Romantic hotels in Melbourne for a weekend of love

Voted ‘best boutique hotel in Melbourne’, the fashionable Adelphi Hotel fits right in with the independent coffee shops, chic restaurants and striking art galleries on Flinders Lane. You can start your morning with a caffeine dose at your room’s coffee station – take a minute to soak up the contemporary vibe set by geometric monochrome carpets and interesting modern furniture. Crawl back in bed with your brew to plan the day’s adventure from a pile of plump cushions while wrapped in a fluffy throw.

For low-key afternoons, grab side-by-side sunloungers under leafy potted palm trees for some idle hours around the sun-soaked rooftop pool. Do some pushups before diving in – this statement glass-bottomed pool overhangs the side of the building, revealing the cobblestones and street art of Flinders Lane below.

One of the Art Series Hotels dedicated to Australia’s top contemporary artists, The Blackman pays homage to Charles Blackman – a figurative painter worth checking out. His striking prints grace the walls of rooms that echo his distinctive modern style. You can spend your mornings breakfasting in perspex chairs, setting your coffee on glass tables while floor-to-ceiling windows fill the room with light.

For a cultural day date, an in-house art curator will take you on a tour to learn all about the works on show. Hire one of the Smart Cars or Lekker bikes right from the hotel to explore the neighbourhood, ending with a flower-filled stroll in the Botanical Gardens. If you’ve booked into a luxury suite, ask your private butler to sprinkle the bedroom with rose petals for when you return.

In its opulent, historic building, Hotel Windsor has been a heritage hotel since its foundation in 1883. It was built during the gold rush, and you can still see the grandeur of that era in the details. Start by ascending the Grand Staircase to your guest room – also a great spot for those boy-sees-girl movie moments. Inside your room, antique mirrors and light fixtures keep the vintage vibe going. Walk barefoot across plush carpets and pull back the heavy draped curtains for a view of the city.

You can make your weekend away extra special with the Grand Romance package – you’ll get champagne to pop on arrival, and come morning you can snuggle in the sheets while enjoying an in-room breakfast for two. Onsite restaurant On Eleven serves an à la carte breakfast menu with a farm-to-table focus. Come back later for a delicious assortment of drinks, nibbles, charcuterie and cheese before catching an evening theatre show. Alternatively, order up a martini and enjoy some live jazz on weekend nights, or slip over to the Cricketer’s Bar, a cosy English-Australian gastropub with tap and craft beers.

Nestled in the busy Melbourne CBD, Treasury on Collins is a beautifully restored 19th-century landmark building that’s now home to romantic suites and serviced apartments. You can feel its historical significance as you enter the grand vaulted foyer. In your room, rest your head on jewel-blue velvet cushions, read your favourite book under a unique ornate lamp, and prep for a night out using Molton Brown toiletries.

For intimate nights of room service and a film, you’ll find complimentary Netflix on your room’s flatscreen TV. Go big with the Love You Lofts package to check into a New York-style, split-level loft apartment complete with a spa bath. You might just spend the whole weekend indoors with a bottle of sparkling wine and an assortment of delectable chocolates.

If you do crave an evening out, you’ll find the Treasured Guest Lounge on the mezzanine level of the hotel. Have a relaxed chat in velvet armchairs across burnished gold tables while you snack on complimentary refreshments.

Located on the Southern Promenade, five-star hotel The Langham sets a fancy getaway tone right from the lobby – picture a sparkling chandelier, floral centrepieces and an elegant staircase. In your room, plush armchairs invite you to sink into them and enjoy sweeping views of the Yarra River or the city skyline.

You’ll want to stop by the hotel’s signature Melba restaurant, which showcases the region’s finest produce and local wines. The open interactive kitchen layout creates a dynamic atmosphere, where you can talk to the chefs as they prepare your meal. Your dinner menu’s a world of options, from local cuts of meat and seafood, to authentic Indian curries, to sushi or Asian wok dishes.

You probably wouldn’t be able to tell, but the art deco-style building that now houses Lindrum Melbourne MGallery was once home to the famed Lindrum’s Billiard Centre. Although interiors have since been transformed into stylish suites, you’ll appreciate the story told by its high ceilings and original wooden floors. If you’re an aficionado of the game, book the one-of-a-kind Billiard room, complete with memorabilia and original billiard tables. Spend time relaxing in fresh, minimalist rooms, then at night drift away to sleep on crisp white sheets.

High tea’s not to be missed here. Greeted with a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, you’ll enjoy a tantalising selection of ribbon sandwiches, freshly baked scones with jam and clotted cream, little pastries and cakes – not to mention a choice of 15 teas from renowned Australian tea purveyor T2. In the evenings, stop into the hotel’s cosy bar for sophisticated cocktails and glasses of wine in front of a crackling fireplace.

With its glassy facade, Crown Towers Melbourne stands out proudly from the city’s Southbank area. After waking up in your custom-made bed linen, start your day with a soak in the marble bathtub or step together under the rain shower. You’ll sip your morning coffee in front of either the Melbourne skyline or Port Philip Bay, courtesy of floor-to-ceiling windows.

Foodies will appreciate Crown Towers’ generous range of eateries, a tasty snapshot of Melbourne’s eclectic restaurant scene. From a laidback French bistro serving classic plat du jour paired with wine, to innovative Japanese restaurants offering their own take on traditional cuisine, the hardest decision you’ll face will be choosing which place to try next.

Another boutique hotel part of the Art Series Hotels, The Chen draws heavy inspiration from renowned Australian abstract artist, Zhong Chen. Here in culturally diverse Box Hill – just outside the bustling CBD – you can taste your way through world flavours at local international eateries.

The hotel’s open-plan rooms take on a monochromatic colour palette, but just like Chen’s colourful art prints that adorn the walls, bright cushions and chairs keep the spaces feeling fresh. Browse the in-room art library with a tipple in hand from room service, or snuggle up to watch the dedicated art channel and learn more about Chen’s masterpieces.