Canberra has so much to offer, whether you’re into city sightseeing or the wild outdoors. Despite being Australia’s smallest territory, it is still surprisingly large and some of the best things to do are spread throughout the ACT, so choosing the right area for you can really reduce your driving time.
The good news is that the accommodation here is some of the best value in the country, especially if you plan to visit when government is out of session. We’ve visited for many a long weekend, and several times snagged bargains in some of the swankiest hotels - even on public holidays, that we certainly wouldn’t have got anywhere else.
There are plenty of options, from historic hotels to modern 5 stars, budget gems to fully kitted out apartments. The choice can be a little overwhelming, so after many visits to the nation’s capital, we’ve put together a guide on the best places to stay in Canberra.
Things to know before picking where to stay
The areas
First-time visitors to Canberra will be surprised at just how many suburbs there are. Despite having a relatively small population, Canberra sprawls, and understanding the layout of the ACT can go a long way towards deciding where to stay.
If you are looking to see the museums, Parliament House and the cultural side of Canberra, then staying in the CBD area is a no-brainer. Staying in the suburbs around Lake Burley Griffin is the most convenient, as all the major attractions are a short hop away.
However, if you plan on visiting the national parks and seeing Canberra’s natural attractions, then we recommend looking at suburbs such Tuggeranong, as this is significantly closer (about 30 minutes in the car) to places such as Namadgi National Park and Tidbinbilla. Tuggeranong is still only 20 minutes away from the CBD, so you can also visit the museums, just not quite as easily.
Getting around in Canberra
Canberra was built in the early 20th Century with a very prescriptive design that’s reminiscent of many “new towns” in Britain. Everything is spread out, there’s a lot of roads and a lot of zones. All this means having your own car will make your trip a lot easier.
Whilst public transport in Canberra isn’t bad - especially with the new tram system - driving is much more convenient. This isn’t a city that suffers from traffic problems, so you don’t really need to worry about that.
Parking
The one thing to take note of when picking a place to stay in Canberra is the parking policy. Some hotels will offer free parking, but make sure you check this before you book. The majority will have a paid parking policy, and whilst some aren’t too expensive, some charge over $20AUD per night to park your car at the hotel.
The good news is that Canberra has a lot of street parking, much of which is free overnight. So even if a hotel does have a hefty parking fee, it may have street parking for free at night just around the corner.
The Best Places to stay in Canberra - CBD
Deco Hotel - for a stylish stay and our personal favourite
We stayed in Deco Hotel when the weather wasn’t brilliant, and it was a great place to retreat to between bouts of braving the rain. Out of all the hotels on this list, this was our favourite for a cultural weekend to Canberra.
The whole hotel is very stylish and as soon as you enter the lobby there’s a good buzz. When you take the lift up to the rooms, the buzz of the lobby instantly disappears and we couldn’t believe how quiet it was.
It’s incredibly comfortable and you can tell everything has been really well thought out. We’re talking lots of soft mood lighting, curtains you can close from the switch by the bed, a giant comfy bed and rainfall shower. It has more mod cons than many high end 5 star hotels we’ve stayed in.
Deco Hotel is only a 10 minute drive from Parliament House, making it a great location for seeing the major tourist attractions.
Parking here is one of the cheapest in Canberra for a hotel of this standard at $10AUD per night. You can park on Lowana Street round the back of the hotel to get round this though.
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Hotel Hyatt - for Art Deco luxury
The Hotel Hyatt feels historic from the moment you walk in, and the art deco styling is found throughout the hotel. You’ll feel the Hyatt’s trademark service and style here, and whilst this is a heritage building, it doesn’t feel dated.
The rooms here are on the smaller side compared to some other hotels in Canberra, but they are comfortable and stylish, with the furnishings making your feel like you’ve gone back to 1920s luxury - think lots of marble in the bathrooms. We loved the tea lounge, which is the perfect places to grab a coffee and relax in one of the many comfy armchairs.
The Hyatt has one of the best locations in Canberra, being a stones throw from Parliament House, a short walk to Lake Burley Griffin and a short distance to all the museums and cultural attractions in Canberra.
The big drawback here is parking which is pretty pricey at $30AUD per night. Sadly, there is limited street parking in the area so it works out to be quite an expensive stay.
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Ovolo Nishi - for the Instagrammable hotel
Ovolos are known for being ultra modern and luxurious, and the Ovolo in Canberra is no different - it’s definitely one of the most photogenic hotels in the city. The rooms have a unique and artistic style and the hotel lobby definitely makes a statement.
The Ovolo is also in a great location and is a short hop from Lake Burley Griffin and all the major attractions in the city. It is one of the most expensive properties in Canberra, and this is before the $35AUD per night charge for parking. The street parking options in this area are quite limited, so it’s worth adding the parking cost into the overall cost of staying here.
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Mercure Belconnen - the best value
The Mercure in Belconnen is probably the best value option in Canberra, as it combines stylish rooms with a reasonable price. We’ve stayed in both Mercures in Canberra, and we felt the one in Belconnen was a better choice than the one in the CBD, which felt a little worn and dated. The rooms here are very comfortable, and perfect for resting up after a busy day exploring.
The compromise for this type of hotel at this price is location, as it’s in Belconnen - a suburb that is a little further out of the CBD. We felt the reduction in price was worth the compromise of being 10 minutes further out.
Parking is on the cheaper side for hotels in Canberra at $10AUD per day, however there is plenty of street parking nearby, which is free overnight.
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Garden City Hotel, Best Western - the best budget option
Sadly for budget travellers, the most affordable properties in Canberra will usually mean compromising on location. Whilst the Best Western is on the outskirts of the CBD, it isn’t too far away from the major attractions (which are a 10-20 minute drive from the hotel).
As you would expect from a Best Western, the rooms here are clean, comfortable and great value for the price. It also has free parking on site.
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Ibis Styles Tall Trees - another great budget option
The Ibis Styles delivers on what you’d expect from an Ibis: a clean room that’s comfy enough, and easy on the wallet. The rooms here are pretty simple and there are no frills, but they are comfortable and the property is in a fairly central location, and it comes with free parking. It is a better option than the Ibis Styles Canberra which we didn’t really rate.
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Apartments in Canberra
A for Adina - for a stylish apartment
We’ve stayed at a lot of Adinas in Australia, and the A for Adina in Canberra is a cut above the rest. In keeping with a lot of options on this list, this property is stylish and modern. The location is great and it’s a really good option if you want style, but also to self cater. You need to pick a one bedroom apartment for a full kitchen including oven. If you opt for a studio you’ll only have a microwave and toaster.
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Quest Apartments - A central apartment on a budget
The Quest Apartments in Canberra are in the perfect location, but don’t have the style of the A for Adina.
We stayed in a studio during the Christmas holidays, and whilst it is clean, well kitted out and has everything you need, the rooms are pretty pokey and dated. We’d recommend booking the one bedroom apartments to get some more space! We prefer the other self catering options on this list unless you can snag a bargain here.
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Adina Kingston - a great all round choice
The Adina Kingston is much more like a traditional Adina than the one in the city centre, and the cost reflects that. Whilst it isn’t as stylish as it’s sister property, the Adina Kingston delivers everything you need for someone looking to self cater: clean rooms, a well stocked kitchen to prepare simple meals and a decent amount of space. Note that ovens are only in the two bed apartments.
Location-wise it isn’t too bad either and it has free parking, which makes this a good overall option.
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Where to stay for the national park
Abode Tuggeranong
Abode has several properties in Canberra, but the one in Tuggeranong is our pick for people looking to visit Gibraltar Falls, Booroomba Rocks and Legoland. We found it to be really good value, and as this is an aparthotel, you have a living room and kitchen area, as well as a separate bedroom.
The rooms here are very clean and comfortable, and have a well kitted out kitchen, which is perfect for those looking to maximise time in the park and on the trails. We didn’t have any problems with noise, but we researched that it’s best to request a quiet room before you visit as some rooms face the local bus station!
The Abode also has free parking, which is a welcome addition.
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