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Here are my recommendations for where to stay in Melbourne, including budget, mid-range and luxury Melbourne hotels and hostels.
When you live in a city, you tend not to stay in a lot of accommodation in said city. However, my parents have become Melbourne hotel testers for me on a couple of occasions and I’ve now added a great hostel to my recommendation list. So I thought it was about time I laid it out for you and listed the 10 best Melbourne accommodation options to suit all budgets.
Where to stay in Melbourne
Melbourne’s best hostels
Space Hotel
I remember Space Hotel doing a blogger campaign a couple of years ago and since then I’ve wanted to check them out for myself. I stayed for two nights in a 4-bed female dorm after I’d moved out of my apartment and before I flew home to Townsville. Space Hotel ticks a lot of my hostel boxes – large lockers (with built-in lights), clean bathrooms and individual shelves/lights/outlets beside each bed. But it goes a step further with a large kitchen, movie room, lounge space and rooftop deck with spa.
The only downside was there was only free WiFi in certain common areas, but I just used my phone data for the two days I was there. I’ve learned that many Australian hostels actually have paid WiFi these days. Nevertheless, Space Hotel is also in a convenient location and I would definitely stay here again when I return to Melbourne for a holiday. Plus, they have reasonably-priced private rooms too.
United Backpackers
I was tossing up between staying at Space Hotel or United Backpackers. Located opposite Flinders Street Station in the CBD, United Backpackers has pretty stellar reviews on Hostelworld. It definitely seems to be the place to stay if you want a more social hostel experience in Melbourne, as there’s a basement bar. The dorm prices are similar to the Space Hotel too.
Its next-door neighbour
Here are my top hostelling tips for fellow solo travellers
Base St Kilda
If you want to stay in budget-friendly Melbourne accommodation by the sea, check out Base St Kilda. Base is a reputable company with hostels across Australia (including on Magnetic Island). It offers free WiFi, free pancakes every morning AND free walking tours. Maybe I need to check it out next time? 🤔
St Kilda sunsets
Mid-range Melbourne hotels
Atlantis Hotel
When my parents were looking at where to stay in Melbourne earlier this year, they decided on the Atlantis Hotel. They actually got a really good deal – $300 for three nights with breakfast. The hotel is quite big with over 200 rooms, and it comes equipped with a pool and gym. What won my parents over is the fact most Booking.com reviews mentioned how comfortable the beds were, which is their top priority. As it turns out, the beds were comfy and the room was clean and a reasonable size. The Atlantis is conveniently located just down the road from Southern Cross Station within the free tram zone – tick, tick, tick!
Ibis Melbourne Central
I’m a pretty big fan of ibis hotels (I’ve raved about them in both my Brisbane and Cairns posts). This is because they’re usually reasonably-priced, clean and comfortable. ibis Melbourne Central is in a very central location in the CBD and is actually one of Booking.com’s top picks for Melbourne hotels (clearly I spend too much time on Booking.com). Anyway, there’s a restaurant and bar onsite, 24-hour room service and a fitness centre. It’s a great choice for mid-range Melbourne accommodation.
Alto Hotel on Bourke
Another great Melbourne city hotel is the Alto Hotel on Bourke. I actually did a bit of research on the Alto for this post, but it’s Australia’s first carbon-neutral hotel. They even have a rooftop beehive and a planter box garden, which is used in the food served at the onsite restaurant. Besides being keen and green, Alto Hotel on Bourke has queen rooms, as well as studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments. It’s the perfect spot for friends travelling together to Melbourne.
Luxury Melbourne hotels (a.k.a my wish list)
Crown Towers
If you’re wondering where to stay in Melbourne to rub shoulders with the rich and famous, it’s Crown Towers. The best hotel in Melbourne, from its higher levels you’ll easily get both city and sea views. But most importantly, you’re just steps away from the Crown Casino Entertainment Complex. Here you’ll find a cinema, bowling alley, nightclubs, fine-dining restaurants, you name it! Its neighbouring properties are the Crown Metropol and Crown Promenade.
The Crown Complex
Adelphi Hotel
When I was writing for Culture Trip, I featured the Adelphi Hotel in an article because it’s a spectacular Melbourne hotel. In fact, it was voted Victoria’s best boutique hotel. Adelphi Hotel has vibrant interior design, a rooftop pool and it’s the world’s premier dessert hotel. The pool is glass-bottomed and extends two metres away from the building, so you can look down on people scurrying along Flinders Lane. The Om Nom Kitchen has a theatrical dessert menu too, “where each dish is a whimsical is a work of art.” Please stay here for me, thanks 😏.
Intercontinental Melbourne
Melbourne’s InterContinental at The Rialto is located in one of my favourite buildings. I mean, just look at it! It’s actually one of the last remaining examples of 19th-century Victorian gothic architecture in Melbourne. If you have the cash to splash, access to the Club Lounge at the InterContinental means free breakfast, afternoon tea, evening drinks and canapes. If you do want to leave for food and drinks, Shannon Bennett’s swanky Vue de Monde and Lui Bar are located next door in the Rialto building.
The Hotel Windsor
Finally, The Hotel Windsor is basically a Melbourne landmark. Located opposite Parliament House on Spring Street, The Hotel Windsor was established in 1883. It has hosted royalty, politicians and celebrities over the years, and is well-known for its traditional afternoon tea. The rooms at The Hotel Windsor reflect the building’s Victorian era-charm as well, with antique furnishings. It’s all very regal.
Now you know where to stay in Melbourne 😉, here are some posts to help you enjoy your time in one of my favourite cities. Check out the best places for skyline photos, top day trips from Melbourne and my favourite places to eat.
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