Is parking available at the property?

Parking is available on-site, but it is limited. Guests can utilize the parking facilities provided at the hotel.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is available from 14:00 until 20:00, and check-out is required by 10:00. Early or late check-in/check-out options are not detailed.

What accessibility features are available for guests with disabilities?

The property offers limited wheelchair accessibility, including features like step-free entrances and accessible facilities.

What is the location of the hotel in relation to key landmarks?

The hotel is located in Carlton, Melbourne, near notable landmarks such as Lygon Street and the Royal Exhibition Building. It is also close to shopping areas like Queen Victoria Market and Melbourne Central.

What are the hotel's policies for guests staying with children?

Children are allowed at the property, but specific details regarding age limits for free stays are not provided.

Essence Hotel Carlton in Melbourne

Average nightly price at Essence Hotel Carlton by month, last 12 months (USD)
Month	Average price
January	$104
February	$99
March	$121
April	$96
May	$94
June	$79
July	$84
August	$83
September	$78
October	$93
November	$98
December	$96

What guests think

At Essence Hotel Carlton, travellers consistently praise the convenient Carlton location near trams, Lygon Street and the CBD, along with friendly, helpful staff and generally clean, simple rooms that suit short stays and represent fair value.

Rooms are compact with limited storage, and several reviews note noise from Swanston Street trams or hallway doors unless windows are shut or a quieter room is allocated. Facilities are basic, with a small secure car park and few extras; a handful of guests reported maintenance issues such as limited hot water or temperamental air conditioning. Housekeeping standards appear inconsistent, as a number of guests cited dust, bathroom mould or missed servicing. Overall, expect a practical, budget-friendly base in a handy location.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Facilities are basic, with a small secure car park and few extras. A few reviews mention issues like limited hot water or temperamental air conditioning.

Related guest reviews

10

Amber

Sep 14, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

I always enjoy staying at the Essence. It's a great location, has parking, and the rooms are a good size and clean.

8

Cassi

Jun 29, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel was great, staff were friendly. Clean, but small rooms. The carpark was easy. Unfortunately there are a lot of personal belongings and old mattresses in the car park, making parking challenging.

10

Amber

Nov 3, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

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.

8

Ross

Oct 21, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was nice and clean and the staff were very nice and helpful. Good security parking

8

Victoria

Nov 17, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

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.

2

vanessa

Apr 17, 2023

·

Stayed 4 nights

I booked online on Wed the 16th for arrival on Thursday 17th of April with a pay at the hotel option it was advertised at $621. On arrival I was charged $633 for accomodation and an additional $29 per night for parking. I am unsure why there were additional charges. There was no hot water for the 4 nights we stayed. On my departure on the 17th I was able to have a lukewarm shower but it was by no means hot. The staff were unhelpful and gave conflicting information. It was very uncomfortable and inconvenient. I would not recommend this hotel.

10

Adam

Jan 3, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

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.

10

Adam

Oct 17, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location for my trip. Pleasant staff who were very helpful. Had an appointment a short walk away and they let me leave my car in the hotel carpark after checkout until I returned. Very grateful for that. Short walk to Lygon Street for dining. Would definitely stay here again.

8

Wayne

Apr 16, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Hot water in shower was limited Otherwise facilities and staff excellent

10

Amber

May 25, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

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.

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Cleanliness

Cleanliness feedback is inconsistent: many guests found rooms tidy, but several reported dust, bathroom mould, dirty floors or missed housekeeping.

Related guest reviews

8

John

Jan 26, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

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.

8

Line

Nov 23, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Service from the reception was very, very good. Got my room early after a 25 hour flight, and it seems the receptionist understood my urgent need for a shower. The location is great - next to china town so if you like Asian food there is plenty of nice places nearby. One improvement: the room was very, very dusty the ventilation system in bathroom, and the higher horizontal surfaces, such as curtains and over the bed. Not for people with allergy concerns.

8

Phillipa

Feb 17, 2026

·

Stayed 1 night

Lovely staff, clean room and fabulous location

2

Brooke

Mar 19, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Most unhygienic hotel I’ve ever stayed at.

2

Abhishek

Dec 27, 2022

·

Stayed 1 night

Very bad house keeping

4

Jessica

Dec 6, 2022

·

Stayed 19,330 nights

$240 for the night (a Saturday, I'll admit) but there was no hand soap just small plastic bottles of body wash, and two major sticky patches on the floor of the room and bathroom. Plus, there were pubic hairs in the small fridge. Really gross...

8

Scott

Jan 27, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

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

8

Ross

Oct 21, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was nice and clean and the staff were very nice and helpful. Good security parking

4

Daniel

Jul 9, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Tv didn't work shower had mold in it

10

Raffaele

Jan 20, 2024

·

Stayed 5 nights

Essence Carlton was a great place to stay. Staff were great. Room was well presented and clean and it was diligently serviced daily. Bed and pillows were very comfortable. TV and remote worked well. AC was ready to use and worked well cooling from17-23C. Sure the room was small but we expected that. The tram stop was conveniently located 50m down the road. Room 341 was quiet with a window which opened to a grassed area. Great value for money hotel.

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Rooms

Rooms are compact with limited storage and, in some cases, no desk or bedside power; beds are generally comfortable. Noise from Swanston Street trams or hallways affects some rooms, and a few reviews mention finicky air conditioning.

Related guest reviews

8

Emma

Nov 28, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

It was a bit noisy, to much street noise.

6

Keith A

Feb 12, 2025

·

Stayed 6 nights

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.

10

Nicole

Jul 11, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Most comfortable bed ever!!!!

8

Rosemary

Jul 24, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Neat hotel on tram route in good location. Compact clean rooms (have stayed here once before) great shower. I did have a problem with the air con and couldn't get it to go below 22 degrees, but thankfully the rooms have opening windows.

8

Amber

Feb 22, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

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.

8

Chester

Apr 27, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

This hotel is on Swanston Street next to a tram stop so it can get noisy. If you keep the windows shut it's ok. It's convenient to U of Melbourne, Carlton, etc.

2

Tingchun

Feb 10, 2026

·

Stayed 1 night

一直有噪音

Translate

8

JOHN

Aug 5, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Twin Rooms (while suiting our needs) are too small

6

Rhys

Mar 19, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

There was no wall sockets near the bed and while I didn’t think this would be an issue. It was. The rooms are also small and boring. Very average for the price I paid. I probably wouldn’t recommend or stay again as having a phone next to me while it charges was important at this time of stay

8

Chester

Aug 17, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

This is a good budget hotel in Carlton. The rooms are small, but they're clean and there's a good use of space. It's right on the tram line, so rooms on the street are noisy, but those on other sides are reasonably quiet.

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Service

Staff are widely described as friendly, helpful and accommodating, with flexible parking and occasional early check-in granted. A few guests experienced service lapses, including a booking mix-up and unhelpful responses during maintenance issues.

Related guest reviews

4

Joanne

Jul 23, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

There was an error with my booking. I had booked for a standard twin room but when I got to the room it was a Queen bed room. I was then told that the twin rooms were booked for the night when I had booked a month in advanced. I didn't receive any confirmation closer to the date and my email stated it was a twin room. All they could offer me were to stay in the room or have two separate rooms. When I asked again they only offered a late checkout. I was disappointed as it was not what I had booked for and I was not informed ahead of time whether or not it was okay.

8

Paula

Jul 16, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Reception staff very polite friendly and helpful Late check was very appreciated Thanks

10

Amber

Nov 3, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

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.

8

Ross

Oct 21, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was nice and clean and the staff were very nice and helpful. Good security parking

2

vanessa

Apr 17, 2023

·

Stayed 4 nights

I booked online on Wed the 16th for arrival on Thursday 17th of April with a pay at the hotel option it was advertised at $621. On arrival I was charged $633 for accomodation and an additional $29 per night for parking. I am unsure why there were additional charges. There was no hot water for the 4 nights we stayed. On my departure on the 17th I was able to have a lukewarm shower but it was by no means hot. The staff were unhelpful and gave conflicting information. It was very uncomfortable and inconvenient. I would not recommend this hotel.

10

Adam

Jan 3, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

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.

8

Russell

Dec 12, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff at Essence were so polite and helpful. 5 star assistance from them. Thankyou

10

Adam

Oct 17, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location for my trip. Pleasant staff who were very helpful. Had an appointment a short walk away and they let me leave my car in the hotel carpark after checkout until I returned. Very grateful for that. Short walk to Lygon Street for dining. Would definitely stay here again.

8

Saman Sarker

Dec 9, 2023

·

Stayed 7 nights

I would have given it a 5 star. It was clean and all and overall it was a good experience. But it had lack of stuffs and service. They only have room cleaning once in the day and thats basically it. There is also no in-room calls and facilities like that. However, the rooms were very clean. And I didn't had much difficulties tbh. Recommended.

8

glen

Aug 27, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very helpful staff. Room was fine, bed comfortable.

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Location

Convenient Carlton base near Lygon Street, the University of Melbourne and tram links to the CBD; many sights are walkable. Street-facing rooms may pick up tram noise.

Related guest reviews

10

Amber

Sep 14, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

I always enjoy staying at the Essence. It's a great location, has parking, and the rooms are a good size and clean.

8

Chester

Apr 27, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

This hotel is on Swanston Street next to a tram stop so it can get noisy. If you keep the windows shut it's ok. It's convenient to U of Melbourne, Carlton, etc.

10

Amber

Nov 3, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

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.

8

Scott

Jan 27, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

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

10

Matt

Nov 5, 2025

·

Stayed 6 nights

Amazing stay clean rooms good service and such easy access to the CBD of Melbourne A+

8

Victoria

Nov 17, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

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.

10

Adam

Jan 3, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

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.

10

Adam

Oct 17, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location for my trip. Pleasant staff who were very helpful. Had an appointment a short walk away and they let me leave my car in the hotel carpark after checkout until I returned. Very grateful for that. Short walk to Lygon Street for dining. Would definitely stay here again.

8

Moreno

Sep 7, 2023

·

Stayed 5 nights

Great Hotel close to the University of Melbourne. Rooms were clean and comfortable. I would definitely stay here again if in Melbourne!

8

Chester

Aug 17, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

This is a good budget hotel in Carlton. The rooms are small, but they're clean and there's a good use of space. It's right on the tram line, so rooms on the street are noisy, but those on other sides are reasonably quiet.

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Dining

Not enough information in reviews.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1	2	3
4	5	6 $73	7 $70	8 $88	9 $181	10
11 $74	12 $74	13 $76	14 $76	15 $76	16 $105	17 $155
18 $73	19 $74	20 $74	21 $76	22 $79	23 $99	24 $141
25 $74	26 $81	27	28 $103	29 $83	30 $97	31 $106

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
1 $72	2 $74	3 $78	4 $76	5 $79	6 $99	7 $97
8 $82	9 $79	10 $83	11 $99	12 $100	13 $97	14 $119
15 $84	16 $79	17 $84	18 $85	19 $84	20 $99	21 $92
22 $76	23 $75	24 $74	25 $73	26 $99	27 $200	28 $205
29 $85	30 $81

Essence Hotel Carlton

Prices for Essence Hotel Carlton

Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Standard Queen Room

Single Room with Single Bed Only

Deluxe Queen Room

Standard Twin Room

Guest reviews of Essence Hotel Carlton

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property Policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

FAQs about Essence Hotel Carlton

Considering this hotel for your Melbourne trip?

Prices for upcoming dates