In short… Hyde Melbourne Place is a beautiful, design-forward hotel that opened in late 2024 and could not be more perfectly situated in the heart of Melbourne if it tried. I’ve always had a soft spot for Melbourne’s vibrant CBD with its design-minded shops, cooler-than-cool cafes, tucked-away laneways, and some of the best Chinese food you’re going to find anytime soon. Comfortable without being boring, Melbourne Place has just enough personality to feel special, and it’s an ideal landing pad especially with kids.
The surroundings… When hotel hunting in Melbourne, it’s easy to be tempted by the many beautiful properties just outside the city center, but I really do think it’s wise to opt to be in the middle of it all. Melbourne is a city meant to be walked and explored. Staying at Hyde Melbourne Place puts you right in the thick of things. What the hotel may lack in certain amenities (and since having kids I’ve never been more aware of a hotel’s aquatic offerings), it more than makes up for with an absolutely beautiful rooftop restaurant, offering sweeping views across Melbourne and a front-row seat to the city skyline.
The vibe… The hotel itself feels very “downtown” and quietly cool. Think: luxury hotel’s creative, hipster little sister, and it manages to strike a nice balance between being genuinely comfortable and having just enough personality and flair to feel special, rather than anonymous. First impressions lean more “art gallery meets city apartment” than a traditional hotel lobby. Upstairs, the rooftop restaurant and bar give the property a buzzy, fun after-work social energy without tipping into party-hotel territory. It’s lively in the evenings, but still feels grown-up.
The rooms…. We stayed in two adjoining rooms (something we’ve only just been able to do now that we’ve graduated from having “two babies” to having a “little kid and a big kid”), and both spaces were beautifully put together. The design isn’t afraid to play with color (or wallpaper) and it reminded me of the first fleet of hipster hotels from the 2010s (in the best possible way).
My husband, who is more of a Dawn dish soap kind of skincare person (i.e. not) even commented on how much he liked the soap and lotion in the bathroom, which has quite literally never happened before. So we can confidently endorse the Leif products, especially the lemon and eucalyptus scent.
The food & drink… While we enjoyed a very lovely dinner on the previously mentioned rooftop, I think the real draw here is the views and the cocktails. The food is solid and Mediterranean-leaning, but Melbourne is such an exceptional dining city that the hotel works best as a beautiful outpost rather than your main dining destination.
My suggestion: come up for a drink (or two) on the roof and order one of the dips from the menu, then head out for dinner. You’re perfectly positioned to explore the city’s heavy hitters, whether that’s one of Melbourne’s highly regarded dim sum institutions or a bowl of unbeatable pasta at Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar, just down the street.
The wellness… There’s no spa or pool on site, but that said, there is a well-equipped gym, and its central location makes it easy to build your own fitness routine.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes! A really solid option for traveling with kids. The rooms are spacious but still cozy (and, most importantly, feel fairly indestructible). While the hotel itself doesn’t offer dedicated kids’ programming, it more than makes up for it with location. Melbourne is a 10/10 kid-friendly city… Hop on one of the city’s incredibly easy-to-use trams and head to the Melbourne Zoo or the SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium or simply spend the day exploring the playgrounds scattered throughout the city.
Be sure to… Head up to the rooftop for a cocktail at sunset, even if you don’t stay for dinner. Ask for adjoining rooms if you’re traveling with kids, and take advantage of the hotel’s central location by building in time to wander. Melbourne Place really shines as a jumping-off point for the city.
Parting words… Melbourne Place felt like exactly the kind of hotel we want after a long flight: sleek but unfussy, comfortable without being boring, and perfectly placed for exploring the city on foot (or by tram). It’s not a resort, and it doesn’t try to be but instead, it offers a beautiful, well-designed home base in one of the most walkable, creative cities in the world. We’d happily return, kids in tow, cocktail in hand!
Date of stay… January 2026
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