A go-to list of Melbourne's best accommodation

From chic boutique hotels in the ‘burbs to quirky stays in the city and dreamy cottage conversions, here are some of Melbourne’s best accommodations.

Melbourne’s accommodation scene is as satisfyingly multifaceted as the city itself. Whether you’re after something totally unconventional in the belly of the CBD, a kid-friendly joint on the cusp of the city limits, your own private penthouse on one of the inner suburbs’ most prized streets, or an airport hotel with cutting-edge facilities, Victoria’s capital delivers.

If sifting through the glut of great options gives you a headache, then consider this shortlist your shortcut.

At a glance

Best hotel: Hyde Melbourne Place
Best caravan park: BIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park
Best holiday home: Penthouse on Gertrude with private rooftop terrace
Best airport hotel: Novotel Melbourne Airport

Hotels

1. Hyde Melbourne Place

rooftop restaurant and bar MidAir at Hyde Melbourne Place — Unrivalled city views from the rooftop restaurant and bar, MidAir at Hyde Melbourne Place. (Image: Kate Shanasy)

The newest darling of Melbourne’s hotel scene, this design-focused five-star address is the opposite of cookie-cutter. Expect rooms injected with plenty of character and warmth, with little expense spared, and natural materials taking centre stage: frette linens, marble bathrooms, leather headboards, custom-made jarrah wood furniture, brass fixtures, plus artwork from emerging Aussie artists.

The rooftop restaurant and bar MidAir is quite the sight, with two oculi, rendered from the red brick facades, framing the resplendent city views. While down on ground level at restaurant Marmelo , it’s the woodfired Portuguese dishes that do all the talking.

2. Zagame’s House

bathroom with a sink and a mirror at Zagame’s House, Melbourne accommodation — Each suite is exquisitely appointed with luxe bathrooms. (Image: Zagame’s House)

This boutique bolthole promises chic, modern rooms in Melbourne’s Little Italy, with plenty of personality layered throughout every space. It’s just a stone’s throw from all the action of the CBD, yet still firmly ensconced within the laidback village vibes of Carlton.

There are five different room types to choose from, with rooms sleeping a maximum of three; some are also pup-friendly. Guests can access a fitness centre, an on-site restaurant and bar, and make use of room service.

3. Hotel No

view from the top of the chrome airstream trailers at Hotel No, Melbourne accommodation — The adults-only hotel features six chrome Airstream trailers. (Image: Scott Hunter)

If only off-kilter accommodation appeals, then this is the perfect spot for you. Hotel No (formerly ‘Notel’) is slap bang in the centre of the city, and hidden in plain sight atop an otherwise unremarkable car park. There are just six ‘rooms’ at this Melbourne address, each contained within a polished 70s chrome Airstream trailer, framed by a red carpet and a brick wall that’s been spray-painted pink for a backdrop.

As you might expect, the interiors are a little limited size-wise, though they’re pretty aesthetically pleasing. Inside, you’ll find a queen-sized bed with organic bamboo sheets, an ensuite with a powerful full-height shower, a minibar stocked with complimentary local bevvies, and an iPad preloaded with Netflix.

4. The Interlude

the rustic bedroom interior of The Interlude, Melbourne accommodation — The Interlude is an exciting recent addition to Melbourne’s accommodation offering. (Image: The Interlude)

One of the most exciting newcomers on the Melbourne hotel scene, The Interlude seamlessly merges heritage and style. Housed within the original bluestone walls and vaulted red brick ceilings of the former Pentridge Prison, this luxury Coburg hotel has just 19 suites, each one composed of multiple interconnecting prison cells. Vibrant pops of colour (teal, plum, mustard yellow) adorn the private and public spaces, which are lined with plush furnishings and ambient recessed lighting.

The amenities here are notable too, from a produce-driven hatted restaurant to a sultry wine bar in a dramatic cavern-like space, not to mention a subterranean lap pool.

5. The StandardX

the public lounge inside The StandardX, Melbourne accommodation — The StandardX offers visitors an elevated stay in the CBD. (Image: Rhiannon Taylor)

Ever lively Fitzroy, long a must-visit neighbourhood, finally features a proper hotel of its own. The StandardX is the Aussie debut for international boutique brand The Standard Hotels, open since mid-2024.

The property’s strikingly stark rusted exterior, designed by Woods Bagot, gives way to much softer interiors: a palette of neutrals with the odd fleck of colour, an eclectic but harmonious mix of custom-made furniture and antique pieces that suits the local neighbourhood’s bohemian vibe through and through.

Camping/Caravan Parks

6. BIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park

the cabin exterior at BIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park, Melbourne accommodation — BIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park offers a range of accommodation options, from pet-friendly villas to spacious caravan sites.

Hidden away in Melbourne’s inner north, this BIG4 holiday park is only nine clicks north of the CBD, but it’s also near some of the city’s most vibrant and happening suburbs: the bars, boutiques and restaurants of Preston, Northcote, Thornbury and Brunswick are all within a 15-minute drive too.

There’s a range of accommodation on-site – from three-bedroom villas that sleep up to eight and one-bedroom spa cottages through to powered and ensuite caravan and camping sites – and a host of amenities too. Think a solar-heated swimming pool, an outdoor spa that’s heated year-round, an indoor gym, an indoor and outdoor kids playground, a games room for the bigger kids, and a movie room.

7. Discovery Parks Melbourne

a cosy cabin at Discovery Parks Melbourne — Discovery Parks Melbourne features cabins to suit all budgets. (Image: Discovery Parks Melbourne)

Located in Melbourne’s inner west, this Braybrook holiday park is a 30-minute drive from the CBD, and a 10-minute drive from Footscray, a diverse, up-and-coming suburb that’s known for its global food scene.

Guests at Discovery Parks Melbourne can make use of an outdoor pool, a games room, and a sizeable outdoor playground. There’s an array of different cabins on offer, from budget through to standard, superior and a bit more of a swish ‘deluxe’ option.

8. BIG4 Dandenong Tourist Park

the BIG4 Dandenong Tourist Park, Melbourne accommodation — BIG4 Dandenong Tourist Park is a great basecamp for nature-loving families.

A clean and quiet park on the edge of the city, the BIG4 Dandenong Tourist Park is a good jumping-off point for the eastern green belt that includes the Dandenong Ranges and the wider Yarra Valley. Though it features all the mod cons you’ll need, this park is better suited to couples and groups rather than families, offering fewer facilities than the other caravan parks mentioned here.

9. BIG4 Frankston Holiday Park

On the southernmost city periphery, BIG4 Frankston Holiday Park is a great shout for those who want to prioritise lazy days on the Mornington Peninsula, but dabble in a bit of city sightseeing too. From here, it’s less than a 15-minute drive to great local beaches (Seaford Beach is one of the best-kept local secrets and boasts a great cafe hidden among the dunes), plus there’s a laundry list of scenic wineries within a 30-minute radius. The CBD, meanwhile, is 70 minutes away by train.

This Melbourne caravan park is also hyper kid-friendly: you’ll find a custom-made 74 metre pump track, a giant jumping pillow, a solar-heated outdoor pool, a games room, a tennis court, a TV room, a basketball court, and pedal karts for hire here.

Holiday homes and Airbnbs

10. Penthouse on Gertrude with private rooftop terrace

the private rooftop terrace at Penthouse on Gertrude, Melbourne accommodation — Soak up killer views from the private rooftop terrace at Penthouse on Gertrude.

With its blend of independent boutiques, stylish eateries, and laid-back charm, Gertrude Street in Fitzroy is easily one of Melbourne’s premier strips. And at this Melbourne Airbnb , you can stay right in the thick of it. The standout feature at this artfully decorated penthouse is arguably the private rooftop terrace, which offers killer views of many Melbourne landmarks. But the huge open-plan living and dining area is also of note. And the recently renovated kitchen, with its navy cabinetry, pendant LED light, and handmade Moroccan tiles, might just tempt you to ditch dinner plans and cook at ‘home’ instead.

11. Beautifully curated 2-bedroom home

a 2-bedroom home with a fireplace and floor-to-ceiling glass windows, Melbourne accommodation — The 100-year-old semi-detached workers’ cottage comes complete with a fireplace.

In the beloved inner-city suburb of South Melbourne lies this dreamy cottage , complete with a white picket fence. Appearances can be deceiving, though. While this 100-year-old semi-detached workers’ cottage features an original fireplace and arched hallway, the building adjoins a thoroughly modern extension, where six-metre-high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass windows allow light to pour in. The interiors look as though they’ve been plucked straight from a magazine, all blousy linens layered with plush throws and scatter cushions in soft earthy shades.

12. Bright 1B West Melbourne apt w free parking #3

panoramic city views from the floor-to-ceiling windows of Bright 1B West Melbourne apt w free parking #3 Airbnb — The floor-to-ceiling windows put a spotlight on the city.

Gorge on panoramic views of the city skyscrapers’ twinkling lights from the curved floor-to-ceiling windows of this slick West Melbourne apartment . A one-bed, one-bath city crash pad, furnished with a white, grey and cream colour palette, it also offers guests complimentary access to an indoor lap pool and a gym as well as an underground car space.

13. Two Bedr Art Deco Flat – East Melb – 5min to MCG

scenic views from the Two Bedr Art Deco Flat with hot air balloons and lush greenery in the background — Base yourself in East Melbourne at this art deco apartment.

A true home from home, this cosy corner apartment is located in one of the city’s most prestigious suburbs. Historic, leafy and tranquil East Melbourne is right on the city fringe, only a ten-minute walk to the CBD and a five-minute stroll to the MCG. This two-bedroom Airbnb is furnished with mid-century modern finds, brimming with greenery, and set within a charming red-brick art deco building.

Guests will also find a well-equipped kitchen, a PS4 and record player, blackout blinds for a restful sleep, and a lovely little balcony that overlooks a local park

14. 7m ceiling 1888 Heritage warehouse loft Middle CBD

inside the 7m ceiling 1888 Heritage warehouse loft Middle CBD, Melbourne accommodation — The Melbourne CBD loft features sleek, contemporary design.

Modern, minimalist, monochrome and a little bit quirky, this Melbourne CBD loft is housed within a converted warehouse that dates back to the 1880s. Situated next to pedestrianised Hardware Lane — awash with cafes, bars and restaurants — this little city bolthole offers a pretty premium location.

The bathroom and kitchen are both sleekly refurbished contemporary spaces, covered in marble and featuring all the mod cons you could need, while the bedroom consists of little more than a queen-sized poster bed that sits on the mezzanine floor.

Airport accommodation

15. Novotel Melbourne Airport

the view of airport runway at Novotel Melbourne Airport — Novotel Melbourne Airport is a short walk from terminals one to four.

It’s a Novotel, but not as you know it… Open since mid-2024, this property is part of a dual-branded hotel development with the ibis Styles Melbourne Airport (a self-proclaimed ‘premium economy’ hotel). The main building is an otherwise unremarkable L-shaped design, but it’s fronted by a dramatic bronze structure designed by esteemed local firm Fender Katsalidis to resemble an aircraft wing. Inside this ‘aerofoil’, you’ll find a hub of amenities, from co-working lounges and bookable meeting rooms to a heated indoor pool, an infrared sauna, a spa, and three restaurants/bars.

The rooms offer a minimalist canvas, with white linens and light walls against an abstract black and grey carpet inspired by the Great Ocean Road, and forest green accents.

It’s a short walk (5-10 minutes) from terminals one to four, though there’s also a complimentary shuttle bus.

16. PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport

the room at PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport with runway views — Pass the time with views of the runway. (Image: PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport)

If you were any closer to the airport you’d be on the tarmac. The PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport is located opposite terminals two and three, which are accessible via a covered skybridge, and some of the rooms offer runway views to boot.

This grand dame of airport hotels received a welcome facelift in 2024, and now features bright and cleanly styled interiors, with a pared-back vibe and a few licks of primary colours that combine to offer a fresh feel for weary travellers. The common areas (a bar, a restaurant, the lobby) are now all rather schmick and inviting too.

Between 7am and 7pm, you can access accommodation by the hour to rest and recharge between flights, with access to all the hotel’s facilities, including a gym and an indoor pool.

17. Quest Melbourne Airport

the apartment interior at Quest Melbourne Airport, Melbourne accommodation — Quest Melbourne Airport is a short but convenient drive away from the airport. (Image: Supplied)

Unlike the other options listed here, it’s a short drive from the airport to these serviced apartments (studios, plus one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with balconies). Expect fully equipped kitchen facilities in every room, and access to laundry facilities, a gym, and a grab-and-go pantry.

18. Lancemore Crossley St.

the two-bedroom suite with terrace at Lancemore Crossley St. Melbourne — Book a two-bedroom suite with a terrace. (Image: Lancemore Crossley St.)

Staying true to the city’s artistic flair, the 113 art-filled rooms in Lancemore Crossley St. are oozing charm and character. Choose from six distinct room types, each meticulously curated with Hunter Lab amenities, signature L.M. beds, and contemporary artworks from emerging artists.

Centrally located between the Paris end of Bourke Street and the East End Theatre District, the stylish new stay is within walking distance to Chinatown and some of the absolute best restaurants in Melbourne. Finish your day with Happy Hour by the firepit on the Rooftop Terrace, while taking in sweeping city views.

Abandoned mills and forgotten paper plants are finding second lives – and helping redefine a city long underestimated.

Just 15 years ago, Federal Mills was a very different place. Once among the most significant industrial sites in Victoria, the historic woollen mill was one of a dozen that operated in Geelong at the industry’s peak in the mid-20th century, helping the city earn its title as ‘wool centre of the world’. But by the 1960s global competition and the rise of synthetic fabrics led to the slow decline of the industry, and Federal Mills finally shuttered its doors in 2001. Within a few years, the abandoned North Geelong grounds had become makeshift pastoral land, with cows and goats grazing among the overgrown grass between the empty red-brick warehouses. It was a forgotten pocket of the city, all but two klicks from the bustle of the CBD.

Geelong cellar door wine bar — Geelong has shed its industrial identity to become an innovative urban hub with reimagined heritage spaces. (Image: Ash Hughes)

Federal Mills: from forgotten factory to creative precinct

Today, the century-old complex stands reborn. The distinctive sawtooth-roof buildings have been sensitively restored. An old silo is splashed with a bright floral mural, landscapers have transformed the grounds, and the precinct is once again alive with activity. More than 1000 people work across 50-plus businesses here. It’s so busy, in fact, that on a sunny Thursday morning in the thick of winter, it’s hard to find a car park. The high ceilings, open-plan design, and large multi-paned windows – revolutionary features for factories of their time – have again become a drawcard.

Paddock Bakery andPatisserie — Paddock Bakery and Patisserie is housed within the historic wool factory. (Image: Gallant Lee)

At Paddock , one of the precinct’s newer tenants, weaving looms and dye vats have been replaced by a wood-fired brick oven and heavy-duty mixers. Open since April 2024, the bakery looks right at home here; the building’s industrial shell is softened by ivy climbing its steel frames, and sunlight streams through the tall windows. Outside, among the white cedar trees, families at picnic benches linger over dippy eggs and bagels, while white-collar workers pass in and out, single-origin coffee and crème brûlée doughnuts in hand.

Geelong: Australia’s only UNESCO City of Design

Paddock Bakery can be found at Federal Mills. (Image: Gallant Lee)

“A lot of people are now seeing the merit of investing in Geelong,” says Paul Traynor, the head of Hamilton Hospitality Group, which redeveloped Federal Mills. A city once shunned as Sleepy Hollow, and spurned for its industrial, working-class roots and ‘rust belt’ image, Geelong has long since reclaimed its ‘Pivot City’ title, having reinvented itself as an affordable, lifestyle-driven satellite city, and a post-COVID migration hotspot.

And the numbers stand testament to the change. In March 2025, and for the first time in its history, Greater Geelong became Australia’s most popular regional town for internal migration, overtaking Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Current forecasts suggest Geelong will continue to outpace many other Australian cities and towns, with jobs growing at double the rate of the population.

Tourism is booming, too. The 2023-24 financial year was Geelong and The Bellarine region’s busiest on record, with 6.4 million visitors making it one of the fastest-growing destinations in the country. It’s not hard to see why: beyond the city’s prime positioning at the doorstep of the Great Ocean Road, Geelong’s tenacity and cultural ambition stands out.

As Australia’s only UNESCO City of Design, Geelong is swiftly shaking off its industrial past to become a model for urban renewal, innovation, sustainability and creative communities. The signs are everywhere, from the revitalisation of the city’s waterfront, and the landmark design of the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre and Geelong Arts Centre, to the growing network of local designers, architects and artists, and the burgeoning roster of festivals and events. That’s not even mentioning the adaptive reuse of storied old industrial buildings – from Federal Mills, to Little Creatures’ brewery ‘village’ housed within a 1920s textile mill – or the city’s flourishing food and wine scene.

The rise of a food and wine destination

Restaurant 1915 is housed within a restored former boiler house. (Image: Harry Pope/Two Palms)

Traynor credits now-closed local restaurant Igni, which opened in 2016, as the turning point for Geelong’s hospo industry. “[Aaron Turner, Igni’s chef-patron] was probably the first guy, with all due respect, to raise the bar food-wise for Geelong,” he says. “People now treat it really seriously, and there’s clearly a market for it.” While Igni is gone, Turner now helms a string of other notable Geelong venues, including The Hot Chicken Project and Tacos y Liquor, all within the buzzy, street art-speckled laneways of the CBD’s Little Malop Street Precinct. Many others have also popped up in Igni’s wake, including Federal Mills’ own restaurant, 1915 . Housed within the cavernous boiler house, 1915’s interior is dramatic: soaring, vaulted ceilings with timber beams, exposed brick, a huge arched window. The share plates echo the space’s bold character, playing with contrast and texture, with dishes such as a compressed watermelon tataki, the sweet, juicy squares tempered by salty strands of fried leeks, and charred, smoky snow peas dusted with saganaki on a nutty bed of romesco.

The Woolstore , one of The Hamilton Group’s most recent hospo projects, opened in February. It occupies a century-old riverside warehouse and exudes a more sultry, fine dining ambience. Much like Federal Mills, the blueprint was to preserve the original brickwork, tallowwood flooring and nods to the building’s former life. That same careful consideration extends to the well-versed, affable waitstaff as well as the kitchen. Head chef Eli Grubb is turning out an eclectic mix of ambitious and indulgent mod Oz dishes that deliver: strikingly tender skewers of chicken tsukune, infused with hints of smoke from the parrilla grill, and glazed with a moreish, sweet gochujang ‘jam’; nduja arancini fragrant with hints of aniseed and the earthy lick of sunny saffron aioli; and golden squares of potato pavé, adorned with tiny turrets of crème fraîche, crisp-fried saltbush leaves, and Avruga caviar, to name but a few stand-out dishes.

Woolstore menu — Woolstore’s menu is designed for sharing.

Breathing new life into historic spaces

On the city’s fringe, hidden down a winding side road with little fanfare, lies a long-dormant site that’s being gently revived. Built from locally quarried bluestone and brick, and dating back to the 1870s, the complex of original tin-roofed mill buildings is lush with greenery and backs onto the Barwon River and Buckley Falls; the audible rush of water provides a soothing soundtrack. Fyansford Paper Mill is one of few complexes of its time to survive intact. It feels steeped in history and spellbindingly rustic.

“We were looking for an old industrial place that had some charm and romance to it,” explains Sam Vogel, the owner, director and winemaker at Provenance Wines which moved here in 2018. When he first viewed the building with his former co-owner, it was in such a state of disrepair that the tradie tenant occupying the space had built a shed within it to escape the leaking roof and freezing winter temperatures. “To say it was run down would be an understatement,” he notes. “There was ivy growing through the place; the windows were all smashed. It was a classic Grand Designs project.”

Provenance Wines moved to Fyansford Paper Mill in 2018. (Image: Cameron Murray Photography)

The team has since invested more than a million dollars into their new home. Where paper processing machinery once sat, wine barrels are now stacked. Vaulted cathedral ceilings are strung with festoon lights, and hidden in plain sight lies a shadowy mural by local street artist de rigueur Rone – one of only three permanent works by the artist.

While the award-winning, cool-climate pinot noir, riesling and chardonnay naturally remain a key draw at Provenance, the winery’s restaurant is a destination in itself. Impressed already by whipsmart service, I devour one of the most cleverly curated and faultlessly executed degustations I’ve had in some time. It’s all prepared in a kitchen that is proudly zero-waste, and committed to providing seasonal, ethical and locally sourced meat and produce under head chef Nate McIver. Think free-range venison served rare with a syrupy red wine jus and a half-moon of neon-orange kosho, shokupan with a deeply savoury duck fat jus (a modern Japanese take on bread and drippings), and a golden potato cake adorned with a colourful confetti of dehydrated nasturtiums and tomato powder, and planted atop a sea urchin emulsion.

handcrafted pieces — Bell’s handcrafted functional pieces on display.

The complex is home to a coterie of independent businesses, including a gallery, a jeweller, and its latest tenant, ceramicist Elizabeth Bell, drawn here by the building’s “soul”. “There’s so much potential for these buildings to have new life breathed into them,” says Bell, whose studio is housed within the old pump room. “Even people in Geelong don’t know we’re here,” she says. “It’s definitely a destination, but I like that. It has a really calming atmosphere.”

A Melbourne transplant, Bell now feels at home in Geelong, which offers something Melbourne didn’t. “If this business was in Melbourne I don’t think it would’ve been as successful,” she notes. “It’s very collaborative in Geelong, and I don’t think you get that as much in Melbourne; you’re a bit more in it for yourself. Here it’s about community over competition.”

18 of the best accommodation in Melbourne