You might think that Australia’s purpose-built capital city might be a staid, uninteresting place to visit. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Canberra is, in fact, a gleaming, modern city of monuments, museums and parks, set amid a quintessentially Australian landscape of rolling, eucalypt-clad hills. Built around the sinuous shores of Lake Burley Griffin, named after the architect who designed the city, Canberra is laid out in a series of geometric patterns that blend seamlessly with its surroundings. Pride of place goes to Australia’s Parliament House, built into the top of Capitol Hill. Canberra’s substantial selection of luxury hotels range from opulent, colonial-style bungalows to state-of-the-art downtown apartments. But the city’s 5-star hotel scene doesn’t just cater for well-heeled bureaucrats and visiting foreign dignitaries. Lovers of seclusion and pampering can indulge in all manner of sybaritic self-indulgence in Canberra’s day spas, couple’s retreats and wellness centres. The city has a lively nightlife scene and it’s restaurants serve up some of the finest food in Australia. Add an extensive collection of cafés (politicians need their caffeine) and suddenly Canberra has gone from staid to superb!
1 Burbury Close, Barton, Canberra ACT 2600
Rating: 8.3 Very Good
Situated within the Parliamentary Triangle, the Burbury Hotel is a luxurious 5-star hotel in Barton. Right on the footsteps of Parliament House, this property boasts a contemporary design and is a favourite among corporate business visitors. Just 1.5km from Capital Hill, the hotel is not far from Questacon and the National Gallery of Australia too.
The 152 ultra-modern guestrooms, suites and apartments at the Burbury are beautifully appointed. Each one comes with air-conditioning, a king size bed, a 32-inch flat-screen cable TV, an interactive Apple Mac Mini system, a safe and a bathroom. Some rooms also have a private balcony and a full kitchen too.
The hotel enjoys a unique relationship with the adjacent 5 Star Hotel Realm. Thus guest cans enjoy their wonderful French restaurant Buvette Bistro & Wine Bar and the casual Ostani Lounge, Bar & Restaurant. They can also eat at the LiloTang Japanese restaurant, The Chairman & Yip Cantonese fine-dining restaurant and the Maple + Clove and Ritual cafes.
Guests can also visit the Hale Gym and the Hale Spa. The gym has the latest Technogym equipment and also runs casual yoga, pilates, spin and boxing classes. While the spa offers numerous treatments for the body and mind. The hotel also has an indoor swimming pool, hairdresser and conferencing facilities. While the Burbury Rooftop Terrace is a spectacular function space.
1 Constitution Avenue, 2601 Canberra, Australia
Rating: 9.0 Superb
Championing a ‘brand new concept of hotel living in every detail’ the A by Adina Canberra offers deluxe accommodation right at the start of Constitution Avenue. Located in the vibrant heart of the city, the National Convention Centre Canberra, Anzac Parade, National Gallery of Australia and Telstra Tower are all within 2.5km of the property.
Presenting one and two bedroom studio rooms and apartments, this self-contained accommodation offers wonderful views, classy amenities and a level of design, comfort and guest experience that is virtually unparalleled. All rooms feature a Dreamcatcher Bed, kitchenette or fully equipped kitchen, flat-screen TV, private bathroom, coffee machine & pods and exclusive bath amenities by Hunter Lab.
Home to the exciting dining precinct, Constitution Place, the hotel houses a number of outstanding restaurants including the Meat & Wine Co, arguably the city’s best steakhouse, and ARC Café by Redbrick which serves great coffee and food. Mu Omakase offers delicious dishes in Omakase-dining style, while the Cicada Bar is known for its sustainable drinks.
In terms of facilities, this business-friendly, Art Deco aparthotel offers free Wi-Fi in all public areas, as well as concierge services too. It also has a 24-hour front desk, a coffee shop and laundry facilities. The onsite gym boasts the latest in cardio technology and free weights, while underground parking is available to guests too.
11 Ovens Street, Kingston , 2604 Canberra, Australia
Rating: 8.2 Very Good
Just 2.8 km from Central Canberra, the Pinnacle Apartments offer comfortable four star accommodation that serves as a home away from home. Close enough, yet comfortably far enough away from the city, these apartments are just 3km from most of the main attractions including Questacon, Parliament House, Australia National Museum and the National Gallery of Australia.
Offering apartments with up to four bedrooms and a maximum of 8 guests, the spacious, modern self-contained accommodation features separate living areas with balconies, fully equipped kitchens, up to two bathrooms, laundry, a flat-screen TV, Nespresso coffee machines with pods and complimentary parking.
The kitchen has a stove and a microwave to prepare your own meals. While there are also barbeque facilities onsite. Also onsite, the Pinnacle Apartments Mini-Mart stocks a wide selection of ready meals, fresh produce, snacks and beverages. Less than 500m away from apartments, the Kingston Shopping Centre is home to a number of cafes, restaurants and eateries.
Open 24 hours a day, the Pinnacle Gym offers a good range of equipment including Forma treadmills, elliptical, bikes, free weights and bench, and wellness balls. The accommodation also has a pool which is open from 8am to 9pm and provides guest with a free parking space.
London Circuit, 2600 Canberra, Australia
Rating: 7.8 Good
Offering boutique luxe accommodation ideally situated in the heart of the city centre, the QT Canberra is an excellent place to stay. Centrally located, it is just a 5 minute drive from Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial and the National Gallery of Australia. It is also close to all the main shops and restaurants.
Characterised by their sleek and elegant designer décor, suites at the QT Canberra have been immaculately styled. Offering views of the city, or the lake, the spacious accommodation comes with a deluxe king bed and adjoining lounge room with double sofa bed. They also feature two bathrooms, two balconies, a mini bar and LCD flat screen TV.
Onsite, the Italian inspired Capitol Bar & Grill offers modern Canberra fine dining with a farm-to-table philosophy. Canberra truffles and natural oysters are among their many gastronomic delights. If you would rather indulge in al fresco dining elsewhere the Capitol Bar and Grill Takeaway and High Tea Picnic Pack Takeaway will allow you to do just that.
Renowned for its excellent business, events and wedding reception facilities the QT Canberra offers several options. The Eureka Room is perfect for conferences and events, while Lucky’s Speakeasy can seat up to 90 people for a banquet and 300 for cocktails. The QT Lounge and QT Lounge Meeting Room are also very good venues.
1 Binara Street, 2601 Canberra, Australia
Rating: 7.8 Good
Located in the heart of the city, the Crowne Plaza Canberra is one of the finest hotels in the area. Part of the IHG hotel group, it is conveniently situated within a 5-minute walk of Glebe Park. While the main shopping and entertainment areas, as well as Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial are close by too.
The deluxe hotel offers 296 stylish and contemporary rooms, designed with your comfort and convenience in mind. Showcasing scenic views of either the park or the city, and the rolling hills beyond, all rooms come with a range of excellent amenities including air conditioning, king or double beds, plasma televisions, a work desk and chair and a mini-bar.
Onsite, the excellent Redsalt Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Serving up modern Australian cuisine and terrific grilled dishes. Light snacks and coffee can be ordered at the Atrium Lounge, while a great selection of wines, beers and cocktails are available in the Redsalt Bar. There is also an in-room dining menu for guests too.
Some of its many guest facilities include an in-house fitness centre and sauna, as well as a 24-hour business centre. It also boasts 1076 square feet of meeting and event facilities, including a conference center, as well as an outdoor swimming pool which is only available to use between September and April.
1 Elouera Street, Braddon, 2612 Canberra, Australia
Rating: 8.6 Fabulous
Located in the heart of Canberra on the Northbourne Avenue, Midnight Hotel offers the perfect accommodation for guests who want to discover the cultural and authentic side of the Australian Capital, while enjoying all the comforts of a luxury hotel. The lush parks of the city are just minutes walk from the hotel, making it a truly pleasant place to stay. In Midnight Hotel, all the well-appointed rooms and suites reflect luxury and sophistication. Their discreet and intimate décor plays in gray, black and gold, and the luxurious king bed is a standard equipment. Each room and suite is decorated with unique artworks of the well-known artist, Thomas Bucich. Perfect for a pleasant breakfast, the bright, modern Braddon Merchant is located on the ground floor, where guests can taste classic, simple yet sophisticated dishes. The elegant Midnight Bar is perfect for evening drinks with a snack-style menu, carefully selected wines, cocktails and local beers with simple and seasonal dishes. The private meeting rooms of the 5-star luxurious hotel with premium furniture provide a truly intimate and pleasant venue for all kinds of meetings. For active relaxation, the Midnight Hotel has a wellness center with two well-equipped and exclusive gyms, a sauna and a 20-meter pool.
18 National Circuit, Barton, 2603 Canberra, Australia
Rating: 8.5 Very Good
Hotel Realm is a real dream for those who appreciate elegance and sophistication. With its perfect location, you can walk to some of Canberra’s most popular attractions in minutes. The Parliament House, The National Gallery of Australia and lush green parks are all just a few meters away from the luxury hotel, as well as the wonderful beaches of Molonglo River.
In the 5-star hotel there are 163 impeccably furnished rooms and suites, all of which are discreet one by one and offer the highest level of luxury. The spacious and intimate granite bathrooms are truly glamorous, and the balconies offer panoramic views of the Parliament and the surrounding area.
In LiloTang Restaurant showcases today’s modern Japanese cuisine, while Chairman & Yip offers private dining areas for hungry guests. In Buvette Bistro and Wine Bar, they can enjoy the highest quality drinks in a truly sophisticated and elegant environment, paired with fresh and local barbecue meat specialties and desserts.
Of course, the services of the high-quality Hale Gym and Evo Health Club are also available, in the form of facial and body treatments and massages. After treatments, guests can relax in a large pool. For hair care lovers, the Kundalini Hair Salon on the ground floor has been created, where treatments are performed exclusively with naturally vegan and gluten free beauty products.
120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla, 2600 Canberra, Australia
Rating: 8.5 Very Good
The Park Hyatt Hotel offers discreet elegance in central Canberra, right next to Lotus Bay. The luxury hotel is within easy reach of many of the city’s main attractions like the snow-white Old Parliament House, the most important national galleries, and Lennox Gardens, blessed with lush vegetation.
With more than 250 richly appointed rooms and suites, the Park Hyatt Hotel is one of the most upscale 5-star hotels in Canberra. All rooms and suites have spacious marble bathrooms and high-quality, elegant furnishings. Most have a balcony with wonderful and soothing views of the hotel’s garden and exceptionally well-kept park.
In addition to 24-hour room service, this luxurious hotel offers a wide range of excellent food and beverage options. Seasonal gourmet delicacies of The Promenade Café and freshly baked cakes from The Tea Lounge are definitely a must. Decorated with classic elegance, Speaker’s Corner Bar and and Griffin’s offer open fire in winter and are the perfect venues for a business meeting.
Park Hyatt Hotel also has several ballrooms that can be rented for both smaller and larger events. Business meetings or even larger weddings can be held in an extremely elegant and sophisticated environment. Its largest hall, the Federation Ballroom, is spacious enough to provide seats for up to 600 people.
999 Lady Denman Drive, Weston Creek, 2611 Canberra, Australia
Rating: 9.7 Exceptional
Jamala Wildlife Lodge offers a lifelong experience with a special blend of adventure and elegance. The luxury hotel is located on the banks of the Molonglo River, away from Canberra’s bustling city center. Its special feature is that it is surrounded by the National Zoo and Aquarium, so in addition to upscale pampering, guests can get acquainted with endangered animal species up close.
Depending on your booking at the 5-star hotel, you may have a different experience in the richly appointed rooms and suites. Giraffes arrive several times a day at the balconies of the six suites, called Giraffe Treehouses. And in the Jungle Bungalows, you can admire tigers, lions and cheetahs up close through huge glass windows, even while taking a pleasant bath.
In the Rainforest Cave Restaurant, guests can taste a gourmet menu based on seasonal ingredients. There is also a good chance that hyenas or white lions will join the dinner, of course they can be seen through an enormous glass wall. On the terrace of the restaurant, you can sip pleasant cocktails while enjoying the company of sharks swimming in gigantic aquariums.
Richly decorated in a traditional African style, guests at Ushaka Lodge can enjoy an exclusive private pool in an environment surrounded by high and lush palm trees. Guests of the Lodge have a separate spa, dining and outdoor seating area, which is a slice of Africa in itself, with views of the jungle.
25 Edinburgh Avenue, 2601 Canberra, Australia
Rating: 8.3 Very Good
Ovolo Nishi is at first glance an extraordinary luxury hotel on the north bank of the Molonglo River. Located near the City Hill and Action Park, next to the district of The Australian National University, it is located in a truly illustrious and peaceful setting. Due to its quiet yet central location, there are many upscale cafés, restaurants and boutiques nearby.
The 5-star hotel has richly appointed rooms, all artistically decorated in a modern and bold style. Each room has restored vintage luxury furnishings, paired with original artworks and masterful use of clay, concrete and oak decoration elements. In Ovolo Nishi, the spacious bathroom is of course essential in all cases, the largest suites have magnificent, concrete bathtubs.
The hotel houses the truly trendy and impeccable Monster Kitchen Restaurant and Bar. Meals are prepared with seasonal and fresh ingredients influenced by Middle Eastern and Japanese cuisines. The furnishings of the Lounge and Salon evoke real Australian landscapes thanks to the natural materials and colors used.
Connected to the Restaurant is located in The Mosaic Room, which can be rented for large events, business meetings and weddings. Its special feature is its huge ceiling height, which fills the spacious space with generous amount of natural light. The Room also has an outdoor terrace, and in addition to the mosaics covering the walls, there are also sophisticated sculptures and paintings by famous artists.
Welcome to Canberra, Australia’s arty capital! Brimming with cultural treasures, this innovative city is known for its attractions such as the National Gallery of Australia, Questacon, Lake Burley Griffin, and the National Library. Book a room at one of Canberra luxury hotels and discover some of the city’s finest attractions!
Kick off your Canberra travel itinerary with a visit to the Parliament House. Both new and old Parliament houses offer something different. You will have an opportunity to see amazing artwork and historical documents including an original copy of the Magna Carta from the 13th century. The interior of the buildings looks spectacular and features marble panels with portraits of both social and political figures. Travellers can also climb up to the roof to enjoy panoramic views of the city and see the giant Australian flag.
Laid out over three levels, the National Gallery of Australia is a world-class venue that houses more than 100,000 artworks on permanent display. The gallery is actually divided into five sections: Australian Art, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander, European & American, Asian and the Pacific. Keep in mind that the gallery is a large facility and it is easy to spend a full day here. There’s also a cute café at the gallery where you can enjoy delicious foods and drinks.
Travellers staying in Canberra can pay a visit to the iconic Australian War Memorial. This educational shrine pays respect to all Australians who lost their lives fighting for their country. It also illustrates the impact that warfare has on society. During your visit, expect to find a range of informative archives from modern peacekeeping missions to indigenous conflicts.
After having breakfast at your luxury hotel in Canberra, go for a stroll to the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Covering over 50 hectares of land, these botanic gardens feature an exotic collection of Australian flora. You can admire the beauty of native plants such as ferns, fungi, orchids, and gum trees. Some of the most popular attractions here include the Gallery of gardens, Penjing collection, and the National Bonsai! The Australian National Botanic Gardens are also a haven for birdwatchers with a number of avian species.
No visit to Canberra is complete without spending a day at the tranquil Lake Burley Griffin. Located close to the National Library and Questacon, this artificial lake is a great place to enjoy various outdoor activities. Whether you wish to stroll along the beautiful waterfront paths, paddle the glistering waters, see the 147-meter-high fountain, or visit Commonwealth Park and see its waterfalls and paddling pools, there is plenty to look forward to when visiting Lake Burley Griffin. If you are visiting in spring, don’t miss the famous Floriade festival when more than a million flowers are in bloom.
Canberra is blessed with having lots of wide-open spaces and a fresh and clean environmnet. This makes it a perfect location for producing some of the best local produce that Australia has to offer. While in Canberra, be sure to visit one of the many high-quality local restaurants that the region has to offer. The area in and around Parliament House is a particular hot-spot for a good selection of restaurants that are definitely worth checking out.
Wine lovers will definitely want to visit Mount Majura Vineyard. Covered with red clay soils, this vineyard and winery is one of the best places in Canberra to sample some of the finest wines from the region. Book a guided tour of the vineyard and includes stories about the process of winemaking, exploring the cellars, and wine tasting. Mount Majura Vineyard is known for its Riesling and Shiraz wines.
Welcome to Questacon, Canberra’s National Science and Technology Centre. A huge hit with both adults and children, Questacon is located right on the shores of the beautiful Lake Burley Griffin. You will see a combination of cutting-edge technology and an interactive range of science displays. You can even participate in various experiments all by yourself and create your own science masterwork. Some of the most popular exhibitions include the Science Room and H20 Soak.