Heart of City – Pool – Parking – Self check-in

Hotel Description

You know, when I first rolled into Canberra last spring, I was beat from the drive up from Sydney – that Hume Highway can be a slog, especially with all the roadworks near Goulburn. But pulling up to the Heart of City on Cooyong Street, right in that buzzing pocket of the city (it’s basically a stone’s throw from the Civic bus interchange and those trendy cafes on Lonsdale Street in Braddon), everything just sort of clicked. I mean, it’s not some flashy high-rise; it’s more like a modern apartment-style hotel tucked into a residential-ish block, which honestly makes it feel less touristy and more like you’re crashing at a mate’s place. The self check-in was a godsend – no awkward lobby chit-chat after a long day. You just punch in a code on your phone, grab your key from a lockbox, and boom, you’re in. And parking? They have dedicated spots underground, which is clutch in Canberra where street parking can turn into a nightmare during events at the National Convention Centre. I parked my old Subaru without a fuss, even though it was peak cherry blossom season and the streets were packed.

What really sold me on the place – and trust me, I’ve stayed in a few spots around here over the years – was how it nails that balance of comfort and convenience without trying too hard. My room was on the third floor, overlooking a quiet courtyard (well, quiet except for the occasional magpie chorus at dawn, but that’s Canberra for you). It had this fresh, airy vibe with big windows letting in that crisp capital light, and the bed was ridiculously comfy – like, sink-in-and-not-want-to-move levels. The pool area downstairs is a highlight, especially on those warmer afternoons; it’s not huge, but it’s heated and surrounded by these little palm-ish plants that make it feel like a mini oasis. I spent an hour there one day just floating and people-watching – mostly locals popping in for a dip after work. Oh, and the kitchenette in the room? Stocked with actual decent coffee pods, not the cheap stuff, which was perfect for brewing up before heading out to Lake Burley Griffin for a walk. It’s super close to that – maybe a 10-minute stroll down to the water, past the ANU campus where you can grab a cheap bite at one of those student haunts. One minor gripe, though: the Wi-Fi can get a bit spotty during evenings when everyone’s streaming, but honestly, it wasn’t a deal-breaker, and the staff sorted it with a quick reset when I mentioned it.

All in all, if you’re hitting Canberra for work or just to check out Parliament House (pro tip: go early to beat the tour groups), this place is a solid pick. It’s got that 4-star polish with a 9.1 rating that feels earned – clean, thoughtful touches like extra blankets in the closet for those chilly nights, and no hidden fees sneaking up on you. I left feeling like I’d found a hidden gem in the heart of the city, you know? Not over-the-top luxurious, but the kind of spot that makes you want to extend your stay. Next time I’m in town for the Floriade festival, I’m booking it again – beats those sterile chain hotels on Northbourne Avenue any day.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $169. Apartment with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Modern apartment in a Great location – Michael from United Kingdom – 3 July 2025 (10/10)

  Central location, modern apartment
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• We Had a great stay, Thank you! – Julz from Australia – 21 April 2025 (10/10)

  The Space, the amenities, cleanliness , close proximity to the City Centre. Exactly what we needed for our stay in Canberra.
  key collection instruction is easily laid out , few hiccups but we got there. we got everything that we needed in the property so there's no complaint there .
  
  What could be improved: Depending on a person's comprehension to instructions ,Key Collection can be a bit tricky.

• Great location and great apartment. Loved the touches like milk and coffee. – Jeanette from Australia – 5 April 2025 (9/10)

  Loved the location.
  
  What could be improved: Check in was tricky because we didn’t know the area and the car park didn’t have the levels signed. Once we were checked in we had a great time.

• Very comfortable – Kate from Australia – 16 March 2025 (10/10)

  Very clean and had all the comforts

• Fantastic apartment, in a great location that you can even visit with your pet. – Jani from Australia – 11 January 2025 (10/10)

  Great modern apartment that has everything you need. Clean and spacious, lovely building amenities and parking.

• I will come back here as we really enjoyed our Christmas with family with shops and Glebe park for our kids and our furr – David from Australia – 28 December 2024 (10/10)

  The location is great, right in the city center. Also conveniently had parking which helps with the stay.
  
  What could be improved: Took a while to check in as the finding the access key and parking was a bit tricky.

• It was wonderful to have space to ‘be’ as opposed to just a hotel room. It really felt like home and everything was sooo – Natalie from Australia – 29 November 2024 (10/10)

  This place has honestly exceeded my expectations! Everything was very thoughtful. The linen and towels were so luxurious and there was ample cupboard space for all my items to be packed away so I wasn’t reminded I will be leaving in a few days lol. Everything was comfortable and I was very excited to see some spices in the kitchen when I was cooking which saved me having to buy some. And omg the Dyson hair dryer! Love that! Thank you for having me – such a great spot and so close to cafes and shops I was in heaven!
  
  What could be improved: Sad to leave! Everything was perfect!

• Convenient comfortable stay in great location – Susan from Australia – 10 November 2024 (8/10)

  Super convenient
  Clean comfortable
  
  What could be improved: No kettle!

• Nice short little stay. Slept like a baby – Louise from Canada – 25 October 2024 (8/10)

  Great location close to the CBD
  Nice view of the local mountains
  Thoughtful touches with what was left in the apartment
  
  What could be improved: Cigarette butts left on the balcony

• Exceptional – Aaron from Australia – 19 October 2024 (10/10)

  Good instructions. Easy check-in. Nice extras like cereal in the apartment and staples like cooking oil and ketchup

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities