Gay Hotel Melbourne

The iconic 1850s art-deco building at 20 Bourke was converted into the Le Meridien Melbourne in 2023. Originally built as a hotel, it has had many incarnations, including a cinema, nightclub, theater, and live performance venue. It’s returned to its roots, this time as a luxury 5-star hotel.

It’s located Bourke Street, at the eastern edge of the Melbourne CBD, steps away from Parliament House and Gardens. The main tram thoroughfare serving all of Melbourne, is at the front door, and Collins Street, the city’s shopping precinct, is two blocks away.

Five minutes away is Melbourne’s gayborhood of Fitzroy and Collingwood. Well-known gay bars, The Peel and Sircuit, are right there.

The heated rooftop pool allows for year-round swimming and is open from 5 am to 10 pm daily. The whole area is extremely Insta-worthy, so don’t forget your camera. The fitness center is open 24/7.

The modern rooms feature art-deco fittings that keep with the building’s history. Every room and suite has floor-to-ceiling windows, offering views of the city or the park.

The on-site restaurant and cocktail bar, Dolly, is old-world European, and everything is served with theatrical flair.

Saint Kilda Beach Hotel – formerly Rydges St Kilda, the polished beachy decor would be enough to make Saint Kilda Beach Hotel a gay favorite, but it’s located just around the corner from long-standing gay institution Prince Public Bar really seals the deal. Saint Kilda Beach Hotel is also under 15 minutes from Luna Park and the Esplanade Market, making it the ideal base for exploring the area. All the rooms are cozy and well-designed, but we especially recommend the spa suites with their decadent spa tubs. Alternatively, all rooms include access to St Kilda Sea Baths and it’s first-rate fitness and wellness facilities. The hotel is home to a cute, colorful cafe popular with locals and a cool wine bar. Saint Kilda Beach Hotel is one of the most booked luxury gay hotels in St Kilda Melbourne.

This cool jazz-themed hotel has some seriously great-looking studios and apartments, all of which allow you to feel at home during your stay in town. Twice the size of the average hotel room in Melbourne, all have private balconies, well-equipped kitchens, and incredible beds. The studios are ideal for a couple, while the two-bedroom apartment is great for a group of friends or two couples. Some apartments have great city views from the balcony, while others overlook quiet city lanes. The gay-friendly hotel is located directly above iconic local jazz venue Bird’s Basement, while Bird’s Upstairs brings the cocktails and The Jazz Corner Cafe is a great example of Melbourne’s world-renowned cafe culture.

This creative boutique hotel has a bright, colorful look, enhanced by original works of art from local art students. Rooms are well-designed for optimum comfort, with great amenities like a coffee machine, T2 tea, and branded toiletries. The Piccolo rooms are good for short stays, while the two-bedroom apartment with a private balcony and fully-equipped kitchen is ideal for a group of friends. Luna Park is about a 15-minute walk away, and gay-popular Prince Public Bar is just down the road. There are a bar and restaurant downstairs that’s a good place to wind down after a long day of shopping and strolling.

Brady Hotels Central Melbourne benefits from an excellent location just a couple of minutes from Melbourne Central Station, which easily links you to the whole metropolitan area. Victoria Market is under 10 minutes away, and the Collingwood gay area can easily be reached by foot or tram in 25 minutes. Rooms feature a stylish minimalist design in soothing earth tones, and are equipped with high-end amenities and furnishings. Every room has a Juliette balcony, and the apartments have well-equipped kitchenettes. The downstairs cafe serves your classic Melbourne breakfast fare as well as an all-day menu, and there is a small gym to keep you fit.

This Mercure hotel is conveniently located in the CBD, within walking distance of Victoria Market and countless cafes, restaurants, and bars. The Collingswood gayborhood is easily reached with a 20-minute bus trip, and St Kilda is a half-hour direct tram ride away. The rooms are quiet, comfortable, and modern, and each comes with a kitchenette. This makes it easy for you to enjoy the fresh produce from the surrounding markets and save on eating out. Plus, a very good free breakfast is served every morning. Opt for the Privilege room for extra perks like a Nespresso machine, bathrobes, newspapers and magazines.

This new boutique hotel opened in August 2019. It features sleek, minimalist decor in a soothing monochrome palette, with smartly designed rooms that are compact yet practical. All rooms are bright and airy thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, and have marble bathrooms, heavenly hypnos mattresses, and toiletries by Urban Skincare Co – some even have balconies overlooking the city. The Business rooms are ideal for those who need to get some work done on the go, while the Studio Apartment with kitchenette is great for longer stays. Facilities include self-serve laundry and a small cardio fitness studio. The Collingwood gay area is about a 20-minute walk away.

One of the most popular gay-friendly hotels in Melbourne, Jasper Boutique Hotel is a sleek and stylish option located in Melbourne CBD. Several major sights, including Victoria Market, Melbourne Museum, Chinatown, and the Royal Exhibition Building, are within an easy walking distance. Meanwhile, the gay bars and clubs in Collingswood are a quick bus or tram ride away. Rooms feature modern minimalist decor and are extremely comfortable – we especially recommend the balcony rooms and the family suite for groups. Guests have free access to nearby Melbourne City Baths Gym, providing exceptional fitness and relaxation facilities for your stay in town. Jasper Boutique Hotel is one of the most booked luxury gay hotels in Melbourne.

This artsy, quirky boutique hotel channels the best of Melbourne’s trendy Fitzroy neighborhood. From the colorful street art in the lobby to the minimalist black-and-white interiors of the rooms, everything is aesthetically pleasing and delightfully Insta-friendly. The Studios are a practical, compact option for short stays, while the suites feel like your own upscale city apartment (the Terrace Suite even has a fully-equipped kitchen). However, the best thing about Ovolo Laneways isn’t the design: it’s the perks, which include free breakfast, 24-hour gym access, and a social hour. Plus, it’s only about a 20-minute walk to the Collingswood gayborhood.

Each hotel in the Art Series highlights the work of an Australian contemporary artist – in this case, the late Adam Cullen. The hotel contrasts Cullen’s bold and colorful artwork with a sleek and polished contemporary design for an effect that is highly creative yet understated. Accommodation is made up of bright and spacious suites, all of which include a well-equipped kitchenette and a living area. These range from compact studios to large apartments that can sleep up to 6. Signature beds and high-end amenities guarantee your comfort. Both the downstairs American-style diner and the Dumpling Bar are local favorites. The gay-friendly hotel is located in Prahran, 5 minutes from the gay club Poof Doof and gay-popular club Love Machine.

The rooms at Essence Hotel Carlton (formerly known as the ibis Swanston Street) are cool and stylish, with a striking red, black, and white color theme and clean, contemporary lines. They are also well-designed and equipped with exceptionally comfy mattresses. Some rooms overlook the bright, leafy courtyard, which is a nice place to chill out on a sunny day. There is a good breakfast buffet and also a lovely downstairs cafe if you want to order something special – there is even a grab-and-go service allowing you to take your food up to your room. The gay-friendly hotel offers a free shuttle service to the nearest Skybus Depot, which provides direct connections to the airport. Meanwhile, the Collingwood gayborhood is about 25-minutes away on foot. Essence Hotel Carlton is one of the most booked budget gay hotels in Melbourne.

Located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, this ibis hotel is a great budget-friendly option. It features very well-appointed rooms with stylish design and intelligent layouts. All rooms come with a 49” Smart TV and a Chromecast, so it’s easy to keep up with your favorite shows. Bathrooms have a modern open-plan concept and excellent rain showers. There’s a really delicious Steakhouse restaurant, a bar, and a buffet breakfast served every morning. Victoria Market is just a 10-minute walk from the hotel, while both St Kilda and Collingwood are easily reached by public transport.

The Prince Public Bar is one of Melbourne’s oldest gay-friendly venues, and its attached hotel has been welcoming guests since the mid 19th century. It was transformed into its current Art Deco form in the 30’s and has recently undergone a renovation that has updated its interiors to trendy, pastel-hued millennial chic while still preserving the history of the locale. All the rooms are elegant and supremely comfortable – splash out on the Premier Suite with balcony overlooking Fitzroy Street and a freestanding designer tub if you can. Downstairs, the freshly renovated Prince Public Bar looks better than ever, and the iconic Prince Bandroom is a great place to catch a gig.