Tolarno Hotel

Really bad experience. It was poorly maintained. Starting off with the unpleasant smell coming from the bathroom and turned out it was mold. The exhaust fan was not working. Room was spacious but wasn’t clean either. Fleece blankets were available but it didn’t smell nice either. And to be honest, I don’t know when was the last time they washed them. Loud noises from the streets and from other rooms. The guy on the front desk was helpful though.

Absolute shocker. Really run down and the restaurant has closed down so no dinner and no coffee in the morning. It’s basic but would be great if it had a vibe - it doesn’t. Our balcony room was cramped and the shower room was comically small. Door locked at 7pm on a Friday so checking in was a palaver. Public areas are tired and art, while fabulous, is often damaged. Stay elsewhere until this place gets some TLC.

I’m not sure whether is from the hotel, but my partner got bitten by bed bugs from the hotel and the hotel staff is extremely unprofessional knocking the door 15 mins before checking out. This is clearly not for the weak hearted. Unpleasant experience would never come back.

We Had a great stay even when the reviews were made so don't believe everything you read The staff are lovely the room was comfortable and clean Thanks

Situated in an excellent location, close to restaurants bars and trams. Hotel had an original quirky style . Helpful and friendly staff on reception . Would stay again when in St Kilda area.

Can’t really comment on the accommodation as we never got to stay there! Booked for a family room in February 2024 in preparation for our holiday in mid March 2025. We were advised during this week that they have cancelled the booking, stating they were overbooked. I can understand if they advised us within days of making the booking. However I am not sure why it takes over a year to work out that they have overbooked! No response to our email requesting an explanation, along with the fact that it will now cost us a lot more to find alternate accommodation.

It was good for the price, although the hair dryer didn’t work and the window frames were dirty. The staff is very friendly and cosy.

it knows what it is, basic clean reasonable accommodation in a fantastic location. Not trying to be anything but it’s not. Old building of course could be done up but of course then all prices would go up equivalently so again and come back to the original point it’s simple basic accommodation that is useful when you need a quick night accommodation.Instructions were really good getting into the place late at night. The room was immaculately clean even if it was old. Overall would stay there if I needed accommodation for one night. I would suggest a touch expensive for what it is. 

Worst experience. Was given a tiny noisy standard room when I booked a studio for 2 nights. The receptionist was the rudest person I have ever met. He told me to pay for parking at hotel reception and park exactly in front of the hotel with the car parking voucher on my dash which is what I did. I had to move rooms 24 hours later to the studio room I booked as the receptionist gave my booking to someone else. So I move into my booked Studio 1 day late and look out the window and I have a parking fine on my windscreen. The hotel receptionist denied he told me to park out the front. I packed up and left. Hands down the worst hotel I have ever stayed at. It's seedy and it smells.

Customer service. Remember that? Well the staff at the Tolarno go out of their way to make you feel like their only guest. I originally booked my room via wotif for a date that ultimately did not suit. So, I e-mailed the Tolarno & they were more than happy to change my booking to a date that did suit. On arrival I had a warm greeting & in the middle of the night when I arrived back to the hotel - quite tipsy to say the least, the reception helped me choose a DVD from their extensive collection - a free service. The Tolarno is filled with visual eye candy. Art pieces are hung on every spare wall. I spent a good hour or so browsing the pieces in the homely hallways. My room was modern, clean and the mini bar was very well stocked. Coffee & tea making facilities and also a microwave. My room had a gorgeous Japanese spa in it and a very large shower with hot water never ending. As I left my room I saw the cleaning lady who gave me a bright smile & was very chirpy. I really enjoyed my stay at the Tolarno & my experience there does make me want to return if I ever need to stay in St Kilda again.

Stayed here back in January during the Australian open. A colleague had booked the hotel and I had checked the web site, reviews, etc. before agreeing but was completely confused when I arrived. Have you ever seen those advertisements on TV where a family books a beautiful looking resort for their vacation and they up to find a nightmare scenario? That was Tolarno for me. Staff: The staff always seemed high. Friendly enough but not very professional....and well....they always seemed high....not just a little....like WAY high. Facilities: Business Center? Well, if a computer and printer are a business center....sure...but....not really. Room: This was terrifying. Terrifying. The artwork was an assault on my eyes due to how aggressive it was in terms of color and content. I want to RELAX in my room after a day of working. It was tiny....if I say on the toilet, I had to sit at an angle as the bathroom sink was against my chest. I guess this would be convenient if I were drinking heavily and needed to use the toilet while vomitting. It might be the only way I would find this hotel acceptable. Parking: They claim to have parking, but it basically means you can park on the straight a few blocks away. Combine that with having to walk in an area where people generally party hard and the random crazies on the streets and it becomes a very undesirable concept. Confusion: Look at the web site.....then look at the real place. The pictures are not falsified but they must have hired one hell of a photographer. Absolutely not kid friendly: Risque artwork even in the lobby and lounge area....who knows what is in some of the rooms......