Best Design Hotels in Melbourne

Le Méridien Melbourne, located just a few steps from Parliament Square, offers a truly unique experience for travellers. Its iconic art deco façade welcomes visitors to 235 guestrooms adorned with mid-century-inspired architecture. Guests can also enjoy a ground floor café and bar, seasonal Victorian cuisine at the restaurant, and a stunning pool deck overlooking Fitzroy Gardens and the Melbourne skyline. This hotel is renowned for its immersive art and culinary programme and is the perfect spot for creative-minded travellers to meet and socialise.

The Royce, located on Melbourne’s iconic St Kilda Road, pays homage to the golden age and glamour of the original Rolls Royce showroom. Guests can indulge in uncompromising quality and luxury from one of the 96 rooms, most of which offer balconies with views of the city’s skyline. Breakfast is served in The Conservatory, surrounded by lush greenery, and the hotel is a gateway to the National Gallery of Victoria and the Arts Centre.

Named after, and inspired by, the late Adam Cullen, a native artist with a unique style, The Cullen is a Prahran Hotel with a daring approach. The hotel, which opened in 2009, is filled with Cullen’s offbeat contemporary art, which guests can also purchase. Sleep in an Art Series Signature Bed, revel in the rarity of a Melbourne hotel balcony, dine in two super cool eateries (Gramercy Social and HuTong Dumpling Bar), borrow an eco-car and take one of the Lekker loaner bikes for a spin. Its situation is a little off the tourist trail, adding to The Cullen’s bohemian cred.

Attracting A-listers like Bruce Springsteen and David Beckham into its three penthouse suites, this property is set on the buzzy Chapel Street. The hotel has been around for decades, but took on a new personality under Sofitel, blending contemporary and retro elements in a fashion-forward approach. It has a breakfast brasserie and a bar, as well as room service, with lunch and evening restaurants plentiful in its neighbourhood vicinity. Be sure to make use of the heated pool on the top floor and look out for the signature rubber duck in the bathrooms; a nod to The Como’s quirky heritage.

Indigo Melbourne on Flinders, this boutique lifestyle hotel is a creative addition to Melbourne’s iconic Flinders Lane, which spans the city, housing both renowned restaurants on the eastern end and preserving seafaring and gold mining heritage on the western end. The hotel’s surroundings epitomise a laneway culture filled with street art, hidden cafes, bars, boutiques, and galleries. The property boasts 216 redesigned guest rooms inspired by the colourful legends of the Flinders Lane neighbourhood, notably the influential fashion photographer Helmut Newton. His work serves as a central theme in the hotel’s design, blending fashion, art, and runway elements. The hotel features a dramatic lobby-gallery space, commissioned artworks by local artists in guest rooms, a fitness centre with sustainable, body-weight-powered equipment. Additionally, the hotel offers an exciting dining experience with the Spanish bar and restaurant BESO, led by Chef Ana Cortes Garcia, offering contemporary twists on traditional Spanish tapas and an extensive selection of Victorian and Spanish wines, overseen by Guy Holder, a prominent figure in the local hospitality industry.

The StandardX, Melbourne, situated in the vibrant Fitzroy district, draws inspiration from the area’s storied past. Fitzroy’s creative energy from the 70s and 80s, marked by influential artists and punk clubs, influences the hotel’s design and atmosphere. Melbourne-based design firm Hecker Guthrie has crafted interiors featuring local art, custom furniture, and a contemporary, uncomplicated aesthetic.

The hotel features three distinct dining concepts. BANG, led by Executive Chef Justin Dingle-Garciyya, offers a sophisticated take on Thai street food with bold Asian flavours. The Roof, an exclusive guest hideaway, provides panoramic views of Fitzroy and Melbourne, with a menu inspired by Mercado Medellin’s flavours. The Box, located in the lobby, offers a retail experience with essentials, lifestyle items, snacks, and beverages.

Each of the 125 rooms at The StandardX, Melbourne, blends Fitzroy’s gritty urban fabric with modern comforts and The Standard’s signature style. From intimate Cozy King rooms to spacious Suite Spots with city skyline views, the hotel offers a contemporary, uncomplicated aesthetic for discerning travellers.

The lavish Hyde Melbourne Place is conveniently located in the heart of the city’s central business district. The hotel is home to lavish guestrooms and spacious suites, featuring the unparalleled Dawn Penthouse with expansive windows and a baby piano. Guests can enjoy the exquisite dining available at the on-site restaurants, Mid Air serving international flavours and a tasting menu with Mediterranean classics at Marmelo. Marmelo Bar is also open all day from noon while the Guest Lounge offers a unique setting to relax. There is an on-site fitness centre, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, for guest use. The hotel’s stunning meeting and event spaces make every event special, from professional functions to elegant celebrations. The hotel showcases a curated art selection which heavily features local talents.

The Motley Hotel, part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, embodies Melbourne’s creative spirit with bold design, artistic touches, and a deep connection to the city’s heritage. Built on the historic Federation Terraces of Bridge Road, it honours the legacy of seamstress Ms. Mary Parker. Offering 80 bespoke rooms inspired by Melbourne’s arts scene, the hotel blends historical charm with modern comforts. Guests enjoy offsite gym access, room service, and exclusive local packages. Dining is a highlight, with Ms Parker serving refined dishes celebrating Melbourne’s seasonal produce, while Threads Rooftop Bar offers craft cocktails with skyline views. A favourite among locals, The Motley Hotel delivers a stylish, immersive Melbourne experience.

A bold, colourfully lit facade meets guests arriving at the Adelphi, a palette that continues inside, along with quirky artwork and installations. Its heated, year-round cantilever rooftop pool on level 9 is a highlight for many visitors, conducive to some swoon-worthy holiday snaps. Attention to detail is a big deal here; from the personalised welcome notes in each room to the luxurious linens and bath products. Take advantage of bespoke experiences, such as gin-making sessions and private cinema screenings. The Adelphi, a design hotel, is located in the central business district of Melbourne.