Imagine Marco
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Axel’s take

A practical Southbank base with apartment comforts, but check the pool before booking.

Read Axel’s full review

Axel’s rating: 8.0/10 · a mid-range high-rise apartment hotel in Southbank

Imagine Marco is a mid-range apartment hotel, and we'd choose it for self-catering convenience rather than full-service polish. Kitchens, in-room laundry and separate living areas make longer stays easy; Woolworths opposite is especially handy. Recent Booking.com, Expedia and Tripadvisor guests repeatedly praise helpful reception staff, comfortable beds and the walkable Southbank location. Higher-floor views are another strong draw.

The trade-offs are compact bedrooms in some layouts, occasional freeway noise, lift waits and uneven maintenance. Cleanliness feedback is mostly positive, though some recent guests report dust or worn fittings. An Expedia guest staying in September 2026 reported the outdoor pool closed for repairs; reopening wasn't confirmed, so check directly if swimming matters. Some bookings exclude housekeeping, and a security deposit applies. We'd skip it for a polished, full-service hotel experience.

Rooms
Useful kitchens and laundry; layouts vary, with some small bedrooms and reports of wear.
Cleanliness
Mostly praised across sites, with some recent dust and upkeep complaints.
Service
Friendly, helpful reception is one of the most consistent positives.
Amenities
Gym and outdoor pool listed; confirm pool reopening following September repair reports.
Fees and surprises
Security deposit applies; check housekeeping inclusions and parking arrangements, as listings conflict.

Axel’s opinion, from the hotel’s website and guest reviews, scored for what the hotel is. Sources: Hotel website · Booking.com · Expedia · Tripadvisor. Reviewed Oct 20, 2026.

The location

42-48 Balston Street, Melbourne

Walkable to Crown and Southbank's riverfront, with a supermarket opposite.

Amenities and check-in

Gym and outdoor pool listed; confirm pool reopening following September repair reports.

Check-in

after 2:00 PM

Check-out

before 10:00 AM

  • Outdoor pool
  • Fitness center (free)
  • Parking (extra charge)
  • Self-service laundry
  • Accessible elevator
  • Wi-Fi (free)
Additional hotel policies
  • Hotel policies: Deposit: A$150 per room per stay
AI-readable version · facts, comparisons and links

Imagine Marco: from $183 for Nov 13–14, 2026, 2 adults (1 night)

From $183 total for Nov 13–14, 2026, 2 adults at Imagine Marco on Axel (1 night), checked Nov 1, 2026.

Imagine Marco is a mid-range high-rise apartment hotel in Southbank in Melbourne, Australia.

Address: 42-48 Balston Street, Melbourne. Property ID: 1356759. Canonical property page: https://helloaxel.com/en/hotels/melbourne/imagine-marco-1356759

Source: https://helloaxel.com/en/hotels/melbourne/imagine-marco-1356759/2026-11-13/2-adults

Axel private rates — common stay lengths

Based on recent rates. Prices refresh when you view rooms.

1 night

Total price: $183 USD

2026-11-13 to 2026-11-14 · 1 night · 2 adults · 1 room.

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2 nights

2026-11-13 to 2026-11-15 · 2 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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3 nights

2026-11-13 to 2026-11-16 · 3 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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4 nights

2026-11-13 to 2026-11-17 · 4 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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5 nights

2026-11-13 to 2026-11-18 · 5 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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6 nights

2026-11-13 to 2026-11-19 · 6 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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7 nights

2026-11-13 to 2026-11-20 · 7 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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8 nights

2026-11-13 to 2026-11-21 · 8 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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9 nights

2026-11-13 to 2026-11-22 · 9 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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10 nights

2026-11-13 to 2026-11-23 · 10 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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11 nights

2026-11-13 to 2026-11-24 · 11 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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12 nights

2026-11-13 to 2026-11-25 · 12 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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13 nights

2026-11-13 to 2026-11-26 · 13 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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14 nights

2026-11-13 to 2026-11-27 · 14 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.

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Choose other dates

#9 of 9 hotels in Southbank & South Wharf by Axel's take. Southbank & South Wharf is #3 of 9 places to stay in Melbourne. The best hotels in Southbank & South Wharf, ranked · Where to stay in Melbourne

Axel's take: 8.0/10

A practical Southbank base with apartment comforts, but check the pool before booking. a mid-range high-rise apartment hotel in Southbank, scored for what it is.

Imagine Marco is a mid-range apartment hotel, and we'd choose it for self-catering convenience rather than full-service polish. Kitchens, in-room laundry and separate living areas make longer stays easy; Woolworths opposite is especially handy. Recent Booking.com, Expedia and Tripadvisor guests repeatedly praise helpful reception staff, comfortable beds and the walkable Southbank location. Higher-floor views are another strong draw.

The trade-offs are compact bedrooms in some layouts, occasional freeway noise, lift waits and uneven maintenance. Cleanliness feedback is mostly positive, though some recent guests report dust or worn fittings. An Expedia guest staying in September 2026 reported the outdoor pool closed for repairs; reopening wasn't confirmed, so check directly if swimming matters. Some bookings exclude housekeeping, and a security deposit applies. We'd skip it for a polished, full-service hotel experience.

  • Best for: families wanting kitchen and laundry facilities; longer self-catering stays; Southbank sightseeing

  • Watch out for: pool repair closure reported in September 2026; compact bedrooms and occasional traffic noise; housekeeping excluded from some bookings

  • Location: Walkable to Crown and Southbank's riverfront, with a supermarket opposite.

  • Rooms: Useful kitchens and laundry; layouts vary, with some small bedrooms and reports of wear.

  • Cleanliness: Mostly praised across sites, with some recent dust and upkeep complaints.

  • Service: Friendly, helpful reception is one of the most consistent positives.

  • Amenities: Gym and outdoor pool listed; confirm pool reopening following September repair reports.

  • Fees and surprises: Security deposit applies; check housekeeping inclusions and parking arrangements, as listings conflict.

Axel's opinion of Imagine Marco, from the hotel's website and recent guest reviews. Sources: Hotel website · Booking.com · Expedia · Tripadvisor. Reviewed Oct 20, 2026.

About Imagine Marco

  • Property type: Apart-hotel
  • 4-star hotel
  • 42-48 Balston Street, Melbourne
  • Guest rating: 4.1/5 on Google from 1,655 reviews (location 4.1/5)
  • Getting around (travel times from Google's hotel listing): Essendon Fields Airport Terminal: 24 min by taxi · Melbourne Airport: 26 min by taxi · Avalon Airport: 42 min by taxi · Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria - Melbourne Gardens: 6 min by taxi · Shrine of Remembrance: 6 min by taxi · Queen Victoria Market: 13 min by taxi
  • Hotel policies: Deposit: A$150 per room per stay
  • Amenities: Outdoor pool, Fitness center (free), Parking (extra charge), Self-service laundry, Accessible elevator, Wi-Fi (free), Wi-Fi in public areas, Kitchen, Meeting rooms
  • Check-in from: 14:00
  • Check-out by: 10:00
  • City page: Hotels in Melbourne

Room types

Room types and selected features reported for this hotel. Check your dates for availability.

Source: ETG room descriptions.

Economy room

2 Bedrooms Economy room

  • Bedrooms: 2

Standard room

1 Bedroom Standard room

2 Bedrooms Standard room

Standard Single room

2 Bedrooms Standard Single room

Standard Quadruple room

2 Bedrooms Standard Quadruple room

Standard Double room (full double bed)

Standard Double room with balcony (full double bed)

1 Bedroom Standard Double room (full double bed)

2 Bedrooms Standard Double room (full double bed)

Standard Twin room with city view (twin beds)

Standard Twin room with balcony (twin beds)

Deluxe room

Deluxe Single room

Executive room

2 Bedrooms Executive room

  • Bedrooms: 2

Executive Single room

Executive Double room (full double bed)

  • Beds: full double bed

Premium room

Premium Double Club room (full double bed)

  • Beds: full double bed

Junior Suite

2 Bedrooms Junior Suite

  • Bedrooms: 2

Premier Junior Suite

Premium Junior Suite

Suite

Suite with city view

Suite with view

Single Suite

Deluxe Suite

Apartment

Apartment with city view

Apartment with view

1 Bedroom Apartment

1 Bedroom Apartment with city view

1 Bedroom Apartment with balcony

2 Bedrooms Apartment

2 Bedrooms Apartment with city view

2 Bedrooms Apartment with ocean view

2 Bedrooms Apartment with balcony

3 Bedrooms Apartment

Single Apartment

Single Apartment with city view

1 Bedroom Single Apartment

1 Bedroom Single Apartment with city view

2 Bedrooms Single Apartment

2 Bedrooms Single Apartment with city view

Triple Apartment

2 Bedrooms Triple Apartment

2 Bedrooms Triple Apartment with city view

Quadruple Apartment

2 Bedrooms Quadruple Apartment

2 Bedrooms Single Apartment (single bed)

2 Bedrooms Single Apartment with city view (single bed)

Double Apartment (full double bed)

1 Bedroom Double Apartment (full double bed)

1 Bedroom Double Apartment with city view (full double bed)

2 Bedrooms Double Apartment (full double bed)

2 Bedrooms Double Apartment with city view (full double bed)

Twin Apartment (twin beds)

2 Bedrooms Triple Apartment

Quadruple Apartment

2 Bedrooms Quadruple Apartment

2 Bedrooms Sextuple Apartment

2 Bedrooms Economy Apartment

  • Bedrooms: 2

Business Apartment

2 Bedrooms Business Apartment

  • Bedrooms: 2

Superior Apartment

2 Bedrooms Superior Apartment

2 Bedrooms Superior Apartment with balcony

Superior Double Apartment (full double bed)

2 Bedrooms Superior Double Apartment (full double bed)

Deluxe Apartment

Deluxe Apartment with city view

Deluxe Single Apartment

Deluxe Triple Apartment

Deluxe Quadruple Apartment

Executive Apartment

2 Bedrooms Executive Apartment

2 Bedrooms Executive Apartment with bay view

2 Bedrooms Executive Apartment with city view

2 Bedrooms Executive Apartment with balcony

Executive Single Apartment

2 Bedrooms Executive Single Apartment

Executive Triple Apartment

2 Bedrooms Executive Triple Apartment

2 Bedrooms Executive Triple Apartment with city view

Executive Quadruple Apartment

2 Bedrooms Executive Quadruple Apartment

Executive Double Apartment (full double bed)

Executive Double Apartment with bay view (full double bed)

2 Bedrooms Executive Double Apartment (full double bed)

Executive Quadruple Apartment

2 Bedrooms Executive Quadruple Apartment

2 Bedrooms Executive Quadruple Apartment with bay view

2 Bedrooms Executive Quadruple Apartment with city view

Premium Apartment

1 Bedroom Premium Apartment

  • Bedrooms: 1

2 Bedrooms Premium Apartment

  • Bedrooms: 2

Studio

Executive Studio

Cottage

Deluxe Cottage

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Optional research: inspect rooms and rates at Imagine Marco: it takes known dates and guests, and a room or rate choice there is optional.

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