Our go-to guide to Melbourne hotels

Melbourne is a city that’s so confidently cool it doesn’t care what anyone thinks, and is so diverse that it has something to offer everyone. By day, it hums along, showcasing quirky galleries, lush inner-city parks, and bustling high-street cafes (renowned for serving some of the country’s best coffee). Then, the city really comes into its own at night, when the buzz carries into the wee hours, fueled by trendy bars, live music, and restaurant chatter. Wednesday, Sunday, Monday, it doesn’t matter—there are always people about and there’s always something to do, so you’ll never hit a lull on your travels. But when it’s finally time to rest your head, where should you stay? As a Melburnian who loves nothing more than a good hotel, here’s where I recommend.

The boutique Art Deco–style Royce Hotel—originally designed in 1928 as a showroom for prestige cars such as Rolls Royce—was completely revamped and unveiled in its current glory in early 2023. The pipe glass chandeliers, mirrored pillars, and curved lines honor the building’s heritage as a meeting spot for Melbourne’s high society, aiming to transport guests back to the site’s roaring ‘20s heyday. Soft jazz music floats through the halls and I love that there are interesting textures and details everywhere you look.

Room scene: The hotel’s 94 guest rooms include a slew of plush suites (some with balconies that overlook the Royal Botanic Gardens and Shrine of Remembrance), and six two-story lofts, occupying the original Rolls Royce mechanic workshop. Parquetry flooring and velour furniture seamlessly carry the 1920s theme into each room. Bonus, rooms offer quality Molton Brown toiletries and a Dyson hairdryer.

Restaurant report: The Royce’s Showroom Bar, which doubles as a modern European restaurant, offers an impressive wrap-around marble bar under the car showroom’s original vaulted ceiling. Snack on small bites from the bar menu or settle in for a multi-course meal, feeling like you’re on a Great Gatsby set.

Don’t miss: The opportunity to borrow a Lekker bicycle and take it for a spin around the nearby botanic gardens.

Who should go: History buffs, architecture aficionados, and glamorous couples.

The Rydges Melbourne underwent a major transformation in 2023 (complete with a heated rooftop pool), revitalizing a long-standing hotel from the '70s in the middle of city's theater district. If you’re planning to catch a live show or musical at one of Melbourne’s beautiful performance venues, such as the Princess, Regent, or Athenaeum theaters, you’ll have prime position, surrounded by tons of restaurants that offer pre- and post-theater menus. The high-end boutiques on Collins Street are just a block away and Chinatown is across the road.

Room scene: Rooms here are modern and comfortable, and are decorated in neutral, earthy tones. The beauty of being a big hotel is that there are plenty of room configurations to choose from to suit your needs and budget, including a range of self-contained apartments if you’re chasing some of the conveniences of home. Online check-in and check-out make getting into your room a breeze, though staff are on hand if you need them.

Restaurant report: The Rydges’ Bossley Bar & Restaurant serves a modern Australian menu, with quality meats like pork cutlets, eye filets, and tomahawk steaks locally sourced from the state of Victoria. The diced, wasabi-kissed Atlantic salmon makes for a delicious starter and the triple-cooked, thick-cut chips are a menu favorite.

Don’t miss: The Bossley’s eponymous signature cocktail. A blend of olive leaf gin, vermouth, sherry, and miso- and saltbush-infused olive oil, it’s smooth and savory and the type of cocktail I crave and can’t get anywhere else.

Who should go: Theater lovers, families, and shopaholics.

The Langham stands tall in Southbank, overlooking the Yarra River. When you step inside, the luxury hotel presents as polished and pretty, thanks to its glittering custom-made Waterford-crystal chandelier, grand central staircase, and water features that make for one of Melbourne’s most impressive hotel lobbies. Everything about the Langham feels fancy and romantic, so consider it your Victorian palace for the night (or three).

Room scene: The Langham’s rooms are spacious and comfortable, and complement the regal feel of the lobby with wooden furniture, delicately patterned wallpaper, and heavy curtains. Secure a river-facing room for the views if you can.

Restaurant report: When it comes to food, the Langham is best-known for its high tea (followed by its generous breakfast buffet), honoring an afternoon tradition started at the Langham London in 1865. Expect a classy spread of finger sandwiches, scones, and a mix of sweet and savory treats, served with tea and a glass of bubbles.

Don’t miss: The Chuan Spa is urban bliss. Book a treatment (try the ‘With Love’ package, which includes a body scrub, facial, signature massage, and glass of Champagne) and enjoy the hot tub and sun loungers that look out over Melbourne’s architectural pin-up, Flinders Street Station.

Who should go: Luxury seekers, busy professionals, and romantics.

Everything about the Ovolo South Yarra is colorful and quirky. There’s a playful retro vibe throughout the hotel, which is dotted with bright pop art, lava lamps, and vinyl records. A glowing ‘fire,’ made of twisted white and yellow neon lights, encircled by bench seating, creates quite the statement as you approach reception. After stepping through an unassuming door off busy Toorak Road, I love how this hotel immediately whisks you into a world of fun and whimsy.

Room scene: If you’re a die-hard music lover, you might consider booking a ‘rockstar suite,’ named after icons like Sonny and Cher, and John and Yoko. And if you’re traveling solo and plan to spend most of your time exploring, book one of the Ovolo’s cute and compact single rooms (which still have a queen-sized bed).

Restaurant report: The Ovolo’s Latin-inspired Lona Misa is a 100 percent plant-based restaurant. If you’re a vegan skeptic, all I can say is, don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it. You could be fooled into believing the peppery and fibrous “mutton” skewers (made out of shiitake mushrooms) are the real deal, and my personal favorite, the cooked-over-coal peri peri ‘chicken’ (made from gluten), is charred and smoky and dense enough to cut with a steak knife. The knowledgeable staff are great with recommendations, too, if you're not sure where to start.

Don’t miss: A complimentary drink in the underground Backroom Bar during social hour, daily from 5–6 p.m. (Your room’s minibar is free, too, by the way.)

Who should go: Music fans, art lovers, and solo travelers.

The 396-room Pan Pacific Melbourne—with its striking timber-paneled high ceilings—is located just over a mile from the central business district (CBD) in Melbourne’s lively South Wharf district. It’s next door to the DFO (Direct Factory Outlet) shopping center if you fancy some bargain shopping; Marvel Stadium if you’re catching an Australian football match; and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)—the largest event space in the southern hemisphere.

Room scene: Though rooms have a corporate feel, many have floor-to-ceiling windows, making the Pan Pacific one of the best hotels for city views in Melbourne (particularly from the upper floors). The hotel’s ‘Happy Sleeper’ program, offered to guests staying in suites and club rooms, lets you optimize your comfort via a pillow menu, aromatherapy bath products, an optional nightcap, and a turn-down service that includes a spritz of sleep-enhancing mists.

Restaurant report: The hotel’s beautiful timber paneling carries through to the Dock 37 Bar & Kitchen, which serves quality modern Australian cuisine. There’s both a restaurant and bar menu and the high tea (offered Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons) is also popular. If you’re a meat eater, try the wagyu beef cheek from the dinner menu—delicious.

Don’t miss: The Lume exhibition—the world’s largest digital art gallery—in the MCEC, right next door to the hotel.

Who should go: MCEC and Marvel Stadium event attendees, tired travelers, and bargain shoppers.