Essence Hotel Carlton

Melbourne -37.80408000, 144.96316600 , 609 Swanston Street (Show on Map)
7.6
Good


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1 room2 guests 1 room, 2 guests
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Summary of reviewsEssence Hotel Carlton enjoys a prime location near Melbourne's vibrant city center, earning high praise from guests for its convenience and proximity to major attractions like Queen Victoria Market and Lygon Street. The hotel's accessibility to public transport, essential amenities and academic institutions such as Melbourne University and Monash University enhances its appeal. Visitors appreciate the convenient dining, shopping and nightlife options nearby, while also valuing the quiet retreat the hotel offers for relaxation.

The rooms, while noted for their cleanliness, comfort and modern décor, face criticism for their small size and occasional lack of natural light. Despite these shortcomings, guests find the amenities, including a minifridge and good water pressure in the showers, to be satisfactory for short stays. Housekeeping receives mixed reviews with many appreciating the tidy accommodations, though some point out inconsistencies in daily cleaning standards.

Cleanliness is generally well-regarded with many praising the modern and tidy environment and the diligent housekeeping staff. However, occasional issues such as dust, mold and cleanliness of communal areas are noted. The friendly, helpful and accommodating staff are frequently highlighted as a major positive, enhancing the overall guest experience with their warm and professional demeanor.

Wi-Fi connectivity at the hotel offers a mixed experience with some guests enjoying reliable service while others encounter weak signals and intermittent issues. Parking is appreciated for its ease of access and availability, though spaces are compact and the costs are considered high by some.

Guests benefit from the hotel's proximity to Melbourne's lively nightlife and dining scenes, especially along Lygon Street, while enjoying a peaceful retreat away from the hustle. Although noise from street works and neighbors is occasionally mentioned, the overall nightlife accessibility is a positive aspect.

The beds receive mixed feedback with many guests finding them comfortable, while others note issues such as saggy mattresses and cleanliness concerns. Despite some minor maintenance issues, the hotel meets expectations for its three-star rating, offering good value for money and a standard experience expected of its category.

Lastly, Essence Hotel Carlton is commended for its accessibility features, accommodating guests with disabilities through user-friendly facilities and accessible rooms equipped with support handles. Although some minor improvements could be made, the hotel stands out as a convenient choice for travelers with specific accessibility needs.
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Categories
3-Star Hotel
Essence Hotel Carlton offers good value for money in a central location. It is a budget-friendly option with acceptable rooms, suitable for travelers looking for affordable accommodation close to Melbourne's attractions.

Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability

Hotel near Nightlife Spots

Business Hotel

Hotel with Parking

Accessible Hotel

Hotel with Gym

Room Types
Standard Queen Room The room features a queen-sized bed, an LCD flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, a shower, hairdryer, WiFi access and tea/coffee making facilities. Please note the maximum occupancy is 2 adults (including 2 adults or 1 adult and 1 child).

Standard Twin Room The room features a 2 single-sized beds, an LCD flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, a shower, hairdryer, WiFi access and tea/coffee making facilities. Please note the maximum occupancy is 2 adults (including 2 adults or 1 adult and 1 child).

Deluxe Queen Room The double room provides air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The unit offers 1 bed.

Single Room with Single Bed only The single room offers air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The unit has 1 bed.

Guest Reviews
7.6
Good
Location
Essence Hotel Carlton boasts a prime location that has garnered many accolades from its guests. Situated conveniently near Melbourne’s vibrant city center, the hotel's proximity to public transport, including tram stops, makes it an ideal base for exploring the city. Guests appreciate its closeness to key attractions such as Queen Victoria Market and Lygon Street, known for its array of restaurants and cafes.

The hotel's central placement is particularly beneficial for those attending events at the Melbourne University or the Royal Melbourne Hospital, both just a short distance away. The nearby Monash University is also easily accessible, adding to the hotel’s appeal for academic visitors. Shopping, dining and nightlife options are plentiful with various eateries and convenience stores just around the corner.

The Essence Hotel Carlton also gets high marks for being within walking distance of many essential amenities and main city areas. Guests frequently note the excellent value for money, clean and modern rooms and friendly staff, enhancing their overall stay. Its location strikes a balance between being close to the hustle and bustle for those seeking excitement and providing a quiet retreat for rest and relaxation.

For those visiting Melbourne for a mix of leisure and business, this hotel’s strategic location ensures easy access to all the city has to offer, making it a preferred choice for many travelers.

Rooms
Essence Hotel Carlton's rooms garner mixed reviews from guests, though several positive aspects frequently emerge. Many guests find the rooms clean, comfortable and well-equipped, highlighting amenities like a decent-sized vanity, good water pressure in the showers and useful inclusions such as a minifridge and hairdryer. Despite their small size, the rooms are often described as cozy, warm and with a modern and stylish décor.

However, the room sizes are a notable concern. Guests repeatedly mention that the rooms are very small with cramped spaces that make it difficult to move around, especially for more than one person. Some rooms have minimal natural light and can feel stuffy or too warm due to preset temperatures. A few reviews also point out that room conditions did not always match the promotional photos, leading to some disappointment.

While housekeeping services and cleanliness levels receive conflicting feedback, many guests do note that the rooms are generally tidy upon arrival. Nonetheless, some report issues with daily cleaning standards and a few note instances where the room was not cleaned unless specifically requested.

Overall, for short-term stays, the rooms at Essence Hotel Carlton can provide a satisfactory experience, particularly for solo travelers or those who do not mind compact spaces. The convenience and comfort factors seem to align well with a brief, city-based visit, though those expecting more spacious accommodations or luxury touches might find them wanting.

Beds
Essence Hotel Carlton has received mixed feedback regarding its beds from guests. While many highlighted the comfortable and very comfortable beds with some even describing them as super comfortable, others had less favorable experiences. Numerous reviewers mentioned the beds as being comfy and conducive to a great night's sleep, which points to a generally positive experience for a number of guests. The reasonable price and great value of the accommodations also appear to enhance the overall assessment.

However, some guests faced issues such as saggy mattresses, small or poor-quality pillows and beds that were either too low or not supportive enough, leading to discomfort for taller individuals or those with back pain. Additionally, concerns were raised about the cleanliness of the bedding, noting instances of dirty or bloodstained sheets and old pillows without cases, which detracted from the quality of the stay for these particular patrons.

Overall, while many guests enjoyed a comfortable rest at Essence Hotel Carlton, there are notable areas for improvement in terms of bed quality and cleanliness to ensure a more consistently pleasant experience.

Cleanliness
Essence Hotel Carlton has garnered a variety of guest opinions on its cleanliness with the majority highlighting positive experiences. Many visitors noted that the rooms were not only clean but also tidy and modern with frequent mentions of daily cleaning contributing to a generally well-kept environment. Guests appreciated the convenience of laundry facilities and praised the housekeeping staff for their diligent work and friendly demeanor. The hotel’s compact and comfortable setting seems ideal for short stays with a superb location that makes it easy to explore Melbourne.

However, it wasn't all praise. Some reviews pointed out areas needing improvement, such as occasional dust, mold in bathrooms and instances where the general cleanliness wasn't up to par. Specific problems included moldy sinks and showers, dust under beds, stained sheets and a few instances of dirty rooms upon arrival. There were also remarks about cleanliness issues in communal areas and problems with bathroom fixtures like clogged sinks and leaking floors.

Despite these criticisms, many guests still found Essence Hotel Carlton to be a clean and modern establishment, indicating that while there are inconsistencies, the hotel generally maintains a satisfactory level of cleanliness. Its clean facilities, coupled with a favorable location, were appreciated by many travelers.

Staff
The staff at Essence Hotel Carlton have garnered glowing praise for their friendliness, helpfulness and accommodating nature. Consistent descriptions highlight the team as welcoming, polite and eager to assist with guest needs. Many noted the exceptional experience at the reception, where staff were described as excellent, warm and highly professional. Specific instances of staff members going above and beyond to enhance guests’ stays were frequently mentioned, underscoring a strong commitment to customer service. A few occasional negative comments did arise, but the overall sentiment remains highly positive with guests repeatedly highlighting the approachable and considerate demeanor of the hotel team.

Wi-Fi
Essence Hotel Carlton offers a mixed experience when it comes to Wi-Fi. Several guests have noted that the Wi-Fi worked well and was reliable during their stay, contributing positively to their experience. However, some reviews highlight issues such as intermittent connectivity, weak signals and insufficient bandwidth for basic functions. While certain areas of the hotel seem to benefit from good Wi-Fi, others experience significant challenges with the connection frequently dropping or being too weak to be useful. Overall, the Wi-Fi quality appears to vary, indicating that improvements could be made for more consistent service across the hotel.

Parking
Essence Hotel Carlton offers several parking options for guests, including on-site and basement parking. Many found the parking process effortless and appreciated the availability, ease of access and proximity to lifts. However, there are some noteworthy concerns; spaces are often described as compact and the overall parking area a bit challenging to navigate. The parking facilities come at an additional cost, typically around $29 per day, which some guests found to be quite high. On occasion, parking spots can be limited and pre-booking is advised to ensure availability. Most guests were able to park their cars without any major issues, but a few highlighted the parking charges, especially the steep fee for overstaying.

Nightlife
Located on the edge of the City and Carlton, Essence Hotel Carlton benefits from its close proximity to the vibrant nightlife and dining scene. Guests will find themselves just a short distance from the popular Lygon Street, known for its bustling restaurants, cafes and shops. The hotel's location offers easy access to a myriad of great food places, allowing visitors to indulge in the local culinary delights.

Moreover, the hotel is conveniently situated on the city tram line, offering seamless connectivity to Melbourne's attractions. While the proximity to nightlife ensures guests can enjoy the energetic evening scene, the hotel is positioned far enough from the hustle and bustle to guarantee a peaceful night’s sleep.

However, visitors have noted occasional noise due to street works and noisy neighbors and the absence of in-hotel dining options might require guests to explore nearby eateries for meals. Overall, Essence Hotel Carlton presents a strategic blend of accessibility to dynamic nightlife with the comfort of a calm retreat.

3 Star
Essence Hotel Carlton is a three-star hotel that meets the expectations for its rating. Guests consistently describe it as offering good value for money, particularly given the budget nature of the accommodations. The rooms are noted to be small but acceptable, fitting the modest standards of a three-star establishment.

The hotel is recognized for providing an ordinary three-star experience with facilities and services appropriate for its rating. The interactions and overall quality align well with what is typically expected of a hotel in this category. However, there are a few areas noted for improvement, including issues with the air conditioning and bathroom facilities – specifically non-functional fans and occasional leaks.

Overall, while Essence Hotel Carlton offers a standard and consistent three-star experience, prospective guests should be prepared for some minor maintenance shortcomings.

Accessible
Essence Hotel Carlton has garnered commendation for its ease of access and user-friendly facilities, making it an appealing option for guests with disabilities. The hotel features round-the-clock check-in, allowing flexibility and convenience. Guests appreciated the straightforward accessibility to and within the premises and the available parking facilities that can be reserved in advance add to its accessibility. The presence of handles in accessible rooms is noted as a thoughtful touch for those needing additional support. While most aspects of the hotel are accessible, a minor point to consider is the presence of some steps and the absence of a microwave. Overall, Essence Hotel Carlton stands out as a well-equipped and convenient choice for travelers with accessibility needs.


No, Essence Hotel Carlton doesn't have any pool.

No, a spa isn't available at Essence Hotel Carlton.

No, Essence Hotel Carlton doesn't allow dogs.

Yes, parking facilities are available at Essence Hotel Carlton.

Yes, Essence Hotel Carlton has a gym.

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