We know that you miss travelling. There’s nothing quite like the adventure of the unknown.
But instead of wallowing, we invite you to see the travel restrictions as an opportunity to discover all of the actually cool places to stay, right on your doorstep here in Melbourne. Whether you’re from country Victoria or the inner-city burbs, checking yourself (and maybe some friends or a lover) into a pretty hotel, is never a bad idea.
QT Melbourne
Russell Street, CBD
At QT hotel it’s all about the dark velvets and beautiful views. The lighting is low, the windows are big, the room service is delish and the rooftop is one of a kind. They have a bar and grill that serves up an extensive list of French wines, a Japanese knife shop (just in case you feel an impulse to learn omakase), and a cake shop, with a cake for every occasion and fantastic coffee. Staying at QT is an experience for all the senses. You’re also welcome to go and have a cocktail on the rooftop, regardless if you’re a guest or not! It’s one of the best rooftop views in Melbourne.
How to book: Rooms here, venues and events here, dining experiences here.
Napier Quarter Guesthouse
Collingwood
Napier Quarter—yes the cute little wine bar/restaurant/cafe on Napier Street—has a guest house upstairs. Couples and singles are invited to stay for two or more nights, in the upstairs of this beautiful bluestone building, that continually smells like Aesop and fresh bread. It’s in a dreamy location, with an even dreamier destination underneath. It’s the perfect place for a little couples retreat, a staycation, or for a short visit to Melbourne.
How to book: Via airbnb
Doubletree by Hilton
Flinders Street, CBD
You get a warm biscuit on arrival at DoubleTree. If that isn’t enough incentive, it’s located in between Fed Square and Degraves Street—so you’ll never miss a thing going on in the CBD. It’s understated, classy, and minimal, with a fantastic breakfast offering and great facilities.
How to book: Book via website
Melbourne Marriott Hotel
Docklands
Designed by DKO Architecture, this architecturally distinct hotel with a captivating design is also the first new-build Marriott branded hotel in Australia in over 20 years. With sleek, sexy and minimal interiors, inspired by the contours of a yacht, this is a gorgeous hotel to stay at whether you’re a visitor or a local, looking for a sexy staycation. It feels futuristic and at the top end of design trends right now. In addition to the aesthetics, they have a sophisticated lobby bar called Ada’s, which serves up delicious classic and house cocktails as well as a beautiful restaurant chain — M Club and infinity pool with a backdrop of the skyline.
How to book: Book direct via their website here.
Langham
Southbank
The Langham is old-school luxury at its finest. It’s complete with themed rooms and colour palettes to match, almost every space looks out onto the Melbourne skyline and looks especially magical in the evening. One of the best features of The Langham is its day spa; a lavish underground sanctuary decked out with pale stone columns, a star-dappled sky ceiling, and a 20-metre heated pool. And of course every holistic therapy under the sun; treating the mind and the body.
How to book: Book direct via website or via hotels.com
Hotel Windsor
Spring Street, CBD
Hotel Windsor is home to one of the most sought-after high teas to exist in Melbourne. As a hotel, it’s one of Australia’s most grand hotels, pre-dating The Savoy, The Plaza, and The Ritz. It has hosted Prince Charles, for goodness sakes. Located across the road from Parliament house and next to the Princess Theatre, Hotel Windsor’s building is striking, timeless, and of course heritage. All of the employees wear beautiful old school uniforms and the doorman—who looks like he’s been there his whole life and isn’t made about it—chats to everyone, even the businessmen, as they bustle down Spring Street. The rooms pretty much all come with a chaise lounge and a claw-foot bath, so basically, you turn into royalty for the duration of your stay.
How to book: Book via expedia, Qantas or directly via the website
Art Series Residences: The Chen
Box Hill
The Chen Melbourne is simple and modern, with touches of hot pink and dark blue everywhere—which somehow works. It’s located in Box Hill and features many works by Chinese-born Australian artist Zhong Chen. The Chen Melbourne is part of the Art Series hotels, a series of hotels that are dedicated to Australian contemporary artists, promoting a particular artist with each hotel design. The Chen Melbourne has a spectacular rooftop pool space and is just outside the chaos of the CBD, without being too far away.
How to book: Direct via their website or via The Manta
The Prince Hotel
St Kilda
The Prince Hotel has been newly refurbished and screams party, fun, and carefree energy. With youthful modern design touches and a clear European influence, The Prince is inclusive, with the slogan “open to everyone and everything”. It’s a St Kilda icon, having been a part of the landscape since the 1800s and living many lives. It was once a Soldier’s Club, before becoming a well-known ballroom and live music spot. It has since been the home of fine dining restaurant Circa and has now been transformed into a more relaxed venue, destination and accommodation offering.
How to book: Direct via the website or via Tripadvisor
Notel
Flinders Lane, CBD
Notel is not a hotel. The venue is home to six Airstreams that were found in the US, completely gutted, sent on a boat to Geelong, and have somehow ended up on a rooftop on Flinders Lane. It’s very Melbourne. It’s about getting out of your comfort zone, it’s about exploration, it’s about doing things differently—it’s also about finding your way in. The only clue they give you is that the entrance is through a single door that’s hidden near a coffee shop. There is no concierge. Guests are texted a code to their phone that they have to swipe to get in. That’s all we’ll say. You’re welcome.
How to book: Book only direct via website
United Places
South Yarra
United Places is a hidden gem overlooking the Botanic Gardens. They offer serviced apartments that can be booked out for short, medium, or long-term stays, perfect for a staycation (what we all need right now tbh). The decor is minimalist, tonal, and very design-focused. They use Le Labo products in their bathrooms, which is honestly such a huge selling point for us. United Places is small but luxurious, well-thought-out, and the definition of good taste. They also have a real focus on wellness and you actually feel more zen just being there, trust us.
How to book: Book via their website, Mr & Mrs Smith or wotif
Coppersmith Hotel
South Melbourne
The Coppersmith Hotel is in South Melbourne and is a rustic retreat of intimacy and privacy. Located on the corner of Clarendon Street and Thomson Street in a beautifully refurbished pub building, Coppersmith is an urban oasis, designed to make you feel like a local. It has an in-house bistro, bar and rooftop, while also being in a total hub of produce, with the South Melbourne markets just a short stroll away. It only has 15 rooms, which is kinda perfect if you want luxury on a smaller scale.
How to book: Direct via website or wotif & hotels.com for the best deals
The Mansion Hotel & Spa
Weribee
The Lancemore Mansion Hotel literally looks like Downton Abbey. Who knew that such sprawling lawns and perfectly trimmed hedges existed in the form of a mansion hotel here in Melbourne? Located in Werribee Park, it’s just 30-minutes from Melbourne CBD, but you genuinely feel like you’re living in an alternate universe. With junior suites, superior suites, and heritage suites to choose from, the world is your oyster. They have the most beautiful greenhouse, with a diagonal tiled floor from your childhood storybooks. They have all the classic grand offerings such as a spa, a fine dining restaurant, a theatre, and giraffes, of course. The Lancemore Mansion Hotel is often booked for weddings, which is both unsurprising and enviable.
How to book: Direct via website, bookings.com and Tripadvisor