The best hotels in Melbourne for every kind of traveller

Whether you’re visiting Melbourne for a long city break or just passing through on your way to the Yarra Valley and beyond, this cosmopolitan town boasts an extraordinary variety of hotels to serve as your home away from home. More than just choice, though, Melbourne delivers style and character, with many hotels championing bold aesthetic choices and unique guest environments – you’d expect nothing less from Australia’s city of art and culture. Explore our roundup of Melbourne’s best hotels to find the perfect property for your trip. 

Ritz-Carlton 

Best for: a luxury stay 

The Ritz-Carlton is the accepted benchmark for luxury hotels in Melbourne, despite having only opened in 2023. Guests begin their stay by ascending to the imposing 80th floor lobby, showcasing grand cityscape views, before being whisked to their room or suite. There, they discover floor-to-ceiling windows offering the same lofty vistas of the city and, beyond that, the deep blue of Port Phillip Bay. Contributing to this airy sense of space are the expansive en-suite bathrooms, powder rooms and walk-in wardrobes. For a taste of modern Australian cuisine, there are few better restaurants than Atria (just across from the lobby), while the 64th floor houses a major wellness centre featuring treatment rooms, hydrotherapy pools, a sauna and steam room.  

Grand Hyatt Melbourne 

Best for: city views 

For a more central view over the city and the Yarra River, the Grand Hyatt is your ideal location. It’s exceptionally well situated, within easy walking distance of many of Melbourne’s best bars and restaurants, luxury boutiques, the theatre district, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and other major attractions. Convenience doesn’t come at the expense of space, however; suites are generously sized – hello, Italian marble bathrooms – while the fitness centre is heralded as one of the largest in the region. On the first floor, the much-loved Collins Kitchen specialises in food cooked over smoke and flame, while the Grand Club Lounge on the 31st floor offers panoramic city views alongside outstanding breakfasts and evening drinks. 

Hannah St. Hotel

Best for: amazing design

This high-end boutique hotel embraces a uniquely Melburnian aesthetic. Interiors and furnishings, clearly chosen with enormous care, nod to a sophisticated 1970s design scheme – a golden age for Australian art and design – while also making the most of the building’s triangular glass form. It’s the perfect setting to appreciate the works by over a dozen Australian female artists on display. Elsewhere, enjoy the magical feel of the lounges or the frond-covered swimming pool, then explore the sauna, gym and the many excellent eateries. This hotel also offers an ideal co-working space, including a dedicated podcast studio for its creative clientele.  

United Places Hotel Botanic Gardens 

Best for: quiet contemplation 

Sitting directly opposite Melbourne's stunning Royal Botanic Gardens, this compact, minimalist hotel provides an unrivalled sanctum of peace and quiet. It features private check-in, complimentary in-suite breakfast, free bicycles, and the acclaimed on-site restaurant Matilda 159 Domain. Start your day by gazing out at an expansive treetop view before heading out to wander around the trendy neighbourhood of South Yarra, filled with characterful cafes and boutiques. Alternatively, a walk through the lush gardens brings you to the National Gallery of Victoria, one of the country’s grandest and most visited art collections. 

W Melbourne 

Best for: a romantic getaway

W Melbourne combines the excitement of a city-centre stay with plenty of opportunities for couples to unwind together. Spend the day relaxing by the hotel's subterranean indoor pool before slipping away to Curious, its hidden Alice in Wonderland-themed bar, for cocktails in an intimate setting. Secluded rooms offer complete privacy, while the central location near Flinders Street Station makes it easy to enjoy Melbourne’s restaurants, bars and cultural attractions as a pair.

Pegasus Apart’Hotel 

Best for: family fun 

Melbourne is a great city for kids, and Pegasus Apart’Hotel is just one reason for this. An easy five-minute walk from the bustling Queen Victoria Market and imposing State Library Victoria, this hotel goes above and beyond to cater to families with children. Kids will love the interactive, individually themed children’s bedrooms (including the Race Car room and Circus Big Top room) inside family apartments, while adults will find that the full kitchenettes make snack prep a breeze. Games consoles, a heated indoor swimming pool, a well-equipped gym and daily buffet breakfast further elevate the appeal.  

The Larwill Studio Melbourne – Art Series 

Best for: a unique experience 

Dedicated to Australian contemporary artist David Larwill, this boutique hotel just north of the CBD offers a genuinely different Melbourne experience that’s infused with vibrant art and local personality. It even houses an art library and provides curated art tours, on which you can learn about Larwill’s exuberant paintings and the area’s art history. This hotel is made for people who like to be occupied, offering dozens of workspaces and communal hubs, paper and pencils for those who want to try their hand at sketching, and daily running groups through the nearby Royal Park.