Property: Peppers Gallery Hotel Canberra
Status: Platinum Explorer
Rate: Explorer non-refundable rate $134 p/n
Room booked: Classic room
Room upgraded/type: Superior King
Early check in/late out: Early check in, room was available in the morning around 10am.
Welcome drink: Yes. At the lobby as restaurant is closed.
Welcome amenity: yes - chocolate
Recommend: Let's see post reno....
Didn't realise they were renovating, apparently lobby is being updated for the 100th anniversary of the building next year, so it's all scaffolded, driveway relocated, restaurant closed, and a bit of a maze to get to reception. Essentially, the only part still operating are the rooms and the reception. There's a make shift bar at reception for your free drinks, and Platinums can have free breakfast at the QT hotel next door which is a nice gesture. In the day though, you can hear the faint sound of construction. Night time is fine.
All the Accor properties in the city were hovering around the $130 mark, so I could've chosen to stay any of the free, but Peppers is usually the most 'luxe' one. Plus, need to be in ANU so the acton area was perfect, otherwise it's a bit inconvenient to get back to Civic.
Room itself is fine, leather headboard flaking already though so not a good sign, suspicious stain on couch. I'd give it a B. Depending on the room not much in the way of privacy. Thankfully, my room was in the inner garden, but still you're partially looking out to the street level. Aircon surprisingly loud even on the lowest wind setting. Wifi excruciatingly slow - I did a speed test and download was around 2 Mb!!! - thankfully I did not have to work much in the hotel.
Accor options in Canberra are not terribly exciting, they're all around a B standard IMO. I'd choose this place again if I needed to be in the area (ANU essentially), but probably go back to Sebel or Novotel next time, price depending.
