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
Hotel: Quest Collingwood
Address: 79–89 Wellington Street, Collingwood, Victoria 3066, Australia
Number of apartments: 83
Brand: Quest Apartment Hotels
Style: Modern, practical and residential, with the flexibility of a serviced apartment in one of Melbourne’s most creative neighbourhoods
Best for: Families, longer stays, business travellers and visitors who want to experience Melbourne beyond the CBD
Family amenities: One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, fully equipped kitchens, separate living areas and in-apartment laundry facilities in larger apartment categories
Wellness facilities: Gymnasium
Accessibility: Accessible one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment options
Parking: On-site parking, subject to availability
Prices starting from: AUD $169 per night, depending on room and season.
The arrival
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.
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, 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 her 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.
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.
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.
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!
Frequently asked questions: Quest Collingwood
Quest Collingwood is located on Wellington Street in Collingwood, Melbourne, a lively inner-city neighbourhood known for its independent restaurants, cafés, galleries and nightlife. The Melbourne CBD is around 3.2km away, while Smith Street is approximately 350 metres from the property.
The property offers 83 serviced apartments, including studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom options, as well as accessible apartment categories.
Yes. Quest Collingwood is particularly well suited to longer stays because its apartments offer facilities that are useful for living rather than simply sleeping, including kitchens, separate living areas and laundry facilities in the larger apartments. Quest’s serviced-apartment model is designed for both short and extended stays.
Yes. One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments have fully equipped kitchens, while studio apartments feature kitchenettes. This makes Quest Collingwood a good choice for guests who would like the flexibility to prepare some of their own meals.
One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments have washer and dryer facilities, while studio apartments do not. The property also has a guest laundry.
Yes. The larger one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments make it a practical option for families, particularly those who want more space than a traditional hotel room. Separate living and dining areas and kitchen facilities can also make travelling with children considerably easier.
The Melbourne CBD is approximately 3.2km away. Collingwood is well connected by public transport, with Smith Street tram stops around 350 metres away and Collingwood Station approximately 850 metres from the property.
Yes. One of the property’s biggest advantages is its location in a neighbourhood with a strong food and drink scene. Johnston Street restaurants are approximately 100 metres away.
Yes. The property has an on-site gymnasium for guests.
No. The property has a gym but does not have a swimming pool or dedicated spa. It is better suited to travellers looking for apartment-style accommodation and a convenient neighbourhood location than a resort-style hotel experience.
Yes. On-site parking is available, subject to availability. It is advisable to confirm parking arrangements when booking.
Melbourne Airport is approximately 23km away. Travel times will depend on traffic and your chosen method of transport, but a car journey is roughly 40-50 minutes.
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 Melburnian 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 checked out, I was already asking about booking an apartment for when I head back Down Under in a few months.
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