20 Best Hotels in Melbourne, Victoria

There's an unexpected sense of space and lots of light in this compact boutique hotel at the top of Melbourne's Chinatown. The newly renovated property is a delightful maze of differently shaped rooms that range from standard rooms to two-bedroom, split-level apartments with terraces, decorated in breezy white tones and usually with a well-placed window to capture views of the glass skyscrapers and 19th-century townhouses that surround it. Set in the theater district, raise a glass at sunset on the rooftop terrace, set with daybeds and open fires. There is a small, sunlit gym and the moody lobby café serves breakfast and offers wine tastings from the Lancemore's vineyards in the Mornington Peninsula and Macedon Ranges---the rose is a stand-out. Foodies will rejoice at the many restaurant options and high-quality bars within steps of the front entrance, many will deliver from their kitchens to your room.

"Understated elegance" is the catchphrase of The Lyall, located in a quiet, leafy street in one of the city's most prestigious neighborhoods. Following a complete remodeling, the hotel now has 49 enormous one-bedroom suites with floor-to-ceiling windows for fresh air and also individual air conditioners, some with views of the hotel's Japanese maple garden. The in-house spa administers a full range of massages, facials, and body treatments (try the organic green tea exfoliation). You can curl up with a book or play chess in the guest lounge off the lobby; the champagne bar is the perfect place to relax after a day of sightseeing while the hotel restaurant serves relaxed breakfasts and all-day dining.

One of the best ways to experience Melbourne's historic pubs is to stay inside one, and the well-appointed Baden Powell Hotel is an ideal fit. Eleven comfortable rooms, all with flat-screen TVs and high-speed Internet, are available. The master is the largest with high ceilings, though the smallish budget rooms with shared bathrooms are a good price. Their craft beer list is also a big draw. Its location is excellent, close enough to walk to the MCG, Tennis Centre and Olympic park, and also the hip streets of Collingwood and Fitzroy.

This 114-room hotel with a dash of industrial chic (exposed brick walls and black, brown, and red minimalist decor) is just the sort of lodging you'd expect in hip central Melbourne. There's a big choice of rooms, from tiny and affordable "shoebox" singles to doubles triples and a rooftop apartment on the same level as the hotel's shared sundeck. Set opposite Southern Cross station, where the airport bus arrives, it's also convenient to Southbank, Docklands, and the river and is the perfect alternative to big, five-star properties.

With its opulent and funky modern furnishings, this luxury hotel is as popular with business travelers as it is with visiting artists and musicians. Gray marble and chrome are prominent throughout the pop art–meets–art deco interior. The suites add modern wall murals, bold lighting, modern furniture, and in many, high-gloss kitchens. Several of the third-floor suites open onto private Japanese gardens and those needing relaxation will find a sundeck, sauna and rooftop pool.

There are three five-star hotels in the riverside Crown Casino complex in Southbank, and while the Metropol may be the largest (it has 658 rooms, making it one of the country's biggest), it still retains an elegant boutique-type feel. Rooms range from "luxe king" to "The Apartment" on level 25, which is often reserved for Hollywood royalty. Fantastic panoramic views from the rooms look towards the bay or the city, but for extra special views, we recommend a nightcap at Level 28, the hotel skyline bar, or from the infinity pool at Level 27. A swathe of iconic restaurants, such as Nobu, are located around the corner on the edge.of the Yarra River.

Located in the grand 1930s Equity Chambers building and a modern tower behind it, the new Hilton draws upon that golden era of travel for a touch of glamour. Choose the heritage suites to the front of the hotel, or opt for the city-view rooms, with their walls of glass. The hotel restaurant, Luci, serves up Australian-Italian fare while The Douglas Club serves up cocktails, wine and Australian craft beers.

Built in 1883, this aristocrat of Melbourne hotels combines Victorian-era character with modern comforts, and is a must for history lovers (it also has a terrific can't-miss afternoon tea). Plush rooms have rosewood furnishings, although the marble bathrooms are modest in size. Standard rooms are a reasonable size; if you need space, book one of the vast Victorian suites or a two-room executive suite. The 111 Spring Street Restaurant serves Continental-style dishes in a formal setting. The hotel commands a position opposite Parliament House, close to theaters, parks, and fine shops.

Tucked behind one of Melbourne's most iconic Gothic facades, The Rialto is a five-star luxury hotel designed by William Pitt, the architect behind many Melbourne landmarks. All guest rooms feature luxury finishes throughout as well as ergonomic work stations, flat-screen televisions, minibar, and complimentary tea and coffee. Beneath the soaring glass atrium, Alluvial Restaurant and Bluestone Wine Lounge feature quality seasonal produce and an impressive selection of wines by the glass. Local ingredients come as local as the hotel's own rooftop herb garden and honey producing beehives. Located off the lobby level, the Market Lane Bar is a popular cocktail bar.

A former YWCA, the Jasper has undergone a radical face-lift, redesigned and polished to a shine. Some rooms face onto a stylish courtyard, while others have views over the Queen Victoria Market or the city center. Several rooms are optimized for disabled access. The ambience is angled toward soft lighting and a calming atmosphere, but it's close to transport and the city center. There's also an on-site kitchen and bar, perfect for early breakfasts and people-watching.

In the picturesque suburb of Middle Park, toward the lively St. Kilda area, this 25-room hotel has been stylishly designed by renowned local architects Six Degrees, giving the 125-year-old building new life. All rooms have chiropedic bedding, spacious high ceilings, Egyptian cotton linen, and work from local iconic photographer Rennie Ellis. Some rooms have plantation shutters which open to give wonderful views of the surrounding Albert Park area. Downstairs the restaurant specializes in "paddock to plate," which is locally sourced cuts of meat—try the 500-gram dry-aged grass-fed Black Angus rib eye.

Much effort has gone into making this 43-room boutique hotel uniquely stylish and comfortable, including its laneway location, which is ideal for those who want to be in the heart of the action. Rooms come in all shapes and sizes, from spacious studios to rooftop penthouse apartments with fantastic decks; all have been fitted and designed by internationally renowned design company Hassell, who have added some nice surprises to coincide with Melbourne's fun and surprising laneways. Things such as oversized tables, a chalkboard-style noticeboard, vintage pinball machine, tailored panel bed heads, and shaving mirrors in the showers are dotted around random rooms. An extra nice touch is that rooms have Apple television.

Set right next to Fitzroy Gardens and opposite St. Patrick's Cathedral, this is one of Melbourne's most elegant hotels. Warm colors, rich wood paneling, and art deco–style furnishings adorn the rooms—all of which have walk-in wardrobes, king-size beds, Italian marble bathrooms, Nespresso coffee machines, and roomy, modern work spaces. Suites are even more luxurious, some with fireplaces, terraces, and hot tubs. The seven-level radii restaurant and bar is artsy and chic, and contemporary artworks by international talents are on exhibit throughout the hotel (some are for sale). The day spa features an indoor aquamarine pool, spa, sauna, gym, and private sundeck, which is a popular option.

Cutting-edge design, contemporary artworks and sculptural furniture, and spare yet inviting luxury make this boutique hotel perfect for aficionados of unfussy elegance. Every room has a slightly different plan, determined by the 1937 "seaside" hotel building; the timber cupboards, tables, and beds were made specifically for each space. Some rooms have views of Port Phillip Bay and some look toward the city; all have high-end sound systems and opening windows that let in lots of light.

The art deco hotel is not just for stays—the Prince Bandroom has been hot on the gig lists for 45 years, and take time to explore Little Prince Wine, a quiet European-style wine bar and  bottle shop, which also sells all you need for the perfect antipasto platter.

Meanwhile, the Dining Room is one of the city's acclaimed eateries, with Mediterranean fare served in the light-filled room.

This National Trust–listed 1884 lodging house is one of the most interesting and comfortable apartment hotels in the city. The modern, comfortable, self-contained accommodations have washing machines, dryers, microwaves, and dishwashers. There are studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments, and all face a courtyard containing a 60-foot pool and a century-old palm tree. It's just steps from Parliament House and the Princess Theatre, and half a block from Chinatown's restaurants. Reception for the apartments is around the corner at Quest on Lonsdale, 43 Lonsdale Street.

Just a short ride from the city center (on the No. 70 tram), this inexpensive boutique hotel occupies a garden-fronted 1918 mansion. The neat-as-a-pin lodgings here include single and double rooms with shared bathrooms, doubles with in-room bathrooms, and two- and three-bedroom apartments. There is Wi-Fi, a garden terrace, bar, and cozy guest lounge with newspapers and complimentary tea and coffee.

Located just minutes from bustling Lygon Street, Carlton Gardens, and Queen Victoria Market, this family-run venue targets budget travelers who like a bit more comfort. Spacious rooms come in all sizes including dorm; private double, queen, and family rooms with shared facilities; and queen and family en suite rooms. Self-caterers note there is a shared kitchen. Communal spaces such as the fitness center, cinema, and rooftop deck with swimming pool keep travelers entertained.

Diamond-faceted glass elevators carry guests from the marble lobby of this "Paris-end," all-suite hotel to rooms decorated with plush, rich hued velvets and art deco–ish crystal lamps. A $10-million refurbishment has created suites with a touch of Golden Era Hollywood; all have cushion-festooned couches, spa baths, fully equipped kitchens, and separate dining areas. The 16th-floor indoor-outdoor swimming pool sits beneath an arched glass ceiling. It's an easy walk from here to shopping arcades, restaurants, and theaters.

Set in the heart of St. Kilda's café, bar, and club precinct, Tolarno Hotel was once a restaurant and gallery owned by beloved Melbourne artist Mirka Mora and her husband Georges, and it still has an idiosyncratic artistic bent. Recently refurbished, the rooms and common spaces are decorated with artworks by local artists and the color schemes here are very bold (red, purple, and orange dominate). The furnishings are comfortable rather than luxurious, creating a friendly, funky place to stay. Front balcony rooms give you an uninterrupted view of action on Fitzroy Street; back rooms are quieter. Rooms range from the tiny Piccolo rooms (A$99) up to the two-bedroom Georges studio (A$219).