Mantra on Jolimont places guests directly opposite the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), within a short walk of Rod Laver Arena — making it a practical base for sports and concert-goers visiting Melbourne’s sporting precinct. This review examines the property’s location, amenities, parking options, and typical pricing to help you decide if it suits your stay. The official site states the hotel sits just 50 metres from the MCG Members’ Gate (Mantra Hotels).
Last checked: 2026-06-18
Property name: Mantra on Jolimont · Location: East Melbourne, near MCG and Rod Laver Arena · Accommodation types: Studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom apartments · Key amenities: Outdoor pool, fitness centre, hot tub, restaurant, bar, free Wi-Fi
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-18.
Sources reviewed: official property website, hotel booking platform (Booking.com), hotel aggregator (KAYAK), travel trade publication (The AU Review), Accor hotel group site, Rod Laver Arena official parking page.
No on-site visit was conducted, no staff interviews were held, and no independent price verification beyond listed sources.
Snapshots
- 133 Jolimont Road, East Melbourne, VIC 3002 (Mantra Hotels)
- Approximately 50 metres from the MCG Members’ Gate (Mantra Hotels)
- About 250 metres (8‑minute walk) (Mantra on Jolimont property site)
- Outdoor heated pool, spa, fully equipped gym, 24‑hour reception, Boundary Line Bar & Kitchen (Wed‑Sun breakfast), room service, free Wi‑Fi (Mantra Hotels)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Property name | Mantra on Jolimont |
| Location | East Melbourne, near MCG and Rod Laver Arena |
| Accommodation types | Studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom apartments (dual‑key configurations) |
| Key amenities | Outdoor pool, fitness centre, hot tub, restaurant, bar, free Wi‑Fi |
| Check‑in | From 14:00 (standard hotel policy) |
| Distance to MCG | ~50 m (Members’ Gate) |
| Distance to Rod Laver Arena | ~250 m (8‑min walk) |
| On‑site parking | Limited paid parking (confirmed by KAYAK) |
| Guest rating (Booking.com) | Based on multiple reviews (exact rating not available in sources) |
Property specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 133 Jolimont Road, East Melbourne VIC 3002 |
| Operator | Mantra Hotels (Accor group) |
| Number of rooms | Not publicly stated in available sources |
| Room types | Studio, 1‑bedroom, 2‑bedroom (dual‑key) apartments |
| Pool | Outdoor heated pool and spa |
| Fitness centre | Fully equipped gym |
| On‑site dining | Boundary Line Bar & Kitchen (open Wed–Sun for breakfast) |
| Bar | Yes, within the restaurant |
| Parking | Limited paid on‑site parking |
| Wi‑Fi | Free |
| Reception | 24‑hour |
Mantra on Jolimont Melbourne address
Location and neighbourhood overview
The property is at 133 Jolimont Road, East Melbourne, directly opposite the MCG. The official Mantra site confirms the address and notes the hotel is “just 50 metres from the MCG Members’ Gate” (Mantra Hotels). East Melbourne is a quiet residential pocket that becomes a hub of activity on event days. The AU Review describes it as “just minutes away from the MCG, as well as the Rod Laver and Hisense arenas” while remaining quiet enough that stadium crowds did not disturb the reviewer’s stay (The AU Review).
What this means: The hotel puts you inside the sporting precinct, yet the neighbourhood stays calm when events end.
Mantra on Jolimont to Rod Laver Arena
Walking distance and directions
Mantra on Jolimont’s own site describes the walk to Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena as an eight‑minute walk (Mantra on Jolimont property site). The official Mantra listing states it is about 250 metres from Rod Laver Arena (Mantra Hotels). From the hotel, you can walk through the parkland along the Yarra River or directly across the footbridge near Melbourne Park.
Public transport options
Rod Laver Arena recommends public transport as the easiest option: nearby train stations (Richmond, Jolimont, Flinders Street) and tram route 70 stop directly at the Melbourne Park precinct (Rod Laver Arena). For Mantra guests, the Jolimont station is a 5‑minute walk from the hotel, making tram or train a convenient alternative on event days.
The bottom line: You can easily walk to Rod Laver Arena in under 10 minutes; public transport is a backup for wet days or after late events.
Parking near Mantra on Jolimont
On‑site parking availability
The KAYAK listing notes that Mantra on Jolimont has limited paid parking on site (KAYAK). The exact nightly charge is not publicly stated in the sources reviewed, so guests should confirm at booking.
Nearby parking options
Rod Laver Arena’s official parking guidance directs drivers to the Eastern Plaza Car Park at Melbourne Park, where event‑day pre‑booked parking is AU$20 and drive‑up is AU$30; non‑event days are a flat AU$7.50 (Rod Laver Arena). Third‑party operators such as Secure Parking and Ace Parking also offer discounted event parking at nearby lots like Flinders Lane and Swan Street, with Ace’s Richmond Icon car park about a 14‑minute walk from Rod Laver Arena (Ace Parking; Secure Parking).
The catch: On‑site parking is limited and paid; pre‑book the Eastern Plaza car park for the most reliable and closest event parking.
Mantra on Jolimont phone number
Contact details for reservations
For direct bookings, the official Mantra Hotels website provides a central reservation number that varies by region; property‑specific contact is not published in the sources used for this review. Guests are advised to use the general Mantra reservations line or the online booking portal (Mantra Hotels).
Front desk inquiries
The hotel operates a 24‑hour reception, so late check‑in and immediate questions can be handled on arrival. No direct line was listed in the reviewed materials.
What to watch: Book via the official site or call the Accor central number to reach the property.
Mantra on Jolimont bar
On‑site dining and bar amenities
The official Mantra listing highlights Boundary Line Bar & Kitchen, open Wednesday through Sunday for breakfast (Mantra Hotels). The AU Review mentions the restaurant serves modern Australian fare and notes that the bar offers a relaxed setting for pre‑event drinks (The AU Review). Room service is also available.
Restaurant offerings
Breakfast is the primary meal served; lunch and dinner hours were not specified in the sources. For other meals, the hotel’s East Melbourne location puts guests within a 10‑minute walk of CBD dining options along Flinders Street and Swan Street.
Why this matters: The on‑site bar is handy for a drink before walking to an event, but full‑service dining is limited to breakfast on weekdays.
Mantra on Jolimont to MCG
Walking distance to MCG
At approximately 50 metres from the MCG Members’ Gate, the hotel is essentially across the road (Mantra Hotels). A one‑minute walk gets you to the gate, and under five minutes to most seating entrances.
Event‑day logistics
On major match days, the immediate area becomes congested with pedestrians. The AU Review reviewer noted that despite being so close, the hotel remained quiet and “stadium crowds did not disturb the stay” (The AU Review). Guests can walk back to the hotel in under five minutes after the final siren.
The advantage: No traffic jams, no queueing for trams – you’re home before the crowd hits the public transport pinch points.
Mantra on Jolimont Melbourne prices
Price range for studio and apartments
Pricing varies. An AU Review editorial from October 2023 reported an average nightly rate of about AUD $134 for a one‑bedroom serviced apartment (The AU Review). KAYAK data shows higher averages: around US$170 on weeknights and US$138 on weekends, with recent bookings between US$178 and US$198 (KAYAK). These figures suggest rates fluctuate considerably based on demand and booking platform.
Seasonal variations
Peak event periods – the Australian Open in January, AFL finals in September, and major concerts – push prices upward. A Facebook community post described the hotel as “punching above its weight especially on RHR rates” with parking available, implying reasonable value on off‑peak dates (Facebook – frequent‑stay community).
The pattern: Expect to pay AU$150–$250 per night for a one‑bedroom apartment during major events; quieter periods offer better value.
Pros and cons of Mantra on Jolimont
Pros
- Unbeatable proximity to MCG and Rod Laver Arena
- Apartment‑style rooms with kitchen facilities
- Outdoor pool, gym, and on‑site bar/restaurant
- 24‑hour reception and free Wi‑Fi
- Quiet neighbourhood despite sports‑precinct location
Cons
- Limited paid on‑site parking; not guaranteed
- Restaurant open only for breakfast (Wed–Sun) – limited lunch/dinner options
- Exact per‑night parking fee not publicly stated
- Rates spike sharply during major events
- No airport shuttle confirmed in reviewed sources
Best for
- Sports and event attendees: The 50‑metre walk to the MCG and 8‑minute walk to Rod Laver Arena make it ideal for AFL, tennis, or concert‑goers who want to be steps away.
- Families: Apartment‑style rooms with kitchens provide space and flexibility for short stays near the sporting precinct.
- Solo travellers: Studio apartments offer a compact but comfortable base, and the neighbourhood feels safe.
- Business travellers: Fast Wi‑Fi, a gym, and proximity to the CBD (10‑minute walk) work for short work trips.
Alternatives in the area
Quest Jolimont, at 153–155 Wellington Parade South, is another serviced‑apartment property popular with MCG visitors (Booking.com reviews). It lacks the direct MCG frontage and on‑site pool/restaurant that Mantra offers. Expedia lists a private penthouse apartment within the Mantra building called “Jolimont Views” that markets itself as a “stone’s throw” from the venues, but it is a separate listing (Expedia). For travellers willing to walk 10–15 minutes, CBD hotels near Flinders Street provide more dining and nightlife choices but lack the same direct sports‑precinct access.
Our pick
For event‑focused stays at the MCG or Rod Laver Arena, Mantra on Jolimont is the most convenient accommodation in East Melbourne. Its apartment‑style rooms, on‑site pool and bar, and quiet surroundings offset the limited parking and variable pricing. Book directly via the Mantra site or a reputable booking platform after comparing rates for your specific event dates.
“On the doorstep of the MCG, just 50 meters from the Members Gate, there’s no better choice when looking for MCG accommodation.”
– Mantra on Jolimont marketing copy, Official property site
“The hotel is just minutes away from the MCG, as well as the Rod Laver and Hisense arenas.”
– Hotel reviewer, The AU Review travel writer
For those wanting specifics on parking and exact distances to the stadium, a detailed hotel guide with addresses and parking offers all the practical details guests need.
Frequently asked questions
What is the check‑in time at Mantra on Jolimont?
Standard check‑in is from 14:00, per typical hotel policy. The property has 24‑hour reception, so late arrivals can be accommodated.
Does Mantra on Jolimont have a swimming pool?
Yes, the hotel features an outdoor heated pool and spa, as confirmed by the official Mantra listing (Mantra Hotels).
Is free Wi‑Fi available at Mantra on Jolimont?
Yes, free wireless internet is included for guests, as stated on the official website (Mantra Hotels).
What are the nearby attractions to Mantra on Jolimont?
The MCG, Rod Laver Arena, Hisense Arena, Melbourne Park, and the Yarra River walking trails are all within a 10‑minute walk. Federation Square and the CBD are about 10–15 minutes on foot.
Is there a fitness centre at Mantra on Jolimont?
Yes, a fully equipped gym is available for guests (Mantra Hotels).