Where to Stay and Play in Melbourne During the 2024 Australian Open

For “slam” addicts, the Australian Open can be one of the more daunting jaunts. After all, a roughly 14-hour flight from L.A. to Melbourne (make that about 20 hours from N.Y.C.) isn’t quite the same thing as a gentle journey to Paris or Wimbledon. But going the distance has its own rewards.

This year, Melbourne (not to mention the entire state of Victoria) is pulling out the red carpet for visitors who make it around the world in a day for the chance to see the stars of the hardcourt duke it out for roughly $58 million in prize money.

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Here’s a guide of what to do, where to stay, and how to stray—in five-star style, of course—during the grandest open Down Under running Jan 14 through 28.

Getting There

For ultimate ease, the AO is offering not-at-all-shabby travel packages. For jet-setters interested only in the premier event, they’re offering two nights during the tournament’s middle weekend, quarter-final, or final. But more serious tennis fans will want to go for a custom itinerary with a minimum of three days at Melbourne Park.

You can book your tickets, experiences, and luxury accommodations through the AO’s site and even reserve flights.

We went through the portal and selected a tricked-out trip à la mode during the slam’s denouement (all sessions from the 22nd to 28th and all the add-ons) and were quoted roughly $20,000, sans flights.

Ace Accommodations

Via the AO you can choose between some of the city’s best hotels, including the Hyatt Centric Melbourne (already sold out for the open), Courtyard Melbourne Flagstaff Gardens (also sold out), the ultra-convenient Pullman Melbourne Park, and finally the Royce.

Not only is there still room at the inn (at the time of this post) at the Royce, but it is one of our favorite new hotels in the city. A former luxury car showroom built in 1927 with maximal Art Deco glamour, the building is now a boutique hotel (opened last February) with a lobby that demands Champagne sipping. Rooms start at $1,146 per person during the big event.

But call your agent or plan your own trip for even more fresh options. For instance, last spring the Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne, opened its doors to much happy ado. Set downtown in an 80-story tower with 257 guest rooms, it’s less than 20 minutes from the hallowed home of Rod Laver Arena. Although mostly sold out, we found rooms during the final from $5,716 per night.

Also downtown, the cavernous and cool InterContinental Melbourne, the Rialto (built like a glass arcade between two historic buildings) still has king rooms up for grabs. It recently added a guest club with private check-in and snacks galore. It will also serve daily breakfast, afternoon tea, and an evening service with canapés and cocktails. A king room starts at roughly $500 per night during finals week.

Winner Suites & Dinners

The AO is offering a suite of premium experiences for VIP visitors; most involve calorie intake.

Traveling with a large party? Make it a party by booking a dedicated private space in Rod Laver Arena, a.k.a. a Superbox, for 12 or more people with six hours of all-you-can-eat and drink excellence. Unsurprisingly, boxes are sold out for quarter-finals and finals, but who says the early days of the tournament aren’t worth splashing out on?

One of the new offers this year is the Travel Lounge. It’s like a first-class airport lounge with all the requisite quaffs and comestibles. But instead of tarmac, you’ll get views of Melbourne’s city skyline, the famous Grand Slam Oval, and Melbourne Park. Night sessions start at $300 and full-day sessions are from $435.

Also available in the early weeks of the tournament are: the Maha Restaurant Superbox (Melbourne chef Shane Delia’s Middle Eastern menu paired with prime tennis viewing); Bar Superbox by Nick & Nora’s (six hours of cocktails by the eponymous local bar’s mixologists and ace views); and the Lounge (a suave space in Rod Laver Arena with dedicated hosts). Providing that the summer weather is sweet, there is also a private terrace with similar amenities.

That’s all grand, but the Glasshouse is the star suite. Like a private restaurant within the arena with seating for 24, you’ll get a refined three-courser by a top Aussie chef and paired wines in a bright and airy room. It comes with lower-level tickets, so pop down between courses for a different sort of service.

Of course, there are plenty of public places to feast. Penfolds’s restaurant has seatings from $400 per person, and Rockpool Bar & Grill’s menu starts at $350. Meanwhile, AO executive chef Jason Staudt is treating fans to a $340 meal. It’s in the Glasshouse, but it’s called Stokehouse.

In Federation Square, VICTORIA by Farmer’s Daughters is bookable via the AO and will plan a custom, sky’s-the-limit menu during finals weekend.

Once you are tired of eating, you can book a fan tour through the Walk of Champions tour and On Court Seats Presented by Piper-Heidsieck—exclusive access to the dressing room of Rod Laver Arena with in-room dining and Piper Heidsieck Champagne.

Looking for something near your hotel? One of Melbourne’s standout newcomer restaurants is downtown’s sleek Japanese powerhouse Akaiito with its seven-course “Omakase at your table” menu. Michelin shuns Australia (odd), but we’ve had many a worse multi-starred meal. Inventive, surprising even for been-arounds, and cooked entirely on coals (sans gas), it’s probably the best plate in the city right now—all served at the competitive price of $155 per person.

But Wait, There’s More!

Seeing as you are already here, you might as well have a look around—and we mean outside of Melbourne. The obvious day (or preferably weekend trips) are two: the wine-soaked Mornington Peninsula (order the Pinot) and the Great Ocean Road’s legendary 12 Apostles. (There are less than 12.)

Alternatively, head inland for a dose of pure Australiana in the gold boom towns of Ballarat and Bendigo. They are where Melburnians turn for a dose of charm.

You may even forget you came here for the tennis.

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