Hyatt Hotel Canberra Review

Hyatt Hotel Canberra, A Park Hyatt Hotel Review, ACT

Luxurious design, a magnificent sense of space and greenery, and an unbeatable location: the Hyatt Hotel Canberra is an excellent choice of stay from which to explore the nation’s capital.

The sparsely populated suburb of Yarralumla is home to the Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Benefiting from much wide-open space as a result of the neigbouring Weston and Stirling parklands, the Royal Canberra Golf Club, the immense grounds of Government House and the bordering shores of Lake Burley Griffin, the splendour of the hotel is intensified by the grandeur of the surrounding green. Key sites, such as the Parliamentary Triangle, National Gallery of Australia, Questacon and Old Parliament House, are all an easy stroll from the hotel, and the airport is a mere 10 minute drive away.

A rarity for hotels these days, especially for those in the CBD of large cities, is that of a low-rise building. Spread out over expansive grounds, the 252-room Hyatt Hotel Canberra feels more like a grand residence than a hotel. Driving up to the entrance via the circular lobby and being met with bellboy assistance at the entrance bolsters the belief that we’re staying in a grand manor entertained by gracious hosts.

The stately lobby features high ceilings, a sky light and glass doors, which illuminate the art deco design with natural light. Bold geometric shapes pattern an enormous rug providing a centrepiece atop polished wooden floorboards. Tall lamps soften the lighting in the evenings, and carefully selected artworks and mirrors adorn the walls.

Hyatt Hotel Canberra Review - a park hyatt hotel
Lobby

Our Park King room is light and airy with a simplified elegance to the design. White walls and natural light are accompanied by neutral hues, carpet mirroring that of the lobby rug, and park views. The concept seems to have taken the strong geometrical elements of the art deco era and paired them with softer, more graceful tones of the colonial period. It all comes together in an aesthetically pleasing environment, with just enough detail to create interest, while maintaining a streamlined tenor.

Hyatt Hotel Canberra, A Park Hyatt Hotel
Marble Bathroom with Giant Tub
Hyatt Hotel Canberra, A Park Hyatt Hotel
Luxury Bath Products

All the mod-cons of an international hotel brand are included, with highlights being the deep bathtub in the marble bathroom, which begs to be filled with bubbles and sided with a glass of wine and a good book. Free Wi-Fi is too a welcome inclusion, as many Aussie hotels do not always make this an unlimited complimentary service.

There are plenty of top-notch facilities to be enjoyed at the hotel when not out and about exploring the city. The Clubhouse, set apart from the main building, contains a fitness centre with well-equipped gymnasium, personal trainers and massage services upon request. In fine weather however, a jog around the nearby parks and lake is my preferred choice of exercise. The indoor swimming pool allows a dip rain, hail or shine, and the scheduled aqua aerobics classes are a fun way to get a workout. Hubby (*tennis fanatic) will be disappointed that he’s missed out on this trip (dad is my lucky travel companion), as hotel guests have access to a synthetic grass, floodlit tennis court too.

Hyatt Hotel Canberra Review - a park hyatt hotel
Indoor Pool

While we don’t have much opportunity to try out the food and beverage outlets, there are four distinct concepts receiving positive feedback from guests. The Promenade Café hosts all day dining and well-established lunch and dinner buffets. The Tea Lounge seems the perfect escape from modern life with its Friday to Sunday afternoon teas, and Speaker’s Corner Bar warms guests up with an open fire in winter, and cools them down with chairs on the relaxing verandah in summer. For a little more intimacy, Griffin’s provides a lounge setting adjoining the bar.

We do manage to squeeze in a brekkie at the hotel one morning and find the buffet providing much more than we need. Dad is happy to find bacon and eggs, and I’m equally satisfied with the fruit selection. Being self-confessed coffee snobs, the coffee must have been pretty decent as well, as we both enjoyed multiple cups.

Hyatt Hotel Canberra ticks all the boxes for a convenient, comfortable and stylish stay in the city.

Hyatt Hotel Canberra, A Park Hyatt Hotel
Hyatt Hotel Canberra at Dusk

Reasons to visit: well located; sense of space and fantastic natural surrounds; all the modern comforts combined with stately elegance and service.

Hyatt Hotel Canberra, a Park Hyatt Hotel
120 Commonwealth Avenue
Canberra, ACT, 2600
Australia
http://canberra.park.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html
[email protected]
+61 (0)2 6270 1234

10 Comments

  1. I would also enjoy some bacon and eggs. I love your last photo!

    • Some of the best bacon in Australia can be found in Canberra. They have a champion smokehouse, Pialligo, that is winning multiple awards for their production.

  2. You know I haven’t been to Canberra yet.
    Been thinking to visit Perth next year.
    PS: I’ve been to another Perth in Scotland though. 😉

    • Soooo…. great news for you as Canberra’s airport is set to become international from September onwards! Direct flights from Aukland and Singapore will gift much easier access. It really is an under-explored city, but there is so much to offer – a fantastic gourmet scene is on the rise, the wine industry too is flourishing, over 50% of the state is green (parklands, reserves, forests), and they have free entry to a bunch of extraordinarily well done museums.

  3. If any hotel in Australia, this one sure does ooze historical importance.
    It is so good that the original was just modernised by the Hyatt
    chain, but I guess that was in the rules that the government put in
    place.
    This was the home of PM’s before “The Lodge” was built, I think
    either PM Curtin (WW2) or his successor, Ben Chiefly made this
    their home rather than “The Lodge”.
    If only the walls of this grand, historic hotel could talk. Wow – the
    secrets that it would divulge..
    I certainly didn’t realise that it had so many rooms – I sure knew it was
    spread out.
    I bet your Dad enjoyed his stay in your company and with all your
    professionalism to the fore.
    Poor El Junior Cordobes – how could you leave him out. Shame on you, Monica.

    • It is fun to imagine what conversations could be captured from those walls. I bet it would make a great set for a movie. I’m not sure that dad trusted my ability to drive following the rules after living 20 years in less road-rule-following countries… He happily chauffeured and was well paid back with scrumptious food and hotel stays 😉 Jr. missed out on a lot on these travels, but… “Time apart makes the heart grow fonder?”

    • Well – I suppose El Junior Caning Cordobes would
      have the TV button for the Olympics all to himself,
      so he probably was pleased with the “Peace and Quiet” !!???

      Sorry couldn’t help myself – you, Monica, did make the opening – ha ha.
      El Colin Cordobes

    • Ha! Has anybody told you how cheeky you’re getting (are)? 😉

  4. i haven’t been to canberra, but this looks like a really nice place to stay while there 😉

    • Singapore airlines is opening direct flights in September! Might be time to consider a visit.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.