Pros

  • Ideal location for shopping
  • Contemporary rooms feature big work desks and iPod docks
  • Indoor pool and hot tub on-site
  • Bar/cafe and buffet restaurant serve tasty fare
  • Fitness center has modern cardio machines and free weights
  • Array of meeting spaces and a large ballroom on-site
  • 24-hour business center available for guests' use
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Cons

  • Bright teal headboards on beds are too gaudy for some
  • Fee for Wi-Fi
  • Fee for parking
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Bottom Line

Novotel Melbourne on Collins, which sits atop a shopping center, is in the heart of the city’s Central Business District, making it an ideal spot for business travelers who also appreciate the building’s extensive meeting spaces. Guest units have large work desks and ergonomic chairs, but Wi-Fi comes at an extra fee. Updated room features include iPod docks and 40-inch flat-screens as well as splashy teal accents. Though too small for the hotel’s general number of guests, the indoor pool is a welcome addition. 

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Novotel Melbourne on Collins

Scene

This family-friendly property, with bland business decor, sits above a shopping center.

Novotel Melbourne is a family-friendly hotel -- with a nonetheless bland business atmosphere -- in the center of the city's most bustling shopping area. The bottom floors of the building are occupied by a major shopping center, St. Collins Lane (formerly Australia on Collins), so guests have to take an elevator to reach the lobby. Inside, an efficient front desk stretches parallel to the windows looking down on Collins Street, while orange and black leather armchairs line the walkway. Most of the guests are comprised of families, couples on shopping holidays, and business travelers -- many attending events at the hotel itself.

See More Scene

Location

On Collins street above a shopping center

The Novotel Melbourne is in the city center on Collins Street -- a stretch that’s home to many of the city's luxury boutiques and high-end hotels. The property is in the south end of the Central Business District and within walking distance of most of the area's attractions, including eateries like Red Spice Road, Vapiano, and Lindt Chocolate Cafe. A number of trams run along Collins Street, and many more can be caught on Flinders Street (which runs parallel) or Swanston Street (which runs perpendicular). Taxis congregate in front of the hotel and can also be hailed all along Collins. Melbourne Airport is about a 25-minute drive northwest.

See More Location

Rooms

Updated units feature work desks, iPod docks, and chaise lounges.

Renovations in 2012 gave the hotel’s 380 rooms a makeover -- adding 40-inch flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and contemporary furnishings. Gray carpets and curtains match the chaise lounges found in every room. Sweeping arc floor lamps add interest, but the teal blue accents on pillows and tall headboards veer into tawdry territory for some. Huge work desks come with accompanying ergonomic roller chairs and minibars are within easy reach. Some deluxe rooms and suites may have free Wi-Fi as well as Eames chairs and Nespresso machines. Bathrooms are simple but come with large walk-in showers.

See More Rooms

Features

Event facilities, bar and cafe, and indoor pool

The most prominent feature of the Novotel Melbourne is its extensive event space, consisting of nine meeting rooms with flexible layouts and the Australia Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 400 people for conferences or special events. The business center has Macs and printers available 24 hours in the lobby, though Internet access is only free for a short duration. Adjacent to the lobby, the hotel's dining area combines a bar, cafe, and buffet restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch standards. An la carte menu also has substantial entrees like spiced lamb tenderloin and king prawn fettuccini. The heated indoor pool and hot tub share common space with a fitness center that's equipped with half a dozen cardio machines and free weights.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Novotel Melbourne on Collins

Scene

This family-friendly property, with bland business decor, sits above a shopping center.

Novotel Melbourne is a family-friendly hotel -- with a nonetheless bland business atmosphere -- in the center of the city's most bustling shopping area. The bottom floors of the building are occupied by a major shopping center, St. Collins Lane (formerly Australia on Collins), so guests have to take an elevator to reach the lobby. Inside, an efficient front desk stretches parallel to the windows looking down on Collins Street, while orange and black leather armchairs line the walkway. Most of the guests are comprised of families, couples on shopping holidays, and business travelers -- many attending events at the hotel itself.

See More Scene

Location

On Collins street above a shopping center

The Novotel Melbourne is in the city center on Collins Street -- a stretch that’s home to many of the city's luxury boutiques and high-end hotels. The property is in the south end of the Central Business District and within walking distance of most of the area's attractions, including eateries like Red Spice Road, Vapiano, and Lindt Chocolate Cafe. A number of trams run along Collins Street, and many more can be caught on Flinders Street (which runs parallel) or Swanston Street (which runs perpendicular). Taxis congregate in front of the hotel and can also be hailed all along Collins. Melbourne Airport is about a 25-minute drive northwest.

See More Location

Rooms

Updated units feature work desks, iPod docks, and chaise lounges.

Renovations in 2012 gave the hotel’s 380 rooms a makeover -- adding 40-inch flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and contemporary furnishings. Gray carpets and curtains match the chaise lounges found in every room. Sweeping arc floor lamps add interest, but the teal blue accents on pillows and tall headboards veer into tawdry territory for some. Huge work desks come with accompanying ergonomic roller chairs and minibars are within easy reach. Some deluxe rooms and suites may have free Wi-Fi as well as Eames chairs and Nespresso machines. Bathrooms are simple but come with large walk-in showers.

See More Rooms

Features

Event facilities, bar and cafe, and indoor pool

The most prominent feature of the Novotel Melbourne is its extensive event space, consisting of nine meeting rooms with flexible layouts and the Australia Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 400 people for conferences or special events. The business center has Macs and printers available 24 hours in the lobby, though Internet access is only free for a short duration. Adjacent to the lobby, the hotel's dining area combines a bar, cafe, and buffet restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch standards. An la carte menu also has substantial entrees like spiced lamb tenderloin and king prawn fettuccini. The heated indoor pool and hot tub share common space with a fitness center that's equipped with half a dozen cardio machines and free weights.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Babysitting Services

  • Basic Television

  • Beach

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.