Carlton’s top hotels offer excellent value just minutes from Melbourne’s heart. Zagames House stands out with its modern design and convenient 9-minute walk to Melbourne Central Station. For families and leisure travelers, BEST WESTERN PLUS Travel Inn delivers with its swimming pool and reliable airport connections. Students and academics gravitate to Carlton Lygon Lodge, perfectly positioned near Melbourne University with its comfortable, roomy quarters. Clocktower Apartment Hotel works well for extended stays, featuring practical kitchenettes, while Essence Hotel Carlton attracts budget-conscious travelers with its central location.
Our favorite picks combine comfort, location, and value.
Key Points
- Zagames House is a highly-rated 9.0/10 hotel with a prime location just a 9-minute walk from Melbourne Central Station.
- Best Western Plus Travel Inn is a 4-star boutique hotel with an outdoor pool, free WiFi, and an airport shuttle.
- Carlton Lygon Lodge offers good value for money with its 3-star accommodation, located near Melbourne University campus.
- Clocktower Apartment Hotel provides spacious apartments with full kitchens and laundry facilities, close to Lygon Street’s dining and entertainment.
- Essence Hotel Carlton is situated a 5-minute walk from the University of Melbourne, offering a range of room types and amenities.
Zagames House
As one of the most highly rated hotels in Carlton, Melbourne, Zagames House boasts a prime location just a 9-minute walk from Melbourne Central Station.
With a rating of 9.0/10 based on over 2,600 reviews, the hotel impresses guests with its excellent location, modern amenities, and exceptional service.
Offering a variety of room types, including the House Room, Corner Suite, and Deluxe Double Room, Zagames House caters to diverse traveler needs.
Guests particularly appreciate the comfortable bedding, in-room facilities like air conditioning and coffee machines, and the on-site dining options, 1851 Coffee + Kitchen and Lord Lygon Wine Shop, which serve Australian cuisine.
Read Our Full Review: Zagames House Review
Book Now: Check Price & Reserve For Free
BEST WESTERN PLUS Travel Inn
The BEST WESTERN PLUS Travel Inn is a 4-star boutique hotel located at the corner of Grattan and Drummond Streets in Carlton, just a stone’s throw from the heart of Melbourne.
With a 9.2/10 location score, the hotel is close to the Melbourne Museum and the city center. Guests praise the hotel’s friendly staff, cleanliness, and comfort, though some have mixed reviews on room size and parking costs.
The hotel offers an outdoor pool, free WiFi, an airport shuttle, and a restaurant serving breakfast and dinner.
Read Our Full Review: BEST WESTERN PLUS Travel Inn Review
Book Now: Check Price & Reserve For Free
Carlton Lygon Lodge – Close to Melbourne Uni
Conveniently located on Lygon Street in the vibrant Carlton neighborhood, the Carlton Lygon Lodge offers aparthotel-style accommodations close to the iconic Melbourne University campus.
Rated "Excellent" for its prime location, the 3-star property features various room types, including suites with kitchenettes.
Guests praise the friendly staff, clean and spacious rooms, and good value for money.
On-site amenities include private parking, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk.
While smoking and pets are prohibited, the Lodge welcomes families and provides facilities for disabled guests.
With a check-in from 2 PM and check-out by 10 AM, the Carlton Lygon Lodge is a practical choice for exploring Melbourne’s university district.
Read Our Full Review: Carlton Lygon Lodge – Close to Melbourne Uni Review
Book Now: Check Price & Reserve For Free
Clocktower Apartment Hotel
Situated along the bustling Drummond Street in Carlton, the Clocktower Apartment Hotel offers guests a convenient base to explore Melbourne’s vibrant university district.
With a 9.5/10 location rating, the hotel is just a short 5-minute walk from Melbourne Central Train Station and 10 minutes from the University of Melbourne.
Guests can enjoy spacious apartments with full kitchens and laundry facilities, though some have noted occasional cleanliness and comfort issues.
The hotel’s staff, rated 9.1/10 for helpfulness, provide a range of services including a tour desk, dry cleaning, and 24/7 check-in/out.
While parking can be a challenge, the Clocktower offers good value for money and a prime location near Lygon Street’s dining and entertainment options.
Read Our Full Review: Clocktower Apartment Hotel Review
Book Now: Check Price & Reserve For Free
Essence Hotel Carlton
Essence Hotel Carlton is located at 609 Swanston Street, a mere 5-minute walk from the University of Melbourne and Lygon Street’s vibrant dining and entertainment options.
Guests have praised its great location, rated 8.9 by previous visitors. The hotel has 1,289 reviews with an overall score of 7.6, categorized as "good." Couples particularly enjoyed their stays, rating the hotel 8.8 for two-person trips.
Essence Hotel Carlton offers amenities like free WiFi, a fitness center, and air-conditioned rooms with 32-inch flat-screen TVs and private bathrooms.
Guests can choose from standard queen and twin rooms, deluxe queen rooms, and single rooms, with pricing and availability checked upon booking.
Read Our Full Review: Essence Hotel Carlton Review
Book Now: Check Price & Reserve For Free
Melbourne Carlton Central Apartment Hotel Official
The Melbourne Carlton Central Apartment Hotel Official sits just minutes from the vibrant Italian dining district, offering guests a prime location in the heart of Carlton.
With an excellent location score of 9/10, the hotel provides easy access to key attractions, including an 11-minute walk to Melbourne Central Station and a 6-minute walk to the Melbourne Museum.
Guests can choose from studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartments, all featuring air conditioning, private bathrooms, and fully equipped kitchenettes.
Reviews highlight the hotel’s comfortable accommodations and exceptional customer service, though some mixed feedback on cleanliness and soundproofing.
Read Our Full Review: Melbourne Carlton Central Apartment Hotel Official Review
Book Now: Check Price & Reserve For Free
Arrow on Swanston
Arrow on Swanston stands as a conveniently located serviced apartment complex in the heart of Carlton, Melbourne. Rated 7.4/10 based on over 9,500 reviews, it offers a range of accommodation options from studios to penthouses.
Guests enjoy access to popular facilities like an outdoor pool, fitness center, and 24-hour front desk. While reviews praise the central location and staff, some guests note room and bed comfort issues, as well as mixed feedback on cleanliness.
With tram access at the doorstep, Arrow on Swanston provides easy access to Melbourne’s top attractions like Lygon Street, Chinatown, and the MCG.
Read Our Full Review: Arrow on Swanston Review
Book Now: Check Price & Reserve For Free
Plum Serviced Apartments Carlton
Situated just a short stroll from the vibrant Lygon Street cafes and restaurants, Plum Serviced Apartments Carlton offers guests a convenient base to explore Carlton and Melbourne’s city center.
The aparthotel features fully furnished studio apartments with queen-size beds and full kitchen facilities.
While guests appreciate the great location, some have noted issues with room cleanliness and noisy conditions.
The aparthotel’s facilities include private parking, free WiFi, and a terrace for relaxation.
However, the overall guest rating of 5.9 out of 10 suggests there’s room for improvement in the property’s quality and service.
Read Our Full Review: Plum Serviced Apartments Carlton Review
Book Now: Check Price & Reserve For Free
Sum Up
Carlton, Melbourne offers a range of accommodations to suit various needs and budgets. From well-known hotel chains to serviced apartments, travelers can find options close to the University of Melbourne and other attractions. While each property has its own unique features, they all provide comfortable lodging and convenient access to the vibrant Carlton neighborhood.