Cute, Cozy and Central Apartment 1 in Essendon with Free Parking

Hotel Description

I remember pulling up to the Cute, Cozy and Central Apartment 1 on Mt Alexander Road in Essendon – you know, that bustling stretch right near the old Essendon Fields Airport, about a 15-minute drive from Tullamarine if traffic’s behaving. It was one of those crisp Melbourne afternoons, the kind where the wind whips off the bay and you’re glad for a warm spot to crash. Honestly, the free parking was a lifesaver – no circling blocks like in the CBD, just a dedicated spot out front that made unloading bags a breeze. Walking in, it hit me how aptly named this place is: cute and cozy, with that lived-in feel of a friend’s spare room rather than some sterile hotel suite. The living area had these plush couches that sort of swallow you up, and the kitchenette smelled faintly of fresh coffee grounds from the welcome pack – nothing fancy, but thoughtful, you know? I mean, it’s a solid 4-star setup with an 8.6 rating that feels earned, especially for solo travelers or couples needing a base without the fuss.

What really sold me was how central it feels without being overwhelming. Essendon’s got that suburban vibe – think quiet residential streets branching off Mt Alexander, where you can wander down to Buckley Street for a decent flat white at one of those hole-in-the-wall cafes locals swear by, or hop on the 59 tram straight into the city for a day at the markets (it’s like a 20-minute ride to Flinders Street, tops). The apartment itself is tucked away enough that you don’t hear the constant hum of airport shuttles, but yeah, there’s a bit of road noise in the mornings – nothing earplugs can’t fix, and it quiets down by evening when folks are firing up barbecues in nearby backyards. Inside, it’s all about those little touches: the bed’s firm but comfy, with sheets that actually feel clean (not that starchy hotel stuff), and there’s a small balcony overlooking a patch of green – perfect for sipping tea and watching the neighborhood wake up. Well, sort of – during peak footy season at Windy Hill, you might catch the distant cheers from Essendon games, which adds a fun local flavor if you’re into that. Check-in was seamless too, with a key lockbox that worked first try, no waiting around for staff like in bigger spots.

All in all, if you’re flying into Melbourne and want something unpretentious yet reliable, this apartment’s a gem – especially for those short stays where you need easy access to the northwest suburbs or a quick jaunt to the city without breaking the bank. I stayed a weekend last spring, and it left me feeling like I’d found a little home away from home, minus the overpriced minibar regrets. Sure, it’s not luxurious – the bathroom’s compact, and you might wish for a full oven if you’re cooking up a storm – but for the price and that genuine coziness, I’d book it again in a heartbeat. Trust me, in a city that can feel sprawling, places like this make exploring feel effortless.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $115. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $191. Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 double bed for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• More than expected, very clean and comfortable stay with good access to coffee shops and transport links. – Wilhelmena from Australia – 11 July 2025 (10/10)

  Great position, friendly and accommodating host
  
  What could be improved: All good

• Great ,beautiful,will be back at the end of the month – Ross from Australia – 21 June 2025 (10/10)

  It was 10 out of 10
  
  What could be improved: Location

• Great stay, great location, great host. – Heather from Australia – 19 May 2025 (10/10)

  It was lovely and comfortable. Had everything we needed.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Easy checkin and great location. – Lisa from Australia – 31 March 2025 (8/10)

  Close to city, very clean and beds comfortable. Good size apartment and photos accurate. Netflix and wifi. Host very responsive and easy smooth checkin. A little bit of road noise but ok.

• Comfortable apartment in Essendon – Hassan from Australia – 10 May 2025 (8/10)

  Very accommodating and considerate hosts
  Clean and well appointed with everything you need
  Very comfortable bed
  Free parking
  
  What could be improved: The shower goes from extremely hot to extremely cold even when you aren't adjusting the temp, if someone were travelling with kids you'd need to keep a really close eye while they are in the shower

• Exactly what we needed for the weekend and no stress . Very close to shops and Coles – Maxine from Australia – 16 June 2025 (7/10)

  As it says …… cute and cozy. Had all the pay tv channels
  
  What could be improved: Couple of small things but not worth mentioning

• Good location. Clean and neat but parking is terrible. – Eileen from Australia – 26 April 2025 (7/10)

  Exactly as described with all you need for a short stay. Great location close to lovely cafes for meals and public transport.
  
  What could be improved: Parking. Someone was either constantly in our assigned bay or parked half way across it. The bays are so small you have to exit the car before you park. Not good being stuck with a rental car after midnight with nowhere to park it?

• The location was great as it was close to the sport venure we attended for the rugby state games. – Rose from Australia – 14 June 2025 (7/10)

  We didn't have breakfast at the location due to early games we had to attend.
  
  What could be improved: There were issues with car parking spaces. I found having a shower difficult due to having to step into the bath.

• Exceptional – Mitra from Indonesia – 28 June 2025 (10/10)

• Very good – Michelle from Australia – 10 June 2025 (8/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities