Scullin 3BR House

Hotel Description

You know, I stumbled upon the Scullin 3BR House last time I was in Canberra – it’s tucked away on McMaster Street in Scullin, this quiet suburb up north, about a 15-minute drive from the city center if you avoid the rush hour crawl on William Hovell Drive. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star spot, but with that 9.7 rating floating around, I figured it had to be something special. Pulling up, it’s just this unassuming brick house with a neat little garden out front – no flashy lobby or valet, which was actually a relief after dealing with the parking nightmares downtown. Check-in was a breeze; the owner messaged me the key code ahead of time, so I rolled in around dusk, no fuss. The street’s super residential, with kids biking around and that faint smell of eucalyptus from the nearby reserves – it felt like crashing at a mate’s place rather than some sterile hotel room.

Stepping inside, though – wow, it opens up into this cozy three-bedroom setup that’s way more spacious than it looks from the curb. The living room has these plush couches that you sink into after a day trekking around Lake Ginninderra (which is just a quick 5-minute drive away, by the way – perfect for a morning walk if you’re into that). The kitchen’s fully stocked – I mean, proper oven, dishwasher, even a coffee machine that doesn’t taste like regret – and I whipped up a brekkie using stuff from the Belconnen Markets, which are right around the corner on Lathlain Street. Bedrooms are comfy, with those crisp white sheets that smell faintly of lavender detergent, and the main one’s got a queen bed that didn’t leave me with a sore back. Oh, and parking? There’s a driveway for two cars, no battling for spots like in Civic. It’s not perfect – the Wi-Fi can be a bit spotty if everyone’s streaming at once, and there’s no air-con in the smaller rooms (though fans do the trick in summer, and Canberra nights cool off quick). But the quiet? Blissful. No traffic hum, just the occasional magpie call in the morning – way better than the noisy hostels I’ve stayed in before.

Look, if you’re heading to Canberra for a family trip or just need a home base to explore without the hotel vibe, this place is gold. It’s close enough to hop over to the Australian Institute of Sport or even Parliament House (about 20 minutes south), but far from the tourist bustle, so you get that authentic suburban feel. I stayed there in autumn, when the leaves are turning, and it was peak cozy – though I’d say avoid peak summer if you’re heat-sensitive. Overall, it’s not luxury, but it’s real and welcoming, and at that price, you’d be mad not to. Next time I’m in town, I’m booking it again – seriously, give it a go if you want to feel like a local.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $200. Standard Villa with 3 × 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 6

Reviews

• Exceptional – Tarja from Australia – 27 May 2025 (10/10)

  Loved the coffee machine and a great coffee blend.A fully equipped kitchen and laundry. Toys for the kids. Wifi and heating. My favourite part was the deck and bbq area.
  
  What could be improved: I can't really think of anything I don't like

• Comfort in quiet suburb – Erika from Australia – 6 May 2025 (10/10)

  Located in a quite suburb. Great layout, thoughtfully furnished, well equipped kitchen with coffee machine which freshly grinds the provided coffee beans, comfortable beds and good heating. Handy information provided in a manual.
  
  What could be improved: Manual mentioned additional pillows but there weren't any in the wardrobes. Had a couple of guests preferring to sleep with two pillows, however, did not contact the provider as we only stayed a couple of nights.

• Superb – Anand from Australia – 6 July 2025 (9/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities