkyBus to the airport, while the eastern end, near Spring Street, is a little quieter and close to the theatres, Chinatown and Parliament. W Melbourne on Flinders Lane is the glamorous, design-led pick, with an indoor pool and a lively social scene. QT Melbourne on Russell Street is boutique luxury with a rooftop bar in the East End. Laneways by Ovolo, at the quiet top of Little Bourke Street, is a small, colourful boutique with 42 rooms. Brady Hotels Jones Lane on Little Lonsdale Street is the value choice, modern and comfortable beside Wesley Place.
Southbank: by the river. Just across the Yarra from Flinders Street Station, Southbank is a strip of riverside promenades, restaurants and towers, with the arts precinct, including the NGV and Arts Centre Melbourne, at its eastern end and the Crown complex to the west. Staying here gives you river views, easy access to the galleries and the Botanic Gardens, and a five-minute walk across the footbridge to the city. The Langham, on the promenade, is the classic grand hotel, with the Chuan Spa and its pool, a famous afternoon tea and rooms facing the river and the skyline. Southbank is a good choice for couples, families and culture-focused trips.
East Melbourne and the park side. East of Spring Street, the grid gives way to parks, cathedrals and Victorian terraces. This area is calm and leafy, a short walk from the city centre, and close to the Fitzroy Gardens, the MCG and Melbourne Park. Park Hyatt Melbourne, on Parliament Square overlooking St Patrick's Cathedral, is the area's luxury landmark, with spacious rooms, a spa and pool, and an easy walk to the tennis and the football. It is ideal for sports fans, couples who value quiet and anyone visiting during the Australian Open.
St Kilda: the seaside option. About half an hour by tram from the city, St Kilda offers beach, pier, Luna Park, the penguins and a lively dining scene on Fitzroy Street and Acland Street. Staying here makes sense for beach lovers, families and repeat visitors who want a different feel. You will spend more time on trams to reach the city sights, but your evenings will be by the water. Novotel St Kilda, on Fitzroy Street, is a friendly mid-range base with family and interconnecting rooms and a rooftop with bay views.
Other areas to consider. Fitzroy, Collingwood and Carlton in the inner north have fewer hotels but plenty of apartments and a strong local character, ideal for second visits. Docklands, west of the CBD, is modern and inside the Free Tram Zone, but quieter in the evenings. South Yarra and Prahran, south-east of the centre, are known for shopping, Chapel Street nightlife and a residential feel.
Matching hotels to trips. First visit on a mid-range budget: Brady Hotels Jones Lane or Laneways by Ovolo. First visit with more to spend: the Langham or QT Melbourne. Couples on a special trip: Park Hyatt Melbourne for calm, W Melbourne for glamour, or QT for fun. Families: the Langham for space and a pool, or Novotel St Kilda for the beach and interconnecting rooms. Sports fans: Park Hyatt Melbourne, a walk from the MCG and Melbourne Park. Food lovers: W Melbourne or QT, with Flinders Lane and Chinatown on the doorstep.
Arriving and getting in from the airport. Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine is about 20 kilometres north-west of the city. The SkyBus express coach runs to Southern Cross Station on the western edge of the CBD, from where a free tram or a short taxi ride gets you to most central hotels; taxis and rideshares go direct and take around half an hour outside peak times. If you are staying in St Kilda, factor in a tram or taxi from Southern Cross. Hotels near Flinders Lane and Collins Street at the western end of the grid are the quickest to reach from the airport, which is worth remembering for late arrivals and early departures.
Booking tips. Hotel prices in Melbourne swing with the events calendar. Rates rise sharply during the Australian Open in January, the Formula 1 Grand Prix, usually in March, the AFL Grand Final in late September and the Melbourne Cup carnival in early November, and during big concerts and conferences. Book early for those periods, or plan your trip around them. Many city hotels have compact entry-level rooms, so check room sizes if you need space. Parking in the centre is expensive, so if you are hiring a car for a day trip, pick it up on the day rather than keeping it in the city.