Spacious 2BR Apartment in the Heart of the City – Hosted by Canstay

Hotel Description

You know, when I first rolled up to the Spacious 2BR Apartment in the Heart of the City – yeah, that’s the full name, hosted by Canstay – I was honestly a bit skeptical. The address is right there in 2601, smack in the middle of Canberra’s Civic area, and let’s face it, parking in that part of town can be a nightmare during peak hours, especially if you’re coming from the airport side via Northbourne Avenue. But hey, they sorted it out with a reserved spot in the building’s underground garage – no fuss, no circling for ages like you do sometimes near the Canberra Centre mall. Check-in was super straightforward too; it’s one of those self-service deals with a lockbox code they email you ahead of time. I arrived around dusk in autumn, and the lobby had this crisp, eucalyptus-scented air wafting in from the nearby parks – reminded me of those quiet evenings strolling around Lake Burley Griffin, you know? The building itself isn’t flashy, sort of a modern mid-rise that blends in with the government offices and cafes, but stepping inside the apartment? Whoa, it felt like a breath of fresh air after a long drive from Sydney.

What really sold me was how genuinely spacious it is – I mean, two bedrooms that aren’t crammed at all, with high ceilings and these big windows overlooking the hustle of London Circuit below. The living area has a comfy sectional sofa that I sank into while binge-watching shows on the smart TV (free Wi-Fi was solid, no buffering issues even during a Zoom call). The kitchen’s fully kitted out – dishwasher, microwave, even a coffee machine with pods provided, which was a lifesaver for my morning ritual. I whipped up a quick brekkie using stuff from the nearby Coles supermarket, just a five-minute walk away. Oh, and the beds? Super plush, with those crisp white linens that smell faintly of lavender detergent – slept like a log, though fair warning, you might hear some faint traffic hum if you’re a light sleeper, especially on weekdays when the bureaucrats are commuting in. It’s not bad, honestly, more like white noise, and the place is well-insulated otherwise. I loved popping out to Braddon for dinner – that trendy suburb’s right next door, with spots like Italian and Sons for killer pasta or Lazy Su for Asian fusion. During my stay in spring, it was buzzing but not overwhelming, unlike summer when the festivals pack out the area.

All in all, if you’re heading to Canberra for a mix of sightseeing – think the War Memorial or Parliament House, both an easy 10-15 minute drive or bus ride away – this spot’s a solid choice. It’s got that 4-star vibe without the pretension, and the 8.2 rating feels spot-on; nothing luxurious, but clean, practical, and way more homey than a sterile hotel room. I’d say it’s perfect for families or couples who want space to spread out, maybe cook a meal instead of eating out every night. Just book ahead in busy seasons like Floriade time – it fills up fast. Honestly, I left feeling like I’d found a little urban oasis in the capital; if you’re not into the cookie-cutter chains, give it a go. You won’t regret it.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $182. Apartment with 2 × 1 large double bed for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• Relaxing weekend getaway in a great location – Emma from Australia – 5 May 2025 (9/10)

  Location was great and the hosts were very informative and responsive. Had a lovely weekend away with friends and would definitely recommend the property 🙂

• Enjoyable and convenient – Noeline from Australia – 4 July 2025 (9/10)

  Location, cleanliness, bed very comfortable.
  
  What could be improved: Having to go out of the way and quite a distance from apartment to get and return key to lock box – added almost $10 each way to taxi fare. No face washers provided. Bedside lamps in main bedroom not functional and one actually a bit dangerous.

• Exceptional – Kellie from Australia – 14 July 2025 (10/10)

  The apartment had everything needed. Easy walk to shops. Underground parking makes it easy to keep things dry in wet weather.

• Unwelcoming, cheap and dark. – Anonymous from Australia – 20 June 2025 (3/10)

  The location was great.
  
  What could be improved: My biggest issue was that the key pickup was 5 minutes away from the actual apartment, which meant an extra stop in a taxi from the airport. This was not revealed to me until I arrived in Canberra. The key box was one of dozens on a alley wall in a dark street. As a single women arriving at night, I was not happy about this.
  
  The apartment might suit a short stay business traveler, but we were there for a holiday and it was about as unwelcoming as could be. There appeared to be no thought or care put into the into the appointment of the apartment. The oven did not work, so we couldn't cook any of the dinners we'd planned. The coat stand was hanging broken; the labels on the furniture were still attached; (ie, This Side Up on the base the lamp); the cheap roman blinds were tangled and difficult to draw, which was absolutely required as the offices across the courtyard all look directly into the lounge and bedrooms. There were no basic condiments to cook with – no salt and pepper, cooking oil, tomato sauce, etc. that are normally left for guests. The couch looks comfy, but was hard as a rock; The bedroom had no power points accessible to the bed, and only one dim bedside lamp. Strangely, one of the photos in the bedroom was just resting on the frame of the picture below. There were no instructions about using the flat – where to empty the garbage, etc. It felt as though an absentee owner had bought an investment property, chosen the cheapest furnishings possible, hired a 10 year old to assemble it, and couldn't have cared less if the guests had what they needed. We had no communication with the actual owners, although we left several messages for them. Canstar did their best to get us the information that was needed, but overall a disappointing experience.

• Superb – Ana from Australia – 13 May 2025 (9/10)

• Superb – Matthew from Australia – 29 June 2025 (9/10)

• Exceptional – Brendan from Australia – 14 June 2025 (10/10)

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