Essence Hotel Carlton

Property class: 3.5

Choose dates to view prices

Located close to Melbourne City Baths and Lygon Street, Essence Hotel Carlton provides a terrace, a garden, and an arcade/game room. In addition to laundry facilities and an outdoor entertainment area, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

8.0 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Gym
  • Laundry

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

View all photos for Standard Queen

A hotel room with a neatly made bed, a red headboard, a bedside table with a lamp, and a mirror above the bed.

Standard Queen

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(22 reviews)
  • 151 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Standard Twin Room

A hotel room with two beds, a red accent wall, a mirror, and a wooden floor.

Standard Twin Room

7.2 out of 10
Good
(7 reviews)
  • 151 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a flat-screen TV, and a city view through sheer curtains.

Deluxe Double Room

7.8 out of 10
Good
(8 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Economy Single Room

A modern hotel room with a wooden floor, a desk with a red chair, a bed with red headboard, a bedside table with a plant, and a mirror above the desk.

Economy Single Room

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

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About the area

Located in Carlton, a neighborhood in Melbourne, Essence Hotel Carlton is in a shopping district and near a metro station. Lygon Street and Royal Exhibition Building are notable landmarks, and travelers looking to shop may want to visit Queen Victoria Market and Melbourne Central. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Rod Laver Arena or Melbourne Cricket Ground. Visit our Melbourne travel guide
Map
609 Swanston Street, Carlton, VIC, 3053

What's nearby

  • A building with a neon sign reading "Borsari's Corner" and "Ex-Olympic Champion" on a cyclist.
    Lygon Street
    3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • A historic building with ornate architecture, surrounded by modern skyscrapers and trees.
    RMIT University
    5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • A historic building with ornate architecture, including a prominent tower and decorative elements.
    University of Melbourne
    5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • The Queen Victoria Market with a green archway, outdoor seating, and people walking by.
    Queen Victoria Market
    7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • A circular metal framework with a brick building at its base.
    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

  • Humble Rays
    3 min walk
  • Panda Hot Pot 蜀大侠火锅
    5 min walk
  • Universal Restaurant
    5 min walk
  • Plus Coffee
    5 min walk
  • HEEBI
    3 min walk

About this property

Essence Hotel Carlton

  • Hotel near Lygon Street
  • Located close to Melbourne City Baths and RMIT University, Essence Hotel Carlton provides a terrace, a garden, and an arcade/game room. In addition to laundry facilities and an outdoor entertainment area, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
  • You'll also enjoy perks such as:
    • Self parking (surcharge), an elevator, and a water dispenser
    • A vending machine, luggage storage, and coworking spaces
    • Outdoor furniture, multilingual staff, and a TV in the lobby
    • Guest reviews speak highly of the helpful staff
  • Room features
  • All guestrooms at Essence Hotel Carlton boast perks such as laptop-compatible safes and laptop-friendly workspaces, in addition to amenities like free WiFi and desk chairs.
  • More conveniences in all rooms include:
    • Free tea bags/instant coffee and electric kettles
    • Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries
    • Wardrobes/closets, heating, and housekeeping

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Frequently asked questions

Is Essence Hotel Carlton pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much does it cost to stay at Essence Hotel Carlton?

As of Nov 11, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Essence Hotel Carlton on Nov 29, 2026 start from CA $114, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Self parking is available for AUD 35 per night. Limited spots are available.

What time is check-in at Essence Hotel Carlton?

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: 8:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Essence Hotel Carlton?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Essence Hotel Carlton located?

Located in Carlton, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Melbourne City Baths and Lygon Street. University of Melbourne and RMIT University are also within 10 minutes. Melbourne Central Station is 10 minutes by foot and Flagstaff Station is 16 minutes.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

Essence Hotel Carlton Reviews

8.0

Very good

8.6

Cleanliness

8.4

Location

8.6

Staff & service

8.0

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 297 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 446 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 163 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 67 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 30 out of 1003 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good location for a fair price
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I have stayed here a few times when I come to Melbourne. The location is great, walking distance to everything. The hotel itself is quiet at night and during the day, as is the area. Lots of dining options around. I really liked the new drink vending machine with coffees and sparking sodas. Also the underground, secure parking is a bonus downtown.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Not too bad for the price. Rooms are small. Staff are helpful
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Easy parking. Friendly staff. Easy early check in. Close to all areas.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very good location, less than 10 minutes from Melbourne Central by tram from a stop that's just a 2 minute walk away. Its also a very short walk to a 24/7 corner store that has good stock for a first night or small stay. The room was a lot smaller than we expected but comfortable enough for the 4 nights we stayed. For two people they provided us with 2 body towels, 2 face towels, and 1 set of shampoo/conditioner/body wash/lotion. This wasn't a problem for us because one of us brought out own shower supplies but they also had dental and shaving kits available from a vending machine in the foyer. In the room, there was a small kettle, mini fridge, 2 mugs, 2 teaspoons, tea bags, coffee sachets, sugar packets, and four 15ml containers of milk. The whole hotel was really clean and well maintained, the only problem was that the doors were very heavy and awkward to open without some practice. The only problem with noise we had was from people talking loudly in the streets and the odd siren but nothing crazy. We arrived at the hotel outside of reception areas so we didn't get much of a run-down on amenities except for what was online. I think we would have benefited from extra information being provided in our room, but for a short stay it was OK.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Clean and convenient location. Very small rooms.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Lovely staff, clean room and fabulous location
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location, trams right outside, very close to amenities and city centre
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness
Clean , great staff , tiny rooms
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A value for money hotel close to shops, dining and transport. Rooms are small, but well appointed and clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Disliked: Amenities
It was basic place to stay, keycard not able to grant access after hours relying on people to open door. Unmanned front desk after 9pm making it difficult to get card fixed. Location was good staff friendly
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Small but clean room. Pretty good location for anything happening in the city.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Perfect for both short and long stays. Location is perfect, in between the busy city centre and the cultural hub of Carlton, with many ice cream spots and cafes nearby. Free tram zone is a 5-minute walk away, and Aldi is right around the corner. The room is spacious and clean, and room cleaning service is offered every day. The kitchen and big common area makes it perfect for longer stays when you may feel like cooking. The large fridge also allows you to store multiple days of groceries and snacks conveniently. There is a pool table free for use. Gym is also free and includes most of the basic equipments needed. Receptionists are incredibly helpful and friendly. Overall, I really enjoyed my stay and would definitely come back.
Stayed 28 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

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
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very good location and excellent services
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Room was clean, very affordable, and by far the comfiest beds ive ever sleep on when travelling!!! such a great location aswell!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great space and location.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Comfortable bed and showers, clean and had everything I needed for a short stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great facilities, helpful staff
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a nice and comfort room for a reasonable price.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023