voco Melbourne Central Review: Distance, Amenities & Ratings

Q: Does voco Melbourne offer city views?

Yes, many rooms offer city views, and the rooftop pool terrace on level 7 provides expansive skyline views.

If you are researching a stay at voco Melbourne Central by IHG, you likely want to know whether it lives up to its modern design promises, how far it sits from the airport, and whether its star rating matches your expectations. This article cuts through promotional language by focussing on verified details about amenities, guest feedback, and location, drawing on official IHG listings, independent review platforms, and transit data. You will find concrete facts about the rooftop pool, dining options, and distance from Melbourne Airport, along with a clear assessment of where this property fits in the local hotel market.

Last checked: 2026-07-13

Hotel name: voco Melbourne Central by IHG · Location: Heart of Melbourne, 5-minute walk from Melbourne City Conference Centre · Nearest airport: Essendon Fields Airport (6.8 mi) · Style: Modern, contemporary, colourful design with city views

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-07-13.

Sources reviewed: official IHG property website, Booking.com listing, Expedia listing, Qantas Travel Insider editorial review, Rome2Rio transit planner, Tripadvisor guest feedback pages, Hotel Management industry publication, independent travel blog review, booking aggregator.

No on-site visit, no staff interview, no independent price verification. Pricing and availability should be confirmed directly with the hotel or a booking platform.

Snapshot: voco Melbourne Central at a glance

1 Operator & brand

Operated by IHG Hotels & Resorts under the voco Hotels brand (IHG)

2 Location

374 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne CBD – a 5-minute walk from the Melbourne City Conference Centre (Qantas Travel Insider)

3 Guest rating

Approximately 9.0/10 from more than 2,000 verified Booking.com reviews (Booking.com)

Key facts about voco Melbourne Central
Label	Value
Hotel name	voco Melbourne Central by IHG
Location	Heart of Melbourne, 5-minute walk from Melbourne City Conference Centre
Nearest airport	Essendon Fields Airport (6.8 mi)
Style	Modern, contemporary, colourful design with city views
Star classification	4-star (boutique-style classification per reviews)
Number of rooms	~252 individually furnished guestrooms
On-site dining	Blacksmith Brasserie & Bar – modern Australian cuisine
Rooftop pool	Heated outdoor rooftop pool on level 7 with skyline views
Fitness centre	Compact gym with modern machines and weights rack
Wi-Fi speed advertised	25+ Mbps in-room

Editorial note: The star classification listed as 4-star is based on third-party editorial and booking-site descriptions, not an official rating from a tourism accreditation body. IHG categorises voco as an upscale brand but does not assign a universal star rating across properties.

Is voco Melbourne a good hotel?

Guest reviews on Booking.com, drawing from more than 2,000 verified stays, give voco Melbourne Central an overall score of approximately 9.0/10 (Booking.com reviews). That places it among the higher-rated properties in Melbourne’s CBD. Repeat guests on Tripadvisor frequently mention the modern design and comfortable rooms, though some note that certain amenities feel limited relative to expectations for the price bracket (Tripadvisor amenities feature).

Standout features consistently praised across platforms include the rooftop pool – a relative rarity among Melbourne hotels, as noted by Qantas Travel Insider – and the hotel’s central location within walking distance of the conference centre and key CBD landmarks. On the other hand, some Tripadvisor reviewers have flagged mixed experiences with front-desk communication about included breakfast and internet at check-in (Tripadvisor valet parking feature).

The bottom line: voco Melbourne Central holds a strong guest rating driven by design, pool, and location, but communication consistency is a recurring topic in lower-rated reviews.

What do guests say on Tripadvisor?

Multiple Tripadvisor feature pages highlight the hotel’s style and central location as frequent reasons for positive feedback. One feature dedicated to amenities describes the property as “a refreshing choice” with city views and a contemporary feel. However, a separate page about valet parking reveals that several guests encountered confusion about whether breakfast and internet were included in their booking, pointing to inconsistent information at check-in.

What are the standout features?

The heated rooftop pool on level 7, with skyline views, is repeatedly mentioned as a distinguishing amenity. The on-site restaurant Blacksmith Brasserie & Bar, serving modern Australian cuisine under chef Ian Lee, also receives positive mentions. The 25+ Mbps in-room Wi-Fi and in-room desks suit remote work, as noted by Qantas Travel Insider.

What is voco Melbourne known for?

voco Melbourne Central is primarily known for its design-led approach and its rooftop amenity package. According to IHG’s brand overview, the voco brand emphasises “tread lightly” sustainability – bedding made from 100% recycled materials, sustainably farmed cotton sheets, in-room water stations with still and sparkling options, and premium plant-based bathroom amenities (IHG brand overview; Hotel Management). The hotel’s location on Lonsdale Street places it a five-minute walk from the Melbourne City Conference Centre, making it a practical choice for business travellers attending events there.

Guest feedback broadly aligns with these selling points. Positive reviews consistently cite the modern, colourful lobby and room design, while the sustainability touches – particularly the hallway water stations – are noted as a welcome departure from single-use plastic bottles.

What to watch: Some guests feel the style outpaces the substance of the amenities. A small number of Tripadvisor reviews describe the on-site facilities as “compact” for a hotel marketed as upscale.

Design and amenities

The property has 252 individually furnished rooms. Each room includes air conditioning, a seating area, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, in-room safe, coffee machine, and a private bathroom with shower, hairdryer, and free toiletries (Guest Reservations). The rooftop pool is heated and open-air – a relative rarity among Melbourne hotels (Qantas Travel Insider). The fitness centre is compact but well-equipped with modern machines and a weights rack (Chew Your Chow).

Location and convenience

At 374 Lonsdale Street, the hotel sits in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. The Melbourne City Conference Centre is a five-minute walk away. Public transport options include nearby tram stops on Bourke and Elizabeth Streets. For airport access, Melbourne Airport (MEL) is roughly 20 km north-west – about 19 minutes by car in typical traffic, according to Rome2Rio. The closer Essendon Fields Airport sits 6.8 miles from the hotel. Parking is available via valet service (some guests have reported that parking costs were not clearly communicated at check-in).

Insider tip: The hallway water stations with still and sparkling options are popular with returning guests. Bring a reusable bottle and skip the minibar water.

How far is voco Melbourne from the airport?

Melbourne Airport (MEL) is the main international and domestic gateway for the city. The driving distance between MEL and voco Melbourne Central is roughly 20 km, with an estimated travel time of about 19 minutes by car in typical conditions. A taxi or rideshare ride from MEL to the hotel typically costs between AUD $60 and $85 depending on time of day and traffic. SkyBus runs a service from MEL to Southern Cross Station (about 20 minutes), from where the hotel is a 15-minute walk or a short tram ride along Bourke Street. The smaller Essendon Fields Airport is just 6.8 miles from the hotel, though it mainly handles regional and private flights.

The reverse route from the hotel back to MEL gives the same approximate driving distance and time.

What this means: The hotel is roughly 20 minutes by car from the main airport. For travellers on a budget, the SkyBus + tram combination works well – allow around 45 minutes door-to-door.

Is voco a 5 star hotel?

The short answer: no – at least not officially. voco Melbourne Central is classified as a 4-star hotel in independent editorial and booking-site descriptions. IHG’s voco brand sits within the company’s upscale portfolio, but IHG does not assign a universal star rating to all its properties. Star classifications vary by country and local tourism boards. For comparison, voco Orchard Singapore is listed as a 5-star property, but that reflects local accreditation standards rather than a brand-wide guarantee. Guest reviews on Booking.com and Tripadvisor generally describe voco Melbourne Central as “4-star equivalent” in terms of service and facilities.

Some travellers may perceive the hotel as approaching 5-star territory due to its rooftop pool, modern design, and on-site restaurant. However, the compact fitness centre, limited meeting space (8 meeting rooms seating up to 90), and occasional guest complaints about communication consistency suggest it sits comfortably in the upper 4-star bracket rather than true luxury tier.

The catch: Star ratings are not standardised across booking platforms. A listing on one site may label the hotel “4-star” while another simply calls it “upscale.” Always check the specific amenities that matter to you rather than relying solely on a star count.

Alternatives in Melbourne’s CBD

For travellers comparing voco Melbourne Central with other city-centre hotels, three properties appear most frequently in similar guest searches:

Pullman Melbourne on the Park – A 4.5-star property with a similar rooftop pool and direct views of the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Fitzroy Gardens. It offers a larger fitness centre and two on-site restaurants, but sits a 15-minute walk from the conference centre.
QT Melbourne – A design-led property with a rooftop bar and restaurant. It attracts a similar demographic of style-conscious travellers but does not have a swimming pool.
DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne – Flinders Street – Also operated by a major international group (Hilton), offering rooftop dining and a central location near Flinders Street Station. It positions itself as upper-upscale but again lacks a pool.

Each of these alternatives competes with voco Melbourne Central primarily on location, design, and amenity set. The rooftop pool remains a clear differentiator for the IHG property – most comparable hotels in the immediate CBD vicinity do not offer outdoor swimming.

Pricing and value

Pricing at voco Melbourne Central fluctuates seasonally, with typical nightly rates ranging from approximately AUD $200 to AUD $450 for a standard room. Higher rates apply during major Melbourne events (Australian Open, Grand Prix, AFL finals). Breakfast is available as a buffet option – rated around 8.5/10 by Booking.com reviewers – with a supplementary charge. A promotional $1 à la carte breakfast for in-house guests was offered in the past but its current status should be confirmed at booking.

For IHG Rewards members, voco properties earn points and offer redemption options, which can improve the overall value proposition for loyalty-program travellers.

Our pick: Who should book voco Melbourne Central?

First-time visitors to Melbourne who want a central location with a stylish room and a standout rooftop pool will find voco Melbourne Central a strong choice. The hotel’s position on Lonsdale Street puts most major attractions (Bourke Street Mall, Federation Square, Chinatown) within a 10-minute walk.

Business travellers attending events at the Melbourne City Conference Centre will appreciate the five-minute walking commute. The in-room desks, 25+ Mbps Wi-Fi, and eight meeting rooms cater to work needs – though the meeting spaces are modest in capacity (up to 90 people).

Leisure travellers who prioritise design and sustainability touches (recycled bedding, water stations) over luxury butler service will feel well matched. The pool and terrace add genuine relaxation value.

IHG loyalty members can earn and redeem points here, which may tip the balance in favour of this property over a comparably-priced independent or competitor-brand hotel.

Less suited: Travellers seeking a full-service luxury experience (pool attendants, large spa, multiple fine-dining venues) should look at the 5-star Sofitel or W Melbourne properties, both nearby but at a higher nightly rate.

Frequently asked questions

Does voco Melbourne have a rooftop pool?

Yes, voco Melbourne Central has an outdoor heated rooftop pool on level 7 with views of the Melbourne skyline, as confirmed by multiple independent reviews (Chew Your Chow, Qantas Travel Insider) and booking platforms (Booking.com, Expedia).

Is there a fitness center at voco Melbourne?

Yes, the hotel has a compact fitness centre with modern exercise machines and a weights rack. It is open 24 hours and accessible to all guests.

Is breakfast available at voco Melbourne?

Breakfast is served daily at Blacksmith Brasserie & Bar. The buffet option has received an approximate 8.5/10 rating from Booking.com reviewers. An à la carte menu is also available; a promotional $1 breakfast for in-house guests was offered in the past but is not guaranteed to be ongoing.

What dining options are on-site?

The hotel has one on-site restaurant and bar: Blacksmith Brasserie & Bar, offering modern Australian cuisine. It serves breakfast daily and lunch and dinner on selected days, with two private dining rooms (one with a private terrace) available for events.

What is the design style of voco Melbourne?

voco Melbourne Central features a modern, contemporary aesthetic with colourful design elements. The lobby and rooms incorporate bright accent colours and contemporary furniture, distinguishing it from more neutral-toned business hotels. The brand’s sustainability touches (recycled bedding, hallway water stations) are integrated into the design.

Does voco Melbourne offer city views?

Yes, many rooms at voco Melbourne Central offer views of the Melbourne skyline. The rooftop pool and terrace on level 7 provide particularly expansive city views, and the two private dining rooms at Blacksmith Brasserie also look out onto the cityscape.

The bottom line: Yes, many rooms at voco Melbourne Central offer views of the Melbourne skyline. The rooftop pool and terrace on level 7 provide particularly expansive city views, and the two private dining rooms at Blacksmith Brasserie also look out onto the cityscape.