The Chen Hotel Box Hill: Parking, Pool & Name Meaning

Drivers heading to The Chen in Box Hill often discover that parking requires more planning than the rooftop pool or city views. This guide explains how the hotel’s limited, paid parking system works, what those “nightmare” reviews actually point to, and what the name Chen means — so you can decide whether this Art Series hotel suits your trip. All data is sourced from the operator, booking platforms, and guest reviews current as of 2025.

Last checked: 2026-05-31

Hotel name: Art Series – The Chen · Address: 850 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill, Victoria · Features: 25m rooftop pool, city views · Operator: Accor

What is The Chen?

The Chen Hotel Overview

Art Series – The Chen is a 100‑room hotel located within the Whitehorse Towers development in Box Hill, about 15 km east of Melbourne’s central business district. The property is named after artist Zhong Chen, whose work inspired the hotel’s design. Opened in late 2017, it is one of several Art Series hotels in Australia, each themed around a contemporary artist. The hotel occupies several floors of a mixed‑use high‑rise that also includes residential apartments and ground‑floor retail. (MICHELIN Guide)

Key Amenities

The hotel’s standout feature is a rooftop pool on level 24 that offers panoramic views toward Melbourne’s skyline. Guests also have access to a barbecue area, a fitness centre, and secure underground parking. The Chen does not list an on‑site restaurant in its official amenities; the Whitehorse Towers complex includes café and dining options within walking distance. (Accor)

Location

The Chen sits on Whitehorse Road, Box Hill’s main commercial strip. Box Hill railway station is a 4‑minute walk (about 350 m), with regular train and tram services to Melbourne’s city centre. The Box Hill Central shopping centre, a large mall with parking garages, is also within a few minutes’ walk. (Accor)

How much is parking at The Chen?

Parking Information at The Chen

Standard self‑parking at The Chen costs AUD 24 per day on a first‑come, first‑served basis, and the operator explicitly states that parking is “limited and not guaranteed.” This rate is confirmed across the Mantra Hotels website, Expedia, Hotels.com, and Wotif. An earlier third‑party listing recorded a fee of approximately AUD 16 per day, suggesting the price has increased in recent years. (Mantra Hotels; Expedia; ArtSeriesTheChen.com‑hotel.info notes the earlier AUD 16 figure)

How to access the car park: The parking entrance is on Fairbank Lane, accessed from Nelson Road. Drivers must use the first set of boom gates nearest Nelson Road and press the intercom to reach the Guest Experience Desk, who will direct them to a 5‑minute drop‑off bay or visitor bay before check‑in. After checking in at reception, guests are allocated a specific parking space for the duration of their stay. (Mantra Hotels)

What guests say about parking: Several reviewers on Booking.com, TripAdvisor, and Kayak have described the parking experience in strongly negative terms. One Booking.com guest wrote:

“Room was good, pool and BBQ areas great. Parking – nightmare!”

— Verified guest, Booking.com

A TripAdvisor reviewer titled their experience “Lovely place to stay but limited parking,” echoing the sentiment that the hotel’s positives are undermined by parking constraints. Kayak’s aggregated feedback notes that some guests found the parking “confusing to find,” especially during late hours when signage and staff visibility are lower. (Booking.com; TripAdvisor; Kayak)

Is parking ever free? A small number of TripAdvisor reviewers mention “free on‑site parking,” which contrasts with the standard paid policy. This suggests that certain promotional rates, corporate bookings, or loyalty‑tier benefits may occasionally include complimentary parking. However, the official operator and all major booking platforms list AUD 24 as the default fee. (TripAdvisor – Parking feature)

What does Chen mean?

Chinese Meaning

In Mandarin Chinese, chén ( ) is a common surname and can also mean “to display” or “to state.” In certain contexts it carries the meaning of “morning” ( , also pronounced chén). The hotel’s namesake, artist Zhong Chen, bears the surname Chen.

Biblical Meaning

In Hebrew, chen (חֵן) means “grace” or “favour.” It appears in the Hebrew Bible, most notably in the phrase “find favour (chen) in the eyes of…” The concept of “The Shield of Grace” draws on this biblical meaning, though the hotel’s name is primarily a tribute to the artist rather than a religious reference.

Frequently asked questions about The Chen

Location and getting there

The Chen is located at 850 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill, within the Whitehorse Towers mixed‑use development. By car, access from the Eastern Freeway (M3) is straightforward: take the Station Street exit and continue south to Whitehorse Road. As described above, parking is accessed from Fairbank Lane. For drivers who prefer not to risk a full car park, the Box Hill Central shopping centre offers paid parking on a per‑hour or per‑day basis. By public transport, Box Hill station (Belgrave/Lilydale lines and tram route 109) is a short walk from the hotel. (Trip.com mentions proximity to transport)

Alternatives in the area

Box Hill and the surrounding suburbs offer a range of hotels, from budget motels on Whitehorse Road to mid‑range chain properties. Travelers who require guaranteed, free parking may prefer hotels with surface lots or dedicated guest parking. The Chen’s strength is its design and rooftop pool, but if parking simplicity is a priority, considering another property in the area may be worthwhile. Always check the parking policy before booking.