A Hotel Like No Other: Notel Melbourne

Behind an unassuming door on the corner of Harper and Flinders Lane you’ll find the entrance to a boutique hotel like no other you’ll have experienced. This is Notel Melbourne.

When you get to the corner of the two lanes, look up to the rooftop of Fry’s Fast Park garage. There you’ll see the gleam of chrome peeking out from the rooftop. That’s where you want to be.

With a speakeasy flair (you need to find your way ‘past a roller door (that does not roll)’), and up three flights of stairs, you’ll find five 1970 Chrome Airstreams waiting to welcome guests to what is arguably Melbourne’s coolest boutique hotel, and by far the most Instagrammable!

READ NEXT: Melbourne Hotel Guide

Inside Notel Melbourne’s Airstream

These are no Airstreams. As soon as you open the door, you are transported into a chic retro wonderland. Each 31-foot American-made Airstream is arranged like a studio apartment.

A comfortable queen-size bed, that’s not too soft but not too firm, fitted with Organic Bamboo Lyocell sheets and premium linen made here in Melbourne is located at the far end of the trailer. A minibar filled with tasty locally sourced snacks awaits hungry visitors (did I mention it’s free?!), and facilities to make tea and coffee sit atop the fridge.Along the edge of the Airstream are cushions and lots of room to stretch out and relax if you prefer to keep the bed simply for sleeping. If you prefer, each Airstream comes with a deck with table and chairs overlooking the communal area.

Let’s talk about the bathroom. Unlike squishy caravan or even tiny boutique hotel bathrooms, the bathroom in Notel’s Airstream is spacious and surprisingly large!

Separated from the bedroom a pink perspex feature wall, there’s a full-size shower with solid water pressure.

The Aura towels are a stylish (and absorbent) affair and you’ll find Malin+Gotez toiletries.

The bathroom windows are frosted to ensure maximum privacy yet plenty of light.

Each Airstream also comes with its own deck overlooking the shared communal area. The night I stayed, a few of us cracked out a beer or cider and chatted while enjoying the balmy spring evening.

Whether it’s summer or winter, you’ll be kept cosy with air conditioning or heating.

If the standard Airstream is not quite your thing, elevate your stay in the ‘Airstream with Benefits’. This Airstream is in a prime position with a secluded deck overlooking Flinders Lane. Oh, and there’s a jacuzzi!

Sorry for the quality of this photo of the Airstream with Benefits!
Guests were in the jacuzzi and I didn’t want to disturb them.

The Little Extras at Notel Melbourne

Let’s answer the most important question first: the WiFi at Notel Melbourne is free!

Okay, now we have that answered, let’s look at the other little extras that Notel offers guests.

The mini bar is complimentary. Filled with local treats from Tyrell, Gippsland Dairy, and Colonial Brewery Co. You are in the perfect location to have a night out but for those seeking a quiet night in each Airstream comes with their own iPad Pro and complimentary Netflix access!

Bring your comfortable PJs and settle into those snuggle-worthy sheets. Finish with the free minibar AND my favourite shows on Netflix? Sounds like my kind of night!

Melbourne arguably has some of the best public transport in Australia, but those driving Fry’s Fast Garage below have agreed to give Notel Melbourne guests complimentary overnight parking.

One thing to note is that the Garage shuts quite early (I believe 8 pm?!). I didn’t arrive back in the city until 8:30 and found them shut. There is on metered on-street parking, but they begin charging from 7 am and I was a bit silly and didn’t wake up til 8:00 am and had a nice parking ticket waiting for me by the time I stumbled downstairs. Those darn beds are way too comfortable for their own good…

Is Notel Melbourne noisy? Is it private?

Overall, Notel is a peaceful recluse in Melbourne’s CBD and offers privacy when you are in the cabin.

You are perched on a rooftop in the middle of Melbourne, so there are some noises.
Earlier in the eve while relaxing watching Netflix I could hear other guests relaxing on their open balconies (in a shared communal area), and occasionally I’d hear sirens or vehicles from the surrounding streets. The only other noise I heard was the gentle hum of my air conditioner; located directly outside and behind the bed in Cabin 4.

Surrounding the rooftop is a number of office buildings, including another hotel. So, if you are on the deck in the communal area, they’ll be able to see you.

Inside the Airstream you have complete privacy.

What’s near Notel Melbourne?

Notel Melbourne is located on the corner of Harper and Flinders Lane in Melbourne’s Central Business District.

You are just a short walk from the Immigration Museum, Melbourne Aquarium, and Crown Casino (across the river). Flinders Street Station and Federation Square are about 10 minutes walk away.

Within Melbourne’s CBD, you can hop on a tram for free! This means that the whole city is accessible from Notel Melbourne.

If you prefer cycling, you should have no problems renting a Melbourne City Bike (please remember to use a helmet!)

For a great restaurant, check out Maha for Middle Eastern fine dining or Vue de Monde for modern Australian fine dining and the best view of Melbourne.

For something more low-key, gourmet burgers can be found at Royal Stacks, located less than a block away. It has some of the best burgers in Melbourne.

Searching for a fab place to drink? I recommend Arbory Bar, on the waterfront behind Flinders Street Station, or Ponyfish Island located on the Yarra River, under the Southbank Pedestrian Bridge.

For something more sophisticated try Vue de Monde’s Lui Bar. The view and experience are worth the above-average cocktail prices!

Details

Notel Melbourne
388-394 Flinders Lane
(Look up when you get to Harper Lane in Melbourne’s CBD)

Website: www.notelmelbourne.com.au

Rate:

Standard Airstream is $395
Airstream with Benefits is $440

Watch out for discounts mentioned on their social media. I managed to score 50% off my stay with their Cheap Tuesday in November/December promotion!

Included:

• A great view of Melbourne
• Free WiFi
• Free Minibar filled with Melbourne-made products
• A huge iPad Pro to watch Netflix, search for what to do in Melbourne, or browse the web
• Luxury toiletries by Malin+Gotez

Please note: Notel can arrange access for those who require assistance or are wheelchair bound.

Read more about Melbourne and Victoria:

52 Weeks Around Melbourne and Victoria

Where to eat, sleep and drink in Melbourne

A Guide to the Great Ocean Road

A Weekend Escape to the Mornington Peninsula
(coming soon!)

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This is NOT a sponsored post.
Notel Melbourne had a 50% discount on their standard Airstreams during November and December.