For those who are in search of a hotel near Melbourne Airport for an early morning flight, a lengthy stopover, or even a layover en route to somewhere else, this list will be a great help.
Located about 23 km (14 miles) from the center of Melbourne, the Tullamarine Airport (also known as MEL) is the second busiest airport in Australia. In contrast with Sydney or Brisbane airports, there is no direct railway to get to the airport. The only efficient transport option is Skybus, which goes to the Southern Cross Railway Station; so having a hotel near the terminals is a good solution for an early departure or a transfer to a different flight.
For some travelers, it is necessary to choose a hotel that can be considered an extension of the airport, while others prefer to economize and stay not far away from the airport in order not to use shuttle service.
| Hotel | Distance from MEL | Price per Night |
|---|---|---|
| PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport | Less than 0.1 miles (by skybridge to the terminal) | ~$181 |
| Ibis Styles Melbourne Airport | 0.4 miles | ~$96 |
| Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport by IHG | 0.3 miles | ~$107 |
| Novotel Melbourne Airport | 0.4 miles | ~$119 |
| ibis budget Melbourne Airport | 0.3 miles | ~$111 |
| Mantra Melbourne Airport | ~3 miles | ~$91 |
| Ciloms Airport Lodge | 1.6 miles | ~$97 |
| Quality Hotel Melbourne Airport (Taylors Lakes) | ~4 miles | ~$142 |
Note: Prices provided are indicative starting prices extracted from booking websites and vary depending on season and day of the week.
PARKROYAL is the only hotel directly connected to Melbourne Airport. It is connected to both Domestic and International Terminals by an undercover skybridge. You don’t have to leave the building or use a shuttle to get there. There is an indoor pool, a spa pool, a sauna, a steam room, as well as a 24-hour fitness center. Free Wi-Fi and tea/coffee-making facilities are included in the room. The hotel is very business-like, offering views of Melbourne or the Macedon Ranges from your room depending on where your room is located. This is the most expensive hotel on our list, but it is worth the money for those guests who want to spend no time in transit from their hotel to the airport gate.
Mid-range chain option with a complimentary 24-hour shuttle service that covers the short journey to the airport terminal. Amenities include Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities, a gymnasium, an in-house restaurant, and 24-hour room service. Breakfast has been noted by many guests as being particularly good at this hotel. Should you be looking to play some golf between flights, the Keilor Golf Course is located about 15 minutes’ drive away.
This one ranks among the more affordable options near the terminals, and it has received consistent positive reviews (9.0/10 on most popular booking sites) due to its ease of check-in process and plain but pleasant rooms. The hotel is located within a walkable distance of the airport and has two bars/lounges along with several eating places in the neighborhood, including the Boccata Italian Restaurant.
Novotel is right next door to Ibis Styles, another hotel that is commonly mentioned along with Novotel as the two hotels nearest the airport after PARKROYAL. Their breakfast is highly recommended by their guests, and their rooms tend to be somewhat larger and more luxurious compared to the budget options near it. Good mid-range option if you’re looking for a proper hotel but still within the walkway-to-the-gate category.
A bare-bones version of typical hotels; rooms, free Wi-Fi, and breakfast are provided to accommodate travelers who will be sleeping either before or after flying and do not need any other facilities such as pools and gyms. Easily accessible by walking since it’s located in the same area as the terminal; a good option if your schedule allows you to check out early.
Mantra takes another step back from the terminal cluster but makes up for it by offering more amenities like an indoor heated lap pool, spa bath, sauna, gym, and the Woodlands Restaurant and Bar where you can have your breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This place has a complimentary on-demand shuttle to the airport, and reviews also praise the friendly staff and comfortable shuttle services. Mantra with its 277 rooms can be a great choice for businessmen and families seeking more spacious accommodations than in a standard airport room.
A motel-like hotel with a free shuttle to the airport and an indoor pool, Ciloms has been praised for quite a long time by its guests (average score 8.6/10 on most popular sites) due to silent rooms and quality breakfast. Being located slightly off the city, it is perfect for those tourists who are ready to sacrifice some distance in order to get peace and cheaper accommodation than near-the-terminal hotels.
In addition, there is a fitness center, free internet, restaurant, bar, and club lounge within this Choice Hotels. It is located only a short drive away from Watergardens Shopping Centre. This hotel is more distant from the terminal than other hotels featured in the list and thus better suits long-term stays in Melbourne Airport or visiting the nearby area rather than sleeping before a flight.
Also Read: Best Hotels Near MCO Airport
There are a couple of factors that are important in choosing a Melbourne Airport hotel aside from star rating:
Conclusion
There are truly great hotels available at Melbourne Airport, starting with the one that has direct access to the terminal via the skybridge – PARKROYAL, going down to economical places such as ibis budget and Mantra. If you prefer having your room as close as possible to your departure gate, then you have no choice but to stay within the terminal group – PARKROYAL, Ibis Styles, Novotel, Holiday Inn or ibis budget. Should you have some extra time for the shuttle ride and would prefer to get a place with a swimming pool and restaurant, Mantra and Ciloms Airport Lodge would be the perfect option.
FAQs
PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport is the only hotel attached to the airport through a covered pedestrian sky bridge. Other close-by hotels include Ibis Styles and Novotel Melbourne Airport, which are both 0.4 miles away.
No, there is no train line serving Melbourne Airport. The most convenient way to get to the city is through the SkyBus express that runs between the airport and Southern Cross Station. Other options include taxi services and hire cars.
Most hotels provide shuttle services, but the operating hours differ. While hotels like Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport provide 24-hour shuttle services, others like Mantra Melbourne Airport provide on-demand shuttles.
The farther places like Mantra Melbourne Airport and Ciloms Airport Lodge, which are several miles away, are likely to be cheaper per night compared to the ones at the airport cluster (PARKROYAL, Novotel, Ibis Styles, Holiday Inn).
Prices for Melbourne Airport hotels depend on time and day – weekdays and mid-October are comparatively cheaper, while high travel seasons increase the prices. If you want to secure good rates, you should book your hotel at least a couple of weeks prior to arrival.