The Best Romantic Hotels to Book in Melbourne

The five-Star Windsor Hotel is a time-honoured check-in: it’s all about classic elegance and architecture typical of the Victorian age. There are eight types of rooms and suites – with warm, light-coloured palettes and tall windows with magnificent views of the city all around. There’s also a grand ballroom where lovebirds take afternoon tea – it has been served daily in the extravagant dining room since 1883 and highlights include eclairs and rum baba. Step out and sightseeing is all-around – head for nearby Parliament House, Fitzroy and Carlton Gardens and Chinatown.

City views from the iconic Grand Hyatt Melbourne are superb – it’s in the heart of things surrounded by high fashion outlets and fine dining. Rooms and suites induce amour – soothingly toned, with floor-to-ceiling windows and Italian marble bathrooms. For romantic dining, there’s Collins Kitchen – an intimate escape. Or canoodle at the Grand Club Lounge on the 31st floor, with panoramic skyline sweeps to photograph. Nearby, you can explore the art houses and shopping centres, as well as Asian and Italian restaurants.

In the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, Hotel Lindrum is a romantic cocoon – a red-brick, boutique-hotel beauty. Feel the love in the classically styled, spacious rooms – where rich wood furnishings, polished floors and heavy woven carpets set the mood. Couples in love dot the restaurant, Felt, eating breakfasts of bacon waffles and bacon butties. Since romance is in the air, catch a play or show in the nearby East End Theatre District in the evening – before returning to the hotel’s Back Bar for wine or whiskey on a comfy sofa by the fireplace.

On Flinders Street, overlooking the Yarra River stands a historic masterpiece – dating from 1913. It’s an imposing affair, with its soaring facade and looming domes. Inside, it’s not quite so yesteryear – although the comfy rooms have quilted headboards and elegant mirrors, which boost the romance factor. Step out and the two of you can wander the laneways, going from cafes to trendy boutiques and funky bars. When you’re in the mood for food – and drink – back at the hotel, there’s the Travellers Bar (open Thursday to Saturday), or indulge in the Rendezvous’ famous High Tea service, served at the weekend.

What draws the regulars back time and again to this independent boutique hotel is the level of privacy and independence are its suites and apartments – all self-contained, with kitchenettes, dining tables and chairs and irons with boards. The look in each is suave yet upbeat: think kingfisher-blue cushions and bright-white walls. Stretch to the one-bedroom heritage loft if you can. On the corner where Collins meets Queens Street, the hotel stands out like a huge cake – with its grand Italianate architectural gestures. Instagram it generously as you head out to explore the surrounding CBD and Yarra River.

Here’s an elegant space in the heart of Melbourne – one glimpse of its art-deco facade and silvery main doors and you’ll know it has pizzazz. First stop, the lobby: all warm timbers, mirrors and dashes of brass. Next, your room: a distinctly retro space, with neutral furnishings against jazzy monochrome carpets – while the bathrooms are pure glamour with gleaming subway tiles. Feeling the love? Top up the ambience with a “Hollywood Glamour” cocktail – laced with cherry liqueur – at the fabulous-dahling Alexander Bar, with its grand marble counter. And for sustenance? Crispy pork-belly bites are among the delicious small plates served here.

It’s luxury to infinity at QT Melbourne – an original, unique landscape of industrial chic. The rooms are designed with lofty ceilings and windows that give great views of the city and its buzz. And lovers long-weekending need never leave the hotel – hit Pascale Bar & Grill for open plan dining or Rooftop at QT up on the top floor, for drinks and mingling against Melbourne’s skyline. And if you want to pop that question? We’d recommend the Secret Garden – a lush and leafy garden oasis behind the rooftop – and the Cake Shop, where Melbourne’s confectionery couture gets hearts all aflutter.