Contemporary Tri-Level APT in a Prime Central Spot – Hosted by Canstay

Hotel Description

Oh man, if you’re heading to Canberra and want something that feels more like a slick home base than a stuffy hotel room, check out the Contemporary Tri-Level APT hosted by Canstay—it’s tucked away in that bustling postcode 2612 area, right near the edge of Belconnen but close enough to zip into the city center without much hassle. I rolled up there last spring, right when the jacarandas were blooming all over the place (you know, that purple haze that makes Canberra feel almost magical in October), and honestly, the check-in was a breeze. No front desk drama—just a quick code from the host via app, and you’re in. The building’s got that modern vibe, all clean lines and big windows, but it’s not one of those sterile high-rises; it’s more like a stacked townhouse setup in a quiet residential pocket off Emu Bank Drive, so parking’s actually decent if you’re driving—none of that circling-for-spots nonsense you get in Civic.

What really sold me was the tri-level layout—it’s like having your own little urban escape pod. You walk in on the ground floor to this open kitchen-living area that smells faintly of fresh coffee from the Nespresso machine they stock (a godsend after a long flight from Sydney), and it’s got these plush couches that just beg you to flop down with a book. Head up the stairs—okay, fair warning, if you’ve got bad knees or a ton of luggage, those steps might be a bit of a workout, especially after a day trekking around Lake Burley Griffin—and you hit the bedrooms on the middle level. Mine had these super comfy queen beds with linen that felt like it was straight out of a fancy catalog, and the bathroom? Spotless, with rainfall showers that actually have decent pressure, not the dribble you sometimes get in rentals. The top level’s this cool loft space, perfect for working remotely or just chilling with a view over the rooftops toward Mount Ainslie—on clear mornings, you can hear the distant hum of traffic on the Gungahlin Drive Extension, but it’s not intrusive, more like white noise that fades by evening. And location-wise, it’s prime: a short walk to Westfield Belconnen for groceries or a bite at the food court (their Thai place is underrated), or hop on the light rail to hit up the National Gallery or Parliament House in like 20 minutes. I mean, it’s not dead-center like staying in Braddon, where the hip cafes are everywhere, but that means it’s quieter at night—no rowdy pub crowds spilling out till 2 a.m.

All in all, for a 4-star spot with an 8.9 rating, it’s a solid pick if you’re after that independent traveler feel without skimping on comfort—think families or couples who want space to spread out, especially during the Floriade festival when the city’s packed. Sure, the Wi-Fi dipped a couple times during peak hours (sort of expected in a shared building), but nothing a quick reset couldn’t fix. I’d go back in a heartbeat; it’s got that authentic Canberra charm, blending city access with suburban peace, and at the end of the day, you wake up feeling like you’ve got the run of the place. If you’re booking, aim for off-peak like autumn—fewer tourists, and the autumn leaves make those views even better.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $134. Apartment with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Modern, well appointed apartment within walking distance to eateries and shopping complex. – Margaret from Australia – 30 April 2025 (9/10)

  Central location, walking distance to shopping complex and eateries.

• Exceptional – Tina from Australia – 3 April 2025 (10/10)

  Great central location and beautiful home

• Excellent – Jai from Australia – 12 February 2025 (10/10)

  Clean, tidy, very helpful staff
  
  What could be improved: Nil

• Exceptional – Karpagam from Singapore – 29 January 2025 (10/10)

  The place is well maintained and tastefully decorated making it lovely home away from home. The host is very proactive and responsive. Convenient location as well. Great stay.

• Fantastic property, spacious & relaxing – Fiona from Australia – 26 November 2024 (10/10)

  Property was clean, very comfortable & contemporary , the kitchen had everything you needed and the property was also very quiet. Having a secure garage for the car was great.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Lovely apartment with walking distance to shops and dining. – Merianne0106 from Australia – 6 May 2025 (8/10)

  The apartment is in a fabulous spot and close to everything. We were able to walk to dinner which was great and I could step out to Canberra Centre which is a terrific shopping centre.
  
  What could be improved: Unfortunately, we arrived in the dark, so getting the keys from the lockbox was a little bit more difficult. It's down quite low with a tree in the way! We sorted it out though. Also, when we were trying to put the keys back, the lockbox is quite small and it took me a few goes to get them to fit! The toilets being on another level is a bit of a pain, but there's not much you can do with that!

• Great location – Renate from Australia – 5 April 2025 (7/10)

  Great location, very nice apartment with garage underneath, has everything you need
  
  What could be improved: Second bedroom should have a proper bed in it and not an uncomfortable sofa bed which is as hard as a rock

• Very good – Helen from Australia – 28 June 2025 (8/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities