United Locations, a luxurious boutique lodge within the South Yarra neighborhood, gives a glossy spin on brutalist structure. Its 12 suites have textured concrete partitions, rain showers and personal terraces. One- and two-bedroom suites obtainable, ranging from A$695.
QT Melbourne is a 188-room lodge whose striped, gold-accented and neon foyer encapsulates its quirky industrial vibe and maximalist decor. Rooms from about A$300.
Zagame’s Home, a once-faded motel that was gutted and modernised, has 97 rooms with darkish tones and gold accents. Rooms from about A$229.
For short-term leases, the town centre has listings for largely trendy, boxy apartment flats. You’re extra prone to discover properties with extra character, and to get the flavour of native life, in suburbs like Fitzroy, East Melbourne, Richmond, South Yarra and South Melbourne.