Get 15% off a stay at Pacific Suites Canberra with code MAPMEG
Having recently been named one of Lonely Planet’s Top 10 cities for 2018, Canberra has been receiving a lot of hype and attention.
Rare among Australia’s large cities in that it isn’t situated along the coast, Canberra is instead flanked by wild nature reserves where iconic wildlife roams, surrounded by wine country, and picturesquely nestled alongside Australia’s highest alpine peaks.
The well thought out and completely planned city may be nearly a 2 hour’s drive from the closest beach, but we found Canberra to offer more than enough excitement within the city to keep us entertained and not needing sand beneath our feet.
With a perfectly positioned base for exploring Australia’s bush capital in Pacific Suites Canberra, go behind the political scenes and discover a beautiful city surrounded by the calls of bushland wildlife that easily drowns out the shouting of MPs!
Your Guide to a Suite Stay in Canberra
Stay: Pacific Suites Canberra
More than your average hotel, Pacific Suites Canberra offers a literal home away from home with the added convenience of all the great amenities you would expect from a luxury hotel.
Conveniently located on Northbourne Avenue in the very heart of Canberra city, Pacific Suites offered the perfect base for exploring Canberra’s cultural center and its natural surrounds.
Offering some of Canberra’s largest suites and apartments, and one of the rare hotels in the city to include free underground parking, a stay here means you have the convenient option of choosing between well appointed one or two bedroom serviced suites.
The Suites
We set ourselves up in a one bedroom suite, which offered more than enough room for the two of us with 75sqm of space. Those travelling with family or friends can book a two bedroom apartment which offers 2 queen size beds or a single queen and two singles.
One of the greatest advantages of our suite was the fully equipped kitchen and dining area which allowed us to cut costs by cooking our own meals. We recommend, however, to save at least one night for eating out, with Canberra’s trendiest food scene (Braddon) literally right outside your room.
Proving to be much more than a home away from home, the one bedroom suite was literally larger than the first apartment rental my husband and I had at the beginning of our marriage.
Rarely in hotel suites (and even in our first apartment as a couple!) do we find ourselves having access to an in-room washer and dryer, but they were both there; a welcome (and sometimes necessary) luxury for extended stays or during a long duration road trip.
The furnishings were crisp, clean, and bright which provided a relaxing atmosphere. When they said the kitchen was fully equipped, they weren’t kidding. You’ll find a full fridge, oven, microwave, and even a dishwasher. Adding free WiFi to the mix was the icing on the cake.
Photos of Our Suite
The Amenities
I must admit that the bed was too comfortable to bring myself down to the hotel’s modern fitness room for a morning session, but we did manage to take advantage of the 25m pool. Thankfully it was late spring, and Canberra’s notable chilly temps had given way to warm weather.
When we visited, Canberra was in the final stages of completing stage one of the new Canberra light rail network that will run from Gungahlin in the north to the city centre.
The hotel is in the prime location for taking advantage of the public transport once it is completed in what is scheduled to be the end of 2018. In the mean time, you can easily rent a car and make use of the hotel’s secure undercover parking.
There are four conference rooms available onsite to accommodate any event. This in combination with the apartment style rooms would make the hotel perfect for corporate stays or function events.
Anyone attending attending a wedding in Canberra would be well set up at Pacific Suites, as the large rooms offer ample space for getting ready, and the many extras of the apartment style suites provide a relaxed experience and atmosphere.
Photos of the Amenities
The Location
Pacific Suites is located in Canberra’s trendy and vibrant suburb of Braddon. Considered the heart and soul of Canberra, Braddon showcases the finest Canberra has to offer when it comes to shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and lively social scene.
One of Canberra’s oldest and most popular suburbs, and conveniently just steps from the city centre, Braddon provides easy access to most of the CBD’s main attractions.
An early walk through nearby Haig Park revealed numerous bikers and joggers mixing with cockatoos and galahs. You have beautiful views of both Mt. Ainslie and Black Mountain, which is topped with the famous Telstra Tower landmark.
Braddon is a foodie’s dream, boasting numerous unique cafes, bakeries, food vans, bars, and restaurants. Be sure to grab a beer or cider from the local BentSpoke Brewing Co. or maybe check out the Civic Pub. You will also find interesting shops selling all kinds of unique goods.
A short walk down Lonsdale Street will keep you entertained for hours, and in a food coma for hours to come. Should you happen to not find what you’re looking for on Lonsdale, the Canberra Centre is just steps away for all your shopping needs.
Photos of the Location
How to Book at a Discount
Visit pacificsuitescanberra.com.au for more information, or to check dates and availability.
When you book direct via phone (+61 2 6262 6266) or online via their website, quote the promo code MAPMEG to receive a 15% off the best available rate.
This of course includes your free WiFi, and free parking.
➡ Check rates and availability.
Suite Things To Do During Your Stay
Lake Burley Griffin
It may be an artificial lake, but the beauty is definitely real. Lake Burley Griffin offers 40km of active shoreline filled with bikers, runners, and picnickers.
Out on the waters, be entertained by sailboats, dragon boats, stand up paddle boarders, and elegant black swans. Look to the sky at sunrise to see colourful hot air balloons overhead, or take to the skies yourself for a bird’s eye view over the city and the lake (complete with a champagne breakfast ending).
There are numerous access points to LBG’s beautiful network of pathways, and surrounding the lake you’ll find many of Canberra’s top landmarks and attractions.
Focus your walk around the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge to visit places like the National Museum of Australia, National Gallery, National Library, the High Court, Questacon, and more.
Great Bushwalking
Canberra is known as the Bush Capital, and for good reason. Wild bushland surrounds the city, taking the edge off the concrete and high rises.
The beautiful hillsides are covered in multi-use recreation hills the whole family can enjoy. Kangaroos can be spotted nearly anywhere in and around the city (be sure to keep an eye out on the roadways) as well as echidnas, wombats, wedge tailed eagles, and wallabies.
Nearby Mulligan’s Flat is a wonderful sanctuary for rare wildlife such as Eastern quolls and bettongs. The wild habitat is surrounded by a sanctuary fence which helps to keep out introduced predators and pests such as foxes, cats, and rabbits.
The sanctuary isn’t a captive zoo, rather it is a truly wild area where you can witness a wide variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles that are protected by the fence.
A bit further south of the city, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve offers even more wildlife experiences where you can view koalas, platypuses, lyrebirds, wetland birds, and potoroos.
National Arboretum & Australian National Botanic Gardens
We may have missed Floriade (an annual festival, touted as Australia’s biggest celebration of spring), but we still had the National Arboretum and National Botanic Gardens to explore.
The 250-hectare Arboretum offers a wide variety of incredible trees from around the world that you can enjoy via a self guided walk or with a free guide. We even saw a few people make their way through the area on horseback.
The views over the city and Lake Burley Griffin are stunning and my personal favourite areas were the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection, the Himalayan cedar forest, and the actually interesting cork oak forest. Call me ignorant, but I never really realized wine corks came from trees!
The National Botanic Gardens are located on Black Mountain and are unique in that they simply feature native Australian plants. Although they may not be as lush and glamorous as the botanic gardens found in Sydney or Melbourne, they are still worth a visit.
The Botanic Gardens are a popular spot for a weekend picnic as well as weddings. There is a nice little cafe onsite and loads of wildlife to be seen.
Australian War Memorial
When visiting Canberra you should make it a point to visit the Australian War Memorial to pay your respects to the Australian armed forces who sacrificed their lives in battle.
The Memorial is part shrine, part museum and has become one of the most important landmarks in both Australia and the South Pacific. More than that, it has become one of the world’s most significant war memorials.
See the Roll of Honour which contains over 100,000 names of service men and women who lost their lives in battle as well as the large collection of wartime artifacts.
Wartime history really comes alive here and makes you appreciate the many freedoms we enjoy today because of the sacrifice many gave to the country.
Try to time your visit to catch the Last Post Ceremony which commences just before 5:00pm each day. The Memorial is open every day except for Christmas.
Ready to visit Canberra? Click here to book your stay (remember to use code MAPMEG to get a 15% discount off your accommodation at Pacific Suites Canberra).
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Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind Waking Up Wild; an online magazine dedicated to opening your eyes to the wonders of the wild & natural world.
Having visited 50+ countries across all seven continents, Megan’s travels focus on cultural immersion, authentic discovery and incredible journeys. She has a strong passion for ecotourism, and aims to promote responsible travel experiences.
4 Comments
Is that rainbow always by the lake??
Seriously, though, thanks for that discount. Should I make it to the capital of Australia soon, I plan to use it.
Usually actually is! There’s a large fountain in the middle of the lake that’s usually on, and the spray creates the rainbow.
You’re welcome on the discount – I hope you have the chance to travel to Canberra soon :)
Really nice Meg. It does look like a home away from home. I would be down with some bushwalking for sure.
Hope you have the chance to visit Canberra soon :) Glad you enjoyed the review!