182 GOURMET TRAVELLEROvolo Nishi lobby.QT Superior
King room.QT CANBERRA
It must be a full-time job updating the political Pop Art that dominates
everything from wallpaper to stationery at QT’s digs in the national capital
(Turnbull features, but Trump and May are yet to make an appearance).
Then again, no one’s really here for a political history lesson. They’re
here for the comfort and cool. The comfort comes in QT’s signature gel
beds, the latest movies (free), and cocktail nooks at Lucky’s Speakeasy.
The cool emanates from playful minibars stocked with retro games, modern
Italian eats at Capitol Bar & Grill, and sharp grooming at the Barber Shop.
New Acton’s cultural attractions and the vibrant restaurant strip around
Canberra Central are just a stroll away.1 London Circuit, Canberra,
(02) 6247 6244, qthotelsandresorts.comCocktail-making kits have
everything required for an
in-room Old Fashioned. Just call
room service for ice.
Better than a gym session
(though the hotel doesn’t
have one, there are complimentary
passes for guests to a gym nearby),
take a walk or cycle around Lake
Burley Griin instead.
The breakfast bufet ($29)
has all the fixtures plus,
improbably, macarons. If you fancy
a lie-in, call downstairs for the French
Aussie Quarter ($19), a twist on the
traditional bacon and egg roll made
with lemon mayonnaise and brioche.
Capitol Bar & Grill caters for power
lunchers with steak, burgers, seafood
and antipasti.
The long Champagne list
in the hotel’s Capitol Bar
is reason to celebrate. Cocktails at
Lucky’s Speakeasy are on the sweet
side; the pick of them is the Old Jack
Sparrow made with aged Ron Zacapa
dark rum. Minibars are stocked with
beer and splits of Mumm.WHERECBD.COST
From $172, without
breakfast.AT A GLANCE
205 rooms and suites,
adjoining rooms; bars,
restaurant, day spa,
barber shop, paid
self-parking.IN ROOM
Free WiFi, smart TV,
cofee machine, bath,
some balconies, Malin
+ Goetz toiletries.BEST
ROOMSMost rooms
have lake outlooks but
the best are from the
Superior Kings.OVOLO NISHI
The new owners of Hotel Hotel have
renamed their boutique acquisition
but say they’ll make no sudden
changes in décor, price or staf. Guests
can expect the creative mash-up that
was Hotel Hotel’s signature, from the
all-timber lobby, one-of furnishings
and thought-provoking art to the
inimitable all-day Monster Kitchen and
Bar. In guestrooms, walls are rendered
in layers of clay and woven grass to
create luxurious cocoons, some of
which wrap around private atriums
planted with tree ferns. But even those
facing the road are designed so you
see nothing but eucalypts from bed.
With rain showers, free minibar and
room service summoned by iPad,
there’s every reason to hibernate.
25 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra,
(02) 6287 6287, ovolohotels.com.auRetreat to your room or curl up
on a leather couch in the lobby
with a design book from the hotel’s
library, assembled by Perimeter Press.
Skip the low-key gym and join
a complimentary yoga class
instead, held several times a week
on the mezzanine.
Book a room without breakfast
and tuck into Monster’s
inspired à la carte menu instead.
It’s locally sourced but focused far
away; think creamy Turkish çilbir
with pide and Aleppo pepper, or
pork belly and eggs with chilli jam.
Monster’s menu is available in rooms,
too, though we’re sad to report
the celebrated yabby jae has
disappeared.
Expect an impressive array of
cocktails featuring top-shelf
spirits – there’s Del Maguey Vida
mezcal in your Sadie’s Sookie La
La, for example. The lengthy list
has a section devoted to wines from
Canberra and surrounds, and there’s
free beer and wine in minibars.WHERECentralCanberra.COSTFrom $285, with breakfast.AT A GLANCE68 rooms, adjoining rooms; bar, restaurant,
library, day spa, gym, paid valet and self-parking.IN ROOMFree WiFi, smart TV, iPad, some baths, pillow menu, free
minibar, Biology Smart Skincare toiletries.BEST ROOMSThose who take their bathing rituals seriously will book a
Meandering Room, with bath and double rain shower.CANBERRA