Royal Hotel by Nightcap Social

The hotel offers a surprisingly high-quality experience at a budget-friendly price point, making it a great-value find that consistently exceeds guest expectations. Its signature feature is the recently renovated accommodation and the impeccably maintained shared amenities, which are often highlighted as spotless and modern, dispelling any initial concerns. The hotel is particularly well-suited for budget-conscious travelers, solo travelers, and couples seeking comfortable and clean lodging with excellent transport links. It also caters well to transit passengers due to its proximity to the airport and event attendees visiting nearby racecourses or concert venues. Business travelers will appreciate the convenient connectivity. Guests consistently praise the hotel's cleanliness, the comfort of its beds, and its prime location for public transport. To enhance your stay, consider requesting a room away from the main street if you are sensitive to noise, and be sure to utilize the well-equipped communal kitchen and lounge areas.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests frequently commend the hotel's well-maintained facilities and thoughtful amenities. A standout feature is the shared kitchen and lounge area, which are consistently described as clean, well-stocked, and comfortable for relaxing or socializing. This communal space provides a microwave oven, dishwasher, and complimentary coffee, tea, and various types of milk, including soy and oat. Guests also appreciate the provision of free bottled water in rooms. While some rooms have private facilities, the communal bathrooms are a highlight, often noted for being spacious, spotless, modern, and featuring rain showers. Other in-room amenities include a bar fridge and a TV, often on a swivel bracket. The hotel also offers convenient laundry services with washers and dryers, and even provides free detergent, adding to the overall value and convenience for guests.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel consistently receives high praise for its impeccable cleanliness, with guests frequently describing both the rooms and communal areas, including the shared bathrooms, as spotless and tidy. Rooms are generally perceived as modern, well-appointed, and comfortable, though some are noted as being on the smallish side. The beds are a particular highlight, often described as very comfortable, with many guests specifically mentioning the King Koil brand mattresses and some even calling them the "softest bed" they've slept in. However, a recurring minor complaint is that some beds are on wheels and tend to move easily. Noise levels receive mixed feedback; while many guests find the rooms quiet despite the hotel's central location near public transport, some report street noise, bus noise, or air conditioning noise. In-room amenities typically include a desk, TV, and bar fridge, contributing to a comfortable stay.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's on-site bistro and bar receive positive feedback for their food quality and atmosphere. Guests frequently describe the meals as great, delicious, and offering good variety. Specific dishes like the rump steak are highlighted as perfectly cooked. The apple crumble dessert also garners praise. Many guests enjoy the convenience of having dining options directly downstairs, noting the awesome fun vibe of the establishment. While some reviews mention the absence of dedicated breakfast facilities within the hotel, guests appreciate the availability of nearby cafes for morning meals. The option for room service is also available and frequently commended for its excellence. Overall, the dining experience is seen as a significant positive, complementing the hotel's comfortable accommodations.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is a major advantage, offering exceptional accessibility to various forms of public transport. It is situated directly opposite or just steps away from Essendon train station, and a tram stop is within a two-minute walk, providing easy and quick access to Melbourne CBD. Guests also appreciate its proximity to other key areas like Moonee Valley Racecourse and Flemington Racecourse, making it ideal for event attendees. Numerous cafes and restaurants are conveniently located nearby, along with a Coles supermarket within a ten-minute walk. While the hotel offers free parking, guests note that spaces are limited and operate on a first-come, first-served basis, sometimes leading to challenges. Some guests mention using the nearby Park n ride carpark at the train station as an alternative. Despite some minor concerns about the immediate surroundings, the location is widely praised for its convenience and connectivity, including easy access to the airport.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receive high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness. Many guests highlight their willingness to go above and beyond to ensure a comfortable stay, often assisting with requests like early check-in or providing local information. The check-in process is generally described as quick and easy, even for late arrivals. While the feedback is overwhelmingly positive, a very small number of guests reported isolated instances of perceived rudeness or communication issues among some staff members. However, the prevailing sentiment emphasizes the staff's dedication to providing excellent service, making guests feel welcome and well-cared for. The overall impression is that the team contributes significantly to the positive guest experience, fostering a welcoming and accommodating environment.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of several miscellaneous but important details. A thoughtful touch is the provision of a welcome drink upon arrival, which is often appreciated. The hotel also features a Nightcap Social club, an exclusive lounge area for guests, providing a relaxed environment. While the hotel is located above a pub and gaming hall, most guests report minimal noise disturbance from downstairs, indicating good soundproofing. Common minor issues mentioned include occasional air conditioning problems (being noisy or ineffective), empty soap dispensers in some bathrooms, and some rooms lacking an in-room hairdryer. Some guests also noted that the fridge in their room was set to freezer mode. The hotel has a standard check-out time of 10 am, and while early check-in is sometimes accommodated, late check-out requests may not always be possible. Guests should also be aware that the reception may not be open during early morning hours, which can affect self-checkout procedures.