Mode 220 Braddon ACT

Hotel Description

You know, when I rolled into Canberra last spring, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star spot like Mode 220 in Braddon – I mean, it’s smack on Lonsdale Street, right in the heart of that funky neighborhood where all the cool cafes and bars spill out onto the sidewalks. But honestly, it surprised me in a good way. I pulled up around dusk after a long drive from Sydney, and the check-in was a breeze – the front desk guy was this laid-back local who chatted about the best spots for craft beer nearby, like that little joint Debacle just a block away. No fuss with parking either; they have a few spots out back, though it can get tight on weekends when Braddon’s buzzing with people hitting up the markets or wandering over to the city center. The lobby’s nothing flashy – sort of a clean, modern setup with those fake plants and a coffee machine that actually brews a decent flat white if you’re jet-lagged and desperate. But stepping into my room? It felt like a cozy little apartment, with a kitchenette that had a microwave and fridge – perfect for grabbing some snacks from the IGA down the street and avoiding overpriced room service.

What really sold me on the place was how it nailed that balance of comfort without trying too hard. The bed was firm but comfy, with those crisp white sheets that smell faintly of fresh laundry (you know, the kind that makes you sleep like a log after a day exploring). I had a street-view room, which meant some ambient noise from the Lonsdale traffic – especially on Friday nights when the bars get rowdy – but it wasn’t anything earplugs couldn’t fix, and honestly, it added to the vibe of being right in the action. Braddon’s got this energetic hum, with the scent of wood-fired pizzas wafting from places like Grease Monkey drifting up, and you’re just a 10-minute stroll from Lake Burley Griffin for those sunrise walks or a quick hop to the National Gallery if you’re into that. Well, the bathroom was a bit dated – think basic tiles and a shower that takes a second to warm up – but it was spotless, and the free Wi-Fi held up for streaming without those annoying lags. I even caught a quiet afternoon reading on the small balcony, watching locals zip by on bikes; it’s not luxurious, but for a 7.6 rating, it punches above its weight, especially in quieter months like autumn when Canberra’s not swamped with tourists.

Look, if you’re heading to Canberra on a budget and want to feel like you’re part of the scene rather than tucked away in some sterile high-rise, Mode 220 is a solid pick. It’s not going to wow you with spa treatments or infinity pools – that’s not its thing – but it gives you easy access to the real gems, like grabbing brunch at Mocan & Green Grout or hiking up Mount Ainslie for those epic views. I left thinking, yeah, I’d crash here again; it’s got that authentic, no-nonsense charm that makes traveling feel effortless. Just book early if you’re coming in summer – things fill up fast with all the festivals.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $236. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Very good – Robert from Australia – 15 June 2023 (8/10)

  This place is fantastic. The WiFi did not work for the whole time I was there. I would have given them a 10 out of 10 if they offered some kind of compensation for this.
  
  What could be improved: everything was good, but the wifi.

• The inconvenience and poor communication with lack of customer connection we want be back – Rosemary from Australia – 27 September 2024 (8/10)

  Good location in Canberra.
  Close to shopping restaurants,comfortable bed and quiet environment
  
  What could be improved: Having to collect keys 20 minutes from property by car then deliver them back on return.
  Instructions given were incorrect and difficult to follow due to road construction.
  Swipe key failed to activate locking tenant out .
  We couldn’t find recycling depot on ground floor
  Information and instructions for accommodation access were given later than check in time

• Very good – Wendy from Australia – 17 January 2024 (8/10)

  Was clean, tidy, spacious, great location. The only thing letting it down was that we had to drive 40 minutes away due to road closures to get the keys from the real estate and drop them back when we left. Would be much better if a safe could be installed at the apartment.

• Enjoyed Canberra. Great weather. – Annette from Australia – 19 September 2023 (7/10)

  Comfortable and good location.
  
  What could be improved: Telstra modem not working so no wifi for the entire 3 days.
  Not happy about having to travel 11 km across the city to collect and return keys and was not informed of that at time of booking. I would not have chosen that accommodation if I had been informed.

• good location – Christian from Australia – 2 April 2023 (7/10)

  nice size and clean. location is good
  
  What could be improved: wifi wasn’t working so I had to hotspot. keys aren’t on site so had to travel another 5km to pick up keys

• Excellent location – Nancy from Australia – 20 September 2022 (8/10)

  Location
  
  What could be improved: Room wasn’t the mezzanine level as in the photo

• Anice place to stay spoilt by lack of maintenance and unresponsive management – Anthony from Australia – 13 November 2022 (7/10)

  The location of this unit was wonderful. The street was vibrant with lots of places to eat and drink and there was no problem having a great meal each day of our stay.
  
  What could be improved: Maintenance was a problem. There was a blown light in the living area. One of the curtains was in tatters. There was a smell that I thought could have been stale tobacco but could have been the sink drain. There was also a smell from the garbage chute that pervaded the lift foyer on our floor.
  
  Most upsetting to me was the fact that the WIFI did not work. It was obvious that there was something wrong with the modem. A new modem could have been up and running in a very short time. We had to use our phone data for our whole stay.
  
  Contact with the managing agent resulted in a terse apology and absolutely no action. This was irksome because there was a detailed contract that listed all our responsibilities which would clearly have been enforced but their responsibility to provide the advertised facilities eg WIFI was dismissed.

• Great location, poor key pickup and drop off option. – Len from Australia – 14 October 2022 (5/10)

  Location
  
  What could be improved: Having to go to Kingston to pick up and drop off the keys. Will not book it again because there are other options in the same area which have key lock boxes that are within walking distance.

• Good – Shannon from Australia – 28 November 2022 (7/10)

• Exceptional – Chris from Australia – 6 November 2022 (10/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities