Search Hotels by Independent in Geelong from £42

The best area to stay in Geelong is along the waterfront, specifically around Eastern Beach and the Waterfront Precinct.

This area is the heart of Geelong's visitor experience, offering a picturesque setting with views of Corio Bay. The Waterfront Precinct is very walkable, featuring public art, a promenade, and direct access to restaurants and cafes. Eastern Beach, with its iconic art deco swimming enclosure and enclosed children's pool, is a prominent landmark here.

For couples, this area is ideal for a relaxing getaway. You can enjoy strolls along the foreshore, dine at waterfront restaurants, and easily access attractions like the Geelong Botanic Gardens. The area offers a sophisticated yet laid-back atmosphere superb for a romantic escape.

Families will also find the Eastern Beach area particularly good. The enclosed swimming areas at Eastern Beach are superb for children, and there are playgrounds and open spaces for them to enjoy.

For highly recommended hotels in Geelong, consider the Novotel Geelong, Barwon Valley Lodge, and Oaks Vue Suites Geelong.

The 4-star Novotel Geelong, with an 8.4 rating, is praised for its great location near the Giant Sky Wheel and Eastern Beach, both just 0.4 km away. Guests frequently mention the friendly and helpful staff, as well as the great breakfast options. It also features beachfront dining and valet parking.

Another excellent choice is the 4.5-star Barwon Valley Lodge, which boasts an impressive 9.6 rating. This lodge offers fantastic amenities, including an outdoor tennis court, and is located near Balyang Sanctuary and Kardinia Park. Guests consistently highlight the excellent rooms.

The 4.5-star Oaks Vue Suites Geelong, rated 9.2, is also highly recommended. It offers beautiful and clean rooms, with guests often praising the friendly and helpful staff and the excellent location. It is very close to the Giant Sky Wheel and Eastern Beach, both 0.2 km away. The hotel also provides a kitchen in each suite and covered self-parking.

For family-friendly hotels in Geelong, consider the Oaks R Suites Geelong, the Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong by IHG, or the Oaks Vue Suites Geelong.

The 4-star Oaks R Suites Geelong, with an excellent 9.4 rating, is highly praised by guests for its spacious and clean rooms. It offers amenities such as highchairs and connecting rooms, and children can stay free with an adult. The hotel is conveniently located just 0.3 km from the Giant Sky Wheel and Eastern Beach.

Another superb option is the 4-star Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong by IHG, also rated 9.4. This hotel provides complimentary breakfast for children and offers highchairs and free cribs, ensuring a comfortable stay for families. Guests frequently praise its clean and beautiful rooms, as well as its convenient location, being only 0.5 km from the Museum of Play and Art.

The 4.5-star Oaks Vue Suites Geelong, with a strong 9.2 rating, is another excellent choice. It provides amenities like highchairs, cribs, and even babysitting services, alongside kitchens in the suites for added convenience. Its location is particularly appealing, being just 0.2 km from both the Giant Sky Wheel and Eastern Beach. Find more child-friendly accommodations in Geelong

For an excellent spa experience in Geelong, consider the Rose Garden Motel or Mckillop Geelong By Gold Star Stays.

The 4-star Rose Garden Motel, with an impressive 9.4 rating, offers a full-service spa available daily, including private indoor hot tubs. Guests consistently praise the clean, great rooms, the very friendly and great staff, and the convenient location. Free WiFi and complimentary RV, bus, and truck parking are also provided.

Another great option is the 3-star Mckillop Geelong By Gold Star Stays. This hotel features an onsite full-service spa and offers convenient early check-in. It is also well-located, being just 0.9 km from Geelong Art Gallery and 0.7 km from GMHBA Stadium. Guests frequently praise its great amenities, amazing customer service, and modern rooms. See all spa hotels in Geelong

For hotels in Geelong offering complimentary breakfast, consider the Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong by IHG, Waurn Ponds Estate, and Mt Duneed Estate Winery.

The 4-star Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong by IHG, with a fantastic 9.4 rating, provides free breakfast for children. Guests frequently praise the beautiful and clean rooms, the friendly and helpful staff, and the convenient location. It is also well-situated near attractions such as the Museum of Play and Art, which is just 0.5 km away, and Eastern Beach, located 1.1 km from the hotel.

Another excellent option is the 3-star Waurn Ponds Estate, which boasts an outstanding 9.8 rating. This hotel offers free local breakfast daily and provides convenient free self-parking and free WiFi.

The 4-star Mt Duneed Estate Winery, rated 8.8, also offers free continental breakfast daily, along with free toiletries and free self-parking. Find more hotels with breakfast in Geelong

For top pet-friendly hotels in Geelong, consider the Quest Geelong, Mckillop Geelong By Gold Star Stays, and Little River Bed & Breakfast.

The 4-star Quest Geelong, with a 9.0 rating, is a great option for those travelling with pets, as both dogs and cats are permitted. The hotel provides food and water bowls, and even a litter box for feline guests. It is conveniently located near the Giant Sky Wheel and Eastern Beach, both 1.5 km away, and The Carousel, which is 1.0 km away. Guests frequently praise the clean and great rooms, friendly and helpful staff, and the quiet, good location.

Another excellent choice is the 3-star Mckillop Geelong By Gold Star Stays. This hotel permits dogs only. It is well-situated, being just 0.4 km from the Museum of Play and Art and 0.8 km from Kardinia Park. Guests often highlight the great amenities, amazing customer service, and modern rooms.

Finally, the 4-star Little River Bed & Breakfast, with a 9.2 rating, also welcomes pets and provides food and water bowls. It features a shared kitchen, and guests consistently mention the fantastic breakfast and lovely rooms. See more pet-friendly hotels in Geelong

For budget-friendly hotels in Geelong, consider the Waurn Ponds Estate, Admiralty Inn, or Parkside Motel Geelong.

The 3-star Waurn Ponds Estate, boasting an exceptional 9.8 rating, offers complimentary breakfast and free Wi-Fi, along with convenient free self-parking and accessible parking options.

The 3-star Admiralty Inn, with an 8.6 rating, is popular for its comfortable, clean rooms and friendly, amazing staff. It provides free Wi-Fi and free toiletries and is conveniently located close to attractions such as the Museum of Play and Art (0.2 km) and Kardinia Park (0.7 km).

Another good choice is the 3-star Parkside Motel Geelong, rated 8.0. Guests appreciate the clean and lovely rooms and the helpful staff. This motel offers free Wi-Fi, free toiletries, and free parking for cars, RVs, buses, and trucks. It is situated near Balyang Sanctuary (1.7 km) and Belmont Dog Park (0.5 km). View all budget hotels in Geelong

For a romantic stay in Geelong, several highly-rated hotels offer excellent amenities for couples, including the Rose Garden Motel, Oaks R Suites Geelong, and Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong by IHG.

The 4-star Rose Garden Motel, with a 9.4 rating, offers rooms with private indoor hot tubs, superb for a relaxing and intimate experience. Guests frequently highlight the great, clean rooms and the very friendly staff.

Another excellent option is the 4-star Oaks R Suites Geelong, rated 9.4. This hotel provides spacious and clean rooms, many of which feature great, big balconies – ideal for enjoying some private time together. The staff are frequently described as friendly and helpful, and the location is considered great.

The 4-star Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong by IHG, also with a 9.4 rating, is conveniently located just 0.2 km from the Geelong Art Gallery. Guests consistently praise the beautiful, clean rooms, the friendly and helpful staff, and the fantastic amenities, making it a great choice for couples. See all romantic hotels in Geelong

The best time to visit Geelong is during the warmer months, from November to April, when the weather is ideal for enjoying the city's outdoor attractions and events.

During these months, you'll experience pleasant temperatures, typically ranging from 20°C to 28°C, with plenty of sunshine. This makes it great for exploring the Geelong waterfront, spending time at Eastern Beach, or visiting the botanic gardens. Many of Geelong's festivals and outdoor markets also take place during this period, offering a lively option.

Couples looking for a relaxing escape will appreciate the mild evenings, which are great for dining al fresco at one of the many restaurants along the waterfront or taking a stroll along the promenade. The extended daylight hours also allow for more sightseeing and leisurely activities.

Families travelling with children will find the summer months particularly appealing due to the opportunities for swimming and playing at Eastern Beach's enclosed sea baths and playground.

Geelong's nightlife is centred around a few key areas, each offering something a little different.

The Waterfront precinct, particularly along Eastern Beach Road and Cunningham Pier, has a selection of bars and restaurants that stay open later. You'll find venues with outdoor seating overlooking the water, offering cocktails and a relaxed atmosphere. Some establishments here also feature live music on weekends.

Little Malop Street, in the city centre, has seen a growth in its evening offerings. This area is known for its independent bars, some specialising in craft beers or artisanal cocktails. There are also several smaller venues that host local DJs or live acoustic acts. It's generally a more intimate setting than the larger venues.

Pakington Street in Newtown offers a mix of pubs and wine bars. These places tend to be more community-focused, attracting a local crowd. You'll find traditional pubs often showing sports, alongside more contemporary wine bars with extensive lists.

You can cancel your hotel reservation on Expedia, though it depends on the cancellation policy of your booking. Most bookings are refundable if canceled within 24-48 hours of the scheduled arrival. Be sure to check your booking confirmation for the exact cancellation policy. If free cancellation is available, you can cancel directly through your Expedia account by logging in, going to "My Trips", and selecting your reservation. To find flexible deals, filter your search by "Fully refundable property" for hotels in Geelong.

Prices for hotels in Geelong often vary, but you can find a great deal from £42 on Expedia. All sorts of factors affect price, such as the time of year or the days of the week you choose for your stay. Find the best deals by being flexible with your dates, and sort search results by "Price: low to high" for the cheapest rate.