Serene 2BR Apt in the Radiant City of Civic – Hosted by Canstay

Hotel Description

You know, I stumbled upon this spot last spring when I was in Canberra for a quick getaway – the Serene 2BR Apt in the Radiant City of Civic, hosted by Canstay. It’s tucked away on the edge of Civic, right near where Northbourne Avenue meets up with all the action, but honestly, it feels worlds away from the hustle. I mean, Canberra’s not exactly a chaotic metropolis, but during peak times like Floriade season in September, the city center can get pretty lively with tourists flocking to the flower displays around Lake Burley Griffin. Pulling up to the address at 2601, I appreciated how straightforward the check-in was – just a key code texted by the host, no fussing with a front desk, which is a godsend after a long drive from Sydney. The building itself is modern but unassuming, with secure underground parking that’s a lifesaver in a place where street spots vanish quicker than you can say “parliament tour.” Stepping inside, the place hit me with this immediate calm – think soft, neutral tones on the walls, plush carpets that muffle any outside noise, and a faint scent of eucalyptus from the diffuser they leave out. It’s rated a solid 9.3 for a reason, and as a 4-star setup, it punches above its weight without trying too hard.

What really sold me was how it balances that serene vibe with being smack in the middle of things – you can wander out and hit up the Canberra Centre for shopping or grab a flat white at one of those hip cafes in Braddon, just a 10-minute stroll away. The apartment’s got two bedrooms that are surprisingly spacious, with queen beds that are comfy enough to make you hit snooze repeatedly (I did, more than once). The kitchen’s fully kitted out – stainless steel appliances, even a Nespresso machine – so I whipped up breakfasts overlooking the city views from the balcony, which catches the morning sun just right. Oh, and speaking of views, on clear days you get glimpses of Mount Ainslie in the distance, especially magical at dusk when the lights start twinkling. It’s not perfect, mind you – the Wi-Fi can be a tad spotty during evenings when everyone’s streaming, and if you’re sensitive to sounds, you might hear the occasional tram rumbling by on Northbourne, but it’s nothing earplugs can’t fix. I loved the little touches, like the fresh linens that smell laundry-fresh and the stack of local guides pointing you to hidden gems, such as the quiet paths around the National Arboretum. In winter, when Canberra dips into those crisp, chilly nights, the heating system works like a charm, keeping things toasty without that dry air feel you get in some places.

All in all, if you’re heading to Canberra – whether for work at the nearby government offices or just to soak in the laid-back capital vibe – this apt is a winner. It’s not some flashy resort, but that’s the appeal; it feels like a home away from home, hosted by folks who clearly know the area (shoutout to Canstay for the prompt responses). I’d go back in a heartbeat, especially off-season when the city’s quieter and you can really unwind. Trust me, after a day exploring the War Memorial or biking around the lake, coming back here is like a deep breath of fresh air. Just book early if you’re eyeing summer – it fills up fast.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $162. Apartment with 1 large double bed and 1 double bed for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• Spotlessly clean and convenient apartment. – Cheryl from United Kingdom – 11 July 2025 (9/10)

  The apartment was spotlessly clean. It was convenient for nearby restaurants and shops. We didn’t cook there but the kitchen looked well equipped. There was tea, coffee, milk and biscuits. Apartment seemed secure as you needed a fob to access the upstairs floors of the building in the lift. Good, clear instructions from staff about how to access the property on arrival.
  
  What could be improved: It would have been good to have 2 key fobs. When one of us went out for a walk, another had to go downstairs to let them in as you can’t access the apartment floor in the lift without a fob – good for security but a slight inconvenience.

• Short stay in Canberra. – Denyse from Australia – 28 May 2025 (10/10)

  The location was excellent. Able to walk to shops, Restaurants etc. Not necessary to have a car. Unit was spotlessly clean with everything you need included.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing really

• Exceptional – Anthony from Australia – 24 April 2025 (10/10)

  Great location.

• Fantastic location, beautiful apartment and very clean – Karen from Australia – 21 April 2025 (10/10)

  Apartment was clean and new
  
  What could be improved: Picking up keys from a busy location

• Superb – Linda from Australia – 16 April 2025 (9/10)

  Great little apartment walking distance to everything in Canberra- we even walked to parliament!
  
  What could be improved: Everything was great- the car park was tricky to find, the numbers were not sequential! But that's not the fault of the airbnb

• Superb – Karen from Australia – 4 April 2025 (9/10)

  It was great except shower screen, mirror and glass doors were all smeard like a greasy rag was used to clean them. But overall a great stay thank you

• A great r and r location and accommodation to chill out or mix in with the locals. 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ – Stephen from Australia – 29 March 2025 (10/10)

  Location was perfect, easy access and walking distance to everything you need.
  Accommodation was really just everything you needed, and clean.
  
  What could be improved: Maybe a fan for the verandah for outside people on those non breezy days. But other than that everything was just great..

• Exceptional – Martina from Sweden – 14 November 2024 (10/10)

  What a beautiful apartment! Great location, fresh, clean and nice! Had a very high standard!
  
  What could be improved: Nothing! Everything was a great experience!

• Comfortable, convenient and cosy. – Emerson from Australia – 16 June 2025 (8/10)

  Great location. Nice and clean. Comfortable beds, good facilities and well-equipped. Nice and light and spacious.
  
  What could be improved: The key-box was tough to get into. Had to get a credit card to pry open the door. The parking space is good but very tight. A second fob key would be good.

• Quite disappointed with the beds being so uncomfortable and the staff on the phone were very unhelpful – Christine from Australia – 17 May 2025 (6/10)

  The first thing that was wrong was the directions on how the fine the place. It had 2 different addresses on the information page and I had to call 2-3 times after being sent to the wrong place.
  
  What could be improved: The bed in the main room was broken on one side and the other mattress was as hard as concrete.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities