10 Melbourne hotels with a difference

Guests will be able to get whatever they want, whenever they want it when the new W Hotel opens in Melbourne in 2020, thanks to the brand’s Whatever/Whenever service philosophy. The hotel will be complete with 294 guestrooms, including 40 suites and an Extreme Wow Suite (the brand’s take on the traditional Presidential Suite), and will feature a vibrant bar and restaurant, an AWAY spa, workout facility and indoor heated swimming pool.

The luxury brand will be met with stiff competition when it opens its doors on Collins Street. Melbourne is already home to a diverse collection of hotels suited to a wide range of budgets and personal preferences. From game-changing concept hotels to leading luxury hotel brands that offer innovative wellness programs, Melbourne’s hotels offer so much more than a space to bunk down for the night. Here are ten of Melbourne’s hotels with a difference:

Art Series HotelsFrom guided art tours of the hotel to in-room mini bars filled with art supplies for guests to get crafty with, Victoria’s five Art Series Hotels live and breathe the artistic ethos’ of their famous namesakes. With prestige locations in Melbourne city, Prahran, South Yarra, Parkville and Bendigo, the Art Series Hotels celebrate the colour, creativity and curiosity of some of Australia’s most influential artists. Art Series will open a sixth Victorian hotel in Box Hill (half an hour from the city) later this year, based on the artwork of Chinese-Australian artist, Zhong Chen.

QT MelbourneQT Melbourne is the city’s only hotel with a rooftop bar, welcoming of guests and non-guests alike. The hotel’s fine dining restaurant Pascale Bar & Grill, where ingredients are gathered from the rooftop kitchen garden, is also designed to attract diners from within. Another quirk of the recently opened hotel is its adjacent laneway which houses Korean-inspired bar and eatery, Hot Sauce, and a specialist Japanese knife shop, Tanto. QT also provide its front house staff with a professional hair and make up service, meaning visitors are always greeted with impeccable style. 133 Russell St, Melbourne, +61 3 8636 8800

The Langham MelbourneThe Langham is arguably the best hotel in town for basking in the sun. Its expansive pool deck is ideal for for sun-worshipers to warm up before a swim in the 15 metre-long swimming pool or a soak in the adjacent Jacuzzi. 13 of the hotel’s rooms are also complete with spacious outdoor terraces and balconies of their own, overlooking Melbourne’s skyline, Flinders Street Station and the Yarra River. Complete with private sun lounges, these are the rooms to book for sunbakers and al fresco diners (picnics can be ordered to the room). 1 Southgate Ave, Southbank, +61 3 8696 8888

Alto HotelAs the first hotel in Australia to receive EarthCheck Gold Certification, the Alto Hotel on Bourke Street has serious green credentials. 100% of the electricity used on the property is generated from renewable sources with rainwater used for cleaning, gardening and toilet cisterns and the ability to charge electric vehicles for free. The hotel’s in-house library gives guests the chance to exchange paperbacks during their stay. 636 Bourke Street, Melbourne, +61 3 8608 5500

NotelLocated on the rooftop of a CBD carpark, Notel has taken the classic caravan experience of yesteryear and has given it a thoroughly modern makeover to form a concept hotel like no other. Comprised of six silver Airstream trailers fitted out with everything from iPads loaded with Netflix to bar fridges filled with local craft brews – Notel is one of Melbourne’s most sought-after sleepovers. 388 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, +61 428 952 559

St Jerome’s – The HotelFor those who love the idea of camping but also appreciate the finer things in life (and a city locale), St Jerome’s offers 21 luxe bell tents kitted out with everything needed for a good time. Located right in the heart of the city, on the rooftop of Melbourne Central Shopping Centre, this unique space is the ultimate in urban glamping. Melbourne Central, 271 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, +61 406 118 561

Westin HotelPerfect for guests who want to stay on top of their fitness routine while on the road, the Westin Melbourne has two guest rooms fitted with a treadmill or stationary bike, dumbbells, fitness DVDs and stability balls. Guests can also join a local group run with a Run Concierge and even borrow a pair of New Balance shoes (complete with a fresh pair of socks) for a small fee of $5.00. 205 Collins Street, Melbourne, +61 3 9635 2222

Brooklyn Arts HotelFor guests who enjoy a more intimate experience, the Brooklyn Arts Hotel offers travellers a chance to tap into a local neighbourhood filled with art, culture, live music and some of the best brunch spots in Australia. This small, locally-owned and run guesthouse-style hotel in Fitzroy is a real under-the-radar find, just a stroll away from the city centre. 48-50 George Street, Fitzroy, +61 3  9419 9328

Pensione HotelAs Melbourne’s first pet-friendly hotel, the Pensione Hotel prides itself on catering for animal lovers by providing pet-friendly rooms for people travelling with their furry friends, because why should Fido miss out on all the fun? 16 Spencer Street, Melbourne, +61 3 9621 3333

Intercontinental Melbourne The RialtoFor luxury accommodation with a difference in the heart of Melbourne, visitors can check into Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto. Five-star hotel service is complemented by a street art class held in the hotel’s very own secret laneway. Taught by some of Melbourne’s most renowned street artists, The Blender Crew, guests will learn how to use stencils and spray paint to leave their mark. Sure beats – ‘I was here’. 495 Collins St, Melbourne, +61 3 8627 1400