Great — below are hotel recommendations in Melbourne that are convenient for solo sightseeing. I grouped them by area and budget and noted the main nearby attractions and transport advantages so you can pick what fits your plans.

CBD / City Centre (best for first-time solo sightseers — lots of trams, laneways, museums, Federation Square, Flinders St Station)

• Grand Hyatt Melbourne — luxury, on the “Paris end” of Collins Street; short walk to Federation Square, Bourke St Mall and Flinders Street Station (easy walking access to laneways and galleries). (grandhyattmelbevents.com)
• The Jazz Corner Hotel — boutique option beside Flagstaff Station and a 2–5 minute walk to Queen Victoria Market; great if you want easy access to north-CBD eateries and the market. (jazzhotelmelbourne.com)
• Oaks Melbourne on Market — reliable mid-range/apartment hotel with convenient walking distance to Eureka Skydeck, SEA LIFE and Flinders/Spencer St transport links. Good if you want kitchenette-style rooms. (oakshotels.com)

Southbank / Yarra River (riverside views, Arts Centre / NGV, Southbank dining, close to Crown complex)

• The Langham, Melbourne — luxury riverside hotel on Southbank; a short walk to Federation Square, Arts Centre and the NGV, and good for evening riverside walks and galleries. (langhamhotels.com)
• Crown Towers / Crown complex (Crown Towers, Crown Promenade, Crown Metropol) — if you want nightlife, riverside dining and the Crown Entertainment precinct; very close to Southbank promenade and trams. (en.wikipedia.org)

St Kilda (beachside option — good if you want a seaside day during your solo trip)

• Saint Kilda / Rydges St Kilda (Saint Kilda Beach Hotel) — right in the St Kilda precinct near Luna Park, the pier and Sea Baths; about a short tram ride from the CBD. Good for mixing beach time with city sightseeing. (rydges.com)

Budget / social options (good for solo travellers who want economy + social atmosphere)

• Space Hotel (hostel/hybrid) — centrally located (Russell St / near Chinatown, State Library and Melbourne Central); budget-friendly with social common areas (useful for meeting other travellers). (spacehotel.com.au)

Why these areas are handy for solo sightseeing

• Melbourne CBD and Southbank put you within easy walking or short tram trips to Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, the laneways (Hosier Lane), the NGV/Arts Centre, Bourke Street Mall, Eureka Skydeck and Southbank dining. Many central hotels are inside or adjacent to the City’s tram network free zone (see below). (grandhyattmelbourne.au-hotels.net)

Transport & practical tips

• Free Tram Zone: many of the main CBD trams are free if your trip begins and ends inside the Free Tram Zone — handy for short sightseeing hops. If you travel outside the zone you’ll need a myki card. (Official PTV/myki guidance). (ptv.vic.gov.au)
• myki: buy or top up a myki for journeys outside the Free Tram Zone (trains, most trams and buses); use the official Public Transport Victoria site for where to buy/top up and tapping rules. (ptv.vic.gov.au)

Solo-sightseeing safety tips (concise)

• Melbourne is popular with tourists but take standard solo-traveller precautions: keep valuables secure, avoid poorly lit laneways late at night, share your ETA with someone, and use main streets or well-lit public transport hubs when possible. Victoria Police and official travel advice list straightforward safety guidance and emergency numbers (000). (police.vic.gov.au)

If you want, I can:

• Narrow this to the exact dates you’re traveling and check live availability/rates for 2–3 favorites; or
• Suggest a 1–2 day sightsee itinerary based on which neighbourhood you choose to stay in.

Which would you like next?