Could there be a more beautiful hotel view?
If you’re looking for a Nesuto Docklands review from someone who actually stayed there, you’re in the right place.
During a surprise trip to Melbourne for Ahmet’s birthday, Nesuto Docklands Apartment Hotel offered us three glorious nights in its surprising hotel. I hadn’t researched the hotel too closely, except for the location, so you can imagine my surprise when my first view was the glorious Melbourne Star at midnight from my gorgeous apartment balcony.
And that balcony ended up being one of my favourite parts of the whole stay.
Nesuto Docklands at a glance
Where: 80 Waterfront Way, Docklands, Melbourne
Accommodation: One and two-bedroom serviced apartments
Parking: Hotel parking is currently listed at $30 per night, with unlimited entries and exits. Check the current rate with the hotel when booking.
Southern Cross Station: 1.7 km
Nearest tram: Stop D10, about 100 metres from the hotel
Melbourne Airport: 21 km
Best for: Couples, families, longer stays and anyone who likes having a little more space than a standard hotel room
Price: Check current pricing here
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Arriving at Nesuto Docklands
Our flight from Perth arrived close to midnight, and by that point we were tired, hungry, and ready to collapse into bed.
When we arrived, we parked in a quick bay out the front of the hotel and looked around, completely lost.
There was a very unassuming little door on the ground floor. It didn’t immediately scream “hotel”. In fact, if you were arriving late at night like we were, you could easily have wondered if you’d come to the right place.
We went through the door, took the elevator up to the first floor, and suddenly it was a completely different story.
There was a big, beautiful reception and lobby area, and my immediate reaction was, “Oh, this is nice.”
I would love to see a little more direction about how to actually find reception when you first arrive, because that ground-floor entrance is not exactly obvious.
The good news is that if you’re arriving by car, there is another way in. The multi-level car park has an entrance directly through to the reception area, which is probably the easiest option if you’re travelling with luggage.
Once we found reception, check-in was easy, and the staff was lovely.
And then came one of the nicest surprises.
When we walked into the apartment, there was a beautiful welcome platter waiting for us, along with a bottle of wine.
There were nuts, cheeses, and crackers, which was absolutely perfect because we were starving after our flight from Perth.
Instead of having to head back out into Melbourne at nearly midnight to find food, we could just sit down, have a drink, nibble on some cheese and crackers, and finally relax.
It was such a lovely way to start our Melbourne trip.
Then we fell into bed.
And that bed was so soft and comfortable.
Our one-bedroom apartment at Nesuto Docklands
We stayed in a one-bedroom apartment, and this was where I really started to understand the appeal of Melbourne serviced apartments.
This wasn’t just a hotel room with a little kitchenette shoved into the corner.
There was a proper separate bedroom, a living room, kitchen area, and plenty of room to spread out.
The bedroom had a massive king-size bed and a huge wardrobe, which I particularly appreciated because I’d packed a couple of dresses for events we were attending in Melbourne.
There was also a proper living room with a pull-out sofa bed, television and study desk.
The kitchen had everything we needed, including a full-size fridge, oven, stove and dishwasher.
There were stools at the kitchen bench where you could sit and eat. There wasn’t really a separate dining table, but that didn’t bother us because we were in Melbourne and mostly eating out anyway.
Could three people comfortably stay in the one-bedroom apartment?
Yes. Absolutely.
Although it was just Ahmet and me staying there most of the time, my stepdaughter stayed with us for one night as a surprise for Ahmet.
She slept on the pull-out sofa in the living room while we slept in the bedroom.
And one thing I particularly liked was that there was a proper door between the bedroom and living room.
That meant she had her own space and privacy, while we had ours.
It didn’t feel cramped at all. It actually worked really well for three people.
If I’d been travelling to Melbourne with my kids for several nights, though, I would probably choose the two-bedroom apartment.
For Ahmet and me, the one-bedroom was more than enough. It was even enough to comfortably have his daughter stay with us for the night.
So my rule would be:
Couple: One bedroom is plenty.
Couple with younger children: One bedroom could work well.
Older kids or teenagers: I’d go for the two-bedroom.
Two couples or a family wanting more privacy: Definitely the two-bedroom.
That’s one of the reasons I think Nesuto works so well as District Docklands accommodation. You’re getting that extra room to actually live, rather than simply somewhere to sleep.
The balcony was one of my favourite surprises
This might have been my favourite part.
I had no idea what view we were getting when I booked the room.
So when we opened the door to the balcony for the first time and saw the Melbourne Star, I was genuinely surprised.
And wow.
It was stunning.
There was something really special about sitting out there and looking over Docklands, especially at night.
I felt so lucky with the view we had.
The Melbourne Star became this almost permanent part of the experience. I could see it from the balcony at night and even from the bedroom window in the morning.
I kept thinking that it was possibly Melbourne’s most expensive light display ever.
And while the wheel itself has been closed for several years, it has been relit in 2026 and is currently preparing to reopen. As of September 2026, the official Melbourne Star website says “Reopening Soon”, so don’t book a stay assuming you can currently ride it.
But as a view from our apartment?
Absolutely gorgeous.
If the view matters to you, I’d definitely request a room overlooking the Melbourne Star when booking.
I didn’t know what we were going to get, which made the surprise even better.
What was the bathroom like?
The bathroom was lovely, although this probably wasn’t the part of the apartment that stood out to me the most.
There was a separate shower with a beautiful rain showerhead, a toilet within the bathroom, and a really deep bathtub.
The bath looked incredibly comfortable and was definitely deep enough to properly sink into.
Did I use it?
No.
Which feels like a crime considering how nice it looked.
But I was busy running around Melbourne, so I never actually got the chance.
I’ll have to come back and try that bath one day.
Why I liked staying in Docklands
I’ve stayed in a lot of different parts of Melbourne over the years.
I’ve stayed right in the heart of the city, in St Kilda, near the airport and as far out as Dandenong.
And I’ve come to realise that where you stay in Melbourne can make a surprisingly big difference, particularly if you’re driving.
The CBD is fantastic if you want laneways, shopping, restaurants and that classic Melbourne city atmosphere right outside your door.
But parking in the middle of Melbourne can be HARD. Like, really hard.
St Kilda is another favourite of mine, but again, having a car can make life easier.
Docklands gives you a really nice middle ground.
You’re close to the city, there are restaurants, bars, cafés, shops and entertainment around you, but you also have more space and much easier access if you’re driving.
For me, this is one of the reasons Docklands accommodation works so well.
You don’t necessarily feel like you’re in the middle of the CBD, but you’re definitely not isolated from it either.
And if you’re heading to an event at Marvel Stadium, the location makes even more sense.
Docklands vs Melbourne CBD. Where should you stay?
This really comes down to what sort of Melbourne trip you’re planning.
Stay in Docklands if you want:
- Easier parking
- More apartment-style accommodation
- A proper kitchen
- More living space
- Easy tram access
- Attractions and restaurants nearby
- Easy access to Marvel Stadium
- A quieter base than being right in the CBD
Stay in the CBD if you want:
- Melbourne’s famous laneways right outside your door
- Shopping on your doorstep
- More traditional city hotels
- Nightlife and restaurants right in the centre of everything
- To spend most of your time exploring the central city on foot
For a family or couple travelling with a car, I’d personally lean towards Docklands.
Parking at Nesuto Docklands
This was one of the things I really appreciated.
Parking was super easy for us.
The hotel has a multi-level undercover car park, and there is allocated guest parking associated with the hotel. If you can’t find a spot in the immediate hotel parking area, there is additional parking within the multi-level car park.
The best part is that there is an entrance from the car park directly into the hotel reception area.
So you can park, grab your bags, and head straight inside without wandering around looking for the hotel entrance.
The hotel currently lists parking at $30 per night, with unlimited entries and exits, although I’d check the price with the hotel when booking because rates can change.
If you’re arriving by car, the hotel says to enter the East Car Park via 80 Waterfront Way, with guest parking on level 3 and above. Reception can be accessed from the car park via level 2.
For Melbourne, having straightforward parking is a big tick in my book.
How to get to Nesuto Docklands
Nesuto Docklands is at 80 Waterfront Way in Docklands.
If you’re arriving by train, Southern Cross Station is 1.7 km away.
You can walk from Southern Cross to the hotel, or catch tram route 86 from near Spencer Street and Bourke Street and get off at Stop D10.
The nearest tram stop, D10, is only about 100 metres from the hotel door. Routes 86, 70 and 35 service the area.
And there’s another big Melbourne bonus here.
The trams are free in the Free Tram Zone
Docklands is within Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone.
That means you can travel by tram within the designated zone without paying a fare or using a myki. The Free Tram Zone covers the city centre and extends into Docklands, including areas around Southern Cross Station.
Just remember that if your tram journey starts or finishes outside the Free Tram Zone, you’ll need to use a myki and pay for the relevant journey.
If you’re flying in, Melbourne Airport is approximately 21 km from the hotel, according to the hotel’s current transport information. SkyBus operates to Southern Cross Station, from where you can continue to Docklands by tram or other transport.
Things to do near Nesuto Docklands
This is where I’m not going to give you the giant generic list of every attraction within a kilometre of the hotel. You can check my Melbourne with kids guides for that.
There are plenty of things to do around Docklands, but these are the things that actually stood out during our stay.
The District Docklands
The District Docklands is right around the corner and has shops, restaurants, entertainment and everyday essentials.
There’s also a Woolworths and pharmacy nearby, which is particularly handy when you’re staying in an apartment and have a fridge and kitchen.
ArtVo
ArtVo is one of those places that’s particularly fun if you’re travelling with kids or teenagers.
It’s an immersive, interactive art gallery where you can actually become part of the artwork. There are more than 40 hand-painted artworks across themed zones, so this is much more about taking ridiculous photos and having fun than quietly standing around looking at paintings.
It’s also a good rainy-day option.
The Melbourne Star
As I mentioned earlier, the Melbourne Star is right there in the Docklands skyline.
It has been relit in 2026, but at the time of writing it has not yet reopened for public rides. The official website currently says “Reopening Soon.”
So for now, enjoy the view from your hotel balcony.
Marvel Stadium
If you’re coming to Melbourne for a game, concert or event at Marvel Stadium, this is another reason to look at accommodation near Marvel Stadium.
The hotel describes the stadium as being within a short walk, so you don’t have to base yourself right in the CBD to be close to the action.
And then there was the Indian movie premiere…
One of the funniest things about this trip was completely unplanned.
We were heading out to Ahmet’s surprise birthday party at a Korean barbecue restaurant in Docklands when we stumbled across an Indian movie premiere.
And somehow, we were welcomed rather grandly through the premiere.
We were thinking, “Oh, this is exciting!”
Until they realised we weren’t the stars.
It was hilarious.
But that’s exactly the sort of thing I love about staying somewhere like Docklands. You can head out for dinner and end up accidentally walking through a movie premiere.
Where to eat near Nesuto Docklands
We didn’t spend our stay eating our way through Docklands, so I’m not going to pretend we did.
This was actually a pretty special trip for us because it was a surprise birthday weekend for Ahmet.
He had no idea we were coming to Melbourne and was particularly excited because his daughter lives there.
We organised a surprise birthday party with his Melbourne friends, some of whom he has known for around 30 years.
We met everyone at a Korean barbecue restaurant in Docklands, which made the location of the hotel particularly convenient.
We also found a dessert place in Docklands that was absolutely delicious.
And then there’s Turkish food.
Anyone who knows me knows that Turkish food is one of my favourite things to eat in Melbourne. We usually drive to get our Turkish food rather than sticking around Docklands, so I’m not going to claim that this is a Turkish-food neighbourhood.
But if you’re also a Turkish food lover, I’ve got a whole guide to Turkish food in Melbourne that I’ll link here.
Is Nesuto Docklands good for families?
Yes.
And this is based on actually using the apartment, not just reading the hotel’s family-friendly description.
If I’d been travelling to Melbourne with my kids for several nights, I would choose a two-bedroom apartment.
The extra bedroom would give everyone more privacy, particularly if you have teenagers.
But our one-bedroom apartment worked brilliantly when my stepdaughter stayed for the night.
She had the sofa bed in the living room, we had the bedroom, and the door between the two spaces meant everyone still had privacy.
The kitchen, fridge, living room, and extra space also make this a much more practical option than squeezing a family into one standard hotel room.
For families looking at Melbourne serviced apartments, this is one of the main reasons I’d consider Nesuto.
Is Nesuto Docklands good for couples?
Also yes.
In fact, our stay was basically a romantic birthday getaway.
The surprise trip was for Ahmet, and he had absolutely no idea we were going to Melbourne.
Having an apartment rather than a standard hotel room gave us somewhere to relax, cook if we wanted to, have a drink on the balcony, and spread out.
The balcony view made it feel particularly special.
And then being able to walk out for his birthday celebrations in Docklands made the whole weekend incredibly easy.
So yes, I’d happily recommend it for a couple looking for a Melbourne getaway.
What you need to know before booking Nesuto Docklands
There are a few things I’d want to know before booking, particularly if you’re comparing it with a traditional Melbourne hotel.
It’s not an obvious hotel from the street.
That little ground-floor entrance is very unassuming. If you’re arriving for the first time, don’t panic. Reception is upstairs, and there’s also access from the car park.
Parking costs extra.
The hotel currently lists parking at $30 per night, although I’d check the current rate when you book.
Request a view if that’s important to you.
I didn’t know what view we were getting and was thrilled when I opened the balcony door. If the Melbourne Star and Docklands skyline are important to you, I’d definitely make the request.
Think about which apartment size you actually need.
For Ahmet and me, the one-bedroom was perfect. If I’d brought my kids for several nights, I’d choose the two-bedroom.
Don’t book it expecting a traditional hotel experience.
The appeal here is having an apartment with a kitchen, living room and separate bedroom, along with hotel reception and services.
The Melbourne Star isn’t currently open for rides.
It has been relit in 2026 and is preparing for reopening, but the official site currently says “Reopening Soon.”
Nesuto Docklands Review. Would I stay here again?
Absolutely.
I’ve stayed in plenty of different parts of Melbourne, and Docklands has become one of my favourite areas to stay.
For me, the biggest win at Nesuto Docklands wasn’t one particular hotel facility.
It was the combination of things.
We had a huge amount of space. We had a proper bedroom and living room. We had a full kitchen. We had easy parking. We had a balcony with a beautiful Docklands view. We were close to the tram. And we could walk out the door and be around restaurants, entertainment and everything happening in Docklands.
But what really made the stay memorable was everything that happened around it.
A surprise birthday trip for Ahmet.
His daughter joining us for the night.
His friends of 30 years turning up for a surprise birthday party.
Accidentally walking into an Indian movie premiere.
Sitting on our balcony looking at the Melbourne Star.
And ending our first night in Melbourne with wine, cheese and crackers because we were far too tired to go back out looking for dinner.
That’s the stuff I remember.
So if you’re looking for where to stay in Docklands, particularly as a couple or family wanting more space than a traditional hotel room, I’d happily recommend giving Nesuto Docklands a look.
For couples, it’s a lovely base for a Melbourne getaway.
For families, the apartment setup makes travelling together much easier.
And if you’re driving, the parking alone can make Docklands a much more appealing option than staying right in the centre of Melbourne.
My Nesuto Docklands review? I’d stay here again.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nesuto Docklands
Is Nesuto Docklands a hotel or an apartment?
It’s an apartment hotel. The Nesuto Docklands Apartment Hotel offers one- and two-bedroom apartments with separate living spaces and kitchens, along with hotel-style reception and services.
Is Nesuto Docklands good for families?
Yes. The separate bedroom and living room make the apartments much more practical for families than a standard hotel room. I also had my stepdaughter stay with us for one night, and three people fit very comfortably in our one-bedroom apartment.
Does Nesuto Docklands have parking?
Yes. The hotel currently lists on-site parking at $30 per night, with unlimited entries and exits. Check the current rate when booking because prices can change.
How far is Nesuto Docklands from Marvel Stadium?
It’s within easy walking distance of Marvel Stadium, making it a particularly convenient option if you’re visiting Melbourne for a game, concert or event.
How far is Nesuto Docklands from Southern Cross Station?
Southern Cross Station is approximately 1.7 km from the hotel.
Is there a tram stop near Nesuto Docklands?
Yes. Tram Stop D10 is approximately 100 metres from the hotel, with routes including 86, 70 and 35.
Is Nesuto Docklands in the Free Tram Zone?
Yes. Docklands is within Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone. If you’re travelling entirely within the zone, tram travel is free and you don’t need a myki.
Does Nesuto Docklands have a kitchen?
Yes. The apartments have properly equipped kitchens, including a full-size fridge, oven, stove and dishwasher.
Does Nesuto Docklands have one-bedroom apartments?
Yes. One-bedroom apartments have a separate bedroom and living area. For a couple, I found the one-bedroom apartment more than spacious enough.
Does Nesuto Docklands have two-bedroom apartments?
Yes. If I were travelling with my kids, particularly for several nights, I’d choose the two-bedroom apartment for the extra privacy and space.
Is Nesuto Docklands good for couples?
Yes. We stayed as a couple during a surprise birthday weekend, and the apartment, balcony and Docklands location worked really well for us.
What is there to do near Nesuto Docklands?
There are plenty of attractions around Docklands, including ArtVo, The District Docklands, Marvel Stadium and the Melbourne Star. The Melbourne Star has been relit but is currently awaiting its public reopening.
Is Nesuto Docklands a good place to stay in Melbourne without a car?
Yes. The tram stop is about 100 metres away, and Docklands is within Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone. Southern Cross Station is also only 1.7 km away.
Where is Nesuto Docklands located?
Nesuto Docklands Apartment Hotel is at 80 Waterfront Way in Docklands, Melbourne.
Would I recommend Nesuto Docklands?
Yes. I’d particularly recommend it to couples and families who want more space than a traditional hotel room, and to travellers who appreciate having parking and a kitchen while still being close to Melbourne’s attractions and public transport.
