We’ve stayed in a lot of Melbourne hotels over the years, but Oakwood Premier Melbourne is the first one where the kids were happy to battle it out over a game of air hockey.
We visited this Southbank hotel with our teens (13 and 15), but we’ve also kept an eye out for what matters most if you’re travelling with younger kids.
Southbank Location, Serious City Views
Oakwood Premier Melbourne is a 5-star hotel and residence at the Southbank/South Wharf end of the city, a short tram ride from the CBD and an easy walk from DFO South Wharf and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. As it’s not in the thick of the CBD it’s a quieter hotel option, which some families will love.
We stayed on level 31, and the panoramic views from up there are stunning (even on a cloudy day). In one direction floor-to-ceiling windows look straight over the CBD skyline and Yarra River, with other rooms facing Port Phillip Bay in the distance on a clear day. There’s a gentle hum of freeway traffic at night, but it didn’t stop any of us sleeping.
Checking In
The reception/check-in area is eye-catching, with the stylish Oak Lounge lobby lounge on the side for a relaxing snack or drink. We had a very short wait before receiving our wooden key cards to whisk us directly up to the 31st floor.
The Rooms: Space to Spread Out
This is where we think Oakwood is particularly useful for families. We had two adjoining rooms to create a 2 bedroom apartment for 2 adults and 2 kids (with enough room to include a rollaway bed or cot too).
The setup is smart if you’re travelling with kids who need their own space but you can still gather together for meals and family time.
Standard Hotel Room
One room is a straightforward hotel-style twin, with a king bed split into two singles and its own bathroom with a shower. Simple and comfortable; good for teens or a grandparent joining the trip
One-Bedroom Apartment
The second room is a very spacious one-bedroom apartment. There’s a full kitchen with an oven, cooktop, microwave, fridge and a washer/dryer, toaster, kettle, coffee machine, which means you don’t have to eat out for every meal.
The king bed that can also split into two singles, the sitting area has a big TV you can screencast to, a small dining table, and a separate desk if someone needs to sneak in some work or homework (Free WiFi is included across the whole hotel).
The combined 2-bedroom layout is particularly useful in the evenings. With the kids settled in the twin room next door, we can close the door and stretch out in the one-bedroom’s sitting area, put something on the big screen or enjoy a book and a cup of tea.
The furniture and beds are all very clean and comfortable, with basic bathroom amenities and tea/coffee making facilities available.
Breakfast at Fivth
Breakfast buffet is served on level 5 in a bright, floor-to-ceiling-windowed room called Fivth on Monday–Friday 6:30–10am and weekends 7–11am.
It’s a proper spread: an omelette station, hot food, a salad bar, toast station, pastries (with a Nutella tap that our teens rate very highly), fresh fruit, juice, tea and coffee.
It’s generally a paid extra at $35 per adult, with kids 12 and under at $17.50.
Note Fivth is only open for breakfast. For lunch and dinner, you’re looking at Oak Lounge downstairs for something light, Strato on Level 40 for a proper sit-down dinner (not aimed at kids) or a short walk to South Wharf for more family-friendly options.
Lunch and Dinner at Oak Lounge and Strato
Oak Lounge is the ground-floor lobby bar with shared plates, lobster rolls, burgers, cheese boards, local wines and cocktails, plus “Oakwood Hour” (5–6pm complimentary house wine/beer/soft drinks, for guests on executive floors). It’s a general lobby bar that could work for a family coffee or light bite during the day, but it leans adult in the evenings.
One to note if you’re travelling with younger kids: Strato, the rooftop restaurant on Level 40, isn’t an option for under-12s. The bar is 18+ only with no exceptions, and the restaurant only takes bookings for guests aged 12 and over. It’s separately managed to the hotel and you can’t just wander up to check out the view either.
While it’s a stunning space, it’s really built for date nights and city views, not family dinners.
The Games Room and Gym
Level 6 is home to the Games Room, and it’s a massive space that feels under-used every time we walk past. There’s a full-sized billiard table, air hockey, table tennis, a retro sit-down arcade machine, and a large TV. Our teens spent more time here than anywhere else in the hotel and it’s open 24 hours.
There’s also a 24-hour Fitness Centre with Technogym equipment, with views over the freeway while you’re running on the treadmill. Not very scenic, but quite Blade Runner-esque in its outlook!
There’s no pool, which matters if that’s a deal-breaker for your family in summer. We think it’s less of an issue in the cooler months, or for families with older kids who’d rather be in the Games Room anyway.
In-Room Dining
If you want to eat in your pyjamas after a big day out, or if the little ones are already in bed and you don’t want to leave the room, room service is available from 7am to 9:45pm daily.
The menu is fairly standard – pizzas, burgers, salads, main meals, desserts, drinks. Our tray arrives about 30 minutes after ordering via QR code and costs $6 per order on top of the menu price.
Superette Convenience Store
On the ground floor of the hotel there is a Superette convenience store open until 11pm daily. It’s handy for topping up on snacks, milk or breakfast supplies without needing a full shopping trip as there are no supermarkets close by. It’s small but useful when you’ve got a kitchen in your apartment and kids who wake up hungry.
Getting Around and Parking
The hotel is a short walk (around five minutes) to both DFO South Wharf and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. South Melbourne Market is about a 15-minute walk, and it’s an easy stroll along the Yarra River to Southbank if you’ve got a pram or scooter in tow.
The nearest tram stop, Montague Street, is a 5 minute walk and puts you on the 109, running straight along Collins Street into the CBD (or the other way towards Port Melbourne).
If you’re driving, the open-air DFO car park across the road is $30 per vehicle per 24 hours, single entry and exit. Don’t confuse it for the Nationwide carpark also across the road, which is $20 a day overnight but the clock ticks over at 5am, so you’ll be charged double if you exit after 5am the next day.
The hotel also has five undercover bays on-site, including two with slow Tesla EV chargers. These need to be pre-booked in advance and cost $50 per day, but there are unlimited entries and exits within that timeframe.
Practical Details for Families
- Rooms: Standard hotel rooms and one, two and three-bedroom apartments, ideal for families needing separate sleeping spaces
- Cost: Room rates vary by season and room type; breakfast is a paid extra at $35 per adult, $17.50 per child (12 and under)
- Accessibility: Step-free access and accessible rooms available; ask for these when booking
- Facilities for families: Full kitchens in apartments, washer/dryer, Games Room, free WiFi throughout
- Getting there: Montague Street tram stop (Route 109) a short walk away; DFO South Wharf and MCEC both around five minutes on foot
Should You Book It?
For families who want space, a proper kitchen, and a base close to South Wharf and the CBD without paying laneway-hotel prices, Oakwood Premier Melbourne is an easy recommendation.
It suits families with older kids especially well, thanks to the Games Room and the apartment-style layouts. If your littles need a pool to burn off energy, that’s the one gap to plan around — though with the Games Room and nearby playgrounds in Southbank, there’s still plenty to keep them moving.
Ready to book? Head to Oakwood Premier Melbourne to check rates, or sign up to Ascott Star Rewards for 15% off when booking direct, plus an extra 20% off as a member, via this link (offer valid till 30 December 2026).
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This article contains affiliate links. If you book through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our visit was hosted by Oakwood Premier Melbourne. All opinions are our own.
