5 of the coolest stays in Melbourne
Melbourne is a thriving cosmopolitan with an array of galleries, museums, restaurants, cafes, and urban laneways that offer a feast for the senses. It’s easy to see why international travellers and locals alike enjoy spending time in this beautiful city. The dazzling skylines, expansive parks, and scenic boardwalks are just some of the reasons why getting some R&R in Melbourne is a great idea. We’ve selected 5 of the coolest luxury hotels in Melbourne for you. At these stays, you’ll experience world-class hospitality infused with Australian charm that will make you want to come back again and again.
Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands
If you love expansive city views and being in the middle of it all, Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands is a wonderful choice for your next city getaway. Overlooking the city, this is the first new Marriott Hotel to open in Australia in 20 years and boasts contemporary interiors designed by award-winning designers. This 5-star hotel offers premium resort-style accommodations and experiences in an urban location.
It has 189 design-led guest rooms with clean lines and minimalist vibes, perfect for a relaxing state of mind. The gem on top of this curvaceous hotel is the 28-metre infinity pool with sunken loungers is Melbourne’s only heated outdoor pool. Apart from the rooftop pool bar, sip on reimagined cocktails at Ada’s—the lobby bar, or perhaps enjoy fresh brews from Corsia, the hotel’s laneway café that also serves Italian bread and power-packed salads. You don’t have to leave the premises for an epicurean dining experience, but should you choose to, you’ll be steps away from Melbourne’s vibrant and unique range of options.
W Melbourne
Eye-catching, fresh, fun. W Melbourne is a playground of colours while simultaneously being a haven of urban relaxation. Some of its design elements include “peeling” wall lights, beautiful in-room murals, and chunky knit blankets that add visual texture to the bedroom. Overall, W Melbourne has a futuristic aesthetic made cohesive by abundant light trimmings and features that add glow and depth to the pieces of furniture and unique artwork inside.
The spaces have an electric, almost club-like atmosphere that adds a new meaning to “recharging” while on holiday. On-site, guests can enjoy access to omakase-style dining at the Japanese restaurant Warabi, modern Australian offerings at Lollo, eclectic dining at Curious (an architectural delight of its own), and handcrafted drinks at Culprit and WET. Located in Flinders Lane, it has almost 300 rooms that will surely pique your curiosity and is conveniently close to award-winning restaurants, boutique bars, and up-and-coming local fashion labels. This luxe boutique city escape is a perfect example of cool design and edgy lifestyle combined.
AC Hotel Melbourne Southbank
AC Hotel Melbourne Southbank aims to provide guests with what they call their “Perfectly PreciseTM” experience. The Perfectly Precise experience’s take on hospitality ensures they provide everything that travellers in Melbourne would need. You can relax in the AC Lounge or by the semi-open infinity pool as you enjoy some cocktails from Bar de Bueco, or perhaps enjoy the sleek and modern AC Fitness Centre—offering great views while you use the treadmill. At AC Kitchen, you can savour culinary delights while taking in panoramic views of the Melbourne Skyline.
The sharp, geometric exterior of the hotel beautifully contrasts with the calming, soft and cool neutral tones inside each of the stylish bedrooms with Sealy mattresses and luxury beddings that make for a truly relaxing stay. Travelling with your furry friend? The rooms and suites at AC Hotel Melbourne Southbank are 100% dog-friendly, and your furbaby can indulge in the Perfectly Precise experience too!
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QT Melbourne
QT Melbourne is where high fashion meets industrial chic and contemporary interiors. Each of the 188 guest rooms exudes an artsy vibe, is fitted with designer furnishings, and has brushed-slate bathrooms and concrete ceilings contrasting with timber floors. The colours and lighting lean more toward the moody and dark side while expansive windows give guests the option to fill the modern suites with plenty of light during the day.
Evoking Melbourne’s bold and energetic atmosphere, QT welcomes patterns, colours, and a range of materials and textures into its guest spaces that add a fresh breath of life and a sprinkle of wonder to the experience of anyone staying at this modern and luxurious boutique hotel. Our favourite spot? The Rooftop at QT where you can enjoy drinks, great ambience, and even greater city skyline views. The hotel also has a range of other restaurants to choose from, and with its central location and hip vibe, it’s one of those gems in Melbourne perfect for getting together for a relaxing getaway with friends and enjoying your favourite company.
Ovolo South Yarra
A visual fiesta, Ovolo South Yarra is playful, fun, colourful, and bold—a wonderful encapsulation of Melbourne’s city beat and Ovolo Hotels’ boutique-style luxury accommodation. Its design cues hail from the days of disco and is complemented by retro glamour. Situated in South Yarra, the trendy cosmopolitan heart of Melbourne, this indulgent boutique hotel takes its guest on a wonderful retro-futuristic spin while being spoiled with modern Australian hospitality.
As if you’ve entered a time capsule, its 1970’s-inspired wallpaper prints, rattan furniture accent pieces, retro plush couches, and shag carpets perfectly capture that era but are enriched with modern features such as seamless technological integrations in-room and Bose Bluetooth speakers. Walls filled with artwork and funky accent colours definitely make this eye-catching city escape a gram-worthy spot with the much-desired added perks of comfy rooms close to the best that the city has to offer. Choose from its 123 rooms—some with cosier and more intimate spaces and suites that go all out on spots for relaxation. Ovolo South Yarra is another pet-friendly hotel in Melbourne where you and your best fur-iend can enjoy pawsome experiences together.
Experience Melbourne in a fun and luxurious way! At any of these stays, you’ll have access to the top local attractions, a plethora of foodie and shopping spots, and the best that the city has to offer while having everything you need for an unforgettable time.
Mat Lewis is Co-Founder & CEO of View Retreats. View Retreats is a luxury travel agency offering a handpicked collection of the world’s best hotels, resorts and villas.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Mat Lewis
Mat Lewis is a co-founder of View Retreats and has been in the travel and hospitality industry for over two decades. He established View Retreats in 2013 in Australia as a specialist platform for luxury hotels, resorts and one-of-a-kind havens of relaxation where unforgettable travel memories are made. The online travel company now features over 5,000 properties in more than 120 countries worldwide. Mat is a self-confessed travel junkie who has lived in Asia, the UK and Europe, and currently resides in the beautiful Barossa Valley wine region in South Australia. He loves fine wines and local culinary creations that tell the story of the land. His epicurean tastes don’t get in the way of enjoying life’s simpler pleasures though, and he enjoys gardening, bush-walking, and exciting street food flavours too!
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A post that lives up to its headline. These places really do look cool! I’d love to stay in one of them for a week.
Thanks Nick. Melbourne is a very cool place to visit and these hotels definitely fit right in.
I was lucky enough to live and work in Melbourne for 19 months. Going back and staying in one of these fabulous properties would be a dream.
Hi Sarah, lucky you. Such a great city, isn’t it. One of my favourites in Australia. Hopefully you’ll come and visit again soon.
I’ve been to Sydney twice. Friends tell me that I should have gone to Melbourne instead.
I reckon that this might be your sign to come and experience Melbourne, Judy ;) I think Sydney is gorgeous but there is just something about the vibe of Melbourne that just can’t be beaten.
Useful timing for us. We’re thinking of a visit to Melbourne perhaps this autumn.
That’s exciting, Cheryl. I’m sure you’ll love Melbourne. Happy to assist with any questions you may have too.
QT Melbourne looks very colorful. I would like to visit this place.
Hi John, QT is very colorful. The rooftop is my favourite!
Melbourne usually rates fairly highly on those great cities to live in global tables that get published every year.
If there’s good transport, good health, good entertainment and social justice etc etc the chances are that the locals will be welcoming and help you to have a great time. Even more reason to visit Melbourne.
Hi Tim, yes, Melbourne has won that title many times, and for good reason. Such a beautiful city with everything you need and more.