Melbourne, the artsy capital of Australia, is a vibrant and popular tourist destination in the south of the country. Known for its amazing food, culture, and nightlife. It also gets its fair share of business travelers and domestic conventions.
This is also a launching pad for a lot of interesting excursions in Australia, like the 12 Apostles rock formations on the coast, some very famous surf spots, and Australian wine country. Because of how much is nearby, you can try using a motorhome to get around Melbourne and beyond if you’re going to do a lot of exploring outside of the city. Otherwise, you need to find the right neighborhood and make it your base.
If you want to find the best hotels in Melbourne it can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to the city and don’t have a good feel for which areas are right for your local needs or your travel tastes. However, with the right information, you can easily find the perfect lodging option that suits your needs and budget.
Here’s where to find the best hotels in Melbourne, keeping in mind the location, what there is to see and do nearby, and transportation options.
Melbourne Central Business District
The Central Business District (CBD) of Melbourne is a bustling area that is home to some of the best hotels in the city, perfect for those who want to be in the heart of the action for sightseeing, shopping, and transport when the meetings are wrapped up. Besides housing many company headquarters, it is surrounded by shopping centers, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Known to have the big-name attractions of the city, the Central Business District is home to some of the most iconic landmarks, such as Federation Square, Melbourne Aquarium, and Flinders Street Station. There’s often-Instagrammed street art, hidden pubs and clubs, and seemingly endless corners to explore. Plus there’s the super convenient City Circle tram to aid you in your traveling.
With nearly 2,000 restaurants, 700 attractions, and notably, 87 hotels to choose from according to Tripadvisor, there’s no lack of variety or options. Here are three of the highest-rated hotels to consider—two best for expense accounts, one good if you are on a leisure trip budget.
Sofitel Melbourne on Collins
Ibis Melbourne Hotel
Search hotel prices in Melbourne here.
Southbank in Melbourne
Southbank is a bustling area located on the southern bank of the Yarra River. The river dominates this part of Melbourne, Australia’s biggest port, but this part of the city is where the recreational boats are moored rather than less attractive container ships that bring in goods.
It is one of Melbourne’s most popular tourist destinations and is home to some of the city’s best hotels. Southbank hosts several popular attractions, including the Eureka Skydeck, which offers panoramic views of the city from the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower.
The Southbank Promenade is popular with locals and visitors thanks to its wide range of restaurants, cafes, and bars. Southbank has some of the city’s highest-rated restaurants and dining spots, but with a nice mix of cuisines and price tags. You’ll find affordable and delicious bistros and ethnic restaurants in addition to the fine dining options. On nice weather days, you can take a walk from your Southbank hotel and enjoy a drink or lunch at an outdoor café.
Here are a few Southbank area hotels to look into for your stay in the area, from high-end to low-end. Check rates here.
Langham Melbourne
Crown Towers
Travelodge Hotel Melbourne Southbank
Docklands Area
Melbourne Docklands is a waterfront suburb located just west of the Central Business District. It is a popular tourist destination, with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Also accessible by free tram just a couple stops away from the business district, this area is accessible and easily manageable.
Docklands is a notable spot for family travel. One of the main attractions is the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, which offers breathtaking views of the city. With its pedestrian areas, visitors can also enjoy a stroll along the waterfront promenade, which is lined with restaurants and cafes.
The District Docklands provides fun attractions such as arcades and mini golf. The Docklands Stadium hosts a range of sporting and entertainment events throughout the year, so this is the area to stay in if you want to attend a sporting event or a big concert you have tickets for. Just note that this is the least lively area after dark, though places like Urban Alley Brewery are trying to change that.
Here are three Docklands hotels to consider that are popular with visitors, the first two offering options to earn or cash in Marriott Bonvoy points.
Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands
Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands
Peppers Docklands
St Kilda Neighborhood
Considered to be one of the coolest neighborhoods in Melbourne, St Kilda (with no period after St) is known for its beaches lined with palm trees and seaside environment, varying it from the others on this list. It’s also known as the creative center of the city, plus it’s the progressive section most popular with the LGTBQ crowd.
Located south of the central business district, it’s a convenient location for visitors to stay without having to be smack in the center of Melbourne, a great pedestrian area for both walking and biking. It’s especially popular with budget travelers and young backpackers, adding to the youthful edge. Three trams run here from the center and the airport SkyBus has four stops in this neighborhood too.
Seen as the Coney Island or Venice Beach of the city, one of the main attractions in St Kilda is its beach, which is good for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. Home to the St Kilda Pier and Luna Park fairground (with a big roller coaster), the area offers impressive views of the city skyline and is a popular spot for diversions that range from carnival rides to comedy shows.
St. Kilda became a hopping music hub in the 1970s, so by night you can catch live bands and lively nightlife.
There’s a wide range of bars, clubs, and live music venues to choose from, all alongside the area’s hotels. Here are a few to check out:
Tolarno Hotel
Selina St Kilda Melbourne
Cosmopolitan Hotel Melbourne
See all the options here for hotels in Melbourne and if you check Hotwire, they’ll show you these neighborhoods on the main page. You can drill down from there to see prices in that location.
These are just the central areas, of course. If you’re planning on visiting a resident of the city, you may be better off staying in one of the northern suburbs such as Fitzroy or Collingwood, or one of the southern ones such as Prahran or beachy Brighton.
Article by Tim Leffel, photos via the listed hotels and Unsplash.
