Starry nights: Our pick of the eight best hotels of Melbourne

Adina Apartment Hotel on Flinders: An affordable price point is not the only thing families and budget-conscious travellers will love about this property, which has just emerged from a recent refurb with seriously zhuzhed-up spaces. It's home to 65 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, with even the smallest ones offering 50 square metres of real estate smack bang in the middle of the city. From $165 per apartment, per night; adinahotels.com

W: When it comes to hotels with personality, no one puts W in the corner, and this offshoot located in the Melbourne CBD is no exception. Take in the spectacle in the lobby dominated by tall bright-coloured panels, soak up the glamour at the swimming pool with curvaceous lines and striking murals, and taste exquisite Japanese fare at the onsite omakase restaurant, Warabi. From $338 per room, per night; marriott.com

Park Hyatt: Its location on Melbourne's stately Parliament Square, spacious rooms with plenty of natural light, and wellness facilities such a 25-metre indoor pool and a 24-hour gym make this Melbourne institution a firm favourite among business travellers. But what really seals the deal is the multi-level Radii Restaurant & Bar, where plenty of power lunches unfold with impressive mains such as the 42-day dry-aged porterhouse steak. From $395 per room, per night; hyatt.com

Le Meridien: Located on Melbourne's buzzing Collins Street, within easy reach of some of the CBD's best restaurants, bars and cultural attractions, Le Meridien offers top-notch luxury for pocket-friendly prices. The beautifully designed rooms are bright, airy and contemporary; there's a lovely bar and cafe in the gleaming lobby; and the glamorous Dolly restaurant does a fine trade in European classics. And don't even get us started on the rooftop swimming pool with gorgeous city views. From $299 per room, per night; marriott.com

The Ritz-Carlton: Checking in to Australia's tallest hotel guarantees one thing: sweeping views of Melbourne and beyond - whether you're in the property's 80th-floor lobby with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, at the skyline-view swimming pool on the 64th floor or in one of the exquisitely appointed rooms. A fine-dining restaurant, Atria, and a club lounge with complimentary oysters and champagne further add to the appeal. One of the best times to experience the hotel is in winter when both occupancy rate and tariffs are low. And just in case the sun isn't shining when you're there, you can always make your way to the stunning spa for an indulgent treatment. We can't think of a better Melbourne staycation. From $650 per room, per night; ritzcarlton.com

The Lyall: Melbourne is home to some of Australia's most stunning neighbourhoods. Unlocking their secrets, however, is not always easy. But the opening of this boutique gem on a leafy street in the city's elegant South Yarra precinct is making the task easier. Make yourself comfy in one of the stunning 51 rooms featuring a pared-back palette of neutrals, then explore sophisticated surrounds on foot - both Royal Botanic Gardens and Prahran Market are within easy walking distance of the property. From $295 per room, per night; thelyall.com

Cullen: There are four Art Series hotels in Melbourne, but our money is on the Cullen, which - in addition to exploring the 2000 Archibald Prize-winning artist Adam Cullen's art - is a great way to also soak up the charms of Melbourne's Prahran precinct, with vintage boutiques, cool cafes and buzzing bars. From $178 per room, per night; artserieshotels.com.au/cullen

The Interlude: Checking in to one of the 19 suites at the Interlude hotel - housed in the 173-year-old Pentridge Prison (which closed in 1997) - is just one way to travel back in time. Taking a dip in its underground swimming pool complete with bluestone walls and signing up for a 45-minute wine experience (which traces the history of some of Victoria's finest drops) also make a stay at this property unforgettable. From $319 per room, per night; theinterlude.com.au

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