Essence Hotel

10/10

Exceptional

03 Apr 2026

Vanessa

Wonderful stay - will definitely stay here again.

10/10

Exceptional

29 Mar 2026

Philip

Great location, trams right outside, very close to amenities and city centre

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

20 Mar 2026

Grace

Very compact rooms with little room to move or store luggage, with one side of the bed only accessible by climbing across the bed. The room was very cold and temperature control was difficult/inaccessible.

Self

4/10

Poor

02 Mar 2026

Victor Allan

The room had a single bed only. I have never booked a room anywhere in the world that had a single bed only. The manager helped by charging extra for a camp stretcher. This hotel is pleasant convenient and has nice staff but this episode disappointed me.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

25 Feb 2026

Isabel

Reception staff were friendly and no trouble to stow my luggage as I arrived early and room wasn’t ready. Twin bedroom, clean and tidy, great shower. However, the air conditioning wasn’t working and reception had left for the night so room was quite cold, otherwise for the one night stay was very convenient location.

Self

8/10

Excellent

17 Feb 2026

Phillipa

Lovely staff, clean room and fabulous location

Self

8/10

Excellent

08 Feb 2026

cameron

Small but clean room. Pretty good location for anything happening in the city.

8/10

Excellent

31 Jan 2026

Chris

Clean , great staff , tiny rooms

4/10

Poor

27 Jan 2026

Qurat-ul-Ain

Average at best And overpriced.

2/10

Poor

25 Jan 2026

byron

I made two phone calls to ensure my son, who was arriving 2 hours before us, was able to park his car underneath. I was assured both times that he could and that it would go straight to my credit card. It did not. He had to pay for both vehicles and because we had not checked in, he parked his car but was then stuck in the elevator for 20 minutes as he had no 'room key' to exit. The staff allowed him to enter (once he paid) but did not warn him that he would be trapped in there as no key was issued yet. He used the emergency phone in the lift to eventually get out (20 minute ordeal) and I had been assured it would be fine by two staff on separate phone calls. NOT HAPPY AT ALL!
On top off that, the doors to the bathrooms are frosted glass AND do not close properly or lock. When you share a room with your late teenage kids, you'd like them to have some privacy.
This is my last stay there and we go regularly to Melbourne to visit our son who lives down there.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jan 2026

harry

clean and fresh, helpful staff very comfortable bed

8/10

Excellent

01 Jan 2026

Rebecca

A value for money hotel close to shops, dining and transport. Rooms are small, but well appointed and clean.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

31 Dec 2025

Asha

Room and shower are a bit tiny. Good pressure, volume and temp in the shower. Stone throw away from metro stop. Accessible to everything in CBD

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

16 Dec 2025

Lauren

Parking was easy and secure. Easy walk into Lygon St.

Business Friends

6/10

Pleasant

27 Nov 2025

Dorinda

Not sure the air con was working or the bathroom fan

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

21 Nov 2025

Valerie

Essence was close to my destination and easily accessible. I didn't find a suitable place for an evening meal nearby. (The place where I went was extremely noisy.) Maybe I needed to look harder.
I would certainly revisit Essence.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

20 Nov 2025

Pei-shan

Good

10/10

Exceptional

05 Nov 2025

Matt

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

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

03 Nov 2025

Andrew

Very nice room

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

21 Oct 2025

Ross

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

Self

10/10

Exceptional

14 Sep 2025

Amber

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

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

04 Sep 2025

Melinda

We had a great stay. Top floor room was lovely and quiet, and had enough room for multiple suitcases. Really convenient for the areas we were visiting.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

26 Aug 2025

glen

Very helpful staff. Room was fine, bed comfortable.

Self

8/10

Excellent

12 Aug 2025

Paul

Enjoyed the stay it was convenient for the reason I was there

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

05 Aug 2025

JOHN

Twin Rooms (while suiting our needs) are too small

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

21 Jul 2025

David

Was a very busy time the sleep was much needed.

Business Partner

8/10

Excellent

04 Jul 2025

Pamela

the room is clean, the shower felt fab, the staff was kind. what more does one need for a one night stay?

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

29 Jun 2025

Cassi

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.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jun 2025

Donna

Comfy bed. Lovely outdoor area & indoor nooks.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

25 May 2025

Amber

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.

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

19 Mar 2025

Brooke

Most unhygienic hotel I’ve ever stayed at.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

22 Feb 2025

Amber

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.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

12 Feb 2025

Keith A

A real mixed bag in a good location

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.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

27 Jan 2025

Scott

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

Business_and_leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

25 Jan 2025

John

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.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jan 2025

Adam

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.

Self

8/10

Excellent

20 Nov 2024

Alana

Very close to public transport and easy access to the property. Room was clean, with a very accessible shower, however, no fan system for the shower heat (hence notice about keeping door fully shut so as to not activate alarm system).

Bed was very comfortable but a little close due to the size of the desk in room.

Otherwise, a wonderful stay.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Nov 2024

Sally

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🙏🙏

10/10

Exceptional

18 Nov 2024

Hayley

Great facilities, helpful staff

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

17 Nov 2024

Victoria

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.

10/10

Exceptional

03 Nov 2024

Amber

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.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

21 Oct 2024

Emma

Great location. Clean room. Good accessible bathroom. My only criticism is that I asked for an accessible room and I didn't find out that I wasn't getting one until I had checked in. This was frustrating because I had chosen this hotel because it came up in a search of accessible hotels.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

17 Oct 2024

Adam

Great location in Carlton

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.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

03 Oct 2024

Darryl

Hotel 7 staff were very good

8/10

Excellent

13 Jul 2024

Trudy

Good

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jun 2024

Trini

Great place to stay

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jun 2024

courtney

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

Leisure Friends

4/10

Poor

22 Apr 2024

Dahir

The room was not clean, when I asked if they could someone, they didn’t anyone!

Business Self

4/10

Poor

05 Apr 2024

Michelle

We dont like it basically because the room is so small . it is hard for 2 people to walk around.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Mar 2024

Paul

Great space and location.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

24 Mar 2024

Kym

Comfortable room. Very close to what I needed and good value for money!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

22 Mar 2024

Verified traveler

Very good location and excellent services

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

19 Mar 2024

Rhys

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

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

08 Mar 2024

Angela

A very ordinary and basic hotel. Very handy and perfect position for our needs.
Literally no where in the bathroom to put personal items, semi blocked bathroom sink and a dirty bin.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

25 Feb 2024

Enda

Access problems with tram works. Machines going all night.

Business

8/10

Excellent

23 Feb 2024

Dee

Comfortable bed and showers, clean and had everything I needed for a short stay.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

20 Feb 2024

Rock

Staff members were helpful rooms were what we after

8/10

Excellent

26 Jan 2024

Stephen

Clean and affordable

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

20 Jan 2024

kerry

Room had everything you would require for short stay,mine was 1 night, small rooms but comfortable great location

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jan 2024

Raffaele

Comfortable Clean Convenient Courteous Quiet

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.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jan 2024

George

Good stay

The Good
Clean room with shampoo and towels
The Bad
They could offer more soap pellets

Self

8/10

Excellent

17 Dec 2023

Sarah

Good location, very affordable but small rooms. Minimal parking and amenities. Nice and clean with friendly staff.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

11 Dec 2023

Russell

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

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

09 Dec 2023

Saman Sarker

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.

Business Self

2/10

Poor

04 Dec 2023

Jiya

Sleeping on a park bench would have been more comfortable. The mattresses are the cheapest… they sink and send you both into the middle… add that to a massive lump of a pillow and you have the worst night imaginable. We didn’t expect five star but literally the worst accommodation/bed ever and we have been backpackers and traveled in remote places.

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

28 Nov 2023

Emma

It was a bit noisy, to much street noise.

10/10

Exceptional

28 Nov 2023

Phuong

Thank you to the hotel's staff: reservation, reception and house keeping teams for good services, kind and professional manner. The room we stayed was new, clean and quiet We had a nice stay.

10/10

Exceptional

27 Nov 2023

Mitchell

We had a great stay

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Nov 2023

Kimberly Alessandra

It was a nice and comfort room for a reasonable price.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

26 Oct 2023

Melanie

Great little getaway spot in Melbourne - will come again.

4/10

Poor

22 Oct 2023

Sally

Room was very basic and not clean. Fee to park car on the property was excessive. Overall not impressed with the visit.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

08 Oct 2023

Rachel

Great location

6/10

Pleasant

08 Oct 2023

Richard

The room could definitely be cleaned better, particularly the floor which was quite dirty in places.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

23 Sep 2023

Byron

Clean simple rooms for the solo traveller. Plus conveniently located a short walk from the Lygon St restaurants. Close to a couple of great local pubs The Lincoln and Queensbury Hotel.

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

11 Sep 2023

Rhonda

Great spot, friendly staff and perfect location. Walking distance to Lygon St, and just easy! Thanks for connecting us with this gem! Best suited if you just need a comfy bed for the night. The rooms are small but comfortable, and there are lots of options around for entertainment and dining.

Business_and_leisure Family

4/10

Poor

10 Sep 2023

Cire

Good

6/10

Pleasant

10 Sep 2023

THAD

Hair dry was unsafe and unusable.

8/10

Excellent

17 Aug 2023

Chester

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.

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

10 Aug 2023

Bryce

Nice easy stay

Leisure Self

4/10

Poor

31 Jul 2023

Roger

I have pretty simple requirements for a hotel. Clean, quiet, and a comfortable temperature. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by this one -- very disappointed for the price at the high end of midrange. This is not a midrange hotel, it is a cheap student dorm offering their unused rooms as a hotel.

I knew it would be small, but I was shocked to actually see it: I banged my elbows on the wall when taking off my coat, the suitcase stand was 2/3 the size of my case and there was no room for a wardrobe. Presumably the students do their homework in the common because there is no room for anything like a desk.

With the AC set on maximum, it barely moved a thread next to the vent; eventually I got so hot (in midwinter!) I had to open the window to get to sleep. (Which was made more difficult because the window catch was broken -- and greasy.) Of course, the open window made the loud street noises even worse. The feeble AC might also contribute to the black mould in the tiny bathroom -- but then again, there were also dust bunnies and hair on the carpets, so ... Oh, and the room safe didn't work.

On the plus side, the shower was bizarrely huge compared to everything else. Rest of the bathroom, you bang you shins on the toilet bowl whilst cleaning your teeth. Shower, you could get 6 people in there if it rocked your boat. Also, a very convenient tram stop for getting into the city.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jul 2023

Damian

Loved the location, clean and comfortable

8/10

Excellent

23 Jul 2023

Rosemary

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.

4/10

Poor

23 Jul 2023

Joanne

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.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jul 2023

David

Clean, quiet, and comfy. Everything you need for a short stay.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

16 Jul 2023

Paula

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

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jul 2023

Nicole

Most comfortable bed ever!!!!

Business

4/10

Poor

09 Jul 2023

Daniel

Tv didn't work shower had mold in it

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jul 2023

Holly

I was very happy with the Accommodation and location. Excellent place to stay.

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jul 2023

Dominique

Excellent thank you

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

02 Jul 2023

Sophie

I really enjoyed the fabulous service from the people on the front desk. The rooms was mostly clean except for mould in the shower and a dirty tissue that was left on the floor. Overall, a great place for a one night stay while travelling through Melbourne.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 May 2023

Froni

Nice and convenient. Very friendly and professional staff. Thank you.

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

26 May 2023

Stratia

Very basic but nice for over night stay. It’s tiny.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

20 May 2023

MIchael

Convenient location. Pleasant staff

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

18 May 2023

Jacinta

It was very clean and professional. Bed was comfy.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

07 May 2023

Chelsea

Clean and simple room. Bed was comfortable. Walkable to CBD and tram available on Swanston Street.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

07 May 2023

Sally

It was clean. Smallest room I’ve ever stayed in but was only there for a bed so not an issue

8/10

Excellent

27 Apr 2023

Chester

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.

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

24 Apr 2023

Evelyn

Lovely staff and clean

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

21 Apr 2023

Chester

The rooms are small, but they're clean. No chair or desk. Mine faced on Swanston St right above a tram stop but was pretty quiet. The hotel is near a bunch of restaurants and cafes, University of Melbourne and Carlton. All in all it's a good choice for a stay in that area.

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

20 Apr 2023

Chester

The rooms are small but clean, and the hotel is located near university of Melbourne and Carlton. My room faced on Swanston St but was quiet with the window shut. The trams stop right next to the hotel, so there's a lot of tram noise. Staff are friendly and helpful.

Business Self