Luxurious design, a magnificent sense of space and greenery, and an unbeatable location: the Hyatt Hotel Canberra is an excellent choice of stay from which to explore the nation’s capital.
The sparsely populated suburb of Yarralumla is home to the Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Benefiting from much wide-open space as a result of the neigbouring Weston and Stirling parklands, the Royal Canberra Golf Club, the immense grounds of Government House and the bordering shores of Lake Burley Griffin, the splendour of the hotel is intensified by the grandeur of the surrounding green. Key sites, such as the Parliamentary Triangle, National Gallery of Australia, Questacon and Old Parliament House, are all an easy stroll from the hotel, and the airport is a mere 10 minute drive away.
A rarity for hotels these days, especially for those in the CBD of large cities, is that of a low-rise building. Spread out over expansive grounds, the 252-room Hyatt Hotel Canberra feels more like a grand residence than a hotel. Driving up to the entrance via the circular lobby and being met with bellboy assistance at the entrance bolsters the belief that we’re staying in a grand manor entertained by gracious hosts.
The stately lobby features high ceilings, a sky light and glass doors, which illuminate the art deco design with natural light. Bold geometric shapes pattern an enormous rug providing a centrepiece atop polished wooden floorboards. Tall lamps soften the lighting in the evenings, and carefully selected artworks and mirrors adorn the walls.
Our Park King room is light and airy with a simplified elegance to the design. White walls and natural light are accompanied by neutral hues, carpet mirroring that of the lobby rug, and park views. The concept seems to have taken the strong geometrical elements of the art deco era and paired them with softer, more graceful tones of the colonial period. It all comes together in an aesthetically pleasing environment, with just enough detail to create interest, while maintaining a streamlined tenor.
All the mod-cons of an international hotel brand are included, with highlights being the deep bathtub in the marble bathroom, which begs to be filled with bubbles and sided with a glass of wine and a good book. Free Wi-Fi is too a welcome inclusion, as many Aussie hotels do not always make this an unlimited complimentary service.
There are plenty of top-notch facilities to be enjoyed at the hotel when not out and about exploring the city. The Clubhouse, set apart from the main building, contains a fitness centre with well-equipped gymnasium, personal trainers and massage services upon request. In fine weather however, a jog around the nearby parks and lake is my preferred choice of exercise. The indoor swimming pool allows a dip rain, hail or shine, and the scheduled aqua aerobics classes are a fun way to get a workout. Hubby (*tennis fanatic) will be disappointed that he’s missed out on this trip (dad is my lucky travel companion), as hotel guests have access to a synthetic grass, floodlit tennis court too.
While we don’t have much opportunity to try out the food and beverage outlets, there are four distinct concepts receiving positive feedback from guests. The Promenade Café hosts all day dining and well-established lunch and dinner buffets. The Tea Lounge seems the perfect escape from modern life with its Friday to Sunday afternoon teas, and Speaker’s Corner Bar warms guests up with an open fire in winter, and cools them down with chairs on the relaxing verandah in summer. For a little more intimacy, Griffin’s provides a lounge setting adjoining the bar.
We do manage to squeeze in a brekkie at the hotel one morning and find the buffet providing much more than we need. Dad is happy to find bacon and eggs, and I’m equally satisfied with the fruit selection. Being self-confessed coffee snobs, the coffee must have been pretty decent as well, as we both enjoyed multiple cups.
Hyatt Hotel Canberra ticks all the boxes for a convenient, comfortable and stylish stay in the city.
Reasons to visit: well located; sense of space and fantastic natural surrounds; all the modern comforts combined with stately elegance and service.
Hyatt Hotel Canberra, a Park Hyatt Hotel
120 Commonwealth Avenue
Canberra, ACT, 2600
Australia
http://canberra.park.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html
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+61 (0)2 6270 1234