Melbourne is easily Australia’s most chic city. With its colorful street art, famous coffee shops, and quirky character, it’s no surprise that there are some seriously boutique places to stay in Melbourne!
Melbourne is the capital of the southern Aussie state of Victoria, and the city center is every bit as Victorian in appearance as you might be hoping. Arrive at the iconic Flinders Street, and you’ll be met by the sight of one of Australia’s most famous landmarks, a heritage-listed building dating back to the 1850s.
Melbourne Town Hall, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Parliament House are all equally impressive, and you’ll love delving into the city’s history as you explore central Melbourne. There are art galleries and museums to visit, too, and in the evenings, Melbourne has countless theaters, music bars, and performing arts venues to check out in the East End.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Park, and Carlton Gardens all offer an easy escape from the bustle of Melbourne’s busy streets. But if you really want to escape the city, then the beaches of St Kilda are just a tram ride away, while the Great Ocean road awaits you to the west.
If you’re planning a trip to southern Australia and are looking for a cool boutique hotel in Melbourne, then keep reading as we explain where to stay in Melbourne!
Don’t forget to check out our web story: 12 Cool Boutique Hotels in Melbourne
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Where to stay in Melbourne
If you’re visiting Melbourne for the very first time, then you’ll want to book a boutique hotel in the Central Business District (CBD). This is Melbourne’s city center, and here you’ll be within walking distance of Flinders Street Station, the Yarra River, and Parliament House.
In the CBD, you’ll find accommodation for all tastes and budgets, including heritage-listed hotels dating back to the Victorian era and modern boutiques with rooftop swimming pools and fine dining restaurants. Branch a little out of the CBD, and you can find quirkier accommodation in the East End Theatre District, where you’ll be surrounded by nightlife and entertainment, too!
Cross the river, and you can stay in modern five-star hotels in Southbank, where you’ll have gorgeous views of the Melbourne skyline. Head further south, and in South Yarra and Prahran, you can escape the city center crowds and be closer to the beaches of St Kilda.
To help you decide where to stay in Melbourne, here are our favorite boutique hotels in the Victorian capital!
The 12 Best Hotels in Melbourne
1. The Hotel Windsor
If you love a historic hotel stay, then one of the best boutique hotels in Melbourne is the beautiful Hotel Windsor.
This extravagant hotel offers old-world charm in a central location opposite Melbourne’s Victorian-era Parliament House. The Hotel Windsor was also built in the Victorian era, with a history dating back to 1883 and a heritage-listed facade that will transport you back to the 19th century.
Why not start your Melbourne experience with a traditional Afternoon Tea when you arrive at The Hotel Windsor? Finger sandwiches, cakes, scones, and tea are served in the One Eleven, a high-end dining hall that’s changed little since the colonial era!
Once you’ve had your fill of pastries and tea, you’ll love relaxing under the high, vaulted ceilings of your luxury hotel room. You’ll love the antique furnishings that complement the hotel’s history, but you’ll appreciate modern touches like the pillow menu and the minibar. Plus, this is a five-star hotel, so no expense is spared on the luxury toiletries and bathrobes in the marbled bathrooms.
Explore The Hotel Windsor’s fabulous corridors and hallways, and you’ll find a treasure trove of heirlooms, historic paintings, and antiquities preserved in the decor, design, and furnishings. Head to the famous Cricketers Bar, and you can enjoy a schooner of cold beer and traditional fish and chips in one of the oldest pubs in Melbourne!
2. Adelphi Hotel
The Adelphi Hotel is one of the coolest boutique hotels in Melbourne, and you’ll love how this artistically inspired hotel was one of the very first “design hotels” to be established in the city.
The Adelphi is all about style, panache, and bright and vibrant designs. Purple neon lighting brightens the entrance, while loud and contemporary art installations and murals await you in the lobby.
There are just 34 rooms to book at the Adelphi Hotel, where the design trends continue. You’ll love the snazzy carpets, unique artwork, plush bedding, walk-in showers, and luxury Hunter toiletries.
Located on Flinders Lane, this quirky boutique retreat is right in the heart of the action, and you’ll be awed by the sense of centrality when you admire the view from your luxury hotel room or from the rooftop pool deck.
The pool deck is home to a magnificent cantilevered swimming pool that extends out over Flinders Street. Take a dip, then sit back on the pool deck under a parasol and order up cocktails and light bites from Om Nom.
Om Nom is the Adelphi Hotel’s on-site cocktail bar, where you can enjoy a savory or sweet Afternoon Tea complete with signature cocktails on the weekends and perfectly crafted drinks and handpicked wines all through the week.
3. The Langham Melbourne
With spectacular views over the Yarra River, you’re going to love staying at The Langham when you’re exploring Melbourne.
This five-star favorite is located next to Princes Bridge and opposite Flinders Street Station. You’ll not only be blown away by the panoramas from your hotel window but by the lavish interiors found throughout this elegant property.
Check into your luxury room, and you’ll be awed by the extravagant marble staircase in the lobby. There are cascading fountains, swinging chandeliers, and a marvelous indoor swimming pool that features a glass roof and observation deck. Take a swim while you take in the glorious surroundings, then head to the Chuan Spa for some massage therapy or a sauna session.
Rooms at The Langham are modern, but at the same time, the floral designs and wooden furnishings draw seamlessly on Melbourne’s Victorian heritage to present you with a sense of grandeur and history. You’ll love the Langham “Blissful Bed” concept after a hard day of sightseeing, as well as the marbled bathrooms and blissfully luxurious toiletries and bathrobes.
If you’re feeling peckish, then you can enjoy the delights of The Langham Afternoon Tea Experience, which is modeled on the original Afternoon Tea served at The Langham in London way back in 1865!
Cocktails are served under crystal chandeliers at the Aria Bar & Lounge, while a gourmet buffet with an open kitchen is available all day at the Melba Restaurant.
4. NOTEL
NOTEL is one of the most unique hotels in Melbourne, and if you’re looking for a curious place to spend your next getaway, then you’ll find it here!
NOTEL is “Not a Hotel” (hence the name!), but rather, this unusual place to stay offers the curious traveler a collection of converted trailers in which to spend the night. These aren’t just any old trailers, but chrome Airstream trailers from the 1970s that have been retrofitted with luxury interiors.
There are just six trailers to book, each of which has a private deck area on the outside, and a lounge, bathroom, and bedroom on the inside. The best trailers feature a hot tub, and because they are all located on a rooftop on Flinders Street, you’ll have spectacular views over central Melbourne.
A stay at the NOTEL is an experience like no other, and each of the trailers is equipped with a camera and personal photo printer for you to save those memories. There’s also valet parking when you arrive, although you’ll have to then make your way through the speakeasy bar first in order to find the secret entrance to the rooftop.
5. InterContinental Melbourne the Rialto
The InterContinental Melbourne the Rialto is where Melbourne’s Victorian heritage collides with the city’s glamorous modern outlook. This historic hotel dates back to 1891, and the original Venetian Gothic facade hides the contemporary masterpiece of design and comfort that awaits you on the inside.
This five-star Melbourne hotel offers 253 rooms and iconic suites on Collins Street, right in the middle of the CBD. You’ll love the luxury amenities that come as standard, including the delightful pillow menu and the signature “InterContinental Cloud Beds” that ensure you always have an excellent night’s sleep. Rooms are all modern and practical, with Chromecasting, walk-in rain showers, and super soft bathrobes for you to enjoy.
Once you’ve checked in and settled in, make your way to the rooftop, where you’ll find a heated indoor pool that’s perfect for a few laps. There’s a hot tub too, or you could book a session at the Botanica Wellness Spa and Clinic for a rejuvenating massage or spa treatment.
The InterContinental Melbourne the Rialto has fine dining and drinking options to satisfy your post-swim hunger pangs. Start with a glass of shiraz or pinot grigio at the Bluestone Wine Lounge, then take your table at Alluvial Restaurant for a gourmet selection of international dishes. More casual dining is available at Ronnie’s, where pizza, pasta, and wine flow so easily!
6. QT Melbourne
The QT Melbourne is a feast for the senses, and you’re going to love the quirky design themes and sumptuous cuisine that this city center favorite is known for.
This is one of the best Melbourne boutique hotels. It’s a five-star design hotel where the lighting is low and moody, the decor industrial yet chic, and the furnishings plush, soft, and velvety.
Luxury rooms at the QT Melbourne feature parquet wooden flooring, king-size beds, designer furnishings, and Tippity Tea. Bathrooms are sleek and open, and luxury toiletries come as standard.
The suave designs continue in QT Melbourne’s restaurants and bars, which are best described as numerous. By that, we mean that you’re spoiled for choice, as the dining and drinking scene here is superb.
Start with a view at the Rooftop at QT, where you’ll have glorious panoramas of central Melbourne as you order hand-crafted cocktails from the bar. Pascale Bar & Grill is the hotel’s go-to Brasserie, where head chef Paul Griffiths cooks up a storm of steaks garnished with herbs and veggies grown on the rooftop.
Mr. Miyagi in the Big Smoke combines Japanese cuisine with slow-roasted cooking techniques, while Bar 133 serves sophisticated cocktails for a pre- or post-dinner tipple.
7. Ovolo Laneways
Melbourne is known for its artistic side – both conventional and unconventional – and across the city, you’ll find street art, murals, and graffiti that bring color and uniqueness to the urban environment. Art is a part of the Melbourne way of life, and you can embrace this creative side of the city with a stay at Ovolo Laneways.
This is easily one of the coolest boutique hotels in Melbourne, and we know you’re going to love the original artwork and murals that decorate the lobby and hallways of this one-of-a-kind hotel.
Quirky rooms and suites at the Ovolo Laneways all have a personal character, and no two rooms are the same. Again, that’s largely down to the pop art, colorful bedding and cushions, and unique and original works of art that adorn the walls!
Rooms are luxurious and modern but surprisingly minimalist in outlook. The Apple TV and free minibar will keep you entertained in the evenings, while you’ll appreciate the blackout blinds and plush beds during the night.
Upgrade to a suite, and you’ll have a large work and leisure area, as well as comfy sofas and a kitchenette. You’ll also have a beautiful terrace with outdoor seating, sun loungers, and supreme views over the city.
Ovolo Laneways is perfectly located in the center of Melbourne for a convenient stay in the city. You’ll find this boutique place to stay on Little Bourke Street, just a short stroll from the CBD and Parliament House.
8. Zagame’s House
Dark, moody, and brooding, yet somehow utterly refreshing, Zagame’s House is one of the most unique hotels in Melbourne.
Located on Lygon’s Street in the fashionable Carlton suburb just north of the CBD, you’ll spot the dark post-industrial exterior of this hotel from afar. Zagame’s House isn’t shy on the advertising, and you just need to look for the graffiti-style “Z” that adorns the exteriors.
Inside, you’ll love how the stormy atmosphere continues. Low lights, granite-colored tiles, and black furnishings are all part of the look, but the contrasting white bedding and colorful pillows seriously jazz the rooms up.
The luxurious rooms are decorated with unique artwork, and you’ll appreciate the Zagame socks that are supplied to every guest. The minibar is stocked with craft whiskeys and beers, but save yourself for the hotel’s bars and restaurants, which are the highlight of a stay here.
The hotel is run by the Zagame family, one of Melbourne’s foremost restaurant and pub owners. Enjoy a cold brew at 1851 Coffee Kitchen in the mornings, where you can also dine on a ramen breakfast to get you started for the day. Dinner and drinks are served at the Lord Lygon Wine Shop, where the ravioli is delectable and the wine pairings perfect.
9. Ink Hotel Melbourne Southbank
If you’d love to stay in Southbank, then one of the best hotels to book is the Ink Hotel Melbourne Southbank. Located on City Road, this modern hotel in the flashy Eureka Tower is one of the coolest boutique hotels in Melbourne!
The Ink Hotel Melbourne Southbank is a new addition to the hotel scene, but they’ve made a grand entrance with their pop-art-inspired duvet covers and flexible check-in and check-out options. Underneath the artwork and creativity, though, this hotel is really no-nonsense, and in a good way, because you can simply pick a room type and package that’s best suited to your Melbourne trip.
If you’re not going to be spending much time in the hotel, then you can book The Pocket, the pint-sized double room that’s a great value. Next up is The Buddy, the twin room offering more space for traveling companions, while The Comfy offers more room and more amenities than all of them so far.
If you’re looking to splurge, then The Extra is for you. These suites offer the most space and comfort, as well as beautiful views over Melbourne from the panoramic windows near the top of the tower!
Regardless of your choice, every guest at The Ink Hotel Melbourne Southbank is welcome to free barista coffee every day, as well as excellent deals on the “ink-credible” food and drink at the hotel’s kitchen and bar.
10. Lancemore Crossley St.
With its fantastic location on Crossley Street in the CBD, it’s really no surprise that the Lancemore is one of the best Melbourne hotels for theater lovers.
Within a few minutes’ walk of the atmospheric boutique, you’ll find famous performing arts venues such as The Princess Theatre, the Comedy Theatre, and Her Majesty’s Theatre. You’ll also love how the Lancemore draws heavily on its surroundings because this boutique hotel is theater-themed!
It starts as you check in because on entry, you’ll stroll down a flamboyant red carpet that lines the lobby. There are nods to famous Melbourne performers, singers, and artists all throughout the hotel, while each of the 113 rooms features unique artwork and designs that will inspire your own personal creative side.
You can work out at the hotel’s Fitness Retreat, a fully equipped gym that’s open seven days a week, or you can enjoy pre-theater drinks in the lobby bar. Best of all, though, is the hotel’s rooftop terrace, where in summer you can lounge on the sun chairs, and in winter, roaring log fires heat up the chilly outdoor space.
11. The Como Melbourne
In South Yarra, escape the busy CBD and stay in one of Melbourne’s best boutique hotels at the same time!
The Como Melbourne is a South Yarra designer hotel that’s guaranteed to have you booking a return trip ASAP. This sleek hotel is modern and easy on the eyes. Rooms are designed to be practical yet stylish, and you’ll love the contrasting white decor and black furnishings that are interspersed with colorful pillows, vibrant floral arrangements, and jazzy carpets.
The plush bedding is to die for, while you can upgrade to a serviced apartment for extra space and a fully equipped kitchen. Prepare breakfast in your apartment, or enjoy the signature Pulled Duck Eggs Benedict from The Brasserie in the morning.
You’ll love The Como Melbourne’s rooftop swimming pool, which is as stylish as the hotel rooms and apartments. In winter, the water is heated and the roof is enclosed, but when the sun is shining in summer, the roof can be completely retracted, turning an indoor swimming pool into an outdoor swimming pool.
12. Art Series – The Cullen
Melbourne is a city for creatives, and if you love your contemporary art, then there’s no better place to stay than The Cullen, a new boutique offering from Art Series.
The Cullen is located a little further away from Melbourne’s CBD than other boutique hotels. You’ll find it in Prahran, equidistant between Flinders Street Station and the beaches of St Kilda. It’s a great opportunity to explore a quieter suburb of Melbourne, but we know you’re also going to love the artistic streak running throughout this hotel.
This hotel is a tribute to Adam Cullen, an Australian artist who passed away in 2012. Cullen was highly regarded for his grungy approach to modern art.
He tackled themes, such as crime and murder, that other artists would shy away from, and he was also known for his paintings and depictions of the great Australian outlaw Ned Kelly. You’ll find many of his works in the hallways, corridors, and rooms of The Cullen.
It’s an unusual hotel to stay in, but you’ll be surprised around every corner to discover a different portrait or painting from the Aussie artist. Artwork aside, The Cullen is also a charming and comfortable luxury hotel to book for your Melbourne getaway.
Rooms at The Cullen feature Art Series Signature Beds, which are guaranteed to send you into a deep sleep after a day of sightseeing. Each room is designed with an “open-suite” concept, and that means there’s a small kitchenette where you can prepare food and have more space for admiring the in-room artwork.
If you’d prefer to dine out, don’t worry, because there are two great restaurants in-house. The HuTong Dumpling Bar serves up an impressive array of dim sum, while Golda specializes in classic Mediterranean cuisine prepared using fresh Aussie ingredients.
That completes our list of the 12 best Melbourne hotels! Did we miss any cool boutique hotels in Melbourne? Comment below so we can add them to the list!
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you love a historic hotel stay, then one of the best boutique hotels in Melbourne is the beautiful Hotel Windsor. This extravagant hotel offers old-world charm in a central location opposite Melbourne’s Victorian-era Parliament House. The Hotel Windsor was also built in the Victorian era, with a history dating back to 1883 and a heritage-listed facade that will transport you back to the 19th century.
With spectacular views over the Yarra River, you’re going to love staying at The Langham when you’re exploring Melbourne. This five-star favorite is located next to Princes Bridge and opposite Flinders Street Station. You’ll not only be blown away by the panoramas from your hotel window but by the lavish interiors found throughout this elegant property.
The QT Melbourne is a feast for the senses, and you’re going to love the quirky design themes and sumptuous cuisine that this city center favorite is known for. Start with a view at the Rooftop at QT, where you’ll have glorious panoramas of central Melbourne as you order hand-crafted cocktails from the bar. Pascale Bar & Grill is the hotel’s go-to Brasserie, where head chef Paul Griffiths cooks up a storm of steaks garnished with herbs and veggies grown on the rooftop. Mr. Miyagi in the Big Smoke combines Japanese cuisine with slow-roasted cooking techniques, while Bar 133 serves sophisticated cocktails for a pre- or post-dinner tipple.
Melbourne is known for its artistic side – both conventional and unconventional – and across the city, you’ll find street art, murals, and graffiti that bring color and uniqueness to the urban environment. Art is a part of the Melbourne way of life, and you can embrace this creative side of the city with a stay at Ovolo Laneways. This is easily one of the coolest boutique hotels in Melbourne, and we know you’re going to love the original artwork and murals that decorate the lobby and hallways of this one-of-a-kind hotel.
Dark, moody, and brooding, yet somehow utterly refreshing, Zagame’s House is one of the most unique hotels in Melbourne. Located on Lygon’s Street in the fashionable Carlton suburb just north of the CBD, you’ll spot the dark post-industrial exterior of this hotel from afar. Zagame’s House isn’t shy on the advertising, and you just need to look for the graffiti-style “Z” that adorns the exteriors.
