Hotel Review: East Hotel, Canberra

Don’t expect your average CBD accommodation experience, East Hotel is outside the box.

East Hotel is a family-owned boutique hotel that is one of the best places to stay in Canberra. As soon as you walk in the door you’re engulfed by its edgy but homely feel, and the location is perfect for those who want the best of the city (almost) on their doorstep.

Location

East Hotel sits in the city’s inner south suburb of Kingston, an easy 10 minutes from the airport and popular Parliamentary Triangle. Corporate travellers will find it close to the city but far enough out of the hustle and bustle to allow a breath of fresh air.

The surrounding leafy suburb of Kingston is known for its dining and shopping scene, with patisseries, wine bars, homeware stores and the occasional pub lining the streets. The award-winning Old Bus Depot Markets are within close walking distance, while the Lake Burley Griffin (with its popular walking circuit) can be reached in 15 minutes.

Walk along Lake Burley Griffin for epic sunset views. (Image: VisitCanberra)

For families, Canberra institutions like Questacon, Old Parliament House and the National Museum are easily accessible by bike, which are available to hire from reception. Ubers are also affordable and frequent, and the hotel offers underground parking at a small nightly fee for those with a car.

See dino fossils on display at the National Museum of Australia. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Style and character

The first thing you notice when you enter East Hotel’s soaring central atrium is its warmth and ambience. This is not just a place to go to have a good meal and rest your head. By stepping into the lobby, you’re being welcomed into the embrace of your long-lost, somewhat eccentric Italian family with a big theatrical kiss on both cheeks.

The receptionist will welcome you with a warm smile.

Kelly Ross of Kelly Ross Designs reimagined some of the places and spaces within East Hotel, and in doing so further realised the vision of owners Dan and Dion Bisa. The boutique hotel feels like somewhat of a passion project for Kelly, who has been working alongside the Bisa’s from the beginning.

While the lobby has always had a lot of warmth to it, Kelly has taken Dan and Dion’s design cues to the next level. The reception and lobby space are all warm tones, moody lighting, modern furnishings, sumptuous textures and pops of colour. It’s a place for guests to mingle and relax – a place to have fun in, as the obligatory lolly jar at reception suggests.

A stunning chandelier hangs from the ceiling of the hotel lobby.

Facilities

Following a long night of negronis and pasta at East’s onsite restaurant, I head to the gym bright and early in the morning. It is small but efficient, with shower facilities (complete with Appelles amenities) available for those who may have already checked out. There is no hotel pool, but in warmer months, guests can visit the nearby Manuka Pool for free.

Later that night, I take a long soak in the large, oversized bathtub ahead of a fairly hectic schedule of work over the weekend. It’s a ritual that continues over the next few days after I discover the Appelles-brand bath salts are replenished daily.

Add Appelles Ginger Lily Bath Salts to your warm bath.

Equally exciting is the full-sized washing machine and dryer, complete with washing powder. A communal laundry is also available for those staying in studio rooms (just ask for washing powder at reception) and eight conference and meeting spaces are available for business travellers. Wi-fi is fast and free.

There’s even a space to work on with your laptop.

Rooms

I couldn’t have been happier with my luxe one-bedroom apartment during my stay in Canberra. There is something enormously luxurious about an apartment that is flooded with light and sunshine. It is also pleasantly spacious, with an open-plan kitchen and living area, separate bedroom and bathroom.

The kitchen is so well equipped – from the large Smeg oven to the steak knives – that my friend and I almost (but not quite) consider cooking up a storm the next morning rather than heading out for breakfast.

Some rooms at the East Hotel feature an open-plan living room.

The plush carpet and occasional pop of colour in a throw rug or cushion make the self-contained room feel warm, homely and inviting. It’s like visiting your cool cousin’s crash pad in Milan. Every fixture and fitting has been carefully thought out.

The room feels like an extension of the lobby; it’s textured, layered and elegant. The large balcony looks out over parks and mountains too, and we step outside to the constant sound of cockatoos, screeching in regular crescendos.

Rest easy on the comfy bed.

Food and drink

Canberra is spoilt for choice when it comes to good food. It’s nearly impossible to leave my room with its comfortable couch, bathrobes and bottle of red. But we manage to gather the energy required to roll downstairs for some pasta at Italian restaurant Agostinis, which is perennially packed to the rafters.

Nab a spot for some pasta at Agostinis.

Located on the ground floor, it’s one of the best restaurants in the city and is the perfect example of how cool, cosmopolitan and sophisticated the nation’s capital has become.

Although there are plenty of too-cool-for-school places in Canberra, Agostinis is not one of them. In fact, it’s is always crammed with a happy mix of families, couples and groups celebrating special occasions. Many of the wait staff boast Italian accents, which adds to the family-friendly feeling. It’s like going to Nonna’s for gnocchi.

Agostinis serves up excellent Italian fare.

Everything from the pasta to the gelato is made in-house, and we find ourselves ordering pizza as well; the dough is Roman-style and rested for 72 hours.

Despite the hotel’s location in the suburbs, the adjacent Joe’s Bar seems to also attract a large mix of locals. Sweeping chain curtains, retro leather lounges and Old Fashioned cocktails served in smoking glasses prove it has earned its place as one of the top spots for a drink in the city.

Have a tipple at Joe’s Bar.

Does East Hotel have access for guests with disabilities?

The Luxe Studio Easy Access room is specifically designed for peopel with accessibility needs. The apartment is fully wheelchair accessibly, from wider doorways and a lower bench height to accessible cooktops and showers fitted with handrails and foldable bench seats. The hotel has ground level accessibility, as does Agostinis.

Is East Hotel family-friendly?

Yes – families with young children can request an apartment with a Kids Cubby, an interconnecting playroom fitted out with bunk beds, bean bags, a play table with art supplies and even an Xbox console. The minibar is (dangerously) stocked with child-friendly goodies, too.

Details

Best for: Families and couples looking for a comfortable yet chic stay that everyone will enjoy.

Address: 69 Canberra Ave, Kingston ACT

Phone:  (02) 6295 6925

Cost: From $199 per night.

Read our ultimate travel guide to Canberra for more on where to eat, stay and what to do while you’re there.