“East Hotel Canberra – For your next CANBERRA Getaway!
I really enjoyed my quick trip down to Canberra last week and was pleasantly surprised how quick the trip was using the recently opened WestConnex Tunnel through to the M5! It seemed to shave at least 30 minutes off the trip,.. so that from the instant you enter the WestConnex in Alexandria (near the airport) there are no traffic lights or intersections until you reach Canberra!
I was interested in visiting some of the great iconic sites Historical and Cultural sites like the National Library, National Portraits Gallery and the War Memorial which is the single most visited site in NSW,..even more popular than the Sydney Opera House.
At present one of the main drivers to visit Canberra is the Jeffrey Smart Exhibition at the NGA!
If you are looking for a comfortable and reliable “Home away from Home”.One of the Top Hotels in Canberra,..which offers serviced apartments and a great Bar and Restaurant is the East Hotel!
The East has everything,.. great rooms, excellent dining experiences and I find the staff are always friendly and courteous and on hand to assist. So many “plastic smiles” in the hotel business, so it’s nice to encounter genuinely warm and accommodating staff,..and the entire lobby has a kind of eclectic and welcoming vibe about it.
Welcoming guests at East Hotel is a spacious, soaring central atrium, utilizing both natural and installed light to provide a warm atmosphere with areas to relax and meet in front of a large, open fireplace. The most striking aspect upon entering the hotel is of overall textured, contemporary design. This has been achieved using recycled timber and a black ceiling with small holes for a ‘limitless sky’ effect. Balancing the rich, dark materials are bright, modern furnishings, artistic and quirky touches, and a video installation artfully projected on a towering wall. Art is a central feature of the hotel with works from local artists on display in common areas.
The Lobby also faces onto Muse, Joe’s Bar and Agostini’s Italian restaurant,..so it feels kind of social from the time you step in!
The last time I stayed, Todd (the savvy hotel manager) set up some winery visits for me ,…..and I took an Uber out to Murambateman to visit the prestigious and internationally recognized Clonakilla Winery that does an excellent Rhone valley style shiraz,, and a range of other sensational varietals including the now famous Canberra district Riesling!
It is a perfect location for me anyway,…( I did my Police training at nearby Barton AFP College) because its an easy walk to “Manuka and Kingston shops and other dining experiences”,..including the legendary Bakery Cafe Silo’s!
Enjoy Local Living!
Kingston Shops
Try Silo Bakery… for pastry that will melt in your mouth, Pomegranate Restaurant… Middle Eastern delights, The Kington Hotel… cook your own steak!,Essential Ingredient… a stunning selection of cooking wares and local and imported cheeses and other gourmet goodies, Supabarn Supermarket… for all that you need to cook in your rooms,.. and the relatively new Winning Appliances where they offer luxury kitchen appliances and even hold wine appreciation classes!
Manuka Shops
If you’re off to Manuka you’ll find ONA on the lawns… voted world’s best barista, Momento Designs… a dress for every occasion, Manuka Cinema… for the latest blockbusters, The Department of the Exterior… a stunning collection of Australian designers of women’s fashion and Mee’s Sushi… there’s a reason there’s a line-up!
The location is perfect too, and convenient for a long run along the park and down to the lake. (In my heyday as an AFP detective trainee I used to do two laps around the Lake before breakfast! ) The hotel also has bikes for free to take a nice ride around the neighborhood.
In regards to comfort the rooms are huge and the beds so comfy,…I often make some sandwiches for lunch and, keep track of Canberra political events on the multiple TV screens around the place,…
“I guess this is as close to a home away from home you can get… but only better!”
Accommodation/Facilities and services
The suite setup is perfect – especially the kitchenette and the very convenient washer/dryer. You can enjoy a wide range of facilities and services, including a professional and full-service business centre; 24 hour gym facility and complimentary access to a local gym for a full range of exercise classes; undercover parking; the East Hotel ‘Free Range’ news agency service offered in the lobby, where guests can pick up a daily newspaper, books or current and back issue of magazines to enjoy in the relaxing surrounds of the lobby or in the seclusion and comfort of their rooms and a friendly and accessible front desk team, including full concierge service.
Each room has a gourmet kitchen with cool appliances including Nespresso coffee machines!
Comfort and convenience is all good and well but we also have all the technology you need with 42-in LED televisions (the one bedroom apartments also have a 32-in TV in the bedroom!), FOXTEL, in-house movies, wireless broadband and iPod/iPad docking stations.
Rooms are also fitted with double glazed windows, a work desk, dining table, and chairs, a 2 burner stove top, extensive cooking utensils crockery and cutlery, microwave, oven*, dishwasher*, balconies* and washing machine/dryers*.* some exclusions for studios
The six-story hotel has 140 rooms in various studio and apartment-style combinations, recognizing the challenges families can face with hotel accommodation by providing specially designated suites, cleverly designed in a modular, fun way specifically to cater for both adults and kids.
Business Facilities too
East Hotel’s business facilities are state-of-the-art with seven modern and professional conference rooms, boardrooms and an all-day meeting lounge, complete with air hockey table, to foster the creative environment that leads to the success of any meeting. The facilities have the flexibility to fit perfectly to most business requirements with a distinctively edgy East Hotel touch. All rooms feature the latest in business technology, including VGA and HDMI capable projection screens and huge LED televisions. The concept behind the conference rooms is to provide business areas with a bit of flair, to inspire and get the creative juices flowing.
Boutique Events
East Hotel is all about Boutique events. From 10 to 100 people… they cater for residential conferences, group training, executive planning days, cocktail parties, and private dinners. their business facilities are modern, light, and spacious and foster a creative environment that leads to the success of any meeting.
“Their overriding philosophy is anything is possible”…
Families are welcome at East Hotel and are well catered for, including two-bedroom suites with a ‘Kid’s Cubby’, which has bunk beds, child-friendly furnishings, X-Box Kinect and other little kiddy touches. X-Boxes and board games are also available from the Guest Services desk for use in other rooms.
During special event dinners at the hotel’s restaurant, Joe’s Bar, a special ‘kid’s room’ can be organized with child-friendly shows on a big screen, activities and snacks.
The General Manager Todd believes that exemplary service is the cornerstone to the success of East Hotel and sais:
“Once guests come through our doors, we want people to connect with people,” he commented. “Our staff are passionate locals who can not only escort you to your room but also advise you on places to go and how to get the most out of your stay.”
In House -Dining Options
The hotel has standalone dining and bar facilities, with Joe’s Bar serving Fine and authentic Italian Cuisine and with an excellent Italian wine selection,.. and some great Canberra District wines as well,..and its associated Muse Wine Bar and Library having become an instant classic and a favourite meeting place for Canberrans and visitors alike.
“We are bringing something fresh to the Canberra market at East Hotel, with great, memorable service and an atmosphere that ensures our visitors and guests feel comfortable, relaxed and inspired,” said Dan Bisa, owner of East Hotel and Director of Bisa Hotels.
“We are passionate about creating a happy, happening precinct that showcases a vibrant new personality, representing a side to Australia’s capital that many may not have experienced.”
East Hotel
69 Canberra Avenue,
Kingston ACT 2604
Phone: +61 2 6295 6925
Email: [email protected]u
www.easthotel.com.au