We are always on the lookout for good value places to stay, especially in expensive cities like Melbourne. I first stayed at Ibis Glen Waverley because of a work trip. My boss booked it and I thought he was mad. Glen Waverley? Why would we stay in the suburbs when we could stay in the city? Turns out he was onto something.
Bec wasn’t convinced when I mentioned we should stay at Ibis Glen Waverley on our next trip to Melbourne. She’s more of a city hotel person. This is our honest review of Ibis Glen Waverley in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
Ibis Glen Waverley is on Springvale Road, one of the main arterials in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, about 25 kilometres from the CBD. It’s not a location most people choose to stay at but as we found out it is a convenient one. The Glen Waverley area has a lot going for it and the hotel sits right in the middle of it.
Ibis Glen Waverley check-in experience
We arrived before check-in time on our weekend stay. We asked if we could park the car and come back later. Staff were helpful and accommodating with that. No fuss at all.
When we returned at 9.30pm the check-in process was smooth and fast. The staff asked how our day was. Small thing but it makes a difference after a long day out. One tip — if you book online they already have most of your details so the process is even quicker.
Ibis Glen Waverley room review
The room was exactly what you expect from an Ibis Hotels. Queen bed, small couch, desk, flat screen TV, small fridge, ironing board and luggage stand. Clean, tidy, nothing flash.
The bed was comfortable. Not too firm, not too soft. Pillows were good too. The air conditioning worked well. Staff had it running before we even checked in which was a relief given it was 32 degrees in Melbourne that day.
Room was dark at night. No light bleeding in from outside. Noise was not an issue either. The hotel is close to Springvale Road but far enough away that you don’t hear the traffic. We’re a few hundred metres from the restaurant strip on Kingsway and surrounded by residential streets. No nightclub noise, no shouting. Much better than a lot of Melbourne city hotels we’ve stayed in honestly.
The TV was a smart TV but with no smart features enabled. Standard Melbourne free-to-air channels only. No Netflix or YouTube options available. Bring your own streaming sorted on your phone or tablet.
I was surprised there was no complimentary water in the room. It’s usually a standard feature at most hotels. You can buy a bottle downstairs for $7 but you don’t need to. Tap water in Melbourne is perfectly safe to drink. Just use the tap and save yourself the $7.
Ibis Glen Waverley bathroom review
Minimal but functional enough. Fresh towels, face wash, body wash, shampoo and conditioner in the shower. No single-use plastic toiletries which is good. Much like the water situation they did not supply any amenity kits, toothbrush or any of the spare toiletries you find in most hotels. Make sure you bring your own or you’ll have to walk to the local Woolies for supplies.
The shower itself was really good. Strong pressure and good heat. There is nothing worse than a shower with low water pressure. It is one thing Bec and I notice straight away.
For anyone with accessibility needs — the shower has a small lip at the entry. There’s a handheld showerhead which helps. The floor can be slippery when wet so just be aware of that when getting out of the shower and using the basin.
Ibis Glen Waverley lobby and facilities
The lobby is really good actually. Bigger than you’d expect for an Ibis. Lots of seating, a foosball table, books, backgammon, a big TV. You could just come down here and hang out for a while.
There’s a bar with happy hour running from 5pm to 6pm and again from 9pm to 10pm. Beers and wine at $8, spirits at $9 and cocktails at $14. Mojitos on the menu which made Bec happy. There’s also an outdoor area at the back which is a nice spot for a drink if the weather’s good.
The Ibis is a bit short on facilities that some guests would expect. No gym, no pool. Not a deal breaker for us but worth knowing. If you are looking for those sort of facilities you will need to look at a more expensive hotel than Ibis.
If you have mobility issues the accessibility at this hotel is good throughout the property. Elevators to all floors including from the underground carpark. No stairs anywhere that guests would need to use. Flat access in and out. If mobility is a concern this hotel works well.
Ibis Glen Waverley breakfast review
Breakfast is $29 on the day or $20 if you pre-pay at check-in. Eggs, sausages, hash browns, baked beans, cereal, toast. Standard English breakfast type stuff.
I had the breakfast the first time I stayed here with my boss. It was fine but I didn’t think it was worth $29. There are much better breakfast options within walking distance on Kingsway.
One thing that really impressed me though. I was down in the lobby at 6am and asked the manager on shift if I could get a coffee. He said the barista hadn’t arrived yet. He told me to grab one from the automatic coffee machine used for breakfast and help myself. Free of charge, no fuss. That’s the kind of thing that makes you remember a place.
Ibis Glen Waverley parking
We drive to Melbourne from home, around 220 kilometres away, so parking matters to us. Underground secure parking here is $20 a night. Last time I parked in the CBD it was $35 a night. This alone makes Glen Waverley worth considering as a base for day trips. It’s one of the best budget hotels in Glen Waverley Melbourne for that reason alone.
Pre-pay breakfast at check-in if you want it. You save $9 per person compared to paying on the day. Still not cheap but it’s the better deal if breakfast is important to you.
How far is Ibis Glen Waverley from Melbourne CBD?
About 25 kilometres by road. By train it’s around 30 minutes on the Glen Waverley Line direct to Flinders Street or Southern Cross. The station is on Kingsway, under 10 minutes walk from the hotel.
Trains run every 20 minutes to the Melbourne CBD. Trains start around 5am from Glen Waverley and the last train back is around midnight so it covers most situations.
Bec was sceptical about staying out here instead of the city. By the end of the first day she was sold. The commute is easy and you save a lot of money on the room and parking.
Other hotels in Glen Waverley
Ibis isn’t the only option in Glen Waverley. If you want something a step up, Novotel Glen Waverley is also on Kingsway and has more facilities. And Quest Glen Waverley is worth looking at if you need more space or a longer stay. For a straightforward couple of nights though, Ibis does the job well at a price that’s hard to argue with.
Is Ibis Glen Waverley good for business travellers?
It works well. The rooms have a proper desk. Wi-Fi is good. There’s a conference room on site. Parking is cheap and easy. If you have meetings in the Melbourne CBD the train takes 30 minutes and the station is a short walk away. The lobby has tables, chairs and a bar — perfectly fine for a casual meeting or a few hours of work before heading out.
Is Ibis Glen Waverley good for families?
The lobby helps a lot here. Foosball table, backgammon, books, a big TV — kids have something to do while you check in or grab a drink. The rooms are standard size so not huge if you have a big family. There’s no pool which is worth knowing if that matters to your kids. For a short stay with older kids it’s fine. For a family that needs a pool or extra space, the Novotel is worth considering.
Ibis Glen Waverley vs Novotel Glen Waverley
Novotel is a step up from Ibis. Same Accor group, different tier. Novotel Glen Waverley has a swimming pool, a fitness centre and car rental services — none of which Ibis has. The rooms are larger and the overall finish is more upmarket.
You’ll pay more for it. If budget is the priority, Ibis is the better call. If you want more facilities or you’re staying a few nights and want a bit more comfort, Novotel is worth the extra. Both are in good locations on Kingsway close to the restaurants and train station.
Is Ibis Glen Waverley worth it?
Yes. At $135 a night with underground parking for $20 you’re getting solid value. The room is clean and comfortable. The location is convenient. The lobby is a decent place to hang out. The bar has happy hour. The train to the city takes 30 minutes.
It’s not a five star hotel. It’s not trying to be. But as a base for a Melbourne weekend, especially for midlife travel couples who just want somewhere comfortable and practical, it works really well. We’ve stayed here twice now and we’d come back.
Check current rates at Ibis Glen Waverley
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Is Ibis Glen Waverley worth staying at?
Yes — for the price it is solid value. At around $135 a night with secure underground parking for $20 a night it works out considerably cheaper than staying in the Melbourne CBD. The room is clean and comfortable, the location is convenient and the train to the city takes around 30 minutes.
How far is Ibis Glen Waverley from Melbourne CBD?
Ibis Glen Waverley is around 25 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD. By train on the Glen Waverley Line from the station on Kingsway it takes around 30 minutes to Flinders Street or Southern Cross. Trains run every 20 minutes from around 5am with the last train back around midnight. By car via Springvale Road it takes around 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic.
Does Ibis Glen Waverley have parking?
Yes — underground secure parking is available at Ibis Glen Waverley for $20 a night. This is significantly cheaper than CBD hotel parking which can cost $35 a night or more. If you are driving to Melbourne it is one of the main advantages of staying in Glen Waverley over the city centre.
What is the breakfast like at Ibis Glen Waverley?
Breakfast is a standard buffet with eggs, sausages, hash browns, baked beans, cereal and toast. It costs $29 on the day or $20 if you pre-pay at check-in. It is fine but not exceptional. Given the number of good breakfast options within walking distance on Kingsway, we skipped it and went out instead.
Is Ibis Glen Waverley good for couples?
Yes — it works well as a base for a Melbourne weekend for couples. The room is comfortable, the location is convenient for both the Glen Waverley restaurant and entertainment strip and the train into the city. Happy hour at the hotel bar is a nice touch. We have stayed here twice and would stay again.
What other hotels are in Glen Waverley?
The main alternatives to Ibis Glen Waverley are the Novotel Glen Waverley, which offers more facilities at a higher price point, and Quest Glen Waverley which suits longer stays with apartment-style rooms. All three are located on or near Kingsway close to the restaurants, shopping and train station.
Is Ibis Glen Waverley accessible?
Yes — the hotel has good accessibility throughout. There are elevators to all floors including from the underground carpark. No stairs required anywhere in the hotel. The shower has a small lip at the entry and a handheld showerhead. The floor can be slippery when wet so take care. No pool or gym on site.
Is Ibis Glen Waverley good for business travellers?
Yes — the hotel has good Wi-Fi, desks in every room, a conference room on site and cheap secure parking. The Glen Waverley train station is under 10 minutes walk and takes around 30 minutes to Melbourne CBD. The lobby has tables and a bar which works well for casual meetings.
Is Ibis Glen Waverley good for families?
It is fine for a short stay with older kids. The lobby has a foosball table, backgammon, books and a big TV which keeps children occupied. The rooms are standard size so not huge. There is no pool at Ibis Glen Waverley — if a pool is important the Novotel Glen Waverley is the better option.
What is the difference between Ibis and Novotel Glen Waverley?
Novotel is a step up from Ibis in the Accor hotel group. Novotel Glen Waverley has a swimming pool, fitness centre and car rental services that Ibis does not have. The rooms are larger and the overall finish is more upmarket. You will pay more for it. If budget is the priority Ibis is the better call. If you want more facilities the Novotel is worth considering.
