Melbourne budget hotels: Best cheap stays near sport, food and nightlife. Photo / Supplied
Want to stay in Melbourne’s hottest spots without spending a fortune? These are the city’s best budget hotels close to food, sporting events and nightlife, writes Danielle Norton.
Even though I live in Melbourne, sometimes I need a bed closer to the action than my suburban pad can offer. It’s led me on a quest to hunt out the best affordable options for an overnight stay. Yes, I’ve given the Airbnb app a bit of a workout but I’ve also found some other fun and affordable ways to stay that don’t come with hidden cleaning fees, nosy hosts and questionable customer service.
More than a hostel, different from a hotel, Lyf on Elizabeth is literally on the doorstep of the Queen Victoria Market – hello epic coffee, fresh bread, toasted Lebanese pides, specialty deli cheeses and charcuterie, fresh fruit, veg and tons more.
Situated on Elizabeth St, this accommodation is flanked by inexpensive Asian restaurants and grocers – ideal if you’re on the hunt for Indonesian cuisine, sushi, or spicy noodles. On the building’s ground floor, Bonnibel’s all-day dining keeps the focus on living locally. Expect to find Brick Lane beer, Market Lane coffee from local partners, pizza and pub classics like chicken parmigiana, pasta, and fish and chips.
Lyf on Elizabeth is right on a tram line that runs all the way up to Flinders St making it super easy to reach any of Melbourne’s great tourist destinations.
The decor at Lyf on Elizabeth is simple, comfortable and modern. The gym (appropriately named `Burn’), and a `Wash and Hang’ laundry are on the same level as the communal areas - including an extensive, welcoming co-working space, a vast lounge area and a full kitchen where cooking is encouraged.
I love the ‘One of a Kind’ studio with an enclosed balcony but the Lyf Suite which extends out to a courtyard would be ideal for families.
Prices start from $180-$215 a night but can increase when special events are occurring in town.
There’s another Lyf in the inner suburb of Collingwood (known for its great bars and shopping). If travelling further afield, Lyf also has properties in Paris, Bangkok, Bondi Junction, Singapore, Vienna, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Fukuoka, Cebu City, Xi’an and Shanghai.
It’s more suburban than city centre, but if proximity to some of Melbourne’s most underrated foodie spots, local musicians and shopping hubs is what you’re after, then Novotel Preston, located in the vibrant inner north, is the go. This is where you’ll be moments from the 86 tram which rolls along High St, Thornbury (named the ‘coolest street in the world’ by Timeout in 2024), through Northcote and to Marvel Stadium in Melbourne’s city centre.
After a $30 million renovation in 2022, Novotel Preston is fresh, airy and modern with 383 rooms across seven levels. Its proximity to sports grounds also makes it excellent for travelling sports teams (the Matildas soccer team trains in nearby Bundoora), and the fact that it’s a direct 25-minute drive to the Melbourne Airport makes it ideal for visitors staying in Melbourne’s north.
The floor plan of this hotel reflects the building’s original purpose – a hospital, the original Preston and Northcote Community Hospital (PANCH) in Melbourne (closed in 1998). The renovated rooms and suites are spacious with floor-to-ceiling windows, some of which open. From the north side are views of the Dandenong Ranges and there are city views and great sunsets from the south side. The hotel also has a 24-hour gym and sauna.
Members of the ALL Accor program can earn points in the onsite restaurant, The Stampton, where kids under 12 eat free with a full-paying adult. A menu of bistro favourites is great for the whole family. We had a juicy steak with red wine jus and french fries, and a ‘Take me to Spain’ paella with prawns and chorizo, which were both delicious and a reflection of the standard of cooking you find across Melbourne restaurants.
Room rates are around $240 with breakfast.
Planning on running the Melbourne Marathon? Coming for the summer series of cricket, the Australian Open, the Melbourne Cup Carnival or the Grand Prix? Want to watch the rugby or an AFL match? You need somewhere central, fun and affordable to retreat to after spending your days outdoors. The very central, Scandi-inspired Holiday Inn Melbourne Bourke Street Mall (enter via Little Collins St entrance) and its colourful sister property Hotel Indigo Little Collins are brand new, modern and funky, with excellent gym facilities for all your pre-training needs. Indigo also has a rooftop terrace which leads out from Fern Bar and Dining on level 2.
Family-friendly, perfect for couples and groups, and with very handy proximity to the recently opened Mecca – the largest beauty store in the world (should sport not be your thing).
Room rates start at a very reasonable $197.
In addition, Amora Hotel Riverwalk Melbourne in Bridge Rd, Richmond is a quick tram ride from the MCG ( the Melbourne Marathon’s finish line) and the city centre, with a stop right across the road from the hotel. Rooms rates start from $188.
More affordable hotel accommodation that will appeal:
Apartments for family stays
Sometimes it’s simply easier to stay in an apartment where kitchen facilities, laundry and a bit of space are available. Try Nesuto Docklands (Docklands) for roomy accommodation, affordability and a central location.