The Canberra Hotel Great For Corporate Travellers and Families

The perfect spot to rest your weary head after a busy day exploring the nation’s capital, the East Hotel is colourful and contemporary – a breath of fresh air in Canberra’s booming corporate hotel landscape. It’s home to two great eateries, Agostini’s and Muse, and intimate cocktail bar Joe’s (there’s a page in their menu reserved for gin and tonic concoctions). The East strikes a unique and fine balance between the sophistication and utilities needed by corporate travellers and staying family friendly, with little touches that speak to any guest’s inner child.

The location

Just a hop from UNSW Canberra Oval, a skip from the Old Bus Depot markets and a jump from Parliament House, the East Hotel sits between the central suburbs of Manuka and Kingston. It’s a mere 10-minute drive to the airport.

The rooms

Every room in the hotel, from the single-traveller studios at a comfortable 30 square metres to the 90-square-metre, two-bedroom apartments, is creative, spacious and fully equipped with a functional kitchenette. The one-bedroom apartment is 57 square metres of comfort, with a large balcony, separate living and bedroom areas, a kitchenette with hotplates and an oven. There’s also an in-room laundry. Combining function with fun, all rooms are sleek, vibrant and homely.

Food and drink

Brekkie at Qantas Business Travel Award-nominee Muse cannot be missed, with panko-crumbed field mushrooms and pulled ham hock sitting alongside core breakfast staples such as egg-and-bacon rolls on its eclectic menu. When you’ve finished, head to the connected bookstore to pick up the latest page-turning AusPol bio or even the latest addition to your coffee book collection. For dinner, make your way to Agostini’s. Passionate head chef Francesco Balestrierihas worked with his team to curate a menu (with a wine list to match) that brings the best in traditional Italian cooking into a new era, with standouts including the pizzas and divine fettuccine al tartufo. A blur of blush pink, leather, leopard print and brass, the restaurant’s décor is warm yet modern.

For business travellers

East is home to eight conference and meeting rooms, each with their own personality, seating from six to 100 guests and catered for by Agostini’s. Technology-wise, the rooms have in-built audio systems, LCD screens, plus VGA & HDMI capability.There is wi-fi connectivity throughout the hotel.         

For wellness travellers

The best way to see Canberra is on two wheels and with East’s proximity to some of Canberra’s top cultural sights, you’d be remiss not to borrow one of their free bikes and go for a ride. Onsite, there’s also a small fitness centre with exercise equipment.

The fab factor

For travelling families, East’s apartments can be joined together with a specially designed ‘kids cubby’ that isfilled with bunk beds, bean bags and an Xbox 360.

SEE ALSO: One Perfect Day in Canberra