Melbourne’s new airport hotel has a wellness club, restaurant and wine bar

September 28

Airport hotels have long been the overlooked middle child of travel — not quite a destination nor a delight, but a functional pit stop between here and there.

But the new dual-branded Novotel & ibis Styles hotel at Melbourne Airport, which opened its doors in July, is determined to change that.

Designed by renowned architecture firm Fender Katsalidis, with interiors by Woods Bagot, the $230 million project boasts 464 rooms, split between the sleek Novotel and the more budget-friendly ibis Styles.

As the first newly built hotel in Melbourne’s airport precinct in over 20 years, it’s clearly aiming to raise the bar — so does it succeed in going beyond the basics?

Location, convenience and comforts

When booking an airport hotel, location, convenience and comfort are always at the top of my list.

And the new Novotel & ibis Styles at Melbourne Airport — just a five-minute stroll from Terminal 4 — delivers on all fronts, especially convenience.

I arrive just after 1pm and head to the reception desk on the Novotel side. Even though check-in isn’t until 2pm, the friendly receptionist lets me know my room is ready if I’d like to check-in early.

There are also multiple self-serve check-in kiosks in the lobby that make arriving or departing at odd hours a breeze.

I’m staying in one of Novotel’s deluxe king rooms on the seventh floor. It includes a king-sized bed, quaint living area with a desk and TV, plus a modern bathroom with a rainforest and regular shower head.

Deluxe king room at Novotel, Melbourne Airport. Credit: Supplied

The room’s design takes inspiration from the natural beauty of regional Victoria, with rich forest greens and warm timber accents creating a calm and inviting atmosphere.

Large floor-to-ceiling windows fill the room with natural light during the day, and offer a unique view of planes coming and going from Melbourne Airport.

But I should note that the windows aren’t entirely soundproof, so you may hear the occasional hum of planes landing and taking off. However, the noise is fairly muted and didn’t disturb my stay — I slept comfortably through the night.

Novotel Melbourne Airport. Credit: Supplied

Hotel facilities

The hotel has its own health and wellness centre, Higher State, with a state-of-the-art gym, heated indoor swimming pool and tranquil spa rooms where a range of spa treatments can be booked for an extra charge. I can personally recommend the tranquillity massage that is designed to relieve jet lag and fatigue.

For the business-minded, there are co-working spaces and meeting rooms available to book.

Spa foyer at Higher State. Credit: Supplied

Food and drink

There are currently two spots for grabbing a bite to eat here. The first is Small Holdings, a weekday cafe from 6am to 3pm that dishes out excellent coffee, pastries and a solid lunch menu.

Boccata restaurant and bar. Credit: Supplied

The other is Boccata, an Italian restaurant and wine bar that starts with breakfast for hotel guests and kicks off again at midday, running until late, serving mouthwatering meals and snacks like deep-fried lasagne, plus it has a decent wine list with a good range of Australian and international wines.

The verdict

Novotel & ibis Styles hotel is Melbourne Airport’s golden child, no longer just a pit stop but a destination in its own right.

Just a short stroll from the terminals, this dual-branded gem offers everything you need for a long layover — without the eye-watering taxi fare.

The in-house restaurant, Boccata, is a standout feature. With its delicious menu and welcoming vibe, it’s an ideal spot whether you’re dining solo or grabbing a bite before your flight.

But what really sets this hotel apart is the attention to what travellers truly need: a wellness spa and an impressive 24-hour fitness centre that mean you can recharge on your terms.

In a space that could have settled for basic, this hotel delivers a welcome pause between flights — redefining what an airport hotel can be.