Appalling stay at Ibis Styles Canberra

[Beer_budget]

I'd almost say this is a broader Canberra problem for other major brands. Hilton has no footprint, Marriott has one property. Hyatt has one and while has some good points, location isn't ideal in terms of restaurants within walking proximity.

I've had many Canberra trips and there isn't a single hotel that I've thought ticks all the boxes.

It will hopefully improve in the medium term, with the knockdown rebuild of the old CP into an Intercontinental and a Voco (or maybe an Indigo? I forget), the new Crystalbrook on Garema Place and staff at the Peppers have heard rumours of a Four Seasons being built (pretty sure I know which city section that's going on, too).

The Novotel desperately needs to be renovated (since for brand positioning it can't be given the downgrade to Ibis it so richly deserves). The Peppers is meant to become a Handwritten Collection if its reno ever goes ahead. Accor are certainly not alone on dropping the ball on the Canberra market though.

 

[MikeG]

I'd almost say this is a broader Canberra problem for other major brands. Hilton has no footprint, Marriott has one property. Hyatt has one and while has some good points, location isn't ideal in terms of restaurants within walking proximity.

I've had many Canberra trips and there isn't a single hotel that I've thought ticks all the boxes.

Hotel Realm?

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Hotel Realm is a good choice. Park Hyatt also has some great suites and is full of history but could do with a refresh. Otherwise it's a disgrace that the national capital does not have ore 5 star options.

That's why I'm so sceptical about a Four Seasons being built but would love to see that!

 

[kpro]

Park Hyatt also has some great suites and is full of history but could do with a refresh

Park Hyatt had a light refresh just after COVID. Not sure about about the specialty suites but the regular rooms had new paint, carpets, headboard (and maybe couches too) They didn't touch the bathrooms though.

If it wasn't for hotel loyalty programs, I'd stay at Ovolo Nishi. Although, that's generally pricier then the other options.

 

[Daver6]

Hotel Realm?

I've tried it. The rooms are very nice. It's modern but the hotel just seemed sterile to me. It lacked common areas. I didn't love the breakfast either. Biggest issue I had was lack of sound proofing in the rooms though. Room I had backed onto the back street and it was incredibly noisy.

Park Hyatt had a light refresh just after COVID. Not sure about about the specialty suites but the regular rooms had new paint, carpets, headboard (and maybe couches too) They didn't touch the bathrooms though.

I don't mind the Park Hyatt standard rooms. Sure, a bit dated and so are the bathrooms but for me it had that old world charm. I love the public areas. Gripe is it's location. While lovely by the lake, if need to get in a car to dine/drink anywhere other than the hotel.

If it wasn't for hotel loyalty programs, I'd stay at Ovolo Nishi. Although, that's generally pricier then the other options.

Tried it too. Nice and modern. Didn't love the breakfast and the rooms facing out onto the street are quite noisy despite the sound proofing. Even at max brightness at night, the rooms are really dark!

 

[kookaburra75]

Burbury, in behind Realm is very good. The bar on the top floor, Leyla, while having a great view is too noisy for me. There's also The Brassey around the corner is good too, since it's refurb. It has the history of Hotel Kurrajong.

 

[mini2]

This place looked exactly the same when I first started staying there 14 years ago, and it got progressively worse over the years. My most recent stay was right before Christmas, and I wrote it off entirely after that. The towels can be a bit scary to look at. It gets quite rowdy during the snow season, with primary school kids running amok in the hallway.

Other Accor offerings are fine - Peppers, Mercure Belconnen and Mantra MacArthur.
Burbury, The Little National, and The Brassey are great, but these Doma Group properties have their own quirks. The Realm isn't bad either, except for the price. The QT is showing its age.

 

[SeaWolf]

I've stayed at the Sebel Civic a few times and found it pretty good. It is serviced apartments, so less services than a full hotel but the rooms are spacious, modern and have a kitchenette in them. There's a fair bit of construction going on nearby in Civic, but the location is very central. It did have a restaurant, but that closed down for a while. I think it may have reopened but I'm not sure if it's actually part of the hotel or a third party restaurant renting space from the hotel.

I've stayed at the Peppers as well and found it to be a good choice as well. Decent rooms (not as modern as the Sebel Civic) and a decent restaurant. It is over in New Acton though, which is about a 10-15 min walk from the centre of town and at the moment the construction of the light rail extension means you may have to walk a bit of a round about way.

If you're going outside of the Accor group, there's been a few good suggestions here and I'd also add A by Adina. It's in the city centre and is serviced apartments, so no restaurant, but there's an excellent cafe in the building for breakfast. Overall it's a very good hotel, with a modern, minimalist design and good sized rooms that are well thought out. If you get a 1 bedroom apartment they have laundry in the room as well. I'm staying there currently for the week for work.