The Keys to the City: Unlocking Melbourne's 5 Best Hotel Stays

When it comes to choosing a hotel, it can be a chore. Choosing a hotel in Melbourne is no exception. The city is awash with options, most of them perfectly adequate and some utterly forgettable. You're looking for the right place for the right mood, a place that ticks all the boxes for a memorable stay. And if you’re lucky, something unforgettable. These are our best hotels in Melbourne.

This isn't a directory. This is a hit list. These are the five best we have tried. Although they’re not all 5-star hotels, each offers something extra, from knockout views to the perfect location or that Melbourne je ne sais quoi.

1. Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne on Flinders - The Lofts

For the Savvy Weekender

Have you even been to Melbourne if you haven't stayed in a converted warehouse on its most famous laneway?

We stayed in one of the six one-bedroom loft apartments in a former 1869 five-storey steam and gas-powered malt house sitting at the rear off Flinders Lane.

The Lofts at the Adina are the very essence of minimalist luxury, giving you a chic, spacious apartment right in the heart of the action. Soaring ceilings, black-trimmed floor-to-ceiling glass, original 1920s hardwood floors, and a sleek, black, fully-equipped kitchen if you want to dine in. Both the King bedroom and bathroom with laundry are enormous, contemporary and echoing Goldilocks' immortal line, “just right”.

When it comes to location, everything Melbourne is at your fingertips: saunter to the ‘G, feast in Chinatown or check out the NGV. Two of Melbourne's chicest cocktail bars, Eau de Vie and Apollo Inn, are only steps away. Stroll to Brunetti Classico's for coffee and try picking just one cake from the dazzling display.

Although there isn't room service, a stay at Adina Melbourne on Flinders/The Loft Apartments rivals any 5-star Melbourne hotel. Spacious, chic and at the very centre of Melbourne's universe.  

2. Sofitel Melbourne on Collins

For Unapologetic French Elegance

There's a reason the top of Collins Street is known as the "Paris end," and the Sofitel is its grand dame. This is a masterclass in five-star French style, from the sweeping city views to the impeccable service and that first ‘Bonjour’.

The I.M. Pei design, the artwork, and the grandeur make it unlike any other Melbourne hotel. The views on the highest floors also surpass any other CBD property.

Our sumptuous Premier suite on the 46th floor is astounding. A+ Design Group was inspired by I.M. Pei’s regular use of strong triangular geometry. A King-size Sofitel MyBed and lavender Air Aroma linen scent ensure sweet dreams. And the indulgence continues with Balmain soaps, shampoos and lotion in the well-designed and lively marble-tiled bathroom.

Sofitel Melbourne on Collins is alluring and timeless. Nothing screams “look at me” (or is that moi?). Instead, staying at the Sofitel is a subtle opulence; luxury without overt extravagance.

3. AC by Marriott Southbank

For The Design-Minded Minimalist

The rule here is "Everything you need, and nothing you don’t," but that barely scratches the surface. This is a lesson in intentional design. The AC by Marriott Southbank delivers a sharp, European-inspired aesthetic with smart, uncluttered spaces that feel both stylish and calming. It's the ideal urban retreat for those who appreciate that true luxury lies in thoughtful simplicity.

Our 16th-floor room is much more. It is a suite. In fifty shades of grey (including steel, slate and platinum) it is comfort-driven with plenty of luxe accoutrements. The views are heart-stopping.

Away from the panorama, the extra comfy King-size bed and wardrobes bookend the boudoir with a deep tub, double vanity and separate toilet and shower rooms at the other end. Extra points for a Dyson straightener and hairdryer. There are enough sweet-smelling Korres toiletries from soap to body lotion for ten people.

Before dinner, we try the nightly Gin and Tonic cart that manoeuvres Bar Triana between 5.30 and 6.30 pm for a very happy hour with G&T specials.

If you don’t overindulge on the tapas, try Sorolla. Each dish is inspired by San Sebastian, Seville and Barcelona, and is crafted with care.

Each element of the AC by Marriott Southbank has been well-considered. The entire experience from check-in to check-out is purposeful and designed to have you coming back for more.

4. Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne

For a Dose of History, Reimagined

Some buildings have stories, and this one has chapters. The Rendezvous isn't just a hotel; it's a piece of Melbourne's history, beautifully "born again." It masterfully blends grand, historic character with modern comfort, offering a sense of place that new-builds can't replicate. It’s for those who want their stay to have a little soul.

The splendour and scale of the Grand Vestibule are extraordinary, even in a city that still bears the trademark Gold Rush boom opulence. The dome, colonnade, mezzanine, gloriously extravagant onyx columns and the intricate mosaic floor combine to make a majestic piece of design.

Large windows welcome plenty of natural light by day, while at night, frame Melbourne’s downtown sparkle. Photos of familiar city landmarks won’t let you forget you’re in Melbourne. Oversized plush velvet headboards and heavily veined marble and brass touchpoints add elegance.

Ensuites are cosy in the heritage wing, but overall, the rooms offer a very welcome retreat for the weary traveller.

The location opposite Flinders St Station is ideal for anyone who wants to walk or tram inner Melbourne. Walk to Fed Square or the NGV in a few minutes.

The Rendezvous Melbourne has been around long enough to see the southern capital shed its post-WW2 dowdiness and become Australia’s cultural capital. It mixes all that old-world charm with just the right amount of 21st-century pizzazz to make it the perfect city stay.

5. Lancemore Crossley St

For a Hit of Theatrical Drama

If you’re a theatre buff, this is your hotel. On the corner of Little Bourke and Crossley Streets, you’re in the heart of Melbourne’s theatre district. The Comedy Theatre, the Princess Theatre and Her Majesty’s are just moments away.

There are bars and restaurants everywhere you turn.

The Lancemore Crossley St. is all drama, from the moody lighting and rust-red carpets to a grand chandelier that looks like it crashed in from the set of 'Phantom of the Opera'. (It actually was saved from the former George’s luxury department store – once Melbourne’s most gracious fashion emporium.

And, when the weather’s fine, the Rooftop Terrace, with daybeds and views of the City on the Yarra, is a top spot for a cool cocktail and a little reconnaissance of the surrounding streets.

Lancemore Crossley St’s 113 rooms and suites all feature signature L.M. beds with zones for sleeping and working in the Suites, and some feature private balconies.

When it comes to shopping, walk to the historic Block Arcade. Every window feels more like a curated collection than a mere shop window. Haighs Chocolate, Vault by the National Trust and Essensorie are all must-sees and don’t miss the candy-coloured cakes at the historic Hopetoun Tea Rooms or the sparkling jewels and bijoux at the French Jewelbox.

A stay at Lancemore Crossley St promises everything cosmopolitan Melbourne has to offer on your doorstep.

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