Bright in Braddon! 1 bd 1bth Apt

Hotel Description

You know, I stumbled upon the Bright in Braddon! 1 bd 1bth Apt during a quick work trip to Canberra last spring, and honestly, it turned out to be a pretty solid spot for crashing in the city without feeling like you’re in some sterile hotel chain. It’s right on Northbourne Avenue, which is that bustling main drag heading north from the city center – think trams rattling by every few minutes and a mix of office workers and uni students hustling around. I mean, Braddon’s got this cool, evolving vibe; it’s not the sleepy suburb it used to be, with all those trendy spots popping up on Lonsdale Street just a short walk away. Arriving after a long drive from Sydney, I was beat, but check-in was a breeze – it’s one of those self-service deals with a code sent to your phone, no fussing with a front desk. Stepping inside, the place lives up to its name: super bright, with big windows letting in that crisp Canberra sunlight (which, let’s be real, can be a godsend in winter when the fog rolls in). The living area felt cozy, like a friend’s spare room – soft couch, a little kitchenette stocked with basics (though the coffee maker was a bit finicky, fair warning), and the bedroom had this fresh linen smell that made me unpack and relax right away.

What really sold me was how it slotted right into the neighborhood’s energy without overwhelming you. You’re smack in the middle of Braddon, so mornings meant wandering over to places like The Cupping Room for a killer flat white – seriously, their beans are roasted on-site, and it’s just a five-minute stroll down Mort Street. Evenings? Easy access to bars like Hopscotch or that hidden gem, Bar Rochford, where the wine list is endless and the crowd’s a fun mix of locals and visitors. Parking’s a bit of a gamble on Northbourne – I lucked out with a spot out front, but it gets tight during rush hour, so maybe aim for off-peak if you’re driving. Noise-wise, well, it’s on a major avenue, so there’s some traffic hum at night (earplugs helped me), but nothing that drowned out the quiet hum of the air con or the occasional bird calls from nearby Haig Park. The apt itself is straightforward – one bedroom, one bath, nothing flashy, but clean and functional with decent Wi-Fi for streaming or work calls. I appreciated the little touches, like extra blankets for those chilly Canberra nights (it dips quick after sunset), and the bathroom had that nice, steamy shower pressure after a day exploring Lake Burley Griffin.

All in all, if you’re heading to Canberra for a weekend getaway or something low-key – maybe catching a show at the Canberra Theatre or just chilling in the parliamentary triangle – this place is a smart pick without breaking the bank. It’s not luxury-level perfect (the decor’s a tad basic, and I’d love more kitchen gadgets for longer stays), but that 7.9 rating feels spot-on: reliable, bright, and embedded in Braddon’s buzz. I’d go back in a heartbeat, especially in autumn when the leaves turn and the area’s even more walkable. Just pack light and embrace the urban edge – you’ll thank me later.

Rooms

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

Reviews

• Very good – Hsiao from Malaysia – 16 February 2025 (8/10)

  The unit itself is very clean and good location.
  It has all the basic home appliances that we need for the week. Car park was easy.
  
  What could be improved: Collecting keys from a different location with an address but not a real premise was confusing.
  Not being informed on which building and unit prior arrival was also a hassle.

• Great property; great host – infrastructure needs an upgrade! – Aditya from Australia – 13 December 2024 (7/10)

  Location was great – close to lots of restaurants and some shops too.
  Apartment was very spacious with a separate room with a study desk and office chair.
  Host was easy to talk to and when we had a small cleaning issue, she had it resolved quickly the next morning.
  Check-in and check-out instructions could not have been clearer – there were photos and clear directions for everything.
  Plenty of pillows, blankets and spare bed sheets were provided.
  Parking in the basement was very close to lifts, which was handy.
  
  What could be improved: Air con kept turning off automatically every couple of hours. Woke up sweating the first couple of nights until I figured out how to turn off the timer. This should not be a thing in a residential apartment.
  WiFi was averaging at 5 Mbps, which is archaic and simply unusable – had to hotspot for most things.
  1 light in the living room and 1 light in the bedroom were flickering, which was just plain annoying.
  1 window in the living room doesn't close properly, so air con has to work harder and it was generally louder in the living room.
  No option to use Netflix using Apple TV and no option to cast to the TV either, as the TV was too old.
  Dining table was annoying to comfortably get your legs under.
  Not enough toilet paper and toiletries for duration of stay.

• Good – Alex from Australia – 27 November 2023 (7/10)

  Good facilities, convenient location & good and fair price, comfortable living space
  
  What could be improved: I didn’t like how the keys were off site in a sketchy alleyway in a tiny little shack, definitely needs to be changed

• Lovely appartment – Kim from Australia – 25 November 2023 (9/10)

  Great location
  
  What could be improved: The noise of the traffic

• Superb – Caitlin from Australia – 2 November 2023 (9/10)

  Great location
  
  What could be improved: Parking was a bit tricky with the fast gate and the tight space, but that's being picky. It was a great place to stay

• Great spot to soak up the food and drink Center of Canberra – Fletcher from Australia – 5 October 2023 (9/10)

  Great location, very convenient and secure parking on site
  
  What could be improved: Would recommend a small bed in the second room rather than the main area.

• We liked that we could access the city and surrounds easily. We had a good time. – David from Australia – 3 October 2023 (7/10)

  Location , shower and kitchen
  
  What could be improved: Small bed , poor aircon, was only given a single door card, had to go to seperate location to collect card / keys. Info said to collect keys when in fact it was a card, but there where keys in the box.

• Lovely clean modern apartment in a great location – Louise from Australia – 19 May 2023 (8/10)

  warmth, good quality appliances, cleanliness, location, modern
  
  What could be improved: only double bed, this apartment would have been 10/10 but small bed was uncomfortable towards end of stay

• Great apartment with secure parking – Cheryl from Australia – 13 May 2023 (9/10)

  This is a well appointed apartment that is a short walk to local eateries. The bed was comfortable and the unit was clean and tidy.

• A great apartment in which to enjoy all that Canberra has to offer. – Patrick from Australia – 1 April 2023 (9/10)

  Great location
  Clean, comfortable, spacious and bright apartment
  We enjoyed being able to sit out on the balcony.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities