The Clocktower Apartment Hotel at 255 Drummond Street in Carlton, Melbourne, offers self-contained rooms with full kitchens and a heated pool, putting diners steps from Lygon Street. This guide draws on verified guest reviews from Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Tripadvisor to help you decide whether its price range of AU$128–AU$204 per night matches what you expect from a 3-star apartment hotel.
Last checked: 2026-07-29
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Property: Clocktower Apartment Hotel (also known as Carlton Clocktower on Lygon) · Address: 255 Drummond St, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia · Phone: 03 9349 2542 (Travel Weekly) / 03 9349 9700 (Google Travel) · Key amenities: Heated pool, full kitchen, laundry facilities, babysitting/child services · Rates:
The Clocktower Apartment Hotel at 255 Drummond Street in Carlton, Melbourne, offers self-contained rooms with full kitchens and a heated pool, putting diners steps from Lygon Street. This guide draws on verified guest reviews from Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Tripadvisor to help you decide whether its price range of AU$128–AU$204 per night matches what you expect from a 3-star apartment hotel.
28–$204 per night (quoted range)How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-29.
Sources reviewed: official property website (clocktower.com.au), Booking.com listing, Tripadvisor reviews, Hotels.com, KAYAK, HotelsCombined, Google Travel, Travel Weekly.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, and no independent verification of individual guest reviews beyond platform aggregation.
Key facts at a glance
- 255 Drummond Street, Carlton VIC 3053 (Booking.com)
- Phone: 03 9349 2542 / 03 9349 9700 (Travel Weekly)
- Tripadvisor: 2.3/5 (12 reviews) (Tripadvisor Australia)
- Hotels.com: 7.6/10 (697 reviews) (Hotels.com)
- Booking.com location: 9.4/10 (Booking.com)
- 25 rooms, 10 configurations (studio to two‑bedroom) (Tripadvisor)
- Full kitchen and laundry in every apartment (KAYAK)
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Property | Clocktower Apartment Hotel (also known as Carlton Clocktower on Lygon) |
| Address | 255 Drummond St, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia |
| Phone | 03 9349 2542 (Travel Weekly) / 03 9349 9700 (Google Travel) |
| Key amenities | Heated pool, full kitchen, laundry facilities, babysitting/child services |
| Rates | AU$128–AU$204 per night (quoted range) |
| Distance to Melbourne Central | 5‑minute drive |
| Direct booking discount | 10% off (clocktower.com.au) |
| Room types | 10 (studio to two‑bedroom) |
| Standard check‑in | 2:00 PM (KAYAK) |
| Standard check‑out | 10:00 AM |
| Reception hours | Mon, Wed, Fri 10:00‑15:00 (Booking.com) |
Carlton Clocktower parking
The hotel does not advertise on‑site parking on its Booking.com or official site. However, related searches point to Wilson Parking operating a facility near the property. Street parking on Lygon Street is available but limited and metered. One Tripadvisor review mentions that after‑hours key collection from a nearby Best Western hotel may be required, so arriving by car after reception closes (Mon/Wed/Fri after 3PM) may involve extra steps. Tripadvisor Carlton hotels listing notes reception closing early.
For guests driving to Melbourne Central Station, the property is a five‑minute drive, making it feasible to park there or at a station car park.
Carlton clocktower reviews
Guest opinions split sharply by platform. On Hotels.com, 697 reviews give an average of 7.6/10, earning a “Very Good” label of 8.0/10. Hotels.com also notes that staff are frequently praised. HotelsCombined aggregates 865 verified ratings at 6.7/10, last updated April 2026 (HotelsCombined). By contrast, Tripadvisor ranks it #181 of 184 Melbourne hotels with a 2.3/5 average from only 12 reviews (Tripadvisor).
Recurring complaints on Tripadvisor centre on noise, dated furnishings, and cleanliness. One unnamed guest called noise the “worst issue” and said carpets were “extremely dirty” and room service “perfunctory at best.” Another reviewer (joelled616, March 2023) described the experience as “pot luck,” noting that unrenovated units can have cockroaches and cupboard doors falling off (Tripadvisor). A July 2024 review by Andrew T called the apartment “grimy and yuck” while acknowledging the manager was “really nice.”
On the positive side, multiple Booking.com guests highlight the staff’s helpfulness – Howie from Australia wrote that staff “waited 2 hours past when they could have gone home just to meet us” (Booking.com). The location consistently earns 9.4/10 or higher.
“Staying there has been pot luck these past few years.”
– TripAdvisor user joelled616, reviewed March 29, 2023
“Really nice manager, apartment was grimy and yuck!”
– Andrew T, TripAdvisor, July 19, 2024
Pros and cons
- Exceptional location for Lygon Street restaurants and Melbourne Museum
- Friendly, accommodating staff (multiple reviews)
- Full kitchen and laundry in every apartment
- Heated pool
- Inconsistent room condition – some unrenovated units with cleanliness issues
- Noise levels reported as problematic
- Limited reception hours (Mon, Wed, Fri 10–15)
- Small Tripadvisor sample suggests low satisfaction
Best for these types of travellers
- Families: Babysitting services, self‑catering kitchens, and a heated pool make it suitable for parents with children.
- Couples: Booking.com rates the location 9.5/10 from couples; proximity to dining and nightlife is a draw.
- Business travellers: Central location near the University of Melbourne and city centre, plus self‑contained units for longer stays.
- Leisure travellers seeking apartment‑style accommodation: Full kitchen and laundry appeal to those who prefer not to eat out every meal.
Carlton clocktower apartments
The property offers 25 apartments across 10 configurations, from studios to two‑bedroom units. According to KAYAK and Booking.com, each apartment includes a full kitchen (microwave, electric kettle, washing machine) and private laundry facilities (KAYAK). Additional amenities include a heated pool and babysitting/child services (Booking.com).
The property was formerly branded as Quest Carlton Clocktower and has since been operated as Clocktower Apartment Hotel, which may explain some mixed reviews if refurbishment has been staggered (Tripadvisor). Several reviewers note a clear split between renovated upper‑floor suites (deemed acceptable) and unrenovated ground‑floor units (described as dirty or damaged).
“Last week, we got apt 2 on the first floor, unrenovated and crappy – kitchenette cupboards doors threatening to fall off and cockroaches. 275 A$ a night! Avoid!”
– TripAdvisor user joelled616, reviewed March 29, 2023
Carlton clocktower rent
Nightly rates fall between AU$128 and AU$204, according to Travel Weekly (Travel Weekly) and echoed by HotelsCombined. Booking through the official site (clocktower.com.au) gives a 10% discount, bringing the effective low end to about AU$115. Tripadvisor shows a wider band of AU$142–AU$388, likely reflecting seasonal peaks and room upgrades.
HotelsCombined estimates an average around US$209 per night, with occasional deals starting near US$75 (HotelsCombined). The hotel positions itself in the mid‑budget segment – not the cheapest option in Carlton, but cheaper than many full‑service hotels.
Alternatives to consider
If the inconsistent reviews give you pause, several nearby properties offer similar self‑catering layouts or better consistency:
- Quest Carlton (another apartment‑style hotel on Lygon Street) – generally higher ratings on Booking.com.
- Mantra on Russell (Melbourne CBD, 10‑minute walk) – more consistent guest satisfaction for apartment stays.
- BreakFree on Collins (CBD, near Southern Cross) – similar price point but better Tripadvisor placement.
These alternatives are based on general market knowledge; always check current reviews and rates.
Our pick
For travellers who value self‑catering facilities and a central base near Melbourne Museum and Lygon Street, the Clocktower Apartment Hotel can work – if you confirm a renovated unit. The location and staff are genuine strengths, and the direct booking discount offers a small saving. However, the gap between review platforms is unusually wide, so we recommend reading recent Tripadvisor reviews for the specific dates you’re planning. If you can’t get a guarantee on a refurbished room, one of the alternatives above may offer more consistent quality.
th.tripadvisor.com, tripadvisor.com, forrent.com, apartmentratings.com, carlton-clocktower-apartments.hotelsinvictoria.net, apartmentratings.com, bookdirect2save.com.au, jcmliving.com, yelp.com
Frequently asked questions
Is there parking at Carlton Clocktower?
The hotel does not list dedicated on‑site parking on Booking.com or its own site. Wilson Parking operates a nearby facility. Street parking is available but metered. After‑hours check‑in may require collecting keys from a Best Western property, so call ahead if arriving late.
What is the phone number for Carlton Clocktower?
Two numbers are listed: 03 9349 2542 (Travel Weekly) and 03 9349 9700 (Google Travel).
What are the check‑in and check‑out times?
Check‑in is 2:00 PM and check‑out is 10:00 AM, per KAYAK and HotelsCombined.
Does Carlton Clocktower have a pool?
Yes – a heated pool is mentioned across KAYAK, Booking.com, and Hotels.com listings.
Are the apartments fully equipped with kitchen and laundry?
Each apartment includes a full kitchen (microwave, kettle, washing machine) and laundry facilities, confirmed by Booking.com and KAYAK.
Is there a discount for booking direct?
Yes – the official site (clocktower.com.au) offers a 10% discount on quoted rates.
What is the address of Carlton Clocktower?
255 Drummond Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia.