If you’re flying to Melbourne for work or play, there are plenty of places for the optimal CBD or inner-city stay, catering for all – from families and friend groups to couples and corporate travellers.
When it comes to proximity to popular attractions and activities, Melbourne has several suburbs with convenient locations to explore with ease. These include the Melbourne CBD and neighbouring areas of Southbank and Docklands, as well as trendy inner-city suburbs such as St Kilda and South Yarra and emerging visitor hotspots such as Fitzroy, Brunswick and Richmond.
Each area contains a range of accommodation options, catering for budget-conscious travellers and families through to elevated luxe and boutique stays.
With distinctive styles and diverse experiences on offer, discover which Melbourne area and accommodation best reflects your travel style, entourage size and preferred interests to find the ideal base for your city stay.
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Table of contents
Melbourne’s inner-city areas are packed with personality and offer a different immersive experience for holidaymakers and business travellers alike. Discover the perfect place to stay in Melbourne based on your ideal itinerary and travel preferences. Then, find out more with our deep dive into the top accommodation options in popular local areas.
- Melbourne CBD: Central location with many major Melbourne attractions such as Federation Square, retail therapy, a smorgasbord of dining options and plenty of cultural diversions within easy walking distance.
- St Kilda: An iconic beachside ‘burb with alfresco fun for all ages, from Luna Park and weekend markets to famous live music venues and a dining, bar and cafe scene that is equal parts chill and lively.
- South Yarra: This upscale precinct has the lot, from stylish shopping on Chapel Street and international flavours to buzzing bars, nightlife and design-led boutique stays.
- Fitzroy: For the arty at heart, Fitzroy is a mecca for vintage shopping, indie vibes, street art, characterful accommodation, traditional pubs and a mean caffeine scene.
- Docklands: More modern than historic Melbourne, upmarket Docklands offers riverside dining, proximity to Marvel Stadium and dynamic urban energy among the harbour high-rises.
- Southbank: With stylish stays on the waterfront, this inner-city area is ideally located for gameday events, theatrical and cultural appreciation at the Arts Centre and casino play.
- Richmond: Inner-city Richmond is the spot for factory outlet shopping, multicultural cuisine, a happening bar scene and iconic live music venues.
- Brunswick: Boasting an alternative vibe, uncover Melbourne’s creative hipster heart through cafe and bar culture, eclectic shopping and boutique boltholes.
Melbourne CBD
Stay in Melbourne’s buzzing central business district to be within walking distance of most major attractions, the top things to do in Melbourne and iconic landmarks. It’s the perfect base for sightseeing, dining, shopping, street art, nightlife and getting around Melbourne on public transport. A must-do is a wander through Melbourne’s famous laneways and arcades – a street art, retail and foodie experience like nowhere else. If you’re travelling solo for work or holidaying with kids, Melbourne CBD makes it easy to get around with free travel within the Free Tram Zone. Travellers are also well-connected by Melbourne Central and Flinders Street train stations.
Where to stay in Melbourne CBD
- Best budget-friendly accommodation: Oaks Melbourne on Collins Suites – Close to Flinders Street Station, the Victorian apartment hotel can accommodate up to five adults per room and houses an in-house restaurant and bar, fitness centre and pool.
- Best accommodation for families: QT Melbourne provides its playful style of hospitality with vibrant décor in rooms that will appeal to young and young at heart, plus bring your furry friends along.
- Best luxury accommodation: W Melbourne brings its signature 5-star sophistication to its chic laneway location with bold, creative interiors. Enjoy multiple onsite food and beverage venues, including the popular Wet poolside area.
- Best boutique accommodation: The Adelphi Hotel, located on Flinders Lane, offers an Inst-worthy stay with a free minibar in 34 curated rooms plus a glass-bottom pool.
St Kilda
The bayside ‘burb of St Kilda alternates between cosmopolitan cool with European cake houses and retro cafes on Acland Street and classic seaside charm with weekend markets and beachy activities along the shore. Well-serviced by trams and buses, St Kilda is a top place to stay that’s close to Melbourne CBD and South Yarra attractions as well as boasting its own cultural, shopping and dining diversions, including a top live music scene and waterfront bars and eateries to soak up the vibe. And when the weather in Melbourne is in top form, you'll be grateful to be staying right by the beach. Don’t miss spying the fairy penguins by the St Kilda Breakwater or a dip in the historic St Kilda Sea Baths.
Where to stay in St Kilda
- Best budget-friendly accommodation: Cosmopolitan Hotel & Apartments has bright, modern rooms and apartments that run the gamut from cosy to expansive. Close to Luna Park and St Kilda Beac
- Best accommodation for families: Saint Kilda Beach Hotel – Formerly Rydges St Kilda, expect fresh, modern spaces, including a family room, close to the beach.
- Best luxury accommodation: The Royce Hotel is a historically elegant yet thoroughly modern escape offering a variety of rooms and suites and in-house dining on St Kilda Road across from galleries, gardens and designer shopping.
- Best boutique accommodation: The Prince Hotel – Ensconce yourself in an Art Deco building packed with personality and right in the thick of it with several onsite dining options, a bandroom and more on sophisticated Acland Street.
South Yarra
With the popular Chapel Street shopping, dining, nightlife and entertainment precinct intersecting the middle of South Yarra, you can have the quintessential Melbourne experience without ever leaving this vibrant suburb – although upmarket Toorak and eclectic Prahran are also right nearby. Trams run right down Chapel Street, along with bus and train options for convenient public transport access. It’s also within close proximity to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Rod Laver Arena and the MCG for a stylish place to stay for major events.
Where to stay in South Yarra
- Best budget-friendly accommodation: Davis Avenue Apartments – Classic 1960s apartment complex updated with fun, bold interiors and high-tech amenities close to Toorak Road and Chapel Street.
- Best accommodation for families: Ovolo South Yarra – Dog-friendly digs accommodating the whole crew with music-themed rooms, a hidden bar off Toorak Road and a Latin-inspired, plant-based restaurant.
- Best luxury accommodation: The Como Melbourne offers a renowned 5-star hospitality experience right in the heart of Chapel Street. Expect chic, minimalist design and a rooftop pool, sundeck, sauna and gym.
- Best boutique accommodation: The Olsen Melbourne – Art Series – Stay in a veritable art gallery at this Art Series hotel adorned with works by John Olsen with stylish, spacious rooms in an ideal location.
Fitzroy
Full of independent cafes, restaurants, markets, boutiques and bars, Fitzroy attracts an eclectic set drawn to its arty bohemian appeal. Eschewing 5-star stays for characterful accommodation, Fitzroy instead offers an immersive experience where you’ll feel like a neighbourhood local. The main drag, Brunswick Street, is traversed by buses with tram stops also nearby for access to Melbourne CBD and northern suburbs. Don’t miss the opportunity to be first in line to sample a flaky pastry from Lune Croissanterie during your stay in Fitzroy.
Where to stay in Fitzroy
- Best budget-friendly accommodation: The Nunnery – Offers dorm-style backpacker accommodation and private guestrooms in a former Daughters of Charity home for a quirky budget stay full of charm and character.
- Best accommodation for families: Melbourne Metropole Central – Self-contained, comfortable and cosy apartment hotel with an outdoor pool. Close to Lygon and Brunswick streets.
- Best upmarket accommodation: District Apartments Fitzroy – Elevate your stay with modern one- and two-bedroom apartments close to all the action with free carparking.
- Best boutique accommodation: The StandardX Melbourne – Get among the Fitzroy vibe at this pet-friendly 125-key hotel with all the in-room mod cons plus a hidden rooftop bar and a ground-floor restaurant and gourmet grab-and-go.
Docklands
Located on the Melbourne CBD border and part of the City Circle tram route, many travellers choose to stay in the modern surrounds of Docklands. It also provides easy access to Marvel Stadium for major sporting and music events, as well as the Southern Cross Station and Melbourne Ferry Terminal for day trips out of the city. With The District Docklands’ top attractions, dining and experiences, Docklands makes an ideal base. Take the bus across the bridge to visit DFO South Wharf and Crown Entertainment Complex.
Where to stay in Docklands
- Best budget-friendly accommodation: Atlantis Hotel Melbourne – Comfortable rooms and convenient to all nearby attractions with an indoor heated pool and well-equipped fitness centre.
- Best accommodation for families: Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer is Melbourne’s first chocolate-themed hotel – say no more. Indulge in the free Chocolate Hour and enjoy the proximity to Marvel Stadium and Southern Cross Station.
- Best luxury accommodation: Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands – Dive into the 15-storey-high, curved (and heated) infinity pool, cellar-style dining and rooftop pool bar, among other 5-star offerings. Close to Marvel Stadium and Victoria Harbour.
- Best boutique accommodation: Alto Hotel on Bourke – Make it a sustainable stay at Australia’s first carbon-neutral apartment hotel with contemporary interiors and eco touches throughout the late 19th-century building.
Curving around the Yarra River, Southbank offers a range of popular attractions, free activities and cultural experiences within walking distance of Melbourne CBD or via bus and tram. Dotted with alfresco bars and dining along with cycling paths and watersports activities, it’s a top place to stay to enjoy the riverside ambience. Stay here to easily access the Crown Entertainment Complex, Arts Centre Melbourne, NGV International, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Melbourne Skydeck, DFO South Wharf and Kings Domain for the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
Where to stay in Southbank
- Best budget-friendly accommodation: Oaks Melbourne Southbank Suites – A contemporary and comfortable stay with a pool, bar and fitness centre that’s close to the CBD, Southbank and Arts Centre Melbourne.
- Best accommodation for families: Mantra Southbank Melbourne has spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments with a kitchen and laundry plus a lap pool. It’s located just back from the bustling precinct.
- Best luxury accommodation: Crown Towers Melbourne – Where luxe meets excitement. Sleek 5-star hotel with world-class onsite features, including the casino, nightclub, restaurants, spa and fitness centre.
- Best boutique accommodation: The Langham Melbourne – This iconic 5-star landmark has a host of elegantly appointed guestrooms and indulgent experiences, such as a massage centre, indoor and outdoor pools and upscale shops.
Richmond
Located east of the city centre, Richmond offers an inner Melbourne stay near the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and Australian Sports Museum for gamedays and those attending other big events. It’s also close to Rod Laver Arena and other venues in the Sports Precinct, making Richmond an ideal and laidback location for sports fans without the hassle of city crowds. If sports are not your thing, Richmond is also well-known for its live music venues and outlet shopping. Explore the area and beyond on the network of trams, buses and trains.
Where to stay in Richmond
- Best budget-friendly accommodation: Lanbruk Richmond Hill – Convenient, self-contained studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments with a rooftop terrace and café.
- Best accommodation for families: Amora Hotel Riverwalk – Just 4km from the CBD with a pool and play area plus split-level apartments and a spacious three-bedroom penthouse for extended families.
- Best upmarket accommodation: The Motley Hotel provides upscale arty-style rooms in a characterful historic building with eclectic charm and personality.
- Best boutique accommodation: MAC Richmond by Melbourne Apartment Collection – Modern serviced studios with a kitchenette and locally made amenities close to cafes.
Brunswick
Brunswick, in Melbourne’s inner north, is Fitzroy’s laidback grungier sibling with its finger on the pulse of creative culture and arty expression. This is the suburb to stay in for bar-hopping and cafe lingering with plenty of options on Lygon Street and Sydney Road for a cool bevvy or caffeine hit. Brunswick also showcases its multicultural influences with world cuisines, including the popular A1 Middle Eastern bakery, and independent appeal through specialty shops and art galleries.
Where to stay in Brunswick
- Best budget-friendly accommodation: Brunswick Tower Hotel has 38 well-appointed rooms with gardens and a golf course, plus a shopping arcade for everything you need.
- Best accommodation for families: Artel Apartments Brunswick offers modern, one- and two-bedroom self-contained apartments with city-view balconies. Close to a supermarket and train station.
- Best upmarket accommodation: The 4-star East Brunswick Hotel features modern guestrooms with in-house entertainment above a lively live music bar and restaurant.
- Best boutique accommodation: Rambla at Solarino House’s one- and two-bedroom apartments attracts cool customers for a stylish stay with onsite dining, co-working and communal spaces.
What is the best part of Melbourne to stay in?
Deciding where to stay in Melbourne can be a difficult choice with different areas catering for varied interests and travellers. Melbourne CBD offers a central location with most of the city’s top attractions and activities on your doorstep and the widest range of accommodation options for all budgets. You may pay a premium for staying in Melbourne CBD but it’s well worth it for the convenience.
The expansive CBD grid covers quite a large area so you can still select a hotel or apartment in a section of the city that suits your itinerary.
Melbourne CBD is also highly connected by all public transport, taxi and rideshare options, making it easy to get around Melbourne and travel to popular inner-city areas, such as South Yarra, St Kilda, Fitzroy and Richmond, as well as further afield.
Southbank and Docklands are also great options if you’d prefer to stay on the fringe of the CBD but still enjoy seamless access to other areas via public transport.
What is the trendiest area to stay in Melbourne?
With the Chapel Street shopping, dining, entertainment and nightlife precinct right in the heart of South Yarra, this stylish inner-city suburb offers all the lifestyle attributes for a quintessential and trendy Melbourne stay.
As the place to see and be seen, you can experience art, culture, live music, high-end and vintage retail therapy and a buzzing bar and dining scene all in one destination with several boutique hotels in the vicinity for an immersive experience.
What is the best area to stay in Melbourne for first-timers?
If it’s your first time travelling to Melbourne, the CBD is the ideal place to base yourself for proximity to a wealth of tourist attractions, historic landmarks, retail therapy and distinctive laneways and arcades to tick off your itinerary.
It’s also a top spot for eating and drinking with numerous café, bar and restaurant offerings, including Greek and Chinese dining precincts and late-night options, plus supermarkets and convenience stores on hand.
The Melbourne CBD is immensely walkable, so staying right in the city provides the opportunity to explore freely on foot as well as take advantage of the Free Tram Zone within the defined city circle boundary.
What areas in Melbourne are best for families?
Southbank is a top location to stay in Melbourne when travelling with family. There are many family-friendly attractions and activities in the area, including Southgate, Arts Centre Melbourne, NGV International, Melbourne Skydeck and theatres. Southbank also offers plenty of green space, parks and playgrounds with Kings Domain and Royal Botanic Gardens nearby, as well as riverside pathways and proximity to Melbourne CBD. There are also options for adults to enjoy as well, such as the Crown Casino Complex, as well as pool, spa and fitness centre facilities within your well-appointed hotel.
Melbourne CBD and St Kilda are other recommended family-friendly areas to stay with welcoming accommodations for both kids and furry children and feature several attractions and activities that will appeal to tots through to teens.
What is the best area to stay in Melbourne for couples?
Couples looking to reconnect will enjoy an inner-city escape to the seaside at St Kilda. Close to Melbourne CBD yet with a laidback, sophisticated appeal of its own, St Kilda offers a variety of boutique accommodation options to retreat to after a day spent exploring the bayside suburb’s many diversions. There are opportunities to soak up the romantic ambience at waterfront bars and fine diners, as well as cosmopolitan cafes and boutique shopping on Acland Street. With Luna Park’s fun fair vibes and a popular live music scene, St Kilda provides a memorable backdrop for a couples’ break.
Flights to Melbourne
Now that you're more familiar with Melbourne's neighbourhoods and the best areas to stay, it's time to book your flights. Virgin Australia offers direct services to Melbourne from major Australian cities, including:
