6 Melbourne hotels for 6 types of travelers

Melbourne is a town of diversity and individualism, from highbrow to lowbrow, high end to low end, High Street Armadale to Low Street, err, Tungamah.

The point is, whatever the tribe, vibe or stomping ground, there’s a Melbourne hotel to reflect it.

And yes, there are even country hotels that do the same.

Here are six for a southern journey, whether you're a bohemian, businessman, barfly, hedonist -- or even a Sydneysider.

Design darlings at The Bloomfield Hotel

Old mansions make cool hotels. So, apparently, do old nightclub folk.

The owners of the Bloomfield are only “old” in the sense that they once haunted Melbourne’s club scene, but that life is far behind them.

The mansion they call the Bloomfield Hotel is old in the other sense -- a splendid Victorian pile with rambling hallways, creaking stairs, balconies and a hodgepodge of room shapes and sizes.

The signature is late twentieth-century glam, with photo portraiture of Studio 54 types, the European jet set and supermodels gracing everything from hallways to headboards. Furnishings are funky and staff is cheery and accommodating, as are prices.

The location’s a cracker as well. Smack dab on Toorak Road opposite the sprawling Fawkner Park, the Number 8 tram rumbles by to Chapel Street in one direction, the city in the other.

Vibe: French nightclub chic

Budget: Bargain

The Bloomfield Hotel, 1 Millswyn St., South Yarra, +61 (0)3 9866 4485, www.bloomfieldgroup.com.au

Actors and barflies at Hotel Urban

The Urban brand is simple, functional fun. Rooms are bright and breezy, as is staff.

The life that bustles along is a vibrant mix of business, creative and party people come and go, part of the endless activity that makes Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, one of the great parades of humanity at all its levels of sobriety, decency and cognizance.

As mad as things get on Fitzroy Street, however, the rooms of the Urban are quiet and restful.  

There’s a rooftop sunbathing deck and downstairs two dining and drinking holes.

Suger is a café and bar with al fresco seating on Fitzroy Street and a cozy, dimly lit space for indoor stuff, while the Curious Restaurant is becoming of food enquirers.

The Urban also includes complimentary access to the nearby St Kilda Sea Baths at the South Pacific Health Club, as well as the hotel’s own gym on the premises. Throw in free Internet on the lobby's computers and in-room wireless and you're connected to that bay-side vibe.

Vibe: Rock 'n' roll casual

Budget: Affordable

Hotel Urban, 35-37 Fitzroy St., St Kilda, +61 (0)3 8530 8888, www.hotelurban.com.au

Gay mates and Sydneysiders at The Cullen Hotel

Daring, bold and boutique in the middle of gay and happening Prahran, The Cullen is just "fabulous darlin'" (as a Sydneysider would say).

It's been inspired by the bad boy of contemporary art, Adam Cullen, whose infamous Ned Kelly series adorns the 119-room hotel. An in-house curator takes guests on a tour of the works.

If you don't want to stay in your deco suite watching the art channel or cooking up a gray cloud in the kitchenette, smart cars and bicycles await for you downstairs to see the lay of the land.

But it's in the heart of Prahran, with eclectic clubs and gourmet dining at your doorstep.

Vibe: Hip

Budget: Mid-range

The Cullen Hotel, 164 Commercial Rd., Prahran, +61 (0)3 9098 1555, www.artserieshotels.com.au/cullen