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Essence Hotel Carlton

3.5 star property
Hotel with a 24-hour fitness center, a quick walk to Melbourne Central

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Photo gallery for Essence Hotel Carlton

Billiards
1 bedroom, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace
Fridge, microwave, electric kettle
Exterior
Billiards

Reviews

7.8 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • 24/7 front desk
  • Parking available
  • Gym
  • Laundry
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 9 of 9 rooms

View all photos for Standard Queen

Standard Queen | 1 bedroom, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Standard Queen

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
LCD TV
Blackout drapes/curtains
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Hair dryer
Electric kettle
  • 14 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Economy Single Room

Economy Single Room | 1 bedroom, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Economy Single Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
LCD TV
Blackout drapes/curtains
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Hair dryer
Electric kettle
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room

1 bedroom, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Deluxe Double Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
Free cribs/infant beds
LCD TV
Blackout drapes/curtains
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Hair dryer
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Standard Twin Room

1 bedroom, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Standard Twin Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
Free cribs/infant beds
LCD TV
Blackout drapes/curtains
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Hair dryer
  • 14 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

Standard Queen

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
LCD TV
Blackout drapes/curtains
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Hair dryer
Electric kettle
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Co Living Single Room

1 bedroom, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Co Living Single Room

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Essence Queen Room

1 bedroom, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Essence Queen Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Essence Twin Room

1 bedroom, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Essence Twin Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Essence Deluxe Queen Room

1 bedroom, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Essence Deluxe Queen Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

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About the neighborhood

Map
609 Swanston Street, Carlton, VIC, 3053

What's nearby

  • Queen Victoria Market - 7 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • University of Melbourne - 7 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Melbourne Central - 9 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Rod Laver Arena - 3 min drive - 1.5 miles
  • Melbourne Cricket Ground - 4 min drive - 1.7 miles

Getting around

  • Showgrounds Station - 7 min drive
  • Melbourne Central Station - 9 min walk
  • Melbourne, VIC (MEB-Essendon) - 21 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Universal Restaurant - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Mandina kitchen - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Hareruya Pantry - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Ini Studio - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Humble Rays - ‬3 min walk

About this property

Essence Hotel Carlton

Hotel near Lygon Street
Located close to Melbourne City Baths and RMIT University, Essence Hotel Carlton provides a terrace, a garden, and an arcade/game room. In addition to laundry facilities and an outdoor entertainment area, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
You'll also enjoy perks such as:
  • Self parking (surcharge), a water dispenser, and multilingual staff
  • Luggage storage, an elevator, and outdoor furniture
  • A vending machine, a TV in the lobby, and coworking spaces
  • Guest reviews speak highly of the helpful staff
Room features
All guestrooms at Essence Hotel Carlton boast perks such as laptop-compatible safes and laptop-friendly workspaces, in addition to amenities like free WiFi and desk chairs.
More conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Free tea bags/instant coffee and electric kettles
  • Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries
  • Wardrobes/closets, heating, and housekeeping

Languages

Chinese (Mandarin), English, Hindi, Indonesian, Lao, Malay, Thai

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Height restrictions apply for onsite parking
  • Self parking on site (AUD 29 per night)
  • Limited onsite parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Things to do

  • 24-hour gym
  • Arcade/game room
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • Arcade/game room
  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Shared microwave
  • Shared refrigerator
  • Vending machine
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Multilingual staff

Business services

  • Coworking space

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Outdoor entertainment area
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 1 accessible parking space
  • Elevator (35 inch wide door)
  • Hardwood flooring in room
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible public washroom

More

  • 1 building
  • 5 floors
  • Built in 2013
  • Communal living room
  • Designated smoking areas (fines apply)

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • LCD TV

Food and drink

  • Electric kettle
  • Tea bags/instant coffee

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop workspace
  • Laptop-compatible safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

The property charges 2 percent for credit card payments
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
If you are planning to arrive after midnight please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
The credit card used to book the reservation must be presented by the cardholder at check-in along with matching photo identification, and other arrangements must be coordinated with the property prior to arrival

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
1 child, up to the age of 5 years, can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Self parking fee: AUD 29.00 per night
  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 2 percent

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Cashless transactions are available
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit

We should mention

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
Parking height restrictions apply

Property is also known as

Melbourne Tune
Melbourne Tune Hotel
Tune Hotel Melbourne Carlton
Tune Melbourne Carlton
ibis Melbourne Swanston Street Hotel Carlton
ibis Melbourne Swanston Street Hotel
ibis Melbourne Swanston Street Carlton
ibis Melbourne Swanston Street
Essence Hotel Carlton Hotel
Essence Hotel Carlton Carlton
Essence Hotel Carlton Hotel Carlton
ibis Melbourne Swanston Street Hotel

Frequently asked questions

Is Essence Hotel Carlton pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking at Essence Hotel Carlton?

Self parking is available for AUD 29.00 per night. Limited spots are available.

What time is check-in at Essence Hotel Carlton?

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: midnight. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Essence Hotel Carlton?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Essence Hotel Carlton located?

Located in Carlton, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Melbourne City Baths and Lygon Street. University of Melbourne and RMIT University are also within 10 minutes. Melbourne Central Station is 9 minutes by foot and Flagstaff Station is 16 minutes.

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Essence Hotel Carlton Reviews

Reviews

7.8

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 283 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 452 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 170 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 68 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 27 out of 1000 reviews

8.4/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

7.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10

It's a great area that is easy to get to. Nice that it has parking although it is a small underground garage. Room was clean, comfy beds.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10

This is the 2nd time I have stayed here and while the rooms are on the small side, they are always clean and tidy. The hotel is walking distance to Lygon St and the Royal Exhibition Building which is great and there is a tram stop out the front which goes straight to the CBD area
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

2/10

Most unhygienic hotel I’ve ever stayed at.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10

I would stay there again. A small room but well equipped and very clean. Some construction noise but generally quiet. Good value for the price.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10

Great place to stay
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10

Great facilities, helpful staff
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10

Great little hotel within walking distance of Lygon Street, Melbourne Central and Vic Markets. Had a morning appointment and the hotel let me leave my car in their carpark until my appointment was finished at no extra charge. Staff were very friendly and helpful.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10

Hotel 7 staff were very good
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10

The hotel's name is unique, as its "essence" was totally more from what l had to leave to be able to stay there at extremely short notice🙏🙏
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10

In a nice area in Carlton, quiet and very walkable down Swanston to the main CBD area. Close to Queen Victoria market as well, tram right outside. Staff were friendly and helpful, car park was secure, underground.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

8/10

I have stayed a few times here now. The location is great for walking to many events around the city. Having a hotel with parking is a plus as well and cheaper than finding a spot in a parking garage. The room was nice and a good size. Noise from the hall this time was a problem. At 4:30 am for nearly 30 mins people were opening and closing their doors over and over leading to loud clicks and bangs as they opened and closed them. I don't know what was happening and why people needed to constantly be in and out of their rooms over and over banging doors.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10

Room was clean, very affordable, and by far the comfiest beds ive ever sleep on when travelling!!! such a great location aswell!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10

We had a great stay
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10

Very good location and excellent services
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10

Great space and location.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10

I was very happy with the Accommodation and location. Excellent place to stay.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

8/10

Modern but small room. Very clean and well serviced. Fairly decent location relative to Queen Victoria Mkt . Laundry machines are $10. Filtered water available on main floor.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

8/10

Comfortable bed and showers, clean and had everything I needed for a short stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

8/10

Nice easy stay
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10

Loved the location, clean and comfortable
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

8/10

Great location
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10

It was a nice and comfort room for a reasonable price.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

8/10

Great location.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

10/10

Great little getaway spot in Melbourne - will come again.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

6/10

The hotel has a perfect location, convenient to public transit and walking distance to so much that one would want to do or see. The reception staff was super nice and accommodating, and the beds were supportive without being hard. The room , however, was not cleaned on three of the six days we were there, and we had to repeatedly request clean towels as a result. It is the smallest hotel room I have ever stayed in, and the lack of a desk or a chair was a fatal detail that made our stay less than comfortable. There is virtually no usable counter or table space. It was difficult to maneuver around the limited space and there is nowhere to put suitcases or even to unpack clothing. The bathroom is also small, though it is well designed and was comfortable, though not enough to make up for the room problems.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2025