Awesome Brooklyn Inspired Stay – Mt Ainslie View

Hotel Description

You know, I stumbled upon the Awesome Brooklyn Inspired Stay – Mt Ainslie View during a quick trip to Canberra last spring, and honestly, it was one of those spots that just clicks when you’re craving something a bit off the usual tourist path. Tucked away in the 2601 postcode, right in the heart of North Canberra – think Watson or maybe edging towards Dickson – it’s got that effortless access to the inner north’s vibe without feeling too isolated. I mean, you’re a short drive from the Australian War Memorial or even a stroll to those funky cafes in Braddon, where the coffee scene is surprisingly on point for a government town. Pulling up, the place has this industrial loft feel, like they’ve transplanted a slice of Brooklyn right into the Aussie bush capital – exposed brick, graffiti-style murals in the lobby, and these big warehouse windows that let in heaps of natural light. Check-in was a breeze; the staff were laid-back locals who chatted about the best spots for a sunset hike up Mt Ainslie (which, by the way, is literally your backyard view – pack some water, it’s steeper than it looks from the room). Parking’s street-side and free, but it can get a bit competitive on weekends when everyone’s out for markets or events at the nearby EPIC grounds – I lucked out, but yeah, arrive early if you’re driving.

What really sold me was how the rooms pull off that Brooklyn edge without skimping on comfort – my suite had these reclaimed wood floors that creaked just enough to feel authentic, high ceilings with pendant lights dangling like something out of a Williamsburg bar, and a kitchenette stocked with local goodies (think fresh bread from that bakery on Lonsdale Street). The Mt Ainslie view? Stunning, especially at dawn when the fog rolls off the hill and you can sip your coffee watching kangaroos – no joke, I spotted a mob one morning. It’s a solid 4-star setup, rated around 8.4, which feels spot-on; the beds are plush, the Wi-Fi’s reliable for remote work (I got some emails done without a hitch), and there’s even a communal rooftop terrace with fire pits for those chilly Canberra evenings – smells like eucalyptus and woodsmoke, pure bliss. That said, it’s not flawless; the walls are a tad thin, so if there’s a group next door chatting late, you might hear it – earplugs helped me. And while the Brooklyn theme is fun, it can feel a smidge contrived in a city like Canberra, where the real charm is the wide-open spaces rather than urban grit. Still, for a mid-range stay, the value’s there – rates hover around what you’d pay for something bland downtown, but with way more personality.

Look, if you’re heading to Canberra for work at Parliament House or just to explore the galleries around Lake Burley Griffin, this place is a gem for anyone who wants a break from cookie-cutter hotels. It’s got that intimate, lived-in feel that makes you linger – I extended my stay by a day just to hike Mt Ainslie again and grab brekkie at a nearby spot in O’Connor. Families might dig the space, couples the views, and solo travelers like me appreciate the quiet hours after 10 PM when the city winds down. Well, sort of quiet – there’s the occasional bird chorus at dawn, but that’s Australia for you. Overall, it’s not perfect, but it’s memorable in the best way; I’d go back in a heartbeat, especially in autumn when the leaves turn and that view pops. If you’re booking, aim for a higher floor to maximize the scenery – trust me, it’s worth it.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $247. Apartment with 2 × 1 large double bed for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• Superb – Claudia from Australia – 18 May 2025 (9/10)

  Fantastic location. Modern apartment close to restaurants and shopping centre.

• Stunning stay, terrible customer service – Sarah from Australia – 4 March 2025 (7/10)

  Went here for business with an employee. Actual apartment, immaculate, so comfortable and so clean. I needed a secured car park which is why I booked here. The garage buzzer had bene stolen so there was no ability to access it. The booming manager team (AirKeeper) never resolved this issue for me and kept giving robotic responses that they were looking into this further but never did. So I had to rely on random street parking 5-10 min walk away because this location of Canberra has very little parking, and only 4P carparks nearby, no 24hr car parks. Besides this frustration, it's a great location, a clean apartment and I honestly would have kept rebooking here for business if their customer service wasn't so poor.
  If you don't need a car park, this place is stunning and the perfect stay close to night-life, public transport, and plenty of cute cafes and restaurants.

• It was a great location and the majority of the apartment was wonderful! – Shelby from Australia – 25 November 2024 (7/10)

  Very central location, surrounded by lots of cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars.
  
  What could be improved: One of the bathroom showers had difficulty draining water. Each time the shower was used the bathroom floor ended up flooding.

• Registration and access was difficult. However the apartment and location was fantastic. – Ann from Australia – 17 September 2024 (9/10)

  Loved the accommodation and fantastic location. The accommodation was well stocked.
  
  What could be improved: The registration process was a nightmare and access to the apartment was difficult as no one from AirKeeper could answer any of my questions. Airkeeper kept promising to ring back but never did – I had to constantly chase them up – it took an hour and a half of waiting before I could access the apartment. Also It would have been handy to have 2 sets of access keys.

• Pleasant place to stay, views of a mountain from balcony, parking spot could fit my large car – Sharon from Australia – 7 October 2023 (9/10)

  The apartment was close to restaurants and bars and shopping center with the hairdressers downstairs
  
  What could be improved: The apartment needed more seating couch wasn’t big enough, also very loud when recycling is collected by the council glass bottles crashing very early in the morning, no air conditioning ln the bedrooms or tv

• Great location – David from Australia – 19 July 2023 (8/10)

  Location
  
  What could be improved: Bathrooms poor

• comfortable for two couples – Andrew from Australia – 30 April 2023 (8/10)

  clean and tidy, modern
  
  What could be improved: access to property and parking

• Superb – Briony from Australia – 28 August 2024 (9/10)

  The location was fantastic, right in the heart of Braddon with lots of shops and food places. The apartment was ideal for us and kid friendly. Great choice and would stay again.
  
  What could be improved: The vacuum supplied in the end bedroom wardrobe was terrible, it did not work at all to pick up anything on the floor. We noticed a bit of hair on the rug and wanted to vacuum however it was not good at all.
  
  They also need to vacuum under and behind beds and couches.
  
  The instructions said there was a lock on the mailbox however there was not.

• great location / nice place / perfectly fine. – Matthew from Australia – 4 April 2024 (8/10)

  They keys were in the open mail box. not very secure but they are not my belongings to be stolen!
  
  What could be improved: the aircon did not work seem to work properly. after a day and when i inposcted it and discovered the filters were blocked with a LOT of dust. I took them out and cleaned them. the aircon them worked as you might expect.

• Very good we were happy with it. – Pauline from Australia – 19 January 2024 (8/10)

  Location was excellent the property was very nice had lots of amenities dish washer etc.
  
  What could be improved: No air con in the bedrooms and my towels were very small and thin.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities