This blog post is all about my review of Summer House Melbourne.
If you’re looking for a fun, vibrant, and comfortable place to stay in Melbourne, then let me introduce you to Summer House Melbourne.
It’s a backpacker-style accommodation with hotel-level comfort, an unbeatable location in St Kilda, and community vibes perfect for digital nomads, couples, solo and long-term travellers.
I recently spent a week at Summer House Melbourne with my boyfriend as part of our British & Irish Lions tour, and it became so much more than just a base for exploring the city.
From our spacious private loft-style room to the buzzing onsite bar, co-working rooftop, and the unbeatable access to St Kilda and Melbourne’s tram system, it quickly became one of our favourite stays during our time in Australia.
In this post, I’ll share a full review of our time at Summer House Melbourne, what to expect from the rooms and facilities, nearby things to do in St Kilda, plus how to get around the city easily from here.
Whether you’re planning a short city break or a longer digital nomad stay, I’d highly recommend this as your Melbourne home!
This blog post is all about my Summer House Melbourne review.
First Impressions of Summer House Melbourne
From the moment we arrived at Summer House Melbourne, we were greeted with warm smiles and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
Check-in was quick and efficient, Marie on the desk offered us local tips and made us feel right at home straight away. The building itself has a cool, urban edge to it. Think modern, with character and a laid-back hostel-meets-boutique-hotel feel.
But the real cherry on top? The vibe.
Summer House Melbourne attracts a mix of friendly solo travellers, couples, digital nomads, and working holiday makers, which made it so easy to meet people in the communal areas and rooftop.
Our Private Loft-Style Room
We opted for a private loft-style room with a double bed, single bed, and en suite bathroom, and we were genuinely surprised at how spacious it was.
I posted a room tour on TikTok (and a few paragraphs down) and will be posting my Melbourne travel vlog on YouTube in the next few weeks, so keep your eyes peeled for that!
The room was flooded with natural light thanks to the large windows and glass doors that opened up to the leafy St Kilda streets below.
The bed was super comfortable, with fresh linens and plenty of storage space for unpacking. There was a seating area, desk space, and all the amenities you’d need for a week-long stay, including fast Wi-Fi (for Love Island catch ups) and an air-conditioning unit (a must for Melbourne’s unpredictable winter weather).
The en suite bathroom was spotless, with a great shower and fluffy towels.
While Summer House Melbourne does cater to budget travellers with dorm options, we loved having this peaceful, private space to ourselves while still enjoying the community atmosphere elsewhere in the building.
Location: The Best of St Kilda at Your Doorstep
One of the biggest selling points of Summer House Melbourne is its prime St Kilda location.
Just a 10-minute walk from St Kilda Beach, Luna Park, and the iconic Acland Street cake shops, it’s the perfect neighbourhood for relaxing and exploring.
St Kilda is known for its bohemian vibe, historic architecture, and relaxed coastal feel. During our stay, we enjoyed walks to the beach, sunsets on the pier (keep an eye out for penguins!), and lazy brunches at local cafés.
Some of our favourite spots near Summer House Melbourne included:
- Luna Park – The iconic amusement park is a must-see, even if you’re not riding the rollercoasters.
- St Kilda Pier – Perfect for an evening walk and penguin spotting at sunset.
- #8 Coffee – Steff grabbed coffee across the street from here every morning.
- Woodfrog Bakery – Another spot across the street that does great baked treats and coffee.
- The Fifth Province – A very popular Irish bar that we had a lovely mid-week meal in and a Friday night dance to live Irish music.
- Acland Street – A foodie’s dream with famous bakeries, brunch spots, and shops.
- Fitzroy Street – Great for bars, pubs, and evening drinks.
Getting Around Melbourne: Tram and Bus Connections
Getting in and out of the city couldn’t be easier. Just steps from Summer House Melbourne, you’ll find multiple tram stops that take you directly into the Melbourne CBD in around 20 minutes.
The 96 and 16 tram lines connect St Kilda to major areas like Bourke Street, Flinders Street Station, Carlton, and Brunswick, making it super convenient to get around without needing a car.
You can also catch buses from directly outside the hostel on Barkly Street, and the SkyBus St Kilda Express connects the area to Melbourne Airport if you’re flying in or out.
How to Pay for Public Transport in Melbourne: The Myki Card
One important thing to keep in mind when staying at Summer House Melbourne is that Melbourne’s public transport system doesn’t support contactless “tap and go” payments like some other cities.
Instead, you’ll need to purchase a Myki card, which is a reusable smart card used across trams, trains, and buses. You can buy a Myki card from most convenience stores or at major train stations.
Once you’ve got your card, simply tap on when boarding – but don’t worry about tapping off on trams, as it’s not required. For added convenience, there’s a Myki PTV app where you can top up your card balance digitally and even manage multiple cards (up to 20) from a single account, which is ideal if you’re travelling in a group or as a family.
A standard one-way fare is $5.50, which gives you unlimited travel across the network for two hours. If you’re exploring central Melbourne, you’ll love the Free Tram Zone, which lets you hop on and off trams within the CBD without paying a cent.
Communal Spaces & Rooftop Co-Working
As a digital nomad, one of my favourite features at Summer House Melbourne was the rooftop co-working space.
Bright, open, and with a great view of the surrounding St Kilda neighbourhood, it was a fantastic place to get work done in the mornings. With decent coffee from nearby cafés and stable Wi-Fi throughout the property, we were able to stay on top of work without having to find a co-working office elsewhere.
It was also a lovely place to relax in the evenings with a drink, meet other travellers, or simply enjoy the view after a busy day in the city.
Onsite Bar & Restaurant: Hotel Barkly
Summer House Melbourne shares a building with Hotel Barkly, an onsite pub and bar that’s lively, affordable, and a great place to hang out without having to go far.
During our stay, we even got to celebrate Christmas in July here with a full roast dinner and festive decorations. It was such a unique experience and a great way to meet other guests and the staff too.
The pub serves classic Aussie pub fare and has daily specials and drinks deals. Whether you’re in the mood for a burger, cold beer, pool tournament, karaoke, live music or trivia night, Hotel Barkly adds to the fun atmosphere of the hotel.
The Staff & Community Vibe
What really sets Summer House Melbourne apart from other accommodations in the area is the staff. Everyone we met was incredibly friendly, helpful, and genuinely interested in making sure our stay was memorable.
They provided great tips for local food, where to catch live music, and must-see things in Melbourne during the winter months.
The community vibe was lovely too as it felt social without being overwhelming. There were solo travellers, long-term working holiday folks, and couples like us who were using the space as both a home base and a place to connect.
What to Do in Melbourne from Summer House Melbourne
Staying in St Kilda gives you the perfect mix of beach and city life.
From Summer House Melbourne, it’s easy to head into the heart of Melbourne for all the best attractions. Here are a few we’d recommend:
- Federation Square – Art, culture, and food right in the city centre. It was also a Fan Zone for the British & Irish Lions during our stay so we spent a few days here watching live Q&As with some of the players and legends of the game.
- Queen Victoria Market – A great spot to shop, eat, and sample local food. The donuts from American Donut Kitchen are a must here – so tasty!
- NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) – Free art exhibitions in a beautiful space.
- Hosier Lane – Melbourne’s most famous laneway for street art and graffiti and great for photos.
- Brunswick Street – A great spot for vintage shopping, quirky cafés, and live music.
With your base at Summer House Melbourne, you get the best of both worlds: chilled-out coastal vibes and easy access to Melbourne’s culture, nightlife, and food scene.
Why You Should Stay at Summer House Melbourne
After spending a week at Summer House Melbourne, we can genuinely say it’s one of the best places to stay in the city. Whether you’re here for a few days or settling in for a longer adventure, I couldn’t recommend it more.
Here’s what we loved most:
- Spacious and bright private rooms with en suite bathrooms
- Amazing St Kilda location just a short walk from the beach and nightlife
- Excellent tram and bus connections to the city
- Rooftop co-working space for digital nomads
- Lively onsite pub (Hotel Barkly) for socialising and events
- Friendly, helpful staff who go above and beyond
- Affordable prices for the location and quality
If you’re looking for a unique and social place to stay, with everything from co-working to nightlife at your fingertips, I’d wholeheartedly recommend Summer House Melbourne.
Would I Stay At Summer House Melbourne Again?
Without a doubt, yes!
Summer House Melbourne ticked all the boxes for comfort, community, and convenience. The location was perfect, the room was huge, and having a bar, rooftop, and workspace all in one made it feel like a little home away from home.
Whether you’re a solo traveller, couple, or digital nomad looking for a longer stay in Melbourne, this spot in St Kilda offers the perfect balance of beach life and city connection.
Book your stay at Summer House Melbourne via Booking.com here or,
book your stay at Summer House Melbourne via Hostelworld here.
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By Orlagh Shanks
Orlagh Shanks is the Editor of Orlagh Claire, an award-winning travel and lifestyle blog.
After working in the PR & Influencer Marketing industry in London and New York, Orlagh quit her job to travel Asia for 12 months and moved to Sydney, Australia where she is now a full-time travel blogger and content creator sharing travel tips and recommendations for all 30 of the countries she’s visited so far.
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