---
title: "Docklands vs Southbank: where to stay in Melbourne?"
description: "Docklands vs Southbank in Melbourne, compared on 37 and 30 hotels: guest ratings, 5-star choice, budget options and distance to the centre."
url: https://stayversus.com/en/australia/melbourne/area/docklands-vs-southbank/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-10-29
---

# Docklands or Southbank: where to stay in Melbourne?

Both are popular bases in Melbourne. This is how their hotels compare, using guest ratings for 37 hotels in Docklands and 30 in Southbank.

| In short ·  | [Docklands](https://stayversus.com/en/australia/melbourne/area/docklands/) | [Southbank](https://stayversus.com/en/australia/melbourne/area/southbank/) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ranked hotels | 37 | 30 |
| Typical night (year average) | €175 | €166 |
| Average guest rating | 8.7 | 8.6 |
| Rated 9 or higher | 32% | 17% |
| 5-star hotels | 3 | 4 |
| 3 stars or fewer | 0 | 0 |
| Median distance to the centre | 1.6 km | 700 m |
| Average location score | 7.4 | 8.9 |

## In short

-   Hotels in Docklands rate higher: 8.7 on average against 8.6 in Southbank.
-   Docklands has the larger share of hotels rated 9 or higher (32% vs 17%).
-   The typical hotel in Southbank is closer to the city centre (700 m vs 1.6 km).
-   The two areas are about 1.7 km apart.

## Best-rated in Docklands

[Top-rated of 37 hotels in Docklands](https://stayversus.com/en/australia/melbourne/area/docklands/)

 #1

Apartment Victoria Harbour

### [Melbourne Lifestyle Apartments - Best Views on Collins](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/melbourne-lifestyle-apartments-best-views-on-collins-melbourne/)

-   Free Wi-Fi
-   Free parking
-   Swimming pool

9.6 **Exceptional** 1,145 reviews 1.9 km

 #2

Hotel ★★★★½ Koreatown

### [Movenpick Melbourne on Spencer](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/movenpick-melbourne-on-spencer-melbourne/)

-   Swimming pool
-   Gym

9.2 **Excellent** 1,020 reviews 850 m

 #3

Hotel ★★★★ NewQuay

### [Nesuto Docklands](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/nesuto-docklands-melbourne/)

-   Gym

9.2 **Excellent** 283 reviews 2.2 km

 #4

Apartment NewQuay

### [Accent Accommodation @ Docklands](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/accent-accommodation-docklands-melbourne/)

-   Free Wi-Fi
-   Free parking
-   Swimming pool

9.2 **Excellent** 173 reviews 1.9 km

## Best-rated in Southbank

[Top-rated of 30 hotels in Southbank](https://stayversus.com/en/australia/melbourne/area/southbank/)

 #1

Hotel ★★★★★ Southbank

### [Quay West Suites Melbourne](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/quay-west-suites-melbourne-melbourne/)

-   Swimming pool
-   Spa
-   Gym

9.3 **Exceptional** 260 reviews 510 m

 #2

Hotel ★★★★★ Southbank

### [The Langham Melbourne](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/the-langham-melbourne-melbourne/)

-   Free Wi-Fi
-   Airport transfer
-   Swimming pool

9.2 **Excellent** 1,750 reviews 430 m

 #3

Hotel ★★★★★ Southbank

### [Crown Towers Melbourne](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/crown-towers-melbourne-melbourne/)

9.2 **Excellent** 1,450 reviews 730 m

 #4

Hotel ★★★★½ Batman's Hill

### [Crowne Plaza Melbourne By IHG](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/crowne-plaza-melbourne-by-ihg-melbourne/)

-   Swimming pool

9.0 **Excellent** 2,779 reviews 820 m

## More area match-ups in Melbourne

-   [Docklands vs Melbourne CBD](https://stayversus.com/en/australia/melbourne/area/docklands-vs-melbourne-cbd/)
-   [Melbourne CBD vs Southbank](https://stayversus.com/en/australia/melbourne/area/melbourne-cbd-vs-southbank/)

## FAQ: Docklands vs Southbank

### Which has better-rated hotels, Docklands or Southbank?

Docklands: its 37 hotels average 8.7 out of 10, against 8.6 for the 30 hotels in Southbank.

---
Source: https://stayversus.com/en/australia/melbourne/area/docklands-vs-southbank/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/