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Alto Hotel on Bourke: Traveller Reviews

4.0 of 5
636 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Hotel amenities
Offers & Announcements
Free Breakfast
Alto Hotel on Bourke
Ranked #10 of 200 accommodation in Melbourne
4.5 of 5 stars 333 Reviews
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333 reviews from our community

What travellers say about this hotel
  • Southern cross(30)
  • Massage chair(23)
  • Friendly and helpful(14)
  • Very clean(13)
  • Short walk(11)
  • Spencer St(9)
  • Bedroom apartment(8)
  • Tram stop(7)
  • Will definitely stay(5)
  • Brick wall(5)
Traveller rating
    178
    122
    24
    7
    2
Only show reviews for Family (43) | Couples (154) | Business (54)
Date Rating
Adelaide
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Fantastic overall”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

I have not stayed here before but will be staying again next time in Melbourne. Location is great only a couple minutes walk from the southern cross station. From the minute we walked in the staff were friendly and helpful which in a lot of establishments isn't the case. As we arrived early our room wasn't ready but they got it ready quickly to enable us to have an early check in. Room was great nice and clean. Spa bath was great very relaxing after hours of walking around the shops. All in all a great place would highly recommend. Will be back for sure

  • Stayed February 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Kirsty W about Alto Hotel on Bourke
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
1 review
“Disappointing!!!”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 February 2012

We decided to stay at this hotel while we were visiting Melbourne. I have to say that I was particularly looking forward to staying in a 4 star hotel but I have been left disappointed. The room has a tiny window with a view of the opposite building wall and it is very noisy with all the traffic outside. Understanding that the only positive thing about this place is the location is that it is quite central you would of expect some noise but then again you would hope that the rooms would be sound proof but they are not. Staff are rude and unhelpful and cleaning of the rooms is poor after finding out that towels are just folded and put back when they should be replaced. Overall, disappointing for a 4 star hotel.

  • Stayed February 2012
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 1 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 2 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Lucloo about Alto Hotel on Bourke
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
AltoMelbourne, Manager at Alto Hotel on Bourke, responded to this review
24 February 2012
Thank you for taking the time to post your feedback. I am sorry to read your stay with the Alto left you feeling disappointed.

The Alto Hotel is centrally located, as you stated, however; with such a central location surrounded by shopping, restaurants, and transportation to most attractions we are prone to some of the noise they create. We have taken measures to limit the sound in the rooms with double glazed windows - unfortunately if the windows are open the noise from the street will be heard. We also try to offer the option of an alternative room should a guest not find theirs satisfactory. The Alto Hotel is a heritage building and as such we face certain challenges with our room configurations. We do take pride in our low rise heritage building in a city of high rises but also understand the lack of views because of this.

The Alto maintains very high standards in our housekeeping department. As a hotel committed to sustainability we do have a policy of only replacing towels if they are placed in the bath tub/shower, unlike the majority of hotels that replace towels every day. If they are hung up we will not replace them. This is in an effort to minimize water usage to launder the linens. There is a card on the bathroom counter top explaining this. We may need to reassess the placement of the card to ensure guests are aware of this policy. Our 24 hour reception is also able to have fresh towels sent up upon request.

I apologize your experience with the the staff was negative. Guest service is definitely something the Alto prides itself on and as a manager I am disappointed to read your interactions were not up to our service standard. I would like the opportunity to speak with you further on this matter and have sent you a private message through Trip Advisor so we may be in contact.

I hope we are able to welcome you back to the Alto and show you the exceptional service we are known for.
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Norwich
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Disappointed”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 February 2012

We stayed at this hotel for two nights prior to going on a cruise. The hotel was in a very good position and was advertised as four star. We were greeted very pleasantly and the staff were very friendly and helpful. Everywhere was clean and bright. However, on entering our room we were very disappointed to find that we had a slit for a window, thought nicely dressed) and very, very little daylight. It was necessary to have the lights on all the time and it felt very closed in. (Fine for just an overnight stay) The room was smaller than we'd expected but quite adequate and all was clean. My advice would be that should you consider making a booking at this hotel you request a room with adequate daylight as I am told that the room we were given was within a certain category. Unfortunately we did not realise this when we booked as the hotel was not cheap, had good reviews and did not indicate the possible lack of daylight. Apart from this we had a very pleasant stay and as stated, the staff were very, very pleasant and helpful. I have since corresponded with the management who were very apologetic and regretful that we had not contacted the desk on arrival when they would have attempted to change our room.

Room Tip: Request a room with daylight.
See more room tips
  • Stayed January 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask norfolklady1 about Alto Hotel on Bourke
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
AltoMelbourne, Manager at Alto Hotel on Bourke, responded to this review
12 February 2012
We are very sorry your stay with us was less than ideal and appreciate you mentioned the things you enjoyed about Alto Hotel, as much as those you did not.

Boutique Hotels in heritage buildings are a challenge for architects and hoteliers alike. Not all rooms are the same, and are therefore priced accordingly. The room type mentioned is our least expensive room; the relatively high room rate charged, is due to this booking having been made for the period over The Australian Tennis Open, which is the dearest season in Melbourne’s calendar.

We hope we will be allowed another chance to welcome you at Alto Hotel on Bourke, and promise to do better next time
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Sydney Australia
Senior Contributor
43 reviews 43 reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
22 helpful votes 22 helpful votes
“Green in the city”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

The Alto trades as an environmentally friendly hotel and they do walk the talk, from 100% wind power to bins for recyclables. But there is no stinting on comfort or quality. The hotel is well located near Spencer St Station and airport shuttle buses, and its an easy walk to most offices, shopping and entertainment. My room was very quiet and comfortable. There is no view out the window but that aids the privacy. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the ambience is that of an establishment where the people care about what they do. I would stay there again without hesitation.

  • Stayed February 2012, travelled on business
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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See 3 more reviews by driverrolf for Melbourne
Ask driverrolf about Alto Hotel on Bourke
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Queanbeyan, Australia
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Excellent service, great location”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 February 2012
2
people found this review helpful

I have found the service here really friendly and helpful. The room is small but in good condition. Strong antiseptic smell this time, but didn't notice this last time. I love the location too. So great to get off the Skybus from the airport and be under 5 minutes' walk to the hotel. Just really impressed with the service this time.

  • Stayed February 2012
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask Catriona B about Alto Hotel on Bourke
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Additional Information about Alto Hotel on Bourke

  • Alto Hotel Melbourne
  • Alto Bourke
Address: 636 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Price range (per night):* 152 AUD - 274 AUD

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