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Essence Hotel Carlton

3.5 star property

Photo gallery for Essence Hotel Carlton

In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains
Terrace/patio
Exterior
Billiards
Lift

Reviews

7.8 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Gym
  • Breakfast available
  • Laundry room

Explore the area

View map
609 Swanston Street, Carlton, VIC, 3053
  • Place, RMIT University
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Queen Victoria Market
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Melbourne Central
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Airport, Melbourne, VIC (MEL-Tullamarine)
    ‪23 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Queen

Standard Queen

Standard Queen

7.8 out of 10
Good
(19 reviews)
  • 14 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Essence Queen Room

In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Essence Queen Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for Essence Twin Room

In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Essence Twin Room

  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for Standard Twin Room

In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Standard Twin Room

7.2 out of 10
Good
(7 reviews)
  • 14 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room

In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Deluxe Double Room

7.4 out of 10
Good
(6 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Essence Deluxe Queen Room

In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Essence Deluxe Queen Room

  • Sleeps 2

Standard Queen

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Economy Single Room

Economy Single Room

Economy Single Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

View all photos for Co Living Single Room

In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Co Living Single Room

  • Sleeps 1

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Carlton Lygon Lodge

About the area

Melbourne

With a stay at Essence Hotel Carlton in Melbourne (Carlton), you'll be within a 5-minute walk of Melbourne City Baths and Lygon Street. .This hotel is 0.3 mi (0.4 km) from University of Melbourne and 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from RMIT University.

What's nearby

  • Lygon Street - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • RMIT University - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • University of Melbourne - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Queen Victoria Market - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Melbourne Central - 9 min walk - 0.8 km

Getting around

  • Essendon Station - 9 min drive
  • Melbourne Central Station - 10 min walk
  • Melbourne, VIC (MEB-Essendon) - 21 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Universal Restaurant - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Hareruya Pantry - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Ini Studio - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Queensberry Hotel - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Regale - ‬2 min walk

About this property

Essence Hotel Carlton

Hotel with a 24-hour fitness center, 8-minute walk to Melbourne Central
Essence Hotel Carlton offers 47 air-conditioned accommodations with laptop-compatible safes and hair dryers. LCD televisions are featured in guestrooms. Bathrooms include showers and complimentary toiletries.

This Melbourne hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and desk chairs. Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is provided on request.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include a 24-hour fitness center.
Make yourself at home in one of the 47 air-conditioned rooms featuring LCD televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include laptop-compatible safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided on request.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a 24-hour fitness center or take in the view from a terrace and a garden. This hotel also features complimentary wireless internet access, an arcade/game room, and a communal living room.
Featured amenities include multilingual staff, luggage storage, and laundry facilities. Self parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • Height restrictions apply for on-site parking
  • Parking on site (AUD 29 per night)
  • Limited on-site self 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

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • 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
  • Hardwood flooring in room
  • Lift (90 centimetre wide door)
  • 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 bathroom

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: 8:00 PM
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
The front desk is open daily from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 8:00 PM 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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

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

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • A damage deposit of AUD 101 will be collected before check-in.

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

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 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

Essence Hotel Carlton Reviews

Reviews

7.8

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 288 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 450 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 168 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 67 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 29 out of 1002 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

7.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

harry

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
clean and fresh, helpful staff very comfortable bed
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Pei-shan

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Matt

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing stay clean rooms good service and such easy access to the CBD of Melbourne A+
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice room
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Elsa

Travelled with family
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Ross

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Room was nice and clean and the staff were very nice and helpful. Good security parking
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

2/10 Terrible

Anthony

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amber

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I always enjoy staying at the Essence. It's a great location, has parking, and the rooms are a good size and clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melinda

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Adam

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

glen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very helpful staff. Room was fine, bed comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Paul

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Enjoyed the stay it was convenient for the reason I was there
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

JOHN

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Twin Rooms (while suiting our needs) are too small
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

David, Haines Kangaroo Island

Business traveller, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Was a very busy time the sleep was much needed.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Pamela

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
the room is clean, the shower felt fab, the staff was kind. what more does one need for a one night stay?
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chris, Croydon South

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Lauren

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Cassi

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Donna

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Comfy bed. Lovely outdoor area & indoor nooks.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amber

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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

10/10 Excellent

Charis

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Yuji

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

2/10 Terrible

Brooke

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Most unhygienic hotel I’ve ever stayed at.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Amber

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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