Ranked hotels in eight cities. None pays to appear.
Melbourne · Australia · Updated 5 October 2026
The eight best hotels in New York under US$350 a night, ranked. Smaller hotels.
Smaller hotels
Kennedy Nolan gives each of 14 floors its own colour
130 Russell Street is a new brick-fronted building, opened in November 2024 with 191 rooms. The lobby has a digital-art installation.
On the recordMichelin 1 Key 2026 · National Geographic Traveller Hotel Awards 2025 (Designer Den) · Time Out
Twelve suites on Domain Road, facing the Botanic Gardens
Butler service covers three floors of suites, and there are no conventional public spaces. The design is concrete and brass.
On the recordConde Nast Traveler Hot List 2019 · Luxury Travel magazine review
Pentridge Prison's B Division, refitted as a wellness retreat
Each of the 19 suites is made from five bluestone cells, with a marble bathroom and soaking tub. The heritage restoration took seven years.
On the recordMichelin 1 Key 2026 · Time Out 14 best boutique hotels in Melbourne 2025
South Yarra all-suite hotel with Parisian balconies, redesigned over two years
Independent since 2002, it relaunched with chevron timber floors and furnishings made in Melbourne.
On the recordSitchu best hotels in Melbourne 2025 · World Luxury Hotel Awards 2025 (per Sitchu)
Fifteen rooms on South Melbourne's Clarendon Street
A bistro and bar take up the ground floor of this independent, open since 2014. The style upstairs is contemporary and restrained.
On the recordMr & Mrs Smith
A glass-bottomed rooftop pool cantilevered over Flinders Lane
Denton Corker Marshall designed this early Flinders Lane hotel, open since 1992.
On the recordMan of Many best boutique hotels in Melbourne
Theatrical design behind a marble entrance on Russell Street
Wood panelling and high ceilings mark the entrance. The 188 rooms, open since 2016, have timber floors.
On the recordTime Out 18 best hotels in Melbourne (spring 2026)
A laneway hotel between Chinatown and the theatre district
A rooftop terrace looks over the skyline. Lancemore, an Australian family-owned group, runs it.
On the recordThe Hotel Guru best affordable hotels in Melbourne · Qantas Travel Insider review
Chosen from awards, guides, press and the hotels' own information. Prices are typical nightly rates and change with the season. Book with the hotel directly.
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