St Kilda

Novotel St Kilda

★★★★★

Novotel St Kilda is the practical choice for travellers who would rather wake up near the beach than in the city centre. It stands at 35 Fitzroy Street, the lively main road that runs down to the St Kilda foreshore, so the beach, the rebuilt St Kilda Pier with its little penguins, Luna Park and the cake shops of Acland Street are all a short walk away. The hotel has 80 rooms and suites, including single rooms, family rooms and interconnecting layouts, which makes it a sensible option for families and small groups who need more flexibility than a city-centre tower can offer. Its rooftop on level five has views across the rooftops to Port Phillip Bay and back to the city skyline, a lovely spot at sunset. Rooms are modern, comfortable and in the familiar Novotel style, with practical facilities rather than luxury flourishes. The big advantage is the setting. St Kilda has its own life, with cafes, restaurants, bars and live music venues on Fitzroy Street and Acland Street, the Sunday market on the Esplanade, and a beachside atmosphere that the centre cannot match. Getting into the city is easy, with trams on Fitzroy Street running straight to the centre in around half an hour, so you can spend your days sightseeing in town and your evenings by the bay. This makes the hotel a good fit for beach-loving couples, families with children who want Luna Park and the penguins on the doorstep, and repeat visitors who have already done the city centre and want a different perspective on Melbourne.

A stay in St Kilda changes the rhythm of a Melbourne trip. Mornings can start with a walk or a run along the foreshore, days can be spent in the city and evenings back by the water, watching the sun go down over the bay from the pier or the beach. On summer weekends the area is busy and festive; in winter it is quieter and moodier, with a local feel. The free penguin viewing sessions at the end of St Kilda Pier, which must be booked in advance, are a short walk from the hotel.

The hotel itself is straightforward and comfortable. Family rooms and interconnecting options are the standout feature for groups, and the rooftop space is a pleasant place to relax with a view. Fitzroy Street is a busy road with bars and restaurants, so light sleepers should ask for a quieter room. Parking in St Kilda is limited and expensive, so it is easier to rely on trams and walking.

Who should book? Families who want the beach, Luna Park and the penguins close by; couples who prefer a seaside base; and repeat visitors who want to experience a different side of Melbourne. If your trip revolves around the laneways, theatres and museums, a city-centre hotel will save you travel time; but for a mix of beach and city, St Kilda is a great compromise, and the Novotel makes it affordable.