The best boutique and luxury hotels in Melbourne, Australia for an art & design-filled good time

We’ve already shared our fave places to stay in Sydney and Perth, but what if you’re looking for a unique spot in Australia’s capital of culture (and coffee!) The very best boutique and luxury hotels in Melbourne put great service at the forefront and offer guests the opportunity to exist within exceptional design stories.

You might also be interested in the Chuan Spa Treatment and Afternoon Tea experience at The Langham Melbourne.

These are the best boutique and luxury hotels in Melbourne

1. Ovolo South Yarra | South Yarra

Hotel: Ovolo South Yarra
Address: 234 Toorak Road, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Number of rooms: 123
Brand: Ovolo Hotels
Year opened: 2021
Style: Retro-inspired boutique luxury with bold art, playful interiors and music-led design
Family amenities: Family-friendly rooms, complimentary breakfast, spacious suites
Wellness facilities: 24-hour virtual gym access
Best for: Design lovers seeking a colourful, energetic stay in one of Melbourne’s coolest neighbourhoods
Prices starting from: AUD $300 per night, depending on room and season

Ovolo South Yarra is one of Melbourne’s most gorgeous design-led hotels, decked out in fun decor inspired by retro art and fashion. Designer Luchetti Krelle has added funky art installations, pops of colourful furniture, and quirky accessories throughout, making it feel like the home you wish you had.

The 123 rooms span from the Go Go Snug, through Boogie City, and onto Rock Star Suites. The latter are dedicated to famous stars such as Sonny & Cher and include king-sized beds, a mini cocktail bar, a 55” TV, and a complimentary snack bag, plus custom artwork. On top of this, you’ll get 24-hour virtual gym access, all-day sweets and complimentary breakfast.

This fairly compact hotel may not pack in a pool or spa, but there’s plenty to experience, including the Latin-inspired, vegetarian Lona Misa restaurant on the ground floor. In the hotel’s basement, quirky bar Backroom has speakeasy vibes, pool tables, and video games, along with a long list of cocktails.

Read our full review of Ovolo South Yarra.

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2. QT Melbourne | CBD

Hotel: QT Melbourne
Address: 133 Russell Street, Melbourne CBD, Victoria, Australia
Number of rooms: 188
Brand: QT Hotels & Resorts
Year opened: 2016
Style: Industrial-chic boutique hotel with playful luxury touches and rooftop glamour
Family amenities: Interconnecting rooms, spacious suites, central city location
Wellness facilities: Fitness centre
Best for: Foodies and nightlife lovers wanting rooftop cocktails in the heart of the CBD
Prices starting from: AUD $340 per night, depending on room and season

In a prime location off Bourke Street in Melbourne’s CBD, QT is just steps from the city’s best restaurants, shops, and cafes. Combining chic industrial design with cosy timber, individually commissioned artworks and unusual yet playful furnishings, the hotel nails the Melbourne aesthetic.

QT is made up of some 188 rooms where the unique designs do not slow down, each one containing slate bathrooms with free-standing tubs, leather sofas and pendant lighting. The rooms are rounded out with luxury Kevin Murphy toiletries, Bose sound systems, and a Nespresso machine.

Melburnians are proud of their divine food scene, which QT manages to pack into its four walls. Stop by Pascal Bar & Grill for high-end international cuisine that uses Australian ingredients, and there’s no place but Rooftop at QT for twinkling city views and evening drinks. The quirkiest activity at QT, however, is at their shop, Tanto, which offers handcrafted Japanese knives made by ancient sword makers.

Read our full review of QT Melbourne.

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3. Lanson Place Parliament Gardens | CBD

Hotel: Lanson Place Parliament Gardens
Address: 502 Albert Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Number of rooms: 137
Brand: Lanson Place
Year opened: 2024
Style: Contemporary serviced apartments and hotel rooms inside a restored heritage building
Family amenities: Apartments with kitchen facilities, indoor pool, family-friendly layouts
Wellness facilities: Indoor lap pool, fitness centre, sauna
Best for: Longer city stays with a residential feel and easy access to Melbourne’s cultural attractions
Prices starting from: AUD $320 per night, depending on room and season

Situated on the north-east fringe of the CBD, Lanson Place Parliament Gardens is an ideal choice for those looking for a great serviced apartment or hotel room. Housed in a former print works building that has been lovingly restored, art-loving guests will love the hundreds of works on display here in a showcase of some of the country’s emerging and established artists.

Choose from a selection of rooms or apartments, each decked out in modern style with pops of gentle colour. During our stay, we loved kicking off the morning with a swim in the lap pool before heading to Albert Lounge for a small but perfectly formed buffet breakfast.

Read our full review of Lanson Place Parliament Gardens.

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4. Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street | Central

Hotel: Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street
Address: 18 Little Queen Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Number of rooms: 244
Brand: Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Year opened: 2021
Style: Heritage-meets-contemporary luxury inside a restored Art Deco landmark
Family amenities: Interconnecting rooms, family-friendly suites, baby cots on request
Wellness facilities: Fitness centre
Best for: Stylish city breaks and business stays in the heart of Melbourne CBD
Prices starting from: AUD $300 per night, depending on room and season

Set inside the beautifully restored Equity Chambers building in Melbourne’s CBD, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street effortlessly blends heritage grandeur with contemporary city luxury. Behind its striking 1930s façade, guests are welcomed into elegant interiors where marble, brass and soaring ceilings create a refined yet approachable atmosphere.

The hotel’s standout spaces are undoubtedly Luci, the atmospheric Italian restaurant housed inside the former banking hall, and the stylish Douglas Club bar, both of which give the property a distinctly sophisticated Melbourne feel. Its central location also makes it an ideal base for exploring the city’s laneways, galleries and shopping precincts.

Rooms are calm and contemporary, with plush beds, thoughtful technology and large windows overlooking the city streets below. While the design inside the guest rooms leans more understated than the dramatic public spaces, the warm service and polished experience leave a lasting impression. Guests consistently praise the hotel’s welcoming staff, excellent breakfast offering and easy access to Melbourne’s major attractions, from Bourke Street Mall to Queen Victoria Market. For travellers seeking a stylish, reliable city stay with a touch of old-world glamour, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street strikes a confident balance between business-ready comfort and boutique character.

Read our full review of Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street.

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5. United Places Hotel Botanic Gardens | South Yarra

Hotel: United Places Hotel Botanic Gardens
Address: 157 Domain Road, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia
Number of rooms: 12 suites
Brand: Independent
Year opened: 2019
Style: Minimalist luxury with brutalist-inspired architecture and serene interiors
Family amenities: Spacious suites and concierge service
Wellness facilities: In-room fitness equipment, guided wellness walks, bike hire
Best for: Couples seeking a quiet, design-forward retreat beside the Royal Botanic Gardens
Prices starting from: AUD $500 per night, depending on room and season

Sleek, simple, and modern are the only words you need to describe United Places, which is located in a quieter area of Melbourne by the Botanical Gardens. The stylish building by architecture firm CARR has a pared-back, brutalist design, combining glass, leather, wood, and concrete, which extends to the furnishings inside the 12 suites.

Coming with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies overlooking the leafy street below, each one has a concierge service, minibar, La Labo toiletries, and a king-sized bed, plus mod-cons like complimentary movie streaming on the 55” TV.

Since space is at a premium, the hotel takes wellness outside to the Botanic Gardens, where they host regular walks in the sunshine. You can also rent bikes at reception, or break out the in-room gym equipment for a virtual workout.

Their downstairs eatery, Matilda 159, is led by renowned Chef Scott Pickett and serves seasonal Australian dishes for brunch, lunch, and dinner.

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6. Hotel No | CBD

Hotel: Hotel No
Address: Melbourne CBD, Victoria, Australia
Number of rooms: 6 Airstream suites
Brand: Independent
Year opened: 2023
Style: Ultra-quirky experiential stay inside restored 1970s Airstream trailers
Family amenities: Best suited to adults and couples
Wellness facilities: Select suites with outdoor hot tubs
Best for: Travellers wanting a one-of-a-kind glamping-style stay in the city
Prices starting from: AUD $250 per night, depending on season and room

Prepare for a stay unlike any other in Melbourne, if not Australia, in one of Hotel No’s six sleek 1970s Airstream trailers. Inside each one, a soft, comfy bed comes with a well-stocked minibar, an iPad Pro with Netflix included, and an in-room photo printer (because you won’t want to forget this stay!)

You’ll have a virtual concierge, premium ECOSA bedding, and an ensuite bathroom with a pink shower, while the single ‘Airstream with Benefits’ also has a deck area and open-air hot tub. There’s no dining option, but you can pre-book a cheese platter and alcoholic drinks before you check in, and Melbourne’s food-centric CBD is just outside.

Learn more about Hotel No or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia Book through Agoda

7. Zagame’s House | Carlton

Hotel: Zagame’s House
Address: 66 Lygon Street, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
Number of rooms: 97
Brand: Independent
Year opened: 2019
Style: Sophisticated urban luxury with moody interiors and boutique styling
Family amenities: Spacious suites, family room configurations
Wellness facilities: Fitness centre
Best for: Stylish city breaks close to Melbourne’s theatre district and Carlton dining scene
Prices starting from: AUD $290 per night, depending on room and season

Opulence is key at Zagame’s House, where the design created by Melbourne-based Lukas Partners features soft grey fabrics, dark wood, and brushed copper furnishings. Choose between a House Pad, Corner Suite, or Neon Suite, where soft lighting and fluffy black robes offer a twist on the usual classic white hotel rooms.

We didn’t know we needed two libraries until we found out about Zagame’s Corner Suites, which feature two, one for wine and one for books, plus Chromecasts and a minibar for all-night enjoyment.

In true Melbourne style, the onsite restaurant, 1851, is also a coffee shop that dishes up Australian-sourced produce. Don’t forget the Lord Lygon wine shop and bar, where you can enjoy dinner with one of Australia’s famous vintages or take some home as a souvenir.

Learn more about Zagame’s House or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia Book through Agoda

8. The Cullen Melbourne | Prahran

Hotel: The Cullen Melbourne
Address: 164 Commercial Road, Prahran, Victoria, Australia
Number of rooms: 119
Brand: Art Series Hotels
Year opened: 2009
Style: Art-led boutique hotel inspired by the works of Australian artist Adam Cullen
Family amenities: Kitchenettes, apartment-style suites, family-friendly layouts
Wellness facilities: Fitness centre
Best for: Art enthusiasts and travellers wanting to stay in fashionable Prahran
Prices starting from: AUD $260 per night, depending on room and season

Opposite Prahran Market and bursting with beautiful art, in tribute to late Australian artist Adam Cullen, after whom it was named, The Cullen is the place to stay in Melbourne’s most stylish neighbourhood.

The building is geometric, with cube-shaped rooms and shared spaces, designed with mirrored walls, glass furniture and a neon colour scheme. The apartment-style rooms come with kitchenettes, iPod docks, and Adam Cullen artwork, which is also displayed throughout the hotel and can be viewed on a guided tour.

The hotel has a cosy gym for working off all the best food in the city, or that which you’ve cooked yourself in your suite, although the hotel actually has its own restaurant onsite. For a light snack, the Chinese Hutong Dumpling Bar will sate all your East Asian cravings, while the bar mixes up refreshing evening cocktails.

Find out more about The Cullen Melbourne or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia Book through Agoda

9. Treasury on Collins | CBD

Hotel: Treasury on Collins
Address: 394 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD, Victoria, Australia
Number of rooms: 95
Brand: Independent
Year opened: 2010
Style: Heritage luxury inside a restored 19th-century landmark building
Family amenities: Kitchenettes, spacious suites, family rooms
Wellness facilities: In-room wellness amenities available on request
Best for: History lovers wanting classic elegance in the centre of the city
Prices starting from: AUD $270 per night, depending on room and season

Melbourne isn’t all modern hotels with 21st Century design, which is why we love Treasury on Collins, which sits inside one of the city’s beautiful 19th Century corner buildings. They’ve stayed on key with the design here, matching the historic neoclassical exteriors and vaulted foyer with lavish interiors that combine gilded columns with thick patterned wallpapers and velvet furniture.

The heritage rooms are simpler, with light wooden furniture and bright white bathrooms in all. Amenities include small kitchenettes, Nespresso machines, complimentary Netflix, and Molton Brown toiletries, while some suites also have balconies.

For a meal worthy of such a building, head to the onsite restaurant The Bank, which serves an array of international dishes such as seafood linguine, sauteed barramundi and Melbourne favourite, The Bank Parma.

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10. Quest Collingwood | Collingwood

Hotel: Quest Collingwood
Address: 79–85 Wellington Street, Collingwood, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Number of rooms: 80+ apartments (approx.)
Brand: Quest Apartment Hotels
Year opened: 2024
Style: Contemporary serviced apartments with minimalist, residential-inspired design
Family amenities: Fully equipped apartments, kitchen facilities, laundry in-room, cot options available
Wellness facilities: Small fitness centre
Best for: Long stays, business travellers, and guests wanting a local Collingwood experience close to the CBD
Prices starting from: AUD $220 per night, depending on room and season

Set in the heart of Melbourne’s creative inner north, Quest Collingwood offers a contemporary serviced-apartment stay that blends hotel comfort with the freedom of apartment living. Housed on Wellington Street, the property places guests within easy reach of Collingwood’s buzzing café culture, boutique shops and laneway dining, while still being a short tram ride from the CBD. The design is modern and understated, with a focus on space, functionality and residential-style comfort rather than traditional hotel formality.

Inside, the apartments are consistently praised for their generous layouts, immaculate condition and fully equipped kitchens and laundry facilities, making the hotel especially well suited to longer stays or family trips. Guests frequently highlight the quiet atmosphere, high-quality service and thoughtful touches that make arrivals feel seamless, from early check-in flexibility to attentive staff support. With its strong sense of independence, excellent location and polished design, Quest Collingwood delivers a relaxed, lived-in version of Melbourne that appeals equally to business travellers and leisure guests seeking a more local experience.

Read our full review of Quest Collingwood.

Learn more about Quest Collingwood or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia Book through Agoda

11. The Lyall Hotel | South Yarra

Hotel: The Lyall Hotel
Address: 16 Murphy Street, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia
Number of rooms: 51
Brand: Independent
Year opened: 2002
Style: Elegant European-inspired boutique hotel with residential charm
Family amenities: Spacious suites, balconies, family-friendly accommodation
Wellness facilities: Access to nearby wellness and spa facilities
Best for: Sophisticated stays in leafy South Yarra with a quieter atmosphere
Prices starting from: AUD $350 per night, depending on room and season

Newbies on Melbourne’s hotel scene face fierce competition, but The Lyall Hotel, which has stood since 2002 and recently underwent renovation, is arguably just taking back its spot among the other icons on our list.

The hotel was designed with Europe in mind, featuring 51 rooms and suites, some of which have Parisian balconies. Signature Suites will also have garden views and dressing rooms, while the Grand Suites have fireplaces and an outdoor terrace, many of which overlook the Japanese Maple Garden.

Learn more about The Lyall Hotel or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia Book through Agoda

12. Dairy Flat Lodge & Farm | Daylesford

Hotel: Dairy Flat Lodge & Farm
Address: 185 Dairy Flat Road, Musk, Daylesford, Victoria, Australia
Number of rooms: 6 suites
Brand: Independent
Year opened: 2023
Style: Luxury country retreat with contemporary farmhouse interiors
Family amenities: Expansive grounds, communal dining experiences
Wellness facilities: Outdoor wellness experiences, nature walks, farm setting
Best for: Countryside escapes focused on food, design and slow living
Prices starting from: AUD $1,400 per night, including meals, depending on room and season

If you’re looking to go a little further into the countryside, then just two hours away from Melbourne is Dairy Flat Lodge & Farm. Set across 40 acres of land and including olive groves, a vineyard, and a farm garden, a stay here is a real slice of paradise.

The lodge promises an elevated country-chic aesthetic with an abundance of art pieces from local artists. Dinner is a communal affair with the majority of the produce served grown on the property. This is a getaway well worth the travel.

Read our full review of Dairy Flat Lodge & Farm.

Discover more about Dairy Flat Lodge & Farm

13. Lake House Daylesford | Daylesford

Hotel: Lake House Daylesford
Address: 4 King Street, Daylesford, Victoria, Australia
Number of rooms: 33
Brand: Independent
Year opened: 1984
Style: Refined country luxury overlooking Lake Daylesford
Family amenities: Family suites, gardens, outdoor pool
Wellness facilities: Spa, heated pool, massage treatments
Best for: Gourmet getaways and romantic weekends in regional Victoria
Prices starting from: AUD $650 per night, depending on room and season

A passion project brought to life by the same family behind Dairy Flat Lodge & Farm, Lake House Daylesford sits just a two-hour drive from Melbourne. The restaurant is one of the highlights here, drawing diners with discerning palates from near and far.

Guests can choose from 33 different studios, each decked out in what we would term modern country vibes. There’s a heated pool available for relaxing, and be sure to book in for a signature massage too.

Read our full review of Lake House Daylesford.

Find out more about Lake House Daylesford

14. The Royce | St. Kilda

Hotel: The Royce
Address: 379 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Number of rooms: 94
Brand: Independent
Year opened: Originally 1928, reimagined and reopened in 2023
Style: Art Deco-inspired boutique luxury with glamorous heritage interiors and contemporary touches
Family amenities: Interconnecting rooms, spacious suites, baby cots available on request
Wellness facilities: 24-hour fitness centre
Best for: Romantic city stays and elegant Melbourne weekends with old-world glamour
Prices starting from: AUD $400 per night, depending on room and season

There’s arguably no better place for The Royce, a former showroom for iconic Rolls-Royce cars, to live than the sunny upmarket neighbourhood of St. Kilda. Inside, it’s stuck to its roots with lavish gold, dripping chandeliers and wrought iron staircases paired with plush cherry red furniture.

There are 100 rooms and suites in various sizes, but the one that caught our eye is the Terrace, unsurprisingly with a private balcony overlooking the Melbourne skyline. Inside the rooms, the velvet chaise longues, soft carpets and marble bathrooms will have you kicking back in style, as will the fully stocked minibar, Dyson hairdryer, and automatic blinds.

Drinking and dining are divided between The Showroom Bar, which serves a full menu of international dishes and artfully prepared cocktails, and The Terrace, where you can enjoy a classic Melbourne pastime – brunch, except here it’s served with champagne.

Find out more about The Royce or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia Book through Agoda

15. Adelphi Hotel | Flinders Lane

Hotel: Adelphi Hotel
Address: 187 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD, Victoria, Australia
Number of rooms: 34
Brand: Independent
Year opened: 1993 (renovated 2013)
Style: Quirky, dessert-inspired boutique design with bold colours and artistic interiors
Family amenities: Spacious loft-style rooms, central location
Wellness facilities: Rooftop pool
Best for: Creative travellers wanting an offbeat stay in the middle of Melbourne’s dining scene
Prices starting from: AUD $280 per night, depending on room and season

When it comes to the best boutique hotels in Melbourne, The Adelphi takes the prize for having the most spirited design. Helmed by Fady Hachem and inspired by Melbourne’s art, culture, and food scene, the focus here is on sweet treats. You’ll feel like Charlie with his golden ticket when you step foot inside: there’s artwork everywhere you look, from the giant mesh horse and carriage in the lobby to the chairs shaped like liquorice allsorts and the carpets emblazoned with cake.

A rarity in compact Melbourne, The Adelphi has its own rooftop pool, featuring lush plants and pink loungers that sit just above busy Flinders Lane.

The rooms are colourful and quirky, with zigzag flooring, bright pink loveseats, and huge mirrored bathrooms, not to mention the complimentary minibar, unlimited new movie releases and HUNTER Lab toiletries. Because you can’t visit without trying the food, Om Nom serves an array of sharing plates and, in keeping with the theme, a quite spectacular range of desserts and afternoon tea.

Learn more about The Adelphi or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia

NOW CLOSED – Ink Hotel Melbourne Southbank | Southbank

Hotel: Ink Hotel Melbourne Southbank
Address: 167 City Road, Southbank, Victoria, Australia
Number of rooms: 162
Brand: TFE Hotels
Year opened: 2021
Style: Fun, youthful lifestyle hotel with colourful social spaces
Family amenities: Family rooms, communal lounges, central location
Wellness facilities: Fitness facilities nearby
Best for: Younger travellers wanting an affordable boutique stay close to Southbank attractions
Prices starting from: AUD $180 per night, depending on room and season

Right in the centre of Melbourne’s CBD, Ink refers to itself as a ‘hangout’, so you already know it’s going to be a fun stay. There are four room types: Pocket, Buddy, Comfy, and Extra, each with homely decor, big beds, and flatscreen TVs. They also have Metis toiletries and a minifridge, and we love that they don’t use single-use bottles for anything.

They know how to keep people fed and watered here, where the restaurant serves four meals a day (brunch counts too!), along with wine, beer, and cocktails with their own Happy Hour menu. Ink attracts a young crowd, and there are a few different, cosy co-working spaces within the hotel that are perfect for enjoying a coffee, a sundowner, or making new friends.

Find out more about Ink Hotel Melbourne Southbank or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia

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