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4.5
#38 of 178 hotels in Melbourne
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Melbourne's multi-award winning eco-friendly boutique apartment hotel that is Carbon Neutral, Green Star and Green Globe accredited. Located in the centre of Melbourne city within a 2 minute walk of the airport express shuttle, shopping, train station and free tram zone. Easy walk to major attractions. Features include rooms, studios & apartments, library & book exchange with complimentary espresso coffee, car parking, gym access, massage room & free wifi internet.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
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The Alto Hotel on Bourke enjoys a central location that many travelers find convenient, being close to Southern Cross Station and public transport. However, the establishment struggles with providing perceived value, as guests have reported high prices and services that fall short of expectations.
While in-room amenities such as microwaves and kettles are a plus, issues with room service and upkeep have been noted. Opinions on the hotel's atmosphere and service are split, with some recognizing professional staff and cleanliness, but others are dissatisfied with the dated decor and instances of poor cleanliness in the rooms.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Neglected
Rooms
Neglected
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Satisfactory
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The front staff were so friendly and helpful! They have a little reading nook in the back of the dining area that is great for killing time, if needed. They also have laundry on-site for guests. The room was very spacious and quiet.
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Date of stay: February 2023
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It is very environmentally conscious, even its complimentary pen is made from recycled materials. There are recycled bins in the room although I would suggest pictures of items that can be recycled as many overseas visitors may not know what items are recyclable. The soaps, shampoos and lotions are in pump packs on the wall.
On Mon-Thurs there are complimentary wine/beers from5:30-6:30 p.m. There are complimentary coffee/tea/hot choc all day with a lolly bar!!
We booked a studio queen package that came with breakfast. Great value.
The room was not very large but was comfortable. Once the windows were closed, there was no external noise. The little kitchenette was very practical. There was a small fridge, microwave and decent supplies of tea/coffee sachets. There were 2 small cartons of milk (don’t think there has been such generosity in 5-star hotels). The bed was very very comfortable.
The breakfast staff are the most cheerful and upbeat people. Several times I saw the young men and women going beyond to provide a great breakfast experience.
As CBD trams are free, (and one almost in front of the hotel), its location meant you can travel almost anywhere. We hopped on the trams to the Chinatown Precinct, Arts Centre, casino and docklands. The 96 goes to St Kilda via South Melbourne markets. The Southern Cross station is 100m down the road.
This is the only hotel I have stayed that provides detailed maps to local eateries and recommendations on the closest dining places.
The only complaint I may have is that I thought it was a bit mean to tempt me with the provision of a plunger coffee pot and no coffee grains.
Highly recommended.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Location: Central city, less than five minute walk from Southern Cross Station (Skybus), tram stop almost right outside the door. Easy walk or tram to anywhere in the city. Hotel: Clean, quiet and comfortable. Our room was small, but fine for a short stay, had everything we needed. Loved the free coffee, lollies and board games in the lounge (great way to have a break from the summer heat). Staff: very friendly and helpful. Stored our luggage after checkout until our late afternoon flight. Provided free myki cards (ask at reception) and umbrellas. Food: Only open fro breakfast (room service provided from external provider). Good range of cerals/fruit/toast etc, hot food freshly cooked upon ordering (delicious and plentiful).
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Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Â There is a free relaxation room (we didn't realise this until when we checked out)
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It really surprises me how this hotel is so highly rated on Trip Advisor, the rooms smell really bad, almost like a stale pet smell!! Rooms are old and in need of renovation. The service and attitude from the female receptionist was poor at best, her phone manner was not pleasant at all... We paid $265 Australian dollars per night and stayed for 2 nights. Certainly not a cheap nightly rate! Apartment was tiny and cramped and window shutters are all broken and stuck back together with zip ties.... We requested to check out at 12 Midday and they wanted to charge an extra $20 dollars for us to check out at Midday, seriously! Midday.... that was very poor form and service especially when paying that high a nightly rate for such an old and smelly hotel. In summary avoid this place as there is much better value and service available in Melbourne for the same money.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from AltoHotel, Front Office Manager at Alto Hotel on Bourke
Responded 8 Jan 2020
Dear JNWMO, We are disappointed to hear you did not enjoy your stay with us. Had you alerted our staff to these issues while you were staying with us we would have been able to address your concerns in the moment. My sincere apologies for the smell you noticed in your room, it sounds as though an air conditioning filter possibly needed a clean which should have been picked up prior to your check-in. This is also something we could have completed at any point during your stay or failing this, offered you another room to stay in had it been brought to our attention. We are currently in the process of going through and painting our 2 Bedroom Apartments and completing focused maintenance tasks to ensure their upkeep. As advertised, our 2 Bedroom Apartments range from 45 - 50 square metres respectively, we also have a 3 Bedroom Apartment for those requiring more space. Our check-out time is 10am and on request, pending availability, will be pushed to 11am at no additional cost. After this point there is an hourly fee as we are a small hotel that has a 2pm guaranteed check-in time. Should you not wish to take up this option (as you did not) we are always happy to store luggage upon checkout and guests are welcome to use our lounge area with complimentary Wi-Fi, tea and coffee and our lolly bar. Kind Regards Amy Front Office Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had a nice 4 night stay at the Alto. The apartment/room was large incorporating a kitchenette and sitting area. There is T.V's in both the living area and bedroom. Bathroom was large and included a spa bath with shower overhead. Toiletries were included. You can opt out of your room being serviced daily if you want to help the environment. The bed was so comfortable, one of the best I've ever slept in, and it had a lovely warm dooner/duvet. Heating was adequate too, with a split system in the bedroom and living area. Reception staff were friendly and welcoming. Location wise it was great as we caught the SkyBus from Tullamarine Airport to southern Cross Station and walked less than 5 minutes to the front door of the hotel. The only negatives we found, which were by no means any fault of the hotel, was our room was right at the front of the building, overlooking Burke Street. That in itself was nice. It was the noise from the trams that was the negative part. There was a stop pretty much in front of the hotel, and the trams would change tracks just before hand which was so loud. And the other negative was the noise from the hotel across the street. Friday night it seemed to go until around 4am. Doof doof music and people coming and going. Saturday night wasn't as bad, it seemed to quieten down not long after midnight. Either that or the sleeping tablets kicked in 😉 All in all, with the noise out of the equation, it was a very nice stay. Maybe just request a room towards the back of the hotel if you find it difficult to sleep with noise.
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Date of stay: May 2022
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â request a room towards the back of the hotel if you are a light sleeper
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed in the 2 bedroom deluxe apartment which was great for the three of us. A 2-storey set up with 2 bathrooms meant everyone has space and the stairs were a fun novelty. Appointed with everything we needed, we even used the combo washer dryer machine during our 2 night stay. 2 balconies gave us a view over the laneway. Comfortable and clean bedding with one of the best hotel pillows I've had. We had a quiet room and all slept well. The bathrooms need a little more shelf space but the toiletries were nice and the towels soft. The staff were extremely pleasant and friendly and we liked the complimentary coffee machine. We also swapped some books in the cute book nook. Breakfast was slightly confusing and expensive for what it was with no kid's options / reduced pricing. The facade is a lovely heritage building and the prime location made it a perfect choice for us, a short walk from Spencer Street station / Skybus, walk to the aquarium / Southbank and easy tram access to everything else. Will definitely return for another stay.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hang Ji, Owner at Alto Hotel on Bourke
Responded 11 Dec 2022
Dear Guest. Thank you for giving us a perfect rating and for recommending our hotel to other travellers. We loved the fact you appreciate the unique aspect of our Hotel. If you’re travelling to our area gain soon, don’t hesitate to call us. :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stayed here from 30th June to 3rd July 2023. On arrival Daniel made me feel extremely welcomed and checkin was really straight forward. There is a lift/elevator next to the reception. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere and ambience is what sets this apart from the larger hotel chains.
There is no ramp at the front of hotel not ideal for those who can't climb steps or are wheelchair users. However, the hotel has an accessible entrance at the rear of the hotel from the car park. In addition to the usual room amenities I was pleasantly surprised to see that the room contained a kitchen with a microwave, pots & pans, dishes, bowls, fridge and washing up/cleaning products. There was a bottle of water which you could refill in the dining area.
Lily and Chloe were extremely helpful in answering any questions I had about the use of communal areas, breakfast options taxis and local places to visit. The dining area is also where you can help yourself to the free tea, coffee and hot chocolate and/or just relax by the fireplace.
Continental breakfast is limited to a choice of either toast or a pastry and chai seed pudding - was expecting more for the price. Please note you get a discount if you book breakfast in advance. Also they do not serve lunch or dinner but there are plenty of places to eat near by.
There is a tram service within a couple of steps from the hotel and rail station very close by.
Overall, I really enjoyed staying here and will definately book again.
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Â Book breakfast in advance to get the discount. If staying longer than a couple of days you can...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The lovely staff looked after our luggage when we arrived early and took it up to our room when it was ready for us. The room was ideal for a family stay and we appreciated all that was provided to make our stay relaxing and home away from home. AND best value breakfast in Melbourne if you buy it when booking the room.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed at the Alto for 3 nights while relocating a family member to the Melbourne CBD. The staff were helpful, personable and friendly. We had a one bedroom apartment for 2 nights on the first floor which included a well equipped kitchenette with toaster, kettle, dishwasher, decent sized fridge, stove and kitchen utensils, crockery, etc. This room faced on to a quiet laneway at the rear of the hotel and thanks to double glazed windows was very quiet. The bed particularly was so comfortable. We moved to a 4th floor apartment on the 3rd night as we opted to extend our stay. This room had a more compact kitchenette but a fabulous living area and bedroom featuring character stained glass windows. It was noisier as it faced Bourke Street and the ever present Melbourne trams but still absolutely perfect for our needs. Alto is so well located near public transport and within easy walking distance of the Victoria Markets, shopping, cafes, etc. It's a no smoking property which we really appreciated. There was a refurbished breakfast room on the ground floor which we didn't use, but offered complimentary tea and coffee. The coin operated guest laundry was a bonus. There is a short term loading zone out the front and offsite parking is available for additional cost. We would definitely stay at Alto again and highly recommend it.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â Rooms facing M Langs Lane are very quiet.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Booked the Alto on Bourke after a friend recommended it. Was not disappointed at all. From contacting them by phone prior to make booking to ask a few questions, easy check-in, pleasant reception staff whenever we walked past to when we checked out in the easily hours to catch our flight back home. Caught the SkyBus from the airport to Spencer Station and walked the short distance up to the hotel, location is excellent. Tram stops right near by and the good old Exchange Hotel just down the corner in the same block. We had no issue with the room we were allocated. Roomy enough, great shower, dark curtains and quiet area. Small kitchenette also which had microwave, toaster, kettle, bar fridge and sink so you didn't have to use the basin in the bathroom. A nice touch also was they had a lounge area in the lobby where you could make coffee or tea, have a few lolly sweets and sit in the warmth and relax. We did not eat breakfast there so can't comment on that but we did see other guests in the dining area enjoying breaky. Would definitely stay here again.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I just checked with their reception desk to make sure my memory was correct. Some of (not all) the larger apartments have their own washing machine and tumble dryer, plus there is a communal coin operated laundry within the hotel. Since reception is open 24/7 they will always give you some change for the machines.
If you have booked a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment send them a note and ask to be allocated one of the rooms with a washing machine. I find them very cooperative and helpful if they know of your need.
Regards
John
Hello Cynthia
There are quite a few good tours we suggest the following day tour companies. GoWest. Autopia or Melbournes Best Tours. If you search for them online you will get more details about the tours they offer for the Great Ocean Road. Regards, Gary
Dear Nicole, sorry for the late reply. We did have a smoking room many years ago on the ground floor however due to new local regulations we have had to re-purpose the space. Alto hotel is fully non smoking and smoking is not allowed on balconies. Smokers are welcome to use the adjacent laneway, an ashtray has been placed for their convenience.
There are more places to choose from in the Melbourne area.
PRICE RANGE
AU$149 - AU$228 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
alto hotel melbourne, alto bourke
LOCATION
AustraliaVictoriaMelbourneCentral Business District
NUMBER OF ROOMS
50
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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