51 Napoleon Street 504, Collingwood, 3066 Melbourne, Australia
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Image 1 of The Photographers’ Gallery
Image 2 of The Photographers’ Gallery

Hotel Description

I stumbled upon The Photographers’ Gallery during a solo trip to Melbourne last spring, and honestly, it was one of those finds that makes you feel like you’ve unlocked a secret corner of the city. Tucked away on Napoleon Street in Collingwood – you know, that artsy suburb just a stone’s throw from Fitzroy – it’s not smack in the middle of the tourist chaos, but close enough that you can wander over to Smith Street for a flat white or some killer street art without breaking a sweat. I mean, Collingwood’s got this gritty-cool vibe, with old warehouses turned into galleries and breweries popping up everywhere, and this place fits right in. The building itself is a converted Victorian terrace – sort of narrow and unassuming from the outside, with that classic Melbourne bluestone facade – but step inside, and it’s like walking into a photographer’s dream journal. The lobby (well, more like a cozy lounge) has walls lined with black-and-white prints from local artists, and there’s this faint scent of fresh coffee drifting in from a nearby roastery on Peel Street. Check-in was a breeze; the staff – a mix of laid-back locals and one guy who turned out to be a hobbyist shutterbug – chatted about the best spots for sunrise shots around the Yarra River, which was way more helpful than the usual scripted spiel.

What really sets it apart, though, is how the theme weaves into everything without feeling gimmicky. My room – up on the second floor, overlooking a quiet laneway – had these massive floor-to-ceiling windows that let in that soft, diffused Melbourne light, perfect for, you guessed it, snapping photos. The decor’s minimalist but thoughtful: exposed brick walls, a king bed with those crisp, high-thread-count sheets that actually feel luxurious after a day of exploring, and little touches like a vintage camera on the nightstand (non-functional, but fun to fiddle with). There’s no full restaurant, but they do a simple breakfast spread in the mornings – think avo toast and strong espresso – and it’s included, which saved me from the overpriced cafes on Brunswick Street during peak brunch hours. Parking’s a bit of a hassle, as it is in most inner-city spots; I ended up circling for 10 minutes before snagging a spot on nearby Wellington Street, but once you’re settled, the noise levels are surprisingly low for the area – no late-night bar racket seeping in, even on weekends. That said, the rooms are on the compact side (Melbourne real estate, am I right?), so if you’re traveling with a ton of luggage, it might feel snug. But for me, it added to the intimate, creative atmosphere – like crashing at a friend’s stylish pad rather than a generic hotel.

All in all, if you’re the type who wants more than just a bed in Melbourne – maybe you’re into photography, or just love that inner-north energy with its mix of vintage shops and hidden bars – this 4-star gem with its 9.4 rating is worth every penny. I left feeling inspired, camera roll full of shots from nearby spots like the Collingwood Children’s Farm (underrated for a quiet afternoon stroll), and honestly, I’d book it again in a heartbeat, especially during the milder months when the streets are buzzing but not overwhelmingly crowded. It’s not perfect – the Wi-Fi dipped a couple times during a rainstorm – but those quirks make it feel real, you know?

Rooms

  • One-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 large double bed for 2 adults
Image 3 of The Photographers’ Gallery
Image 4 of The Photographers’ Gallery

Reviews

  • Mick_watson from Australia (10/10)

    Communication was amazing, instructions clear and easy, the apartment was in a great location and very comfortable and enjoyable. Loved the vintage camera collection and photos and the vinyl.

  • Megan from Australia (10/10)

    Comfortable and stylish, had everything we needed and it’s in a great location.
    Light filled with great views.

  • Shane from Australia (9/10)

    I liked the design, clean and tidy with everything I needed. I loved making a coffee in the morning with the pod machine, it was a nice touch.

  • Leah from Australia (10/10)

    Nice to have coffee and tea facilities. Alternative milk would have been lovely.
    Old cameras and books to look at awesome.
    Same with the photography.
    Record player and vinyl was a great experience.
    Very comfy bed and great spacious rain head shower.

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SURROUNDINGS

What’s nearby:

  • Cooks’ Cottage: 1.8 km
  • Carlton Gardens: 1.8 km
  • Garry Owen Park: 1.6 km
  • Melbourne Museum: 1.5 km
  • Peel Street Park: 600 m
  • Fa Andrews Reserve: 1.9 km
  • Condell Street Reserve: 700 m
  • Atherton Gardens Reserve: 900 m
  • Fareshare Kitchen Garden: 1 km
  • Fitzroy Wild-Plants & Cactus: 850 m

Restaurants & cafes:

  • Cafe/bar Aunty Peg s: 150 m
  • Restaurant New Jaffa: 200 m
  • Restaurant Proud Mary: 200 m

Top attractions:

  • Eureka Tower: 3.6 km
  • Melbourne Zoo: 4.5 km
  • Immigration Museum: 3.6 km
  • Old Melbourne Gaol: 2.5 km
  • Southbank Promenade: 3.4 km
  • Old Treasury Building: 2.2 km
  • Shrine of Remembrance: 4.5 km
  • SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium: 3.9 km
  • Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne: 4 km
  • ACMI – Australian Centre for the Moving Image: 3.1 km

Natural beauty:

  • Lake Ornamental Lake: 3.5 km

Beaches in the neighbourhood:

  • St Kilda Beach: 8 km
  • Sandridge Beach: 7 km
  • Middle Park Beach: 7 km

Public transport:

  • Metro Parliament: 2.1 km
  • Train Collingwood: 1 km
  • Train Victoria Park: 950 m
  • Metro Melbourne Central Station: 2.8 km
  • Bus Essendon Keilor CollegeLock St: 16 km
  • Bus El Reno Cres/Roberts Rd (Airport West): 17 km

Closest airports:

  • Melbourne Airport: 21 km
  • Moorabbin Airport: 23 km
  • Essendon Fields Airport: 12 km

Facilities

Bedroom:

  • Linen

Kitchen:

  • Stovetop
  • Oven
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

Bathroom:

  • Toilet paper
  • Towels
  • Hairdryer

Outdoors:

  • BBQ facilities
  • Balcony

Living Area:

  • Desk

Food & Drink:

  • Tea/Coffee maker

Miscellaneous:

  • Air conditioning
  • Non-smoking throughout
  • Lift

Room Amenities:

  • Heating
  • Iron

Languages spoken:

  • English

Media & Technology:

  • Flat-screen TV

Most popular facilities:

  • Free parking
  • Free WiFi
  • BBQ facilities
  • Lift
  • Air conditioning
Image 5 of The Photographers’ Gallery
Image 6 of The Photographers’ Gallery

Rules

Pets:

  • Pets are not allowed.

Parties:

  • Parties/events are not allowed

Smoking:

  • Smoking is not allowed.

Check-in:

  • From 15:00
  • You’ll need to let the property know in advance what time you’ll arrive.

Check-out:

  • Until 10:00

Age restriction:

  • The minimum age for check-in is 23

Cancellation/prepayment:

  • Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check the conditions of your required option.

Guest reviews

Staff:

10

Comfort:

10

Location:

10

Facilities:

10

Cleanliness:

10

Value for money:

10

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