From well-priced chic stays to dazzling five-star rooms, these are the best hotels, motels and accomodation options in Geelong.
Coming to Geelong for a visit? Taking a fun staycation in the city? Geelong certainly does have an undeniable charm, especially in more recent years. It’s a serious hub boasting world-class dining and wineries, saltwater indulgences, attractions, galleries, markets and festivals, epic local businesses and a plethora of cafes. There are myriad ways to fill your day, but only one real way to recharge your batteries, and that can only be done with a decent night’s rest at the perfect accommodation option for you.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor to our beautiful regional city or a frequent visitor, these hotels, motels and stays will surely help you have the best time ever in this city. For this piece, we’ve just focused on the stays central to Geelong, but if you’d prefer to stay further out and across the region, rest assured, the options are endless.
You’ll find luxury hotels, budget hotels and boutique hotels on this list, so you can unpack, unwind and enjoy your stay in Geelong with the best accommodation options on offer.
R Hotel
Located just five minutes walk to Eastern Beach, this luxe newly restored hotel offers visitors a 4.5-star full-service hotel experience with hotel rooms, one and two-bedroom self-contained apartments, and pet-friendly apartments (six of them!!), plus a 24-hour reception.
Designed for energy efficiency, the building boasts 80 solar panel roofing plus argon gas-filled windows for heat and soundproofing, which is an incredibly large step up from what it’s seen in the past. The hotel provides guests with seven levels of secure undercover car parking including a dedicated bike parking area, plus two solar-powered electric vehicle charge stations.
Inside the world-class air-conditioned rooms, there are LCD TVs, free high-speed Wi-Fi, free cable channels, a refrigerator, espresso machine, tea and coffee making, room safes, and laundry facilities, while the apartments have a full kitchen with a microwave, dishwasher, large showers, and cooking facilities. Perhaps the best part of all is that all the stunning apartment furnishings have been sourced from local suppliers, with beds and tables made in Victoria and artworks being sourced from Melbourne, injecting money straight back into the local economy prior to even opening its doors.
Wait no, this is the best part. Within the hotel, there’s The Le Cafe, located on the corner overlooking Austin Park towards the bay, in the original building facade. The café offers dine-in or takeaway coffees, tea or cold drinks along with light meals and ‘grab and go’ options. The coffee is rich and beautifully roasted, with a selection of alternative milk substitutes available. Enjoy a warmly toasted Ham, Cheese and Tomato Focaccia, a Beef and Egg Breakfast Burrito Wrap or even devour an English Muffin, with a poached egg and crispy bacon. Or, if you prefer something sweet to begin the day, the café also has an assortment of selected muffins, banana bread with butter, danish pastries and so much more.
The apartment hotel is located within an easy walk to Westfield Shopping Centre, Royal Geelong Yacht Club, Geelong’s waterfront restaurants and cafes, hospitals, universities and cultural attractions, a local golf course, and easy access to the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast.
Where: 10 Bellerine Street, Geelong
For bookings, visit The R Hotel website.
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Belmercer Motel
Another waterfront stay overlooking incredible views of the iconic Geelong Waterfront, the Bermercer Motel is a great option for those wanting to be amongst all the hustle and bustle, but for a fraction of the price tag.
Set back just one street, the Belmercer Motel is only 50 metres from the beginning of the boardwalk; which is home to Eastern Beach, as well as Geelong’s very own carousel and gorgeous Botanical Gardens. So park the car (in the free car park) and begin your Geelong adventures on foot.
This four-star motel has a total of 23 rooms, including spa rooms with views overlooking the beautiful Corio Bay and hot tubs. Expect modern interiors mixed back with heritage details, with all the usual features like TVs, free wifi bathroom, coffee/tea making facilities, a microwave and an electric kettle. Simple and affordable, there’s even a continental breakfast available each morning at the venue, while hungry guests can enjoy Indian meals at House Of Shalimar within 5 minutes walk of the hotel.
This one probably won’t blow your mind in terms of luxury but it’s a perfect place to rest your eyes after a busy day exploring the best bits of the Geelong region.
Where: 12-14 Mercer Street, Geelong
Book here.
Novotel Geelong
As one of the city’s finest luxury hotels, expect to wake up to breathtaking views of the Geelong waterfront, the bustling foreshore and Cunningham Pier. With direct access to the foreshore, you can step outside of the hotel lobby and be greeted with sights of the sun setting behind the carousel on one side, and the giant Ferris wheel on the other – a treat for the eyeballs no matter the time of day.
Prime location and fantastic views aside, there’s a good reason why Novotel Geelong is the region’s premier hotel. Its 109 refurbished hotel rooms feature comfortable beds (and the pillows, wow, a cloud) and have been designed to be the perfect retreat, with all rooms including a balcony, some with water views.
All guest rooms offer complimentary Wi-Fi, air conditioning, TV, as well as access to the indoor pool, steam room and fitness centre, all open 24 hours and all contained in a serene, contemporary setting. Service is impeccable and discreet,
Conveniently the hotel houses its own restaurants – the Waterfront Restaurant & Bar – serving Mediterranean-inspired cuisine in the dining room and out on the terrace overlooking the water. However, merely take a step out onto the footpath and you’re surrounded by Geelong’s best cafes, restaurants and bars for any night of the week.
Boasting chic, modern interiors and a wealth of facilities, the Novotel is ideal if you’re in town for an event, the week or just a night, particularly if it’s a date night.
Where: 10-14 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong
You can book direct here.
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Rydges Geelong
A classic Geelong mainstay that was formerly known as Mercure Geelong, it’s impossible to ignore the appeal of its outlook over the hustle and bustle of inner-city Geelong.
Conveniently located on the corner Gheringhap and Myers Streets, just a brisk walk from Little Malop Street – Geelong’s coolest spot to eat, drink and enjoy the good things about a city – Rydges Geelong offers stylish and affordable Geelong accommodation for business and leisure travellers alike. A couple more blocks down and you’re met with the Corio Bay Esplanade and the city’s vibrant restaurant and bar scene, as well as shopping centres, golf courses, museums and galleries.
Perched high on the hill, the hotel offers sweeping views of the sparkling Corio Bay, providing the perfect blend of inner-city convenience and that scenic holiday feel. There are 138 spacious guest rooms, apartments and suites on offer, with a beautiful pool area and a spa. Rooms feature all your usual suspects like free wifi, parking, mini-bar, TV, tea and coffee facilities and temperature control (very important with Geelong’s unpredictable weather patterns), alongside smooth wood furnishings and clean, contemporary decor.
Rydges Geelong is also home to Nautica Pool Bar & Kitchen, a favourite spot for those endless summer vibes. With a fresh modern Australian menu, contemporary decor and bartenders that can accommodate any request, Nautica Restaurant is perfect for lazy dinners and hearty breakfast buffets to intimate evenings and sunset cocktails.
Whether you’re a foodie, art and history buff, a weekend adventurer or a bucket list sightseer, Rydges Geelong is the perfect base to take in all the city has to offer.
Where: Myers Street and Gheringhap Street, Geelong
Find out more and book here.
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Eden Oak Geelong
With beautiful rooms and intuitive service delivered by attentive staff, this little oasis has all the high-end trappings you’d expect from digs nestled in the botanical gardens within the Eastern Park Precinct.
A stunning retreat that caters to corporate functions, events, weddings and more, Eden Oak’s 1.6-hectare site boasts a building area of 4,500 square metres, including function spaces, 46 accommodation suites from a selection of four different room types, restaurant, in-ground swimming pool, hot tub and sprawling gardens.
With guest rooms and two-bedroom apartments, here you can expect panoramic city views from floor-to-ceiling windows, modern furnishings and soft-as-a-cloud beds.
The guest rooms are beautiful and bright, offering a King, queen and single beds depending on your selection, and include a deliciously modern ensuite, bar fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, complimentary wireless internet and daily housekeeping servicing. Truly providing a stay for every guest, there’s even an accessible guest room with easy wheelchair access.
Looking at the apartments, The Acacia Apartment offers a king bed and two single beds accommodating up to 4 guests. This split level apartment has a sunken living area and is fully self-contained and includes a kitchen, bathroom, laundry, private patio and complimentary wireless internet. There’s also The Waratah Apartment which offers a king bed and two double beds accommodating up to 6 guests, and is fully self-contained and includes a kitchen, bathroom, laundry, private patio and complimentary wireless internet; and The Banksia Apartment which is a split level apartment offering a king bed and two double beds accommodating up to 6 guests, sunken living area and is fully self-contained and includes a kitchen, bathroom, laundry, private patio and complimentary wireless internet.
Lastly is our pick, The Garden Apartment, which offers a king bed and two double beds accommodating up to 6 guests. This beautiful story apartment has both bedrooms and bathroom located on the top floor and kitchen, dining and living areas on the bottom floor. It is fully self-contained and includes a kitchen, bathroom, laundry, private patio and complimentary wireless internet with loads of gorgeous natural light.
Adjoining the East Geelong Golf Course, Eden Oak offers easy access to the Geelong CBD, with major arterials allowing an easy commute to the Bellarine and Surf Coast, with Avalon Airport just 25 kilometres away. How bloody perfect.
Where:20 Adams Ct, East Geelong
Book your stay here.
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Tasman Holiday Parks (Previously Riverglen Holiday Park)
If you’re after super affordable and don’t mind the camping vibes, Tasman Holiday Parks is perfectly situated for a weekend break or family holiday.
The park offers a great range of accommodation from ensuite tent sites and powered camping sites to family cottages, one-bedroom cottages and even deluxe spa cottages. All cottages are fully self-contained with ensuites, WiFi, air-conditioning, heating, a seating area and a private bathroom with a shower. A flat-screen TV, DVD player and a kitchenette with a microwave, refrigerator and a kettle are also included.
There’s also free parking, two swimming pools, a playground, a large colourful jumping pillow, a games room and two fully-equipped camp kitchens, free BBQs and sheltered outdoor dining areas. If you don’t feel like a BBQ, picnic on the riverbank or take a short drive to the Geelong waterfront for a choice of great restaurants, bars and cafes.
Sitting pretty among the gum trees on the banks of the Barwon River, Riverglen Holiday Park is only three and a half to four kilometres away from the city centre of Geelong, this spot is a great base to explore the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula, and the cosmopolitan charms of Victoria’s second-biggest city.
Spend your day’s surfing, swimming, fishing, walking and exploring and return to the park to chill by the pool, wind down in the games room, or just relax with a glass of wine or cuppa. Absolutely perfect.
Where: 75 Barrabool Road, Belmont
Book here.
Vue Apartments
Smack bang in the middle of Geelong’s thriving waterfront precinct, Vue Apartments Geelong offers visitors the ultimate location for business or leisure with expansive views of Eastern Beach and Austin Park.
A fail-safe option for those busy, activity-filled weekends in the regional city, Vue Apartments promise affordable luxury with a range of Studio, One Bedroom, Family, and Two Bedroom Apartments to choose from.
The compact, smartly designed rooms are a minimalist’s dream with modern furnishings and vibrant pops of colour, while the vibe is serene and subdued, despite its middle-of-the-action location. All self-contained, the air-conditioned apartments have free WiFi and LCD TV, free cable channel and a DVD player. Each apartment has a kitchenette or kitchen with a microwave, refrigerator and tea and coffee making facilities. Some rooms even have a balcony or private terrace for you to watch the world go by on with coffee in hand, and the deluxe rooms boast a spa, espresso machine and original artwork throughout. Private on-site parking is available at a surcharge.
A 15-minute walk from Geelong Train Station and a three-minute walk to the beach, you won’t have to venture far to find world-class dining options on Geelong’s iconic waterfront, either.
Where: 6 Bellerine Street, Geelong
Book your stay here.
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Eastern Sands City Centre
If we’re talking pure location, it’s hard to go past Eastern Sands City Centre. Located quite literally in the heart of Geelong, the Eastern Sands accommodation is within walking distance to the city’s beautiful waterfront, Botanical Gardens, within 100 metres of Geelong’s shopping centres and close to all the city’s greatest arts institutions – Geelong Arts Centre, Geelong Gallery and National Wool Museum to name a few.
Perfect for an overnight stay, the rooms are quaint, decorated in neutral colours, and feature a minibar, free Wifi, tea/coffee making facilities and a bathroom with a hairdryer. Some rooms also offer stunning bay views and there’s free private parking on site.
Feeling hungry? Head to the hotel restaurant Malt Shovel Taphouse – the home for craft beer lovers. Split into multiple dining areas, including an art deco front room, a beer garden, a more intimate booth setting and a beer hall reminiscent area, Malt Shovel Tap House caters for everyone with their well-rounded offering. Whilst specialists in rotisserie meats, they have a long list of burgers, classic pub meals and sharing plates on offer. On the beer side, you can’t go past their tasting paddle to have a taste of everything on tap.
Where: 1 Bellerine Street, 3220 Geelong
Book here.
Nomads Nest Geelong
Nomads Nest offers an idyllic urban escape in the heart of Geelong’s CBD.
Perched high on the hill at 94 Gheringhap Street, the exciting and unique interiors of Nomads Nest studios and apartments are both warm, uplifting and inviting. Deluxe and oh so private, Nomads Nest is less like a hotel and is more akin to a stylish guest house. With four accommodation options, there’s luxury within reach for every type of traveller.
On the ground floor, there’s The Buckley Studio, which offers one room with a king bed, fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom with an ensuite. On the first floor, there’s The Kardinia Studio, with one room with a king bed, fully equipped kitchen and ensuite bathroom, and The Latrobe Apartment, with lounge, separate bedroom, fully equipped kitchen and ensuite bathroom. Then, on the second floor, there’s The Moorabool Apartment with a lounge, separate bedroom, fully equipped kitchen and ensuite bathroom. All rooms also come with a coffee machine, free WiFi, and free parking, with the ground level studio offering pet-friendly accommodation with an enclosed outdoor area.
Charming and incredibly homey, its central location is perfect for discovering the foodie heaven of Geelong, with restaurants and bars within walking distance and an abundance of wineries only a short drive away.
Where: 94 Gheringhap Street, Geelong
Book your stay here.
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Quest Apartments
Located only 1.4 kilometres away from Geelong’s CBD, Quest Apartments is close enough that you can conveniently access the city centre and indulge in waterfront views, yet far enough along the Esplanade making it the perfect stay for those keen on exploring the city and beyond.
With 35 serviced apartments on offer, Quest Apartments is a refreshing escape where you’ll find a relaxed muted palette in all the Studios, One, Two and Three Bedroom Apartments.
Perfect for short or long stays, studios, complete with kitchenettes, are the perfect alternative to a hotel room while the One, Two and Three Bedroom Apartments boasting fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities and private balconies, are ideal for families, colleagues or larger groups looking for a home away from home experience.
Flooded with natural light, the rooms here provide a stylish, open-plan space to unwind and relax with additional features like apartment-controlled heating/air conditioning, fridge, ensuite or central bathrooms with amenities and a hair dryer, desk, LCD TV and high-speed internet access. A wardrobe, ironing board and iron add to the convenience. Daily housekeeping service is included, and breakfast and restaurant options are also available. Guests also have access to free secure underground parking.
Within its prime location, hungry guests can enjoy Geelong’s exciting food scene with an eclectic mix of dining options from old-world grandeur, waterfront alfresco, trendy laneway cafés, delis and family-friendly bistros.
Pro tip: if you can’t be bothered leaving the building, you can cook in the comfort of your room with the kitchen facilities and take advantage of Quest’s pantry shopping service, and have groceries delivered to your apartment, whether it be for your arrival or throughout your stay. Or UberEats is always good too.
Where: 16- 18 The Esplanade Sth, Geelong
Explore your stay with Quest here.
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The Warehouse
One loaded with plenty more soul than you’d expect from a hotel, The Warehouse is a refreshing escape where you’ll find plenty of colours, shapes, and comforts in a truly luxe setting.
Tucked away in the Western Wedge Art Precinct, The Warehouse Apartments infuses industrial-chic rooms with a vibrant colour palette in the old Herne’s Cough Medicine Factory. With its clever blend of old and new, the beautiful two-bedroom apartments have been architecturally designed, and purpose-built for short/long term boutique accommodation. All units here are air-conditioned and feature a flat-screen TV, a living room with a sofa, a well-equipped kitchen with a dining area, and a private bathroom with a shower, a hairdryer and free toiletries. A dishwasher, a microwave and a fridge are also provided, as well as a kettle. There’s also a patio or terrace and free private parking.
Seeking to create something truly unique and at one with its urbane environment, you’ll find a bunch of natural light, polished concrete floors and high ceilings and it’s within walking distance to all the city’s restaurants, and art galleries and parks.
It’s Geelong meets New York style, one of a kind and incredibly bespoke. As such, the price tag can be quite high, but for the right type of traveller, it’s entirely worth it.
Where: 5 Little Ryrie Street, Geelong
Explore The Warehouse Accommodation on Airbnb here.
Rose Garden Motel
With a pretty name like Rose Garden, the real beauty about this stay is that it offers most of the services that conventional hotels offer, but for a fraction of the rates and with the added advantage of much larger rooms.
Set in a quiet residential area, just a few minutes’ drive from the CBD of Geelong shops and restaurants, Geelong Football Club, and Deakin University, this family-friendly accommodation is ideal for those looking for some zen.
Offering standard rooms, deluxe rooms, family rooms and even family units, all of these have been designed to offer comfort and efficiency whilst away from home. The rooms all offer kitchenettes, king-sized beds, split system heating and cooling, Foxtel, low-key chic decor, tea and coffee necessities, free WiFi and breaky in the morning. There are also spa baths in some of the rooms.
Besides relaxing in comfort in your guest room, be sure to take advantage of the thriving garden surrounds, BBQ facilities, free on-site parking and in-ground pool.
For the price tag offered, your expectations will certainly be met and possibly exceeded.
Where: 14-16 Settlement Rd, Belmont
Book here.
Sabina on Little Myers
A single holiday cottage, Sabina on Little Myers is a hidden gem tucked away in the heart of Geelong’s CBD. Just a short stroll to all of the inner-city and waterfront attractions, restaurants, cafes, shopping and beaches, the spacious stay in a building dating from 19th century will be your private city sanctuary.
Refreshingly dog-friendly, this is a sophisticated base for exploring Geelong, the Bellarine and the Great Ocean Road; offering privacy with all the comforts of home. The master bedroom with a king-size bed, has its own ensuite and the other two bedrooms can be either two king singles or a king bed in each room. The main bathroom has a spa bath for when you really wish to relax while the house has central heating and cooling throughout as well as a cozy gas log fire in the lounge room for those quiet or romantic nights.
A spacious modern kitchen and dining room looks out into a lovely garden, BBQ and entertaining area and the property has secure fencing and a lockable gate, perfect for the pooch to stretch their legs. Off-street and undercover parking is available in the backyard.
Because you’re the one on holiday, all the essentials are provided including all linen and fluffy towels, luxury bath robes and slippers, a generous light continental breakfast for the first morning together with refreshments and chocolates on arrival.
Where: 90 Little Myers, Geelong
Book via Airbnb here or find out more here.
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The Waterfront Apartments
This Waterfront mainstay has all the essential ingredients needed to conjure up an extraordinary hotel experience. There are incredible waterfront and city views, the polished interiors of delightful townhouse style apartments, private balconies and access to Novotel’s indoor heated pool. Cap that off with being surrounded by cafes, restaurants and other iconic Geelong attractions and you’ve got yourself a real winning stay.
There are five apartments to choose from, from one-bedroom executive and deluxe to, a two-bedroom waterfront apartment or a two-bedroom Waterview apartment. With free WiFi, private laundries and on-site undercover security parking, The Waterfront Apartments are both affordable and comfortable for when you’re looking for a holiday or corporate-stay accommodation on the shores of Corio Bay within the Geelong CBD.
With quality luxe fixtures and fittings, the apartments accommodate between one and six people with a minimum stay of two nights.
Where: 2-4 Yarra Street, Geelong
Find out more here.
Admiralty Inn
Located just a 10-minute walk from central Geelong and the stunning waterfront, the Admiralty Inn has made a name for itself as one of Geelong’s most convenient and comfortable stays. There are a few things going for it: it’s a stone’s throw away from the vibrant city centre, there’s an A-Grade restaurant right next door, free parking and a saltwater swimming pool.
With a few different rooming options, the rooms boast comfy beds, a small refrigerator, ensuite bathroom, heating, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, electric blankets, a toaster and tea/coffee making facilities. The huge rainfall shower head alone is worth the stay in our humble opinion. There’s also free WiFi, daily housekeeping, drinks and snacks available at receptions, and guest laundry facilities and breakfast is served in the poolside breakfast room or in-room.
The aforementioned A-Grade restaurant is definitely a pull, with Empire Grill being a favourite special occasion restaurant for more than 30 years now, with an a la carte menu boasting a fine a collection of dishes that are contemporary in their execution, vivid in their taste, and expressive in overall satisfaction. A mix of modern Australian with European and Asian influences, utilising the finest and freshest of what the Geelong region has to offer. Think Goats Cheese Tortellini, Mushroom Fricassee, slow-cooked beef cheek, confit duck, and char-grilled eye fillet. For more extravagant occasions, the five-course degustation is our pick. Then simply roll on back to your room and finish off the evening with a bottle of wine, or slowly make your way into town and immerse yourself in Geelong’s nightlife.
Where: 66 McKillop Street, Geelong
You can book here.
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Geelong Short Stays
Whether you are looking for a deluxe getaway or sticking to a budget, Geelong Short Stays provides a range of options to suit your occasion and needs. It’s more of an accommodation platform than a stay itself, but it’s perfect for those looking for something more affordable and a little bit quirky or luxe in unexpected locations around the CBD.
For short stays, there’s a range of apartments that you can scroll through, from one-bedroom to two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom apartments or Townhouses. Rooms go from $65 per night, while apartments start from $185 per night. There are laneway bungalows, luxurious Geelong Club Apartments and even coastal Japanese style garden rooms.
Longer stays are also available despite the business name, where fully furnished houses are available to ‘rent’.
Where: 125 Yarra Street Geelong
Explore your stay here.
Of course, there are many other options around the Geelong area that would also do the trick. Visit Geelong and Bellarine have listed a range of local accommodation options to suit every lifestyle and budget which you can check out here. Alternatively, check out sites like Booking.com, Airbnb, Stayz, Last Minute and Riparide to discover something new.
This article was made in partnership with Visit Geelong & The Bellarine.
