The Olsen is a luxury boutique aparthotel at 637 to 641 Chapel Street, in the heart of South Yarra, and it is part of the Art Series group, which gives each hotel an art theme and displays artworks throughout. It has 222 rooms with kitchenettes, refrigerators, bathrobes, rainfall showers and 32-inch televisions, and a guest rating of 9.0 from more than 2,200 reviews. The facilities include an outdoor pool with sun loungers, a gym, a bar and a terrace, along with a restaurant called Spoonbill, which serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner and has al fresco dining. Other services include dry cleaning and laundry, bike rentals, an EV charging station and local meal delivery. Parking is available, with valet at a surcharge and self-parking charged by the night. Chapel Street is one minute away on foot, the Jam Factory is five minutes, South Yarra Station six minutes, Prahran Market twelve minutes and the Royal Botanic Gardens around nineteen minutes. Check-in starts at 2pm and check-out is at 11am, with late check-out available for a fee. It suits couples, shoppers, food lovers and travellers who want a stylish base in a lively suburb rather than in the central business district.
South Yarra is the draw. Chapel Street is one of Melbourne's best-known shopping and dining strips, with boutiques, cafes and bars, and the hotel puts you at the heart of it. The Jam Factory offers shops and a cinema, Prahran Market is a short walk for fresh produce and coffee, and the Botanic Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance are a gentle walk or a short ride away. Trains from South Yarra Station reach Flinders Street Station in a few minutes, so the city centre is easy to reach.
Inside, the art theme and the kitchenettes set the tone. The kitchenettes suit longer stays and families, since you can store breakfast items and keep drinks cold, and the rooms are designed for comfort rather than minimalism. The pool is outdoors and open from 7am to 9pm, so it is best in warmer months. If you plan to drive, note that parking is charged, and that local meal delivery and bike rentals offer alternatives. The hotel is not in the CBD, so allow transit time to the laneways.
Who should book? Couples, friends and travellers who prefer a neighbourhood stay to a downtown one. Shoppers will love the location, and food lovers will enjoy the choice of restaurants on the doorstep. If you want to be in the middle of the laneways or near the theatres, a central hotel will save you time. Rates rise during major events such as the Australian Open and the Melbourne Cup carnival, so book early for those periods, and check the details of your rate and parking when you book.
Why stay here
- ✓Chapel Street location
- ✓Art-themed rooms
- ✓Outdoor pool with sun loungers
- ✓Kitchenettes and refrigerators
- ✓Spoonbill restaurant
- ✓Bar and terrace
- ✓Gym
- ✓Bike rentals and EV charging
Good questions
Where is The Olsen Melbourne?+
At 637 to 641 Chapel Street, South Yarra. Chapel Street is a one-minute walk, the Jam Factory five minutes and South Yarra Station about six minutes.
Does The Olsen have a pool?+
Yes, an outdoor pool with sun loungers, open from 7am to 9pm. There is also a gym, a bar and a terrace.
Do the rooms have kitchens?+
The rooms have kitchenettes and refrigerators, which suits longer stays and families.
