Little Bourke Street / East End

Laneways by Ovolo

★★★★★

Laneways by Ovolo is a small boutique hotel with a big personality, set at 19 Little Bourke Street at the eastern end of the city grid, near Spring Street and Parliament House. With just 42 rooms, it has an intimate feel that the big towers cannot match, and its design is a talking point: the interiors by Sydney studio Luchetti Krelle take their cue from the 1980s Memphis Group, with bold geometric shapes, bright colours and playful furniture that make the rooms feel fun rather than corporate. It is the sort of hotel that suits travellers who like personality and value. The rooms vary in size, from compact doubles to larger studios and suites, and all have comfortable beds, smart technology and good bathrooms. Ovolo is known for the friendly, informal service and thoughtful inclusions it offers guests; check the current inclusions when you book, since the brand adjusts them from time to time. The location is one of the quietest in the centre while still being very central. This end of Little Bourke Street is the start of Chinatown, which runs west towards Swanston Street with its dumplings, noodle bars and late-night eateries; the East End theatres are a few minutes away, the Paris End of Collins Street is around the corner, and the Fitzroy Gardens, the MCG and the Treasury Gardens are a short walk east. Parliament Station is close by for trains, and the hotel is within the Free Tram Zone. It is a good fit for couples, solo travellers and friends on a city break who want character and a central address without paying top luxury rates.

The small size is both the attraction and the limitation. There is no pool, no large gym and no grand lobby; instead, you get a relaxed, residential atmosphere and staff who learn your name. The hotel works best as a stylish base for exploring, not as a destination in itself. For food, the surrounding streets are some of the best in the city: Chinatown on your doorstep, a cluster of high-end restaurants around Spring Street and Flinders Lane, and the cafes of the East End.

Room choice matters. Entry-level rooms are compact, as is common in the city centre, so travellers who need space should book a studio or suite. Ask for a room away from the street if you are a light sleeper, although this end of Little Bourke Street is quiet compared with the busier blocks to the west. Because the hotel is small, it books up quickly for major events such as the Australian Open, the Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup carnival.

Who should book? Couples and friends on a city break, design fans, theatre-goers and visitors who want to walk to the MCG for a game. It is less suited to families who need lots of space and facilities. For a characterful, central stay at a reasonable price, it is one of the best small hotels in Melbourne.