With striking prints by Australian artist Charles Blackman and minimalist decor throughout, the sleekly upscale 209-room Blackman feels more like a downtown art gallery than a high-end hotel. The spacious, up-to-date rooms, all with balconies and designer furnishings, are comfortable and include inspired artwork, but the bathrooms are small. About a 40-minute walk from the Central Business District, or CBD, the hotel has two restaurants -- Depot de Pain, a French-style cafe, and Classico, an Italian style restaurant that also serves as a bar. 

The Alto Hotel is housed in a 19th-century building and offers 50 rooms and apartment-style units. Room decor is bland -- aside from black and white photographs on the walls. Beds were replaced in 2012 with pillow-top mattresses, white duvets and Florence Broadhurst patterned bed runners and throw pillows. The furniture is utilitarian -- but all are clean and feature flat-screen TVs with wireless capabilities, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. Plus, Studio Apartments have kitchenettes, while Apartments feature full kitchens. The hotel's real claim to fame is that it's the first carbon neutral hotel in Australia. Green-friendly perks include free parking for guests with electric or hybrid cars, free car recharging, and rooftop beehives. The hotel doesn't have many on-site amenities aside from a lounge and a simple restaurant -- there is no pool, spa, or fitness center -- but guests get free access to a nearby gym and the location is convenient for seeing the sights.

Located in the fashionable Melbourne neighborhood of Prahran, Art Series - The Cullen is a luxury boutique hotel designed and inspired by the art of Australian contemporary grunge painter, Adam Cullen, run by local chain of similarly art-inspired hotels. The bright and airy rooms are all open-plan suites with full kitchenettes, and, like everywhere else in the hotel, are decorated with modern and abstract designs and artwork. A distinct sense of humor runs through the place; for example, the Do Not Disturb signs read, "Back off or I'll Bite," while the reverse proclaims, "Please Clean up my Mess." Modern perks include Smart Cars and playlist-stocked iPods to rent, as well as a well-equipped fitness center, but Wi-Fi and breakfast both come at a fee. Note that some guests complain that the common areas feel more like a trendy gallery than a hotel, which isn't always a good thing.

The 59-room Hotel Lindrum Melbourne is an upscale boutique hotel near the Central Business District with a balance of history and modern flair. The hotel features the sleek Felt restaurant, a popular choice among locals, and a cozy bar with a fireplace. Modern rooms are spacious, with stylish bedding and chic furniture, but shower/tub combos are narrow. The hotel's barn also has a pool table, adding to the hotel's relaxed vibe, but there's no pool or fitness center. 

This upscale boutique hotel is located in the heart of Australia’s trendy South Yarra neighborhood, which is filled with shops, restaurants and bars. As part of the Art Series Hotel Group, it’s dedicated to showcasing art from an individual artist—the acclaimed Dr. John Olsen. Guests are greeted by gorgeous artwork and sculptures throughout the hotel. There are over 200 elegant suites with modern technology and two on-site restaurants. There are also a spa and a fitness center, but the equipment is very minimal, and there’s a charge for in-room Wi-Fi.

An iconic grand dame built in the 1890s, the six-story Grand Hotel Melbourne's latest incarnation is as an apartment-style hotel in the city's Central Business District. Each of the simple apartments has a fully equipped kitchen. The more recently updated Deluxe apartments are more stylish, with sleekly modern, Scandinavian-style decor and oversize walk-in rainfall showers. The four pearl hotel also has a small gym with a sauna, an indoor pool lit with skylights, and a bar and restaurant serving modern Australian cuisine for breakfast and dinner. The location is convenient to the Convention Centre, and there's a tram stop just a minute down the block. Be prepared to pay for breakfast and for Wi-Fi, as is the norm in most Melbourne hotels.