For a completely different experience, stay in a rambling bohemian mansion in achingly trendy Fitzroy. The Brooklyn Arts Hotel’s seven guestrooms and common areas are furnished with the kind of eclectic charm you’d expect from a share-house of vintage enthusiasts in the hotel’s namesake New York borough. Guests can pay a bit more for rooms with private bathrooms and balconies, while all visitors are free to help themselves to a complimentary, European-style continental breakfast. While this hotel may not be a sleek, modern affair, it has plenty of heart and soul. The backyard garden is a sanctuary for guests to chill out in, so visitors can expect to mingle with creative types from all over the world and the owner’s friendly dogs.
Time Out tip: Gertrude Street is nearby so make a beeline to eat all of the most hyped food in Melbourne. Ricotta hotcakes at Archie’s All Day, southern fried wings at Belle’s Hot Chicken and roast duck at Ricky and Pinky, for starters.