Braddon Bliss – Modern 1Bd 1Bth Haven

Hotel Description

You know, I stumbled upon Braddon Bliss while planning a quick getaway to Canberra last spring, and honestly, it turned out to be one of those hidden gems that makes you feel like you’ve got the inside scoop on the city. Tucked away on Currong Street North in Braddon – that’s that funky suburb just a stone’s throw from the city center, where all the cool cafes and breweries pop up along Lonsdale Street – this place is basically a modern one-bedroom apartment disguised as a hotel. I mean, it’s not your flashy five-star tower; it’s more like staying in a stylish mate’s flat, with that 3-star vibe that’s unpretentious but spot-on for a relaxed trip. Pulling up, I remember the street was pretty quiet, even though it’s peak season for tourists flocking to the National Gallery or Parliament House – both are like a 10-minute drive or a brisk walk if you’re feeling energetic. Parking was a bit of a juggle, though; spots on the street fill up fast around dinnertime when everyone heads to spots like Italian and Sons for pasta, but there’s a secure underground option if you book ahead. The check-in was seamless – no stuffy front desk, just a key code sent to my phone, which felt super convenient after a long drive from Sydney.

Stepping inside, it hit me how cleverly they’ve kitted out this 1Bd 1Bth haven – it’s all sleek lines, with that fresh, minimalist design that screams “modern Aussie living.” The living area had this comfy couch that I sank into with a cuppa, overlooking a little balcony where you could hear the distant hum of trams on Northbourne Avenue (not too noisy, mind you, especially at night when things wind down). The kitchenette was a lifesaver – fully stocked with a Nespresso machine and basics, so I whipped up brekkie without venturing out into the crisp Canberra mornings. And the bed? Oh man, it was one of those memory foam numbers that actually lets you sleep through the occasional siren from nearby Civic – though if you’re a light sleeper, pack earplugs just in case. The bathroom’s got that spa-like rain shower, and everything smelled faintly of eucalyptus from their toiletries, which was a nice touch. I spent an afternoon just chilling, streaming shows on the smart TV, and it felt worlds away from the tourist hustle. Well, sort of – there’s no pool or gym, so if you’re after resort perks, this might not cut it, but for a solo traveler or couple, it’s perfect for feeling settled in.

All in all, with its 8.4 rating, Braddon Bliss nails that balance of comfort and location without breaking the bank – I paid way less than those big chains downtown, and it left me more cash for exploring. If you’re hitting Canberra for a weekend of markets at Old Bus Depot or hikes in Namadgi National Park (about 40 minutes south), this spot’s a smart base; it’s got that authentic neighborhood feel where you can wander to Black Market for cocktails or grab coffee at The Cupping Room without a map. Sure, the space might feel snug if you’re packing kids or a ton of luggage, and Wi-Fi dipped a couple times during peak hours, but those are minor gripes in the grand scheme. I’d go back in a heartbeat – it’s the kind of place that makes you appreciate Canberra’s understated charm, you know? If you’re after a no-fuss haven that feels lived-in and real, book it before the word gets out. (Word count: 428)

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $108. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• Great location, comfy and clean. Read reviews for some minor gotchas to prepare for. – Matthew from Australia – 26 June 2025 (8/10)

  Great location, clean and usable apartment, nice communications. Canberra overall was lovely and calm.
  
  What could be improved: Picking up the keys from a lockbox in location A and then going to location B was, as other reviews say, a burden if you don't drive yourself. But the instructions made that as easy as it could be. It would be much better to supply the keys from a location within 100 meters of the apartment.
  
  If you want to cook or just heat up supermarket foods, bring or buy your own napkins, salt, oil, coffee cream, and other things I would consider basic to a supplied kitchenette. One should not expect a hotel or airBnB here, but in my experience the lack of these is a bit skimpy and can throw off your dinner plans. Buying those things for a 3-night stay results in a lot of leftover stuff to throw away if you can't pack it out.

• Superb – Alison from Australia – 26 May 2025 (9/10)

  Great location, secure parking, clean and comfortable

• Superb – Lobban from Australia – 23 May 2025 (9/10)

  the layout and bed was rally comfy if a bit tall

• Overall a really pleasant stay – David from Australia – 23 February 2025 (7/10)

  The location and quality of the apartment was excellent.
  
  What could be improved: Arriving at 5:30 on a Friday caused a few challenges with finding parking at the key pickup location. We had booked for three guests yet there was only two towels provided, little things like there was no bottle opener in the apartment. All of these things although really little just took the shine off the overall experience.

• Amazing experience – He from China – 26 August 2024 (9/10)

  The location is close to Canberra Centre. You can easily get any food you want.

• Great apartment, shocking check in system – Susan from Australia – 9 July 2024 (8/10)

  Modern, clean, warm, comfortable bed and perfect for a 3 night stop over
  
  What could be improved: The process for collecting keys, accessing the underground garage and property could not be more complicated if you tried. Lift your game guys and come up with a more user friendly system. We were not the only ones trying to locate your ‘office’ in Elouera street ( which was in fact a shipping container with no staff). Also juggling between emails and pdf instruction sheets and photos and diagrams was ridiculous.

• Classy place but impossible to cook your own meals or drink a bottle of beer. – Anna from United Kingdom – 10 May 2024 (7/10)

  Very clean modern and comfortable. Lovely view . A classy apartment.
  
  What could be improved: In spite of having pans etc and crockery, and huge variety of knives there was little else. No bottle opener for start , no tin opener, no salad /fruit bowls, jugs, cheese grater , strainer for draining pasta or to wash salad – We could go on . Very limited facilities to actually do any cooking. We asked the owner and were told that people go out to bars to drink, (we were not expected to open a bottle in the apartment after a long drive and arriving early eve!) . She also said that bottle openers get stolen – it doesn’t cost a lot to replace them – we had to buy our own . Also no hand wash was provided, essential in the kitchen and bathroom. Classy place but very few facilities.

• Expensive But Nice Place To Stay – Megan from Australia – 25 February 2024 (7/10)

  Nice, modern apartment. Everything clean and tidy. Great location.
  
  What could be improved: Check in process wasn’t that easy. No bath mat. Curtains didn’t keep light out in the morning. A bit overpriced in our opinion.

• Pleasant place to stay and value for money – Narelle from Australia – 18 November 2023 (8/10)

  Location was good. Everything was as stated when we made the booking. Swipe key system made you feel safe staying there.
  
  What could be improved: Found that collecting the keys was a bit of an issue. We had to get taxi from airport to the key location couldn’t get code to work and had to ring for help. We walked to apartment from there which was quite a distance and street signage not great.

• Great place to stay in Canberra – Xyz222 from Australia – 11 October 2023 (9/10)

  This is a very pleasant apartment in a great location. Modern, clean with everything needed for a stay in Canberra.
  
  What could be improved: The check in process needs some revision. Check in is at 1500, at least an hour later than 95% of stays. We inquired about an early checkin (1400) but didn't receive a reply. The apartment is in a complex with a number of towers. We received a link of how to access parking which was inadequate. We were fortunate in that we went to the area beforehand and spoke to a janitor who explained that the entrance to the parking was not behind the building but in an adjacent building. The car spaces are randomly numbered, the lifts specific to each tower. Simple instructions like "lift is 20 metres from the car park slot" "car park slot is on B1" would have helped. We were assisted by a non resident who parked there. "I often run into people who are lost and they are all staying at the apartment you mentioned". Stressful when you may have driven a long distance to get there. Aside from that this a great place to stay in a prime location.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities