Canberra - Hotel Recommendations

[prozac]

I will be travelling to Canberra early May to receive an posthumous award on behalf of my father. I need somewhere central to stay, nice but not too expensive if you understand.

So far I have found this at $186/night supposedly reduced from $600 shock. The Burbury Hotel - Burbury Hotel Canberra, Australia: Agoda.com

Any opinions on this or other recommendations?

 

[OzEire]

Burbury is nice, that is a good price.

But its not 'central' to the Canberra city centre, its in Barton close to Parliament house, etc. or a short walk to Manuka/Kingston. Depends what you want from a 'central' location.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Try QT or Hotel Hotel. Have booked QT in quiet periods for $120. Very central.

Burbury is nice if you have a car.

 

[Isochronous]

Burbury is part of Hotel Realm. Great property. The only real competition to Park Hyatt.

Have driven through Canberra around Christmas time a few times. Hyatt can be had for sub $200 which is always nice!

 

[get me outta here]

Also, check out the status of the reopening 'historic' Kurrajong Hotel not far from the Bunbury. It may still have specials.

The better location though would be Hotel Hotel, see what their prices are. It's located in the New Acton area which has lots of places to eat. Also, the Braddon area has lots of interesting places to eat. Both good to stroll around in the down time.

 

[Squirrel.Monkey]

The last couple of times I've stayed in Canberra it's been at the Crowne Plaza. I loved it. Super friendly staff and nice rooms. Join the IHG rewards club (free) and you get free wi-fi which is worth about $19 p/d.

 

[Revolio]

Realm is the best.

 

[ftm]

The new one is Hotel Hotel.to check out. Modern, funky.

 

[DeKa]

Recently I've tried Burbury, QT and Crowne Plaza, all at $160 ish rates (room only).

Crowne Plaza is so dated I'd only stay there if I needed to be in Civic (the city).

In terms of rooms, I prefer Burbury (although there is very little light), but as a place to stay, I prefer QT. I found Burbury's breakfast to be so-so, with a nice view. QT's breakfast, and their Speakeasy bar (through the barber shop!) to be really cool.

 

[Isochronous]

Has anyone tried EAST Hotel?

 

[OzEire]

Has anyone tried EAST Hotel?

Its pretty good. Built in 2012 (?) so modern and new feel. It goes for the funky hipster vibe in the lobby but the rooms are nice modern hotel suites (ours had a nespresso machine too). Cafe/bar/restaurant is good (hotel prices) but Kingston and Manuka are so close with plenty of choices. Good option if you want south Canberra.

Also for south side, avoid the Griffin and anything offered by 'Accommodate Canberra' as both have horrible customer service and questionable cleaning standards.

 

[get me outta here]

And across the road is the Kingston Hotel (pub) which a local fav for BBQ cook your own and sit by the fire to eat it. Or, the restaurant in East is popular.

Has anyone tried EAST Hotel?

 

[prozac]

I am still here and reading all the responses. Thanks for all the suggestions so far.
Being close to restaurants etc is not as important as being walking distance to touristy places like War Memorial etc. I made mention in the original post the visit is for an embassy function. Now I am getting my bearings it looks like the embassies are all on the Barton side of the lake.

 

[get me outta here]

Yes, and the War Memorial is up there by itself 6 kms from old Parliament House (that's in a straight line). There is a place near to the WM, but not close to anything much else, but a reasonable walk in to Civic - The Mercure. It's at the top of Ainslie Ave.

I am still here and reading all the responses. Thanks for all the suggestions so far.
Being close to restaurants etc is not as important as being walking distance to touristy places like War Memorial etc. I made mention in the original post the visit is for an embassy function. Now I am getting my bearings it looks like the embassies are all on the Barton side of the lake.

 

[OzEire]

I am still here and reading all the responses. Thanks for all the suggestions so far.
Being close to restaurants etc is not as important as being walking distance to touristy places like War Memorial etc. I made mention in the original post the visit is for an embassy function. Now I am getting my bearings it looks like the embassies are all on the Barton side of the lake.

The embassies are dotted around Barton / Yarralumla and some further afield. Do you mind mentioning which one ?

Canberra is really not well serviced by public transport, and its quite spread out, so a car is almost essential. That being said, driving is very easy, no traffic to speak of and good roads with (usually) clear signage. Parking is normally not an issue and much cheaper than Syd/Mel city.

 

[prozac]

The embassies are dotted around Barton / Yarralumla and some further afield. Do you mind mentioning which one ?

Canberra is really not well serviced by public transport, and its quite spread out, so a car is almost essential. That being said, driving is very easy, no traffic to speak of and good roads with (usually) clear signage. Parking is normally not an issue and much cheaper than Syd/Mel city.

It is the Netherlands Embassy which is Yarralumla OzEire. Day 1 function is at the Ambassador's residence in Red Hill following a ceremony at Royal Netherlands & East Indies Forces Memorial, Sir Blamey Square. Transport arranged. Not generally known, did you know the Dutch were instrumental in halting the impending Japanese invasion of Australia? Day 2 is a private award function and unsure where.
Looking at a map it appears to be an easy walk from Barton for sight-seeing places like War Memorial.

 

[love_the_life]

Err, are you a hiker? The AWM is about 6 km from Barton (well most of Barton, there is a small area of Barton technically on the north side of the lake). Barton hotels are on the south side and according to Google Maps it's an hour walk from our place (we live in Barton) to the AWM. On the other hand it's 10 mins or so to Parliament House and about 15 minutes walk to the NGA and Portrait Gallery, both worth a look if you have time.

 

[prozac]

Err, are you a hiker? The AWM is about 6 km from Barton (well most of Barton, there is a small area of Barton technically on the north side of the lake). Barton hotels are on the south side and according to Google Maps it's an hour walk from our place (we live in Barton) to the AWM. On the other hand it's 10 mins or so to Parliament House and about 15 minutes walk to the NGA and Portrait Gallery, both worth a look if you have time.

Thanks for the info and tips ltf. I had already pulled the trigger and booked 3 nights at Burbury when I read your post. We arrive Sunday afternoon to ensure that we are there in good time for the ceremony and function on Monday. Not sure if we will have much time for anything that day apart from maybe a walk in the morning. Tuesday we will have more time in the morning before another lunch with Defence Attache. Maybe a walk to Parliament House Monday and the galleries Tuesday morning.

 

[love_the_life]

Prozac, you're right in our neck of the woods. The Realm Hotel is our local 'pub'! There's a back way up to PH along Sydney Ave, across State Circle then up the hill. Google Maps shows the tracks. It's very quick. There is a lovely small garden off Parliament Drive as well.
Are you hiring a car or using feet to get around?

 

[prozac]

Prozac, you're right in our neck of the woods. The Realm Hotel is our local 'pub'! There's a back way up to PH along Sydney Ave, across State Circle then up the hill. Google Maps shows the tracks. It's very quick. There is a lovely small garden off Parliament Drive as well.
Are you hiring a car or using feet to get around?

ltf, we are driving down to Canberra. Free parking is part of the deal at Burbury which is one of the pluses that put it over the line. On Monday the Netherlands Embassy has provided a coach from the Ambassador's residence in Mugga Way to Sir Thom. Blamey Sq for a remembrance ceremony and back again. I reckon we will walk over the bridge to Blamey Sq for the ceremony and catch coach back to Mugga Way for the ensuing function. When we are topped up we can walk back to the Burbury.

The places you have suggested (PH, NGA etc) are all within walking distance so will try and get one in Tuesday morning. Maybe the gallery on Wednesday morning.