Melbourne is one of the most energetic and lively metropolitan cities in the world. Finding the best hotel in Melbourne is not easy because the city has totally different neighbourhoods.

So where to stay in Melbourne?

Here is a catch:

I visited Melbourne for my Tasmania Cruises and stayed the city for photography before the embarkation from Port Melbourne. So let me tell you the best hotels in the best areas in the city.

In this article, Melbourne’s best 4 areas will be introduced. Find the best hotels in one of them.

You will be able to save time and money by learning where the city’s neighbourhoods are located and select the best hotel in the area you like the most.

Relevant Contents: 
Melbourne Airport Transfers to the City Centre and Port Melbourne

 

Melbourne Hotel

Melbourne is Australia’s second largest metropolitan city and the capital of the south-eastern state of Victoria. Melbourne initially developed along Port Philip Bay with gold mining. Today this city has become Australia’s major economic and financial powerhouse. It is also the nation’s cultural centre.

Melbourne offers vast accommodation choices and offers one of the best hotel services in the world. Most of the city’s luxury hotels can be found in the Central Business District (CBD).

History, culture and active nightlife, Melbourne can offer all the greatness the travellers expect, with Victorian-era architecture, the world famous street art, famed cafés, great bars and hi-end restaurants. One of the world’s most famous National Gallery of Victoria and Melbourne Museum are also located in CBD.

Where to Stay in Melbourne

The Best 4 Areas to say in Melbourne

The best hotels in Melbourne cover locations across the Central Business District (CBD). Other recommended areas to stay are South Yarra, Port Melbourne and St Kilda.

• Central Business District (CBD) is the major financial and business centre of Greater Melbourne’s metropolitan area. All the tourist attractions and the city’s landmarks are located in CBD.
• South Yarra is Melbourne’s one of the most prestigious residential areas and is upmarket, fashionable and trendy.
• Port Melbourne is a beachside surburb. The area is beautiful and quiet, due to being away from a city centre, and yet still visitors can access to the central city within 10 minutes by a tram. 
• St Kilda is a historic suburb and is close to a bay beach, well known for a walk on a beautiful sunset. Great restaurants, fashionable bars and nightlife scene entertain visitors. Famous Sunday art market is also held.

Melbourne Central Business District (CBD), Southbank, Port Melbourne and St Kilda

Landmarks and Visiting Places in Melbourne

• National Gallery of Victoria
• Melbourne Museum
• Royal Botanic Gardens
• Eurica Tower
• Flinders Street Station
• The Astor Theatre
• Queen Victoria Market
• St Kilda Beach and St Kilda Pier
• Luna Park
• The Laneways
• Chinatown
• Shrine of Remembrance

 

Top 4 Best Areas to Stay in Melbourne

Cost on Australian Dollars (AUD) on January 2019
Click Currency Converter for accommodation prices

1. Central Business District (CBD)

Central Business District is the core central activities district of Greater Melbourne’s metropolitan area and is a major financial and business centre in Australia. Luxury hotels are located on Collins Street and Sprint Street areas.

Why stay in CBD

• Staying in CBD means you can literary get all the greatness Melbourne can offer.
• Easy access to the city’s landmarks, attractions and visiting places
• Visit Flinders Street Station, Eureka Tower, Federation Square and the National Gallery of Victoria.
• Chinatown is the town where you will find nutritious food and fully empowered to explore the metropolitan city.

Where is CBD Exactly?

Melbourne Central Business District (CBD) is located in between Melbourne International Airport (aka. Tullamarine Airport) and Port Melbourne. CBD is about 23 km distance and takes about 30 minutes to drive from the Airport.

Circle Loop train will terminate at Flinders Street Station. Get a train to Flagstaff Station along the City Loop from Flinders Street Station and walk to Queen Victoria Markets. Tram 3/3a/6/16f/72 will stop at Royal Botanical Gardens.

Recommended Hotels in CBD 

Stylish Boutique Hotels in CBD

Adelphi Hotel

Price: $335 AUD- per room, Central Business District (CBD)

With an edgy design, a uniquely stylish boutique hotel, Adelphi is located in the heart of the vibrant Flinders Lane shopping and dining area. Enjoy a little welcome surprise at an entrance with a glass of wine. A room is stunning and is so different from other hotels. Kitschy lumps, animal-fur rugs and smart couches are beautifully situated with a comfortable king size bed. Free WiFi, free local phone calls and free in-room snacks. No private parking but a public one nearby.

Jasper Hotel

Price: $190 AUD- per room, Central Business District (CBD)

Situated on Market Precinct, a perfect location for Queen Victoria Market just 450 metres away, Jasper Hotel offers a stylish design hotel with a touch of an art gallery taste. Guests can have free access to fitness, sauna and pool facilities. Free WiFi is provided in all areas, no private parking but a public one nearby.

Luxury Hotels in CBD

Grand Hyatt Melbourne

Price: $430 AUD- per room, Central Business District (CBD)

By entering from a shiny and golden reception up to a gloriously decorated elegant room, enjoy a 24-karat luxury experience. Grand Hyatt Melbourne has received the high numbers of excellent reviews and has ranked as the top of the luxury hotel in Melbourne. Free WiFi in all areas and parking costs $55 AUD per day.

Sofitel Melbourne

Price: $350 AUD- per room, Central Business District (CBD)

Situated on a high street, Collins Street, experience on top of the high-end shopping and restaurants. With an exceptionally beautiful room, have some five-star hotel attentive service. Enjoy the best panoramic city view of Melbourne from a modern furnished room! WiFi is available in all areas with $29.50 AUD per day. Parking $55 AUD per day.

The Hotel Windsor

Price: $250 AUD- per room, Central Business District (CBD)

For timeless elegance and courteous luxury with a touch of history, Windsor has received a number of celebrities since it opened in 1883. Located on Spring Street, it is the perfect luxury hotel for visiting the Old Treasury Building, Melbourne Museum, the Princess or Her Majesty’s theatres. Free WiFi in all areas. Parking $55 AUD per day.

2. South Yarra

South Yarra is an upper-class and expensive neighbourhood of Melbournes, with fashionable bars and cafes as well as hi-end shopping and dining. It is fashionable and trendy and is surrounded by other Melbourne’s most upmarket suburbs of Toorak, Prahran and Richmond.

Why stay in South Yarra

• Fine bars, cafes and restaurant nearby Chapel Street and Toorak Road.
• Easy to access to Central Business District (CBD) from South Yarra railway station.
• Close to Melbourne’s most upmarket suburbs, Toorak and Prahran.
• Shopping and coffee at The Jam Factory and The Como Centre
• Como House – Beautiful Italian architecture

Where is South Yarra Exactly?

South Yarra is located in 4 km south-east of Central Business District.

South Yarra has two railway stations. South Yarra railway station is on the Pakenham, Cranbourne, Frankston and Sandringham lines. Hawksburn Station is on the Pakenham, Cranbourne and Frankston lines and serves the eastern part of the suburb.

Recommended Hotels in South Yarra

Stylish Boutique Hotels in South Yarra

The Como Melbourne

Price: $250 AUD- per room, South Yarra

Located on Chapel Street at South Yarra, The Como Melbourne has been one of the most favourites hotels among celebrities in Melbourne. As Channel 10 is next door, it is a kind of a preserved space for VIPs of the city visitors. Featuring indoor and outdoor pools and a gym, every room has luxury bedding and bathrooms. Some suites also feature a kitchen. The hotel has Japanese gardens and has a brassiere, which serves breakfast, and a popular bar with an extensive cocktail list. Free WiFi and parking cost $40 AUD per day.

Art Series – The Olsen

Price: $190 AUD- per room, South Yarra

Located in the hear of South Yarra, just a few minutes’ walk from the entertainment and shopping area on Chapel Street, The Olsen is a modern and contemporary style boutique hotel. Featuring a large glass bottom swimming pool, day spa and a contemporary restaurant and bar. All rooms have kitchenettes and a print from a painter, John Olsen. With WiFi, $9.5 AUD a day and parking cost $32 AUD per day.

3. Port Melbourne (Station Pier)

Port Melbourne is a perfect holiday destination. It is the largest cruise port in Australia. The area is beautiful and quiet, due to a location away from a city centre, and yet still can access to the central city within 10 minutes by a tram.

The cruise ships arrive at Station Pier and where you get onboard for Oceania and Tasmania Cruises. Tasmania Cruises was the hardest to get for me. The ship rocked so hard due to strong waves. I hope you rest well before you set sail at one of the great accommodations Melbourne can offer.

The accommodation rate is much lower than the city centre. That’s the reason why the accommodations close to Port Melbourne can get fully booked so quickly.

The area is also the Home of Melbourne’s F1 Grand Prix circuit around Albert Park Lake. 

Why stay in Port Melbourne

• Easy to access to Central Business District (CBD) from Station Pier tram station
• Much lower accommodation rate than the city centre, need to book earlier
• The great place for a holiday with easy access to a beach
• Close to Station Pier for sailing Tasmania and Oceania Cruises
• Quieter and relaxed atmosphere than the city centre

Where is Port Melbourne Exactly?

Located 5 km from Melbourne’s centre, it takes 17 minutes to drive to the Central Business District (CBD) from Port Melbourne. It takes 15 minutes by 109 tram from the Beacon Cover/Station Pier tram station to CBD. There is no train service in Port Melbourne.

Station Pier is connected to tram in 10 minutes by walk.

Find restaurants and cafes nearby the Beacon Cover/Station Pier tram station. Get a free ‘cruise ship arrivals guide’ at the cruise terminal and buy Myki card at Beacon Cove Food Store, just next to the tram station. Enjoy your day out in the city centre.

Recommended Hotels in Port Melbourne

The Hamptons Apartments

Price: $210 AUD- per room, Port Melbourne

As one of the most popular apartments in the Port Melbourne area, the Hamptons is located within two minutes away from the beach. A great kitchen facility, a good pressure shower and a comfortable bed as well as a clean and spacious atmosphere, with many good reviews. Free WiFi and parking cost $10 AUD per day.

One Bedroom by the Sea

Price: $170 AUD- per room, Port Melbourne

A clean, tidy and beautiful apartment with 2 minutes away from a beach in a quiet location, the apartment has a sea view if the room is facing south. Free WiFi is provided in communal areas and free parking.

Modern Cozy 2BR Apt Next to Beach!

Price: $180- AUD per room, Port Melbourne

Situated just next to the beach, the apartment is surrounded by shops area. And yet, it keeps the quiet and clean atmosphere. A kitchen is well furnished and provided a comfortable bed with clean linen. Free WiFi and free parking are included.

4. St. Kilda

St Kilda is a beachside suburb, located in the south part of Melbourne. Historically St Kilda was developed by the Melbourne elites in the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

Walk around for beautiful old buildings and Palais Theater. Explore Luna Park, St Kilda Sea Baths and Acland Street. My favourites are to walk along the beachside and sitting at a cafe and a bar. Paddling on water would be nice too!

Why stay in St Kilda?

• St Kilda Pier and Breakwater are landmarks of Melbourne
• Views of Melbourne’s skyline and Port Phillip Bay at St Kilda Pier
• Famous sunset long walk St Kilda Beach
• Luna Park to explore a historic amusement park, opened in 1912
• The Astor Theatre, a traditional single-screen movie theatre and enjoy the classics opened since 1913

Where is St Kilda?

St Kilda has 6 km distance from Central Business District (CBD). St Kilda is a 15-minute drive from Melbourne city centre and 40 minutes from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. There are two tram stations for 3/3a, 67 or 16f from Flinders Street or the 96 from Southern Cross. There is no train service in St Kilda.

Recommended Hotels in St Kilda

Stylish Boutique Hotels in South Yarra

Rydges St Kilda

Price: AUD 250- per room, St Kilda

Located in the centre of St Kilda,  Rudges St Kilda provides a stylish Scandinavian touch accommodation. Just 5 minutes walk from St Kilda Beach, The boutique Rydges St Kilda features a swimming pool, a cafe, a 24-hour fitness centre, complimentary access to St Kilda Sea Baths and with two restaurants, The Hub Cafe and Second Act Wine Bar.
Free WiFi in all areas and parking AUD 30 per a day.

Tolarno Hotel

Price: $160 AUD- per room, St Kilda

Tolarno Hotel was once privately owned by Mirka Madeleine Mora, a French-born Australian artist. Mora’s masterpieces are displayed in the hotel’s foyer. Located in a 10-minute walk from Acland Street Galleries and the Grand Prix Track

Tolarno Hotel accommodates the guests with local artworks, stylish guest rooms. The heritage-listed architecture highlights the Victorian staircase and stained-glass building window. All rooms are facing a courtyard inside and have high ceilings.
Free WiFi in all areas and parking $10 AUD per day.

The Prince

Price: $300 AUD- per room, St Kilda

Located in a 5-minute walk from St Kilda Beach, The Prince is Melbourne’s hidden premier boutique hotel, with 39 individually designed modern rooms, opened in 1863, within the same building as the renowned Prince Bandroom.

Many guests leaving a comment about a comfy bedroom provided with high-quality bed linens and bathrobes. All furnishings are made of raw timber and rattan. The lounge area offers a view of Port Philip Bay.
Free WiFi and free public parking is available.

How do you find Melbourne accommodation information in this article? Does it be detailed enough for the information to find the Best Hotel in Melbourne? Please also find Melbourne transport information at Melbourne Airport Transfers to the City Centre and Port Melbourne.

Please leave a comment on what you experienced or are looking for in your Melbourne trip. I would love to hear from you! If you have a question, please do let me know.

Or need more time to learn Melbourne accommodation?

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