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From63US$ /night
Check-in
05Dec2025Select date
Check-out
06Dec2025Select date
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room
Key details

About the Hotel

609 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Australia, 3053
-
Close to the Old Melbourne Gaol
Perfect
7.6
7.6
/10
3.4
3.6
/5

Rooms & Accommodations

Essence Hotel Carlton offers 235 air-conditioned rooms with LCD televisions, minibars, and laptop-compatible safes. Each room includes a private bathroom with a hairdryer, tea and coffee making facilities, and free WiFi. Select rooms feature sci-fi inspired red leather headboards and non-smoking options. Room configurations include single beds, double beds, and queen-sized beds, all with workspace areas.

Dining Options

The hotel features a Hotel Foyer café with floor-to-ceiling windows and a retro tile service counter. A Thai restaurant is also available on-site. The surrounding Carlton neighborhood is known as 'Little Italy' with Lygon Street lined with trattorias and pizzerias like those at Gertrude Street.

Leisure & Facilities

Guests have access to a 24-hour fitness center with Technogym equipment, an indoor courtyard, a saltwater pool, and a games area. The property includes a smoking-friendly outdoor courtyard with contemporary red and black furniture, BBQ facilities, and a communal kitchen with microwave and refrigerator. A self-service laundrette is available.

Location & Transportation

Located in Carlton, the hotel is 700 meters from State Library Victoria and a 5-minute walk from University of Melbourne. It's 2 tram stops from Melbourne CBD and a 10-minute walk from the Free Tram Zone covering Federation Square and Queen Victoria Market. Nearby attractions include Royal Exhibition Building (1 km), Melbourne Museum, and Block Arcade (1.5 km). Melbourne International Airport is 22 km away.

Hotel Services

Services include 24-hour front desk, daily housekeeping, luggage storage, and facilities for disabled guests. The hotel offers complimentary high-speed WiFi throughout and maintains security protocols for guest information. The reception can assist with transportation and local recommendations.

Must-do experiences

  • Savor a hot jam donut from the iconic Queen Victoria Market.
  • Explore the vibrant street art in Hosier Lane; it's a living gallery!
  • Visit the Melbourne Museum for a deep dive into local culture.
  • Relax at the Royal Botanic Gardens; don't miss the lake views.
  • Indulge in a laneway coffee at Degraves Street; it's a local favorite.
View all

Choose the Room

From cosy doubles to spacious family suites – all with flexible options, breakfast, and exclusive deals.
Single Room Single Bed only
2 persons
14 m² 
1 Single bed
Shower
Heating
Deluxe Queen Room
2 persons
16 m² 
1 King-size bed
Shower
Heating
Standard Queen Room
2 persons
14 m² 
1 King-size bed
Shower
Heating
Standard Twin Room
2 persons
14 m² 
2 Single beds
Shower
Heating
Click button to see more rooms
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Check Dates & Room Rates

See what's available for your travel dates

Getting around

All Transportation Options at a Glance

City Centre
Melbourne 1.2 km
Airports
Essendon Fields (MEB) 14.5 km
Tullamarine (MEL) 21.2 km
Train
Flagstaff Train Station 1.1 km

Amenities

Thoughtfully designed amenities for a comfortable & memorable stay

General

  • No smoking on site
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • On-site car park
  • Handicap parking
  • Safe deposit box
  • 24-hour reception
  • VIP check-in/ -out
  • No pets allowed
  • Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
  • Wheelchair access
  • Security
  • Luggage storage
  • Lift
  • Vending machines
  • Smoke detectors
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Key card access
  • Key access

Sports & Fitness

  • Fitness centre

Guest Parking

  • Electric kettle

Services

  • Laundry

Business

  • Fax/Photocopying

Children

  • Cots
  • Game room

Facilities for people with disabilities

  • Toilet for disabled
  • Bathroom for disabled

Spa & Leisure

  • Sun terrace
  • BBQ facilities
  • Leisure/ TV room

Room features

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Sitting area
  • Garden furniture
  • Tea and coffee facilities
  • Ironing facilities

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries

Self-catering

  • Electric kettle

Media

  • Flat-screen TV
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Location

609 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Australia, 3053
Map view
609 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Australia, 3053
Nearby
Museum
Old Melbourne Gaol
560 m
Lygon Street
Lygon Street
560 m
Restaurants
Cafe Crema On Swanston
180 m
488 Swanston St
Toto's Pizza House
340 m
101 Lygon St Carlton
The First Bigmama
230 m
466 Swanston St
IL Dolce Freddo
390 m
116 Lygon Street
Lambs Restaurant
330 m
98-100 Lygon St Carlton
ILoveIstanbul
290 m
95 Lygon St
Saigon Pho Carlton
350 m
106 Lygon Street
Shukufuku Japanese Bento
410 m
126 Lygon St
Artee Cafe
420 m
62 Lygon St
Don Tojo
520 m
164 Cardigan St
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 14:00-23:59
Check-out
until 10 am
Guest Parking
Private parking is possible on site (reservation might be needed) at AUD 29 per day.
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.
Children & extra beds
There are no extra beds provided in a room. 
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Languages
English, German, Italian, Danish, Chinese, Hindi, Bahasa Indonesian, Malay, Thai, Tagalog / Filipino
Number of floors:
5
Number of rooms:
47
Former name
Ibis Melbourne Swanston Street
Questions of the users
About Essence Hotel Carlton
Is there a door to the bathroom in the rooms?
12 January 2025
Yes, all rooms are equipped with a bathroom door for privacy.
Can guests check in after midnight given the 24-hour front desk service?
5 February 2024
Yes, check-in is available at any time as the front desk operates around the clock.
Are the windows in the rooms designed to open?
15 March 2024
Yes, the windows can be opened for fresh air.
Is it convenient to access tram services and nearby restaurants?
22 February 2024
Absolutely! The hotel is just a minute's walk from tram stops, and popular Lygon Street restaurants are within a 5-minute stroll.
Is there an on-site car parking option?
10 April 2024
Yes, there is an on-site car park available at a rate of $29 per night.
What is the bond amount for using a debit card?
19 April 2024
A $1 hold on the credit card or a refundable cash bond of $200 is required, depending on the payment method.
Is there an elevator that provides access from the parking area to the rooms?
25 May 2024
Yes, a lift connects the car park to the accommodation floors.
Is breakfast available at the hotel?
30 August 2024
Unfortunately, there are no breakfast facilities, but you can find various dining options within a 5-minute walk.
Is there a height restriction for vehicles in the parking area?
23 September 2024
Yes, the parking area has a height limit of 2.1 meters.
How far is the hotel from Ikon Park?
8 January 2025
It takes approximately 38 minutes to walk to Ikon Park, or 23 minutes by tram.
What time does check-in usually start?
17 March 2025
Check-in is available starting at 14:00.
Do the rooms offer any facilities for guests to do their laundry?
29 April 2024
Guest self-laundry services are available at the hotel.

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