Novotel Melbourne On Collins
by the TopOfHotel team
A 4-star Accor Novotel on Collins Street whose heated indoor pool runs all year — the rare central-Melbourne hotel where kids can actually swim through winter.
A 4-star Accor Novotel on Collins Street whose heated indoor pool runs all year — the rare central-Melbourne hotel where kids can actually swim through winter.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Novotel Melbourne On Collins sits right on Collins Street in the heart of the CBD, above the St Collins Lane shopping centre, and runs around 380 rooms. Standard rooms come in at 25-32 sq m with either a King bed or two twin beds for families, plus a work desk, fridge, a Nespresso machine, a 48-inch flat TV, free Wi-Fi and an ensuite rain shower. If you're travelling with kids, the Family Suites sleep four and add a sofa bed for an extra child. The look is comfortable and well-equipped rather than designed for character — this is the standard Novotel template, done reliably.
Food and amenities
The real draw here is the heated indoor pool — open year-round, roughly 15 metres long and 1.2 metres deep, which is exactly what you want in a city where the outdoor-pool season is short. Alongside it there's a 24-hour gym, a sauna, and — the one parents will care about — babysitting on request for a fee, handy when you want a dinner for two. For food, restaurant The Lane handles the breakfast buffet and Aussie plates, there's a bar that stays open late, and 24-hour room service means a late check-in still gets fed.
Location and getting there
You step out of the lobby onto Collins Street in the Free Tram Zone, so trams to Federation Square and Queen Victoria Market cost nothing. Bourke Street Mall and the Emporium are about a 3-minute walk, and Flinders Street Station is roughly 6 minutes on foot. Princess Theatre and SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium are both close by, which makes this an easy base for first-timers who want the big-ticket CBD sights within walking distance.
Things to know before booking
A few honest caveats. The rooms are standard Novotel-chain design — fine and functional, but not somewhere you book for atmosphere. Breakfast and parking both cost extra, so the advertised rate isn't the final number. And with around 380 rooms, this is a big property: the lobby gets busy at peak times, and check-in or check-out can feel crowded when a few groups arrive at once.
Our take
Novotel Melbourne On Collins is the pick for families who want a big-chain hotel with a real pool in the centre of town. With real-guest ratings around 8.5/10, rooms from about $114 a night, a year-round indoor pool and babysitting on hand, it's the one we'd point a family to for a Melbourne trip — especially in winter, when a heated pool the kids can use all year is genuinely hard to find downtown.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A 4-star Accor Novotel right on Collins Street in the heart of the CBD, sitting above the St Collins Lane shopping centre.
- The standout is a heated indoor pool that runs year-round — roughly 15 metres long and 1.2 metres deep — which is the rare central-Melbourne pool kids can use through a cold winter.
- Around 380 rooms, with standard rooms of 25-32 sq m kitted out with a fridge, Nespresso machine and a 48-inch flat TV, plus Family Suites that sleep four on a sofa bed.
- There's a 24-hour gym and sauna, restaurant The Lane for the breakfast buffet and Aussie plates, a late bar, 24-hour room service and concierge.
- You're in the Free Tram Zone, about 3 minutes from Bourke Street Mall and the Emporium and roughly 6 minutes from Flinders Street Station, with babysitting available for parents who want a night out.
- The rooms follow the standard Novotel-chain design — comfortable and well-equipped, but not somewhere you go for character or a distinctive look.
- Breakfast and parking are both charged on top of the room rate, so the headline price isn't the whole bill.
- It's a large hotel of around 380 rooms, so the lobby gets busy at peak times and check-in or check-out can feel like a crowd.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Melbourne
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Melbourne — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
See activities in MelbourneAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
- Use the heated indoor pool and 24-hour gym — the pool runs all year, so it's the spot to swim even in a Melbourne winter.
- Shop the St Collins Lane centre directly under the hotel, then walk 3 minutes over to Bourke Street Mall and the Emporium.
- Book babysitting in advance if you're travelling as a family and want a child-free dinner out.