Australia’s cultural capital is filled with quirky, design-forward hotels that offer thoroughly unique experiences. But sometimes, longer stays in Melbourne require less boutique bolthole pizazz and more comforts-of-home cosiness. We checked into Quest Collingwood, a serviced apartment property that manages to combine style, simplicity, and home comforts into one easy stay.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Quest Collingwood Review

Most visitors to Melbourne base themselves in the city centre, along the riverfront Southbank promenade, or in the Southern districts of South Yarra and St Kilda. But they’d be missing out. Nestled amidst the historic streets and laneways of one of Melbourne’s most intriguing northern districts, Quest Collingwood gives travellers the chance to live like a local in a popular area brimming with offbeat bohemian charm.

Quest Collingwood in Melbourne entrance
Discover city living in the heart of Collingwood

Once a stronghold of factories and warehouses, Collingwood is now one of Melbourne’s most colourful neighbourhoods. While still retaining much of the industrial, brick-laced architecture of its past, the area is slowly shedding its rough-around-the-edges feeling to become a lively district of delightful local boutiques, Insta-worthy cafés, and hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and eye-catching galleries. And, should you need to leave the area, Melbourne’s CBD is an easy 30-minute walk or 15-minute tram ride away.

Arriving at Quest Collingwood—a 30-minute drive from Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport—guests are welcomed into a simple, calming lobby of burnt ochre tiles and grey flooring. Friendly staff stand behind the reception desk, ready to officiate an efficient check-in and provide in-the-know advice. Learning I’ve just disembarked a nine-hour overnight flight and am in dire need of a caffeine fix, General Manager Stephanie Robertson quickly shows me to my apartment and then directs me to her favourite local café.

This genial welcome is a feeling that permeates throughout any stay at Quest Collingwood. With her extensive background in hospitality, Stephanie—who owns and runs the property with husband Kane—knows exactly how to create the kind of atmosphere that makes guests feel right at home.

Apartment living

Quest Collingwood is an 83-key property that includes studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, all of which are kitted out in elegant simplicity and comfort.

Quest Collingwood in Melbourne 1-bed apartment bedroom
The rooms are modern and functional

With a calming colour palette, my one-bedroom apartment immediately soothes nerves frayed by a long night of travel. Soft grey carpets, light natural wood, whitewashed walls, and cream drapery are immediately restful, while little pops of personality—here’s looking at you, plush blue sofa and quirky objets d’art—offer visual focus.

Everything in the apartment has been carefully calibrated to be stylish yet functional. The fully-equipped kitchen, featuring a four-hob stove, full-size fridge, dishwasher, microwave, and all the dinnerware and cutlery you could need, makes whipping up healthy breakfasts and quick working lunches a breeze, while the washer and dryer in the modern, grey-tiled bathroom are the answer to the prayers of a constant traveller with a suitcase full of laundry.

Quest Collingwood in Melbourne dining area in apartment
The dining area is perfect for entertaining or for working

In the spacious living room, the cosy sitting area is perfect for a movie night on the oversized flatscreen or curling up with a book by evening—on arrival, the coffee table has Quest-branded cookies from a local bakery—while the small table and two chairs double as a breakfast nook and functional workspace for busy afternoons of furious writing.

On one side, sliding doors give onto a well-sized balcony overlooking the area’s low-rise buildings and brick-tiled warehouses—it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a morning coffee in the sun—while on the other, separated by glass panels, the bedroom features a delightfully restful king-size bed, light wood nightstands that—how’s this for practicality?— have more than enough powerpoints and USB outlets to juice up a laptop, iPad, smartwatch, and smartphone all at once.

A little more

Given that Quest Collingwood is a property of serviced apartments rather than a hotel, there is no onsite restaurant or breakfast offering. But, staff are more than happy to make recommendations and reservations.

And, they’ve even gone the extra mile to build partnerships with several cafés and restaurants in the vicinity where guests can charge their meals back to Quest and pay for everything at checkout. Be sure to grab dinner at Bar Rosella, a gorgeous little Italian-inspired restaurant that’s the perfect date night spot, and slip into Lemon, Middle & Orange for a quintessentially Melbournian breakfast of speciality coffee and made-to-order breakfast plates—yes, there’s avocado toast, and yes, it’s worth trying.

Quest Collingwood gym
Head to the onsite gym to get your workout in

There’s also an onsite gym in the basement—it’s tiny, but offers a full workout with a bike, rower, treadmill, and multi-purpose cable weight station. And, if you have a car, Quest Collingwood also offers safe, undercover parking for guests—just beware that it’s a tight, steep ramp to get in and out!

Final thoughts

Everyone loves a good hotel that’s flush with amenities and service, but there’s something special about visiting a city and staying somewhere that lets you live like a local. And, while Airbnbs can be great, serviced apartments strike a great balance between cosseting hotel sojourns and independent stays.

The fantastic location and thoughtful amenities at Quest Collingwood made this former Melbournian feel like I was once again living in the city long-term, while the friendly staff offered the easy comfort of hotel service when required. By the time I check out, I’m already asking about booking an apartment for when I head back Down Under in a few months.

Learn more about Quest Collingwood

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