🇦🇺 Melbourne, Australia
Novotel
📍 399 Little Lonsdale Street, MELBOURNE, 3000
Photo: official website
Your stay — Novotel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Melbourne.
The Property — Novotel
Standing in the lobby of Novotel Melbourne, you’re in a clean, bright mid-range chain that does exactly what it says on the tin: reliable rooms, a decent pool and gym, and a central position on Collins Street. The vibe is corporate-casual, fine for business travelers who want a quick tram to the CBD or families who appreciate the kids-eat-free deal. It won’t win prizes for character, but the location—five minutes’ walk from Flinders Street Station and Federation Square—makes it a practical base for a weekend exploring the city.
Chronicles of Melbourne
Melbourne was founded in 1835 by free settlers from Van Diemen’s Land, and its grid layout was quickly formalized by surveyor Robert Hoddle. The 1850s gold rush turned it into a boom town, funding grand Victorian buildings like the Royal Exhibition Building and the Flinders Street Station clock tower. Post-war migration—especially from Greece, Italy, and later Vietnam—shaped its famously diverse food culture. Today, Melbourne markets itself as Australia’s cultural capital, with a laneway graffiti scene, a coffee obsession that borders on religious, and a sporting calendar that stops the city cold during the AFL Grand Final.
Best Time to Visit
Full Melbourne guide →Best months
March and April for crisp autumn days, fewer tourists, and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (March-April). November also works: spring blooms, mild 22°C highs, and less rain than summer.
Peak / festival surge
January is peak tourist month thanks to the Australian Open tennis and school holidays. Hotel prices can double; book months ahead. The Grand Final (September) and Melbourne Cup (first Tuesday in November) also spike demand.
Budget shoulder season
May and June offer cool weather (9-16°C) and low-season discounts—often 30% off peak rates. Crowds thin, and you get the city’s winter vibe without the July school-holiday rush.
Weather & packing
Melbourne famously serves four seasons in one day: a sunny 20°C morning can turn into a wet 10°C afternoon by 3pm. Pack layers—a light sweater, a waterproof jacket, and always carry an umbrella, even in summer.
Live City Briefing — Melbourne
- The Metro Tunnel project is nearing completion; expect some street closures around Flinders Street and City Square until late 2026, though trams still run on most routes.
- A new 24-hour tram line along Collins Street launched in early 2026, making it easier to reach Docklands from Novotel’s doorstep.
- The National Gallery of Victoria is running a major exhibition on Australian Impressionists through late July 2026—book tickets in advance.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Novotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Ask for a room on floors 5 to 8 facing east, away from Little Lonsdale Street. These mid-upper floors reduce street noise but avoid the higher floors near the rooftop plant room. Rooms at the rear (south side) of the building also tend to be quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floors 1-3, especially those facing Little Lonsdale Street — the traffic and tram noise (trams run along La Trobe Street nearby but Little Lonsdale Street still has buses and delivery trucks). Also skip rooms near the lift lobby (odd-numbered rooms often adjoin the core) and any room directly above the lobby bar on the ground floor.
Best views
Rooms on the east side (even-numbered rooms, likely) face the city skyline over Little Lonsdale Street — decent views of towers and glimpses of the Rialto. North-facing rooms overlook the Queen Victoria Market rooftops. South-facing rooms see the backs of buildings on Bourke Street. West-facing rooms get afternoon sun and a lane view.
Quietest floors
Floors 5 through 8 are the quietest — high enough to avoid street-level clatter, below the mechanical noise of the roof, and with less foot traffic from lifts.
🔊 Noise notes
Little Lonsdale Street is a main access road for the CBD grid — expect sirens, bin collections, and construction noise (common in Melbourne's laneways). Trams run on La Trobe Street (200m north) and Elizabeth Street (100m east), audible at low frequencies. Weekend nights can mean drunken chatter from nearby bars on Little Bourke Street.
Insider tips
1. If you drive, don't rely on the hotel parking (often full). Pre-book at the Secure Parking on Franklin Street (5-min walk) for half the price. 2. Request a room with a 'desk' if you're working — Novotel standard rooms are compact, but corner rooms (often at the ends of the corridor) have more floor space. 3. Breakfast is overpriced; instead, walk to Brunetti on Flinders Lane for better coffee and pastries.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Novotel
Free basic Wi-Fi (4 Mbps) for all guests, unlimited data. Premium upgrade (30 Mbps) costs AUD 10 per day for up to 3 devices. No login constraints beyond email/room number.
Lift serves all 18 floors; no stairs-only sections. One lift is slightly smaller – fine for single suitcases, not for bulky furniture.
Complimentary access to PressReader digital newsstand on in-room tablets. No physical newspapers delivered. Building is a modern high-rise (2009) with no heritage quirks.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop from 07:00 at left luggage. Late check-out until 12:00 is free, after that AUD 30 until 18:00, then full night charged.
Free for same-day check-in/out, subject to space. Overnight storage not available.
Ground-level step-free entry via automatic sliding doors. Two wheelchair-accessible rooms on the 2nd floor with widened doorways and roll-in shower. Guest lifts have braille buttons and audible floor announcements. No access to the rooftop terrace via lift (one small step).
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Wilson Parking at 400 Queen Street (opposite), AUD 25 for 24 hours (weekday/weekend same price). No EV charging on-site; closest EV chargers are at the hotel next door (Grand Hyatt, 123 Collins Street) with 2 Type 2 plugs, AUD 5 per hour plus parking fee.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no tourist tax in Victoria)
Deposit & card hold: First night's tariff taken as deposit at booking. At check-in, a pre-authorisation of AUD 100 per night for incidentals is held on your card.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: City on a Hill Melbourne (247 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: CrossCulture Church of Christ (319 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Welsh Church (455 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Chinese Church of Christ (579 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Queen Victoria Market - A Shed — 744 m · ~9 min walk
Eight Hour Reserve — 328 m · ~4 min walk
Shot Tower Museum — 289 m · ~4 min walk
Rooftop Cinema — 565 m · ~7 min walk
Museum Playground — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
ANZ — 165 m · ~2 min walk
Priceline Pharmacy — 414 m · ~5 min walk
EzyMart — 127 m · ~2 min walk
Flinders Street — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Australian Dollar, AUD
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid currency exchange bureaux at airports and tourist spots — their rates are poor and they charge high fees.
Cards (Visa/MC) and contactless (tap-and-go) are accepted almost everywhere; mobile pay like Apple Pay is standard. Some small places may be cash-only.
Tipping is not expected or required. Round up for good service in taxis or leave a note if you want. Hotels and restaurants don't add service charges; if service is exemplary, 5–10% at a nice restaurant is a nice gesture, not an obligation.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A flat white or long black from a standard cafe costs about AUD 4.50–5.00.
A banh mi or sushi roll from a takeaway is around AUD 8–12; a pub counter meal is about AUD 15–20.
A main from a modest Italian, Thai, or Vietnamese restaurant is typically AUD 18–25.
Little Lonsdale St is close to Chinatown and Swanston St, where food courts and hawker-style stalls serve cheap dumplings, pho, and banh mi. Queen Victoria Market (a 10-min walk) has good takeaway food stalls.
Woolworths and Coles are the main budget supermarket chains; there's a Woolworths Metro on Bourke St about 5–10 mins walk.
Target, Kmart, and Uniqlo on Bourke St Mall are the go-to for affordable basics; also check Queen Victoria Market for cheap casual gear and souvenirs.
The cheapest way around is a myki card (AUD 6 for a daily cap on trams, trains, and buses within Zone 1). From the airport, the SkyBus (AUD 19.75 one-way) is cheaper than taxis; avoid ride-share unless door-to-door need — it costs similar to a taxi.
1) Walk or tram it: Melbourne's grid is compact, and trams within the Free Tram Zone (which includes Little Lonsdale St) are free. 2) Buy groceries from Woolies/Coles and cook or make sandwiches; eating out adds up. 3) Buy a myki card and top up with a 7-day pass if staying longer — it's the most affordable way.
Good to know — Melbourne
Type I · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ A$1.44 · AUD
Emergency Contacts
MelbourneTriple zero (000) is the main number for police, fire or ambulance in life-threatening situations. For non-urgent police matters call 131 444. For health advice, call Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24. In a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Melbourne, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Novotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · ANZ — 165 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Priceline Pharmacy — 414 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Central Melbourne/Carlton area → Oxford Scholar Hotel (Lygon Street precinct)
💡 Hotel is in free tram zone. Use trams 1, 3, or 8 for exploring Lygon Street restaurants and city center. Routes 1 and 3 go to Parliament House.
Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) → Oxford Scholar Hotel, Carlton
💡 Most economical option. Skybus to Southern Cross Station, then tram 1 or 3 north to Grattan Street (Carlton). Buy myki card for unlimited local tram travel.
Melbourne CBD → Oxford Scholar Hotel, Carlton
💡 Routes 200-204 connect Carlton to CBD. Less frequent than trams but good for avoiding hill climbs. Night Network available after midnight on selected routes.
Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) → Oxford Scholar Hotel, Carlton
💡 Pre-book through your hotel to lock in rates. Uber typically cheaper than traditional taxis during peak hours.
About Melbourne
Wikipedia ↗
Melbourne ( MEL-bərn, locally [ˈmæɫbən] ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: Narrm or Naarm) is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria and the second-most populous city in Australia. The city's name generally refers to a 9,993-square-kilometre (3,858 sq mi) area, comprising an u...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Novotel?
Ask for a room on floors 5 to 8 facing east, away from Little Lonsdale Street. These mid-upper floors reduce street noise but avoid the higher floors near the rooftop plant room. Rooms at the rear (south side) of the building also tend to be quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Novotel?
Avoid rooms on floors 1-3, especially those facing Little Lonsdale Street — the traffic and tram noise (trams run along La Trobe Street nearby but Little Lonsdale Street still has buses and delivery trucks). Also skip rooms near the lift lobby (odd-numbered rooms often adjoin the core) and any room directly above the lobby bar on the ground floor.
Is Novotel noisy?
Little Lonsdale Street is a main access road for the CBD grid — expect sirens, bin collections, and construction noise (common in Melbourne's laneways). Trams run on La Trobe Street (200m north) and Elizabeth Street (100m east), audible at low frequencies. Weekend nights can mean drunken chatter from nearby bars on Little Bourke Street.
Which rooms have the best views at Novotel?
Rooms on the east side (even-numbered rooms, likely) face the city skyline over Little Lonsdale Street — decent views of towers and glimpses of the Rialto. North-facing rooms overlook the Queen Victoria Market rooftops. South-facing rooms see the backs of buildings on Bourke Street. West-facing rooms get afternoon sun and a lane view.
What are insider tips for staying at Novotel?
1. If you drive, don't rely on the hotel parking (often full). Pre-book at the Secure Parking on Franklin Street (5-min walk) for half the price. 2. Request a room with a 'desk' if you're working — Novotel standard rooms are compact, but corner rooms (often at the ends of the corridor) have more floor space. 3. Breakfast is overpriced; instead, walk to Brunetti on Flinders Lane for better coffee and pastries.
What time is check-in at Novotel?
Check-in at Novotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Novotel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (4 Mbps) for all guests, unlimited data. Premium upgrade (30 Mbps) costs AUD 10 per day for up to 3 devices. No login constraints beyond email/room number.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Novotel?
None (no tourist tax in Victoria)
Where can I eat cheaply near Novotel?
A banh mi or sushi roll from a takeaway is around AUD 8–12; a pub counter meal is about AUD 15–20.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Novotel?
The cheapest way around is a myki card (AUD 6 for a daily cap on trams, trains, and buses within Zone 1). From the airport, the SkyBus (AUD 19.75 one-way) is cheaper than taxis; avoid ride-share unless door-to-door need — it costs similar to a taxi.
When is the best time to visit Melbourne?
March and April for crisp autumn days, fewer tourists, and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (March-April). November also works: spring blooms, mild 22°C highs, and less rain than summer.
Top Attractions in Melbourne
💡 Take the Lift to the top of the dome—the panoramic view over the reading desks is worth the ride. Just off the main entrance there's a free cloak room. Bring a notebook and read at one of the original long tables.
💡 Go Wednesday night for the summer Night Market (free entry, but extra stalls and music). The deli hall has excellent boreks from the Turkish stall. Bring cash—some produce stalls are cheaper than card-friendly ones.
💡 The NGV Triennial (summer) and major ticketed exhibitions cost, but the entire permanent collection is free. Go on Friday evenings when it stays open late and there's often live music. Queue for the water-wall out front.
💡 The fairies at the Fairy Tree (a stump carved with tiny doors) are a favourite for kids—look near the pond. Walk the 'Model Tudor Village' (a bit kitsch but fun). Pack a picnic: the lawns are quiet on weekdays.
💡 Arrive before 9am to spot wild rosellas and ibises. The Guided Aboriginal Heritage Walk runs at 11am most days — sign up online, it's free but fills quickly.