Hyatt Hotel Canberra, one of Canberra’s most recommended hotels. Photo: Hyatt Hotel Canberra.
You might just be looking for staycation options with that special someone? Perhaps you have extended a business trip for a weekend in our glorious capital? Or maybe you are planning a short break with your family?
Regardless of what may have guided you here, it sounds like you are on the hunt for the best hotel options in Canberra. Whether you are travelling for business or for leisure, chances are that you will want nothing less than the best that your penny can buy.
As I am sure most of you will attest, you have indeed been there. Booked what you thought was accommodation gold, only to be greeted by a sad reality check upon arrival. In a world fraught with third party vendors and internet only offers finding the low down on each option can be tricky. And once you have bought your bed, you do need to lay in it – disappointment and all.
So, how can this be avoided I hear you say? Well, I am sure glad that you asked. Picking a great hotel will alleviate most of your worries when it comes to accommodation. Great hotels are a sanctuary for the soul. They nourish the mind and body and offer a wonderful night’s rest. The best hotels draw you to them over a lifetime, becoming the home of many a fond memory.
If you are searching for the best hotels in Canberra, I have some pleasing news for you. We have carefully curated the best that the nation’s capital has to offer so do read on below.
What makes a great hotel?
Great hotels are traveller-centric homes away from home. They are staffed by the very best in hospitality and offer services and facilities to cater to your every whim. The best hotels forge life- long customer relationships; offering a welcoming sanctuary for loyal client’s time and time again. We’ve unpacked a few items that will help you separate the best hotels from the rest:
- Impeccable hosts. Your hotel should feel like a home away from home. And what really makes a hotel come to life are its hosts. Warmth, genuine attentiveness, and service with a smile makes any hotel truly memorable. From your first encounter with reservations, to the concierge upon departure, expect nothing less than the absolute best from your hosts. This level of service should extend from the top down, with the managers working the floor through to housekeeping and beyond. Reviews are a great way to vet levels of customer service. Be sure to consider reviews from a variety of sources, including the best – and the worst – to get an objective picture.
- Seamless experience. A seamless stay goes a long way to making a good hotel a great one. The best hotels have mapped every possible guest interaction and have fine-tuned each to an art form. Whether it’s a swift check-in, tidy turndown, or tea as you like it, the small details make a big difference. The best hotels do not stop there; they even extend this top-notch experience to their vendors. Be it drivers, tour operators, or recommended businesses, only those that reflect the ethos of the hotel will be selected.
- Fabulous dining. After a long day sight-seeing sometimes all you desire is a nice meal in the comfort of your hotel. The best hotels cater to this need wonderfully. They offer a selecting of dining options to service every meal occasion. Whether it’s a bountiful breakfast, pool cabana lunch, canapes by bar, or a degustation dinner your hunger will be satisfied. The best hotels will not tolerate mediocracy when it comes to dining. So, not only should there be options aplenty, but quality produce and delicious morsels at every mouthful.
- Exemplary housekeeping. First class housekeeping has, and always will be, a hallmark of a great hotel. Now, more than ever, does cleanliness take a front seat in our priorities particularly when travelling away from home. Hygienic practises should be instilled through all areas of the hotel, from rooms to public spaces. Housekeeping is more than simply cleaning of course. It includes frequent servicing throughout the course of the day, fresh linens, and restocked products. Consider cleanliness ratings and past client reviews looking for specific feedback.
- Aesthetic detailing. We have all been there. Booked accommodation with high hopes only to be bitterly disappointed. And often, it is a culmination of little things that just let a hotel down. Therefore, when shortlisting your accommodation options always consider the aesthetics of the hotel in question. Consider whether it suits your travelling style? Does it cater to a particular clientele? Are the amenities new or updated? Does it have the designer touch? Asking these simple questions will help to ensure your expectations are more simply met. Beautiful aesthetic details create a sense of character and luxury, making even the most tired traveller feel at ease.
The best hotels in Canberra
Region Canberra's editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on Region Canberra and Facebook as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.
Avenue Hotel
Avenue Hotel is a 4.5-star hotel in Canberra's central suburb of Braddon, combining comfort, luxury and a peerless location so guests can enjoy the absolute best of Canberra.
Ensuring that guests stay in Canberra in style, Avenue Hotel's accommodation offers large rooms, meticulously maintained and comfortably furnished, with apartment-style options featuring laundries and kitchens available for longer stays. Consistently seen as one of the best hotels in Canberra, the popular Spa Suite is the perfect room for a weekend staycation or romantic getaway.
Avenue Hotel's prime location on Northbourne Avenue means guests are poised to enjoy the best shopping, dining and entertainment in Canberra, while major attractions such as the National Gallery are just across the lake.
But for guests who want to stay in after a long day on the road, Avenue Hotel has a fully equipped gym as well as onsite dining at Marble & Grain, their refined, European-style steakhouse, so visitors don't even need to leave the comfort of the hotel to enjoy of the best restaurants in Canberra.
Consistently delivering premium accommodation and hospitality experiences has earned Avenue Hotel the 2025 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Award, putting it among the top 1 per cent of hotels across the world.
"We had the best weekend here in one of the spa suites. It was our anniversary and they took such good care of us and were responsive with any requests we made. Everything was very clean. The room had everything we needed. Location is great and within walking distance to some high quality restaurants and bars," Ezza says on Google.
Deco Hotel
Located on Northbourne Avenue, the gateway to the city, the Deco Hotel in Braddon is an award-winning hotel with stylish design and a focus on luxurious comfort.
Consistently ranked as one of the best hotels in Canberra, guests at the Deco Hotel can be sure of a stay they'll remember, whether they're in the Deco's luxe rooms for a short stay in the capital, an apartment with laundry and dishwasher for longer stays or even an accessibility room with a walk-in shower.
Just two light rail stops from Canberra's centre and just a few streets from Braddon's cosmopolitan Lonsdale Street, accommodation at Deco Hotel gives its guests unrivalled access to the best of Canberra's shopping, dining and café culture, while attractions such as the National Gallery are just across the lake.
Guests who are tired from a day out can enjoy Deco Hotel's very own restaurant, RestaurantTwo14, serving gourmet Italian cuisine from a refined menu. Guests looking to recharge through exercise can make use of Deco Hotel's fitness centre.
Capital Hotels' hard work delivering luxurious accommodation has earned Deco Hotel the 2025 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Award, putting it among the top 1 per cent of hotels across the world.
"Beautifully presented room, staff extremely helpful and courteous, well located for getting into or out of the CBD and a bonus of undercover parking. Nothing about this place not to like. Will definitely stay here again and have already recommended it to family and friends," Jennifer says on Google.
Hyatt Hotel Canberra
The five-star Hyatt Hotel has been Canberra's premier option for overnight stays in the capital for more than a century.
The Hyatt's broad range of 250 rooms and suites ensures a place to suit any and all travellers looking to rest and relax. Classic style is paired with a sense of modern comfort to create an unrivalled guest experience.
Rooms and suites include features for both style and comfort. Hyatt's signature interior design offers custom carpets, Italian marble bathrooms with deep bathtubs and French doors to make each room unique and elegant.
Local and national papers delivered daily and free wi-fi means you're connected throughout your stay.
Guests have exclusive access to the Hyatt's fitness centre, swimming pool, on-site restaurant, spa/sauna room and electric vehicle charging station.
Located steps away from the heart of the city, guests staying in Canberra on business will enjoy the hotel's easy access to major embassies, government department offices and commercial buildings.
Visiting the capital for pleasure? The Hyatt offers fantastic proximity to nearby national institutions and attractions, as well as the best shopping, dining and entertainment venues the city has to offer.
Their quality service and focus on guest satisfaction has earned them rave reviews on Google, including this one from Phillip Pendleton:
"Check in very smooth. Hotel superb. King deluxe room is an excellent choice for 2 people. Room quiet, bed very comfortable. Room service first rate, waiter extremely courteous, food delivered promptly; good quality and quantity."
If serviced apartments are more your style, checkout our article on the best serviced apartments in Canberra.
For more to do on your stay in Canberra, you might like this article on the top 10 places to visit, or our content on the best coffee shops, and the best cocktail bars. For some great dining options for your stay, look at our content on the best kid-friendly restaurants, the best Kingston Foreshore bars and restaurants, the best French restaurants, or the best Asian restaurants that the Canberra has to offer.
Your experience with hotels in Canberra
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Have you had experience with any of the hotels listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I quickly and easily start my hotel search?
A three-factor search query is a quick and easy means to kick of your hotel search. Simply select your destination and travel dates; then overlay these three factors: price, location, and needs. Needs include services like room service or a salon, or facilities like a pool or gym.
How do I choose a good hotel online?
To give you the best chance of making a good hotel booking online checking a few simple aspects will make the world of difference. Recent guest reviews and images are a good starting point, along with information on recent upgrades will help assure cleanliness and comfort. Additionally, proper location screening on a map will confirm location to transport and sights. Lastly, ensuring core amenities like air conditioning and parking, along with services like wi-fi and breakfast will help round your shortlist out.
Is it better to book directly with a hotel?
In many cases booking directly with a hotel offers advantages above and beyond those with a third party. These advantages include loyalty programs, complimentary services, room preferences, and direct customer service. Direct bookings can prove particularly beneficial in the event of unplanned travel incidences, as intermediaries are effectively removed.
How do you negotiate rates with a hotel?
A simple call to a hotel’s reservation office may help to negotiate a better rate. Enquire about any promotions or multiple night rates that you may be able to access. Should a lower room tariff not be an option, enquire about additional items that may be added. These could be things like late check out, free breakfast or parking, free extra bedding for children, a welcome drink or bottle, or perhaps vouchers to tours or attractions. Although a win is never guaranteed, it doesn't hurt to ask!
How do I ask for a room upgrade?
A friendly call to a hotel’s reservation manager may help with your request for a room upgrade. Many travel advice sources cite that being a member of the hotels reward programme helps, along with advocating for a special occasion. Additionally, late check ins, shorter stays, middle value rooms and shoulder season travel may at times, assist with this request.
