The hype
Location is a 10/10, but the property is aging and maintenance is struggling to keep up.
Novotel Melbourne On Collins
$150-250/ night
Book this if You want to be dead-center on Melbourne's most prestigious street and don't plan to spend much time in your room.
Why People Love It
- Unbeatable Collins Street location right next to the Regent Theatre
- Direct access to St Collins Lane shopping mall
- Heated indoor pool (a rare find in CBD hotels at this price point)
Quick Take: A tired giant resting on its location laurels—great address, but the elevators are a disaster and the rooms feel their age.
Reviewed by @daddy.xj: I stayed here with my family and it was the perfect base for exploring Melbourne. The location is unbeatable, right in the CBD. Our room had incredible views, and the free breakfast for kids was a huge bonus. Highly recommend for a stress-free city stay!
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
You will likely wait a long time for an elevator, and you might find dust in the corners of your room.
- You are attending a show at the Regent or Princess Theatre
- You prioritize location over luxury finishes
- You need a pool to tire out the kids
Cleanliness & Maintenance
6
- Housekeeping: Hit or miss. Daily service happens, but deep cleaning (corners, under beds) is often neglected.
- Bathroom hygiene: Generally sanitary, but expect worn grout, older fixtures, and occasional stray hairs.
- Maintenance: Struggling. Peeling paint, scuffed furniture, and the infamous broken elevators are common complaints.
- Linens & towels: Standard commercial quality. Clean but not luxurious; towels can feel a bit thin.
- Odors & scents: Usually neutral, though some hallways have a lingering 'old hotel' musty smell.
Sleepability™
7MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Tram dinging and street noise (Collins St facing rooms)
- Hallway noise due to gaps under doors
- HVAC rattle in older rooms
Before you book
Good to know
- Valet parking is steep (~$64 AUD/day); self-park at Manchester Lane (~$42 AUD) is a better deal but requires a short walk.
- Breakfast at Lane Restaurant is decent but pricey (~$39 AUD)—plenty of better cafes are within a 2-minute walk.
- Reception is on Level 3, not the ground floor.
What to pack
- Earplugs (essential for city-facing rooms)
- Patience (for the elevators)
- Swimsuit (the pool is actually warm)
Room Genie
Best picks
- Junior Suite (more space, often better maintained)
- City View rooms on high floors (Level 10+) for natural light
Rooms to avoid
- Standard Rooms facing the Atrium (dark, feels like a bunker)
- Rooms near the elevator bank (noisy and high traffic)
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I would appreciate a room facing Collins Street on a high floor for natural light. Please avoid the internal Atrium-facing rooms as I need daylight. If possible, a room away from the elevators would be preferred.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is the pool actually heated?
Yes, it's an indoor heated pool, usually kept at a comfortable temperature, though it's small and gets crowded with kids on weekends.
Does the hotel have its own parking?
No onsite garage. They offer valet for ~$64 AUD/day or discounted self-parking at a nearby public lot (Manchester Lane) for ~$42 AUD/day.
Can I open the windows?
No, windows are sealed shut in most rooms.
Is breakfast included?
Usually not in the base rate. It costs around $39 AUD per person if purchased separately.
How bad is the elevator situation?
Currently very frustrating. With often only 1 working lift for hundreds of rooms, expect delays of 10-20 minutes during peak checkout times.
Is it close to the trams?
Literally outside the door. The Collins Street tram stop is steps away.
Insider Tips
- ✨
Skip the hotel breakfast and walk 2 minutes to Manchester Press in Rankins Lane for the best bagels and coffee in the city.
- ✨
The 'Atrium' view rooms are quieter than the street view rooms, but they can feel claustrophobic—choose based on whether you value silence or sunlight more.
- ✨
There is a 'secret' entrance to the St Collins Lane mall directly from the hotel, which is great for rainy days.
5 things to know before you go
💡The 'Atrium' view is literally looking into the void of a shopping center, sometimes with office workers visible opposite you.
💡The gym is functional but tiny—if three people are in there, it's full.
💡Housekeeping can be inconsistent with dusting high surfaces and baseboards.
💡The lobby is on the 3rd floor, which adds an extra step to getting in and out of the building.
💡You can hear the trams dinging even from some higher floors if you face the street.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Novotel Melbourne On Collins is located and what's nearby.