TRAVEL // Hotel Hotel, NewActon Nishi, Canberra

Photos by Natalie Hayllar (eat read love)

Hotel-Hotel in NewActon Nishi precinct sets the new standard for ultra cool in Canberra*.  Canberra is no longer just the place you visit for a school art excursion or en-route to the snow. Canberra has been buzzing with fabulous new hotels, restaurants and trendy boutiques for a while now. I am lucky enough to have a dear friend and personal tour guide living in Ainslie who takes me to the all the lovely new places when I visit. This time the standout newbie is Hotel-Hotel in trendy NewActon Nishi precinct. Award winning architecture and style in every corner, this goes down as one of my all time favourite hotels. It really is a place for 'people people'. From cocktails by the the ultra modern fireplace in the lobby, to freshly baked A.Baker croissants & coffee for breakfast room service, to one very luxurious deep concrete bath (with Aesop), Hotel Hotel has it all. 

We stayed in one of the stunning 'Meandering Rooms' on level two, just an easy walk up the stairs from the Monster Kitchen. I loved everything about the decor too especially the artwork on the walls, and who doesn't love a fluffy chair. Many people have collaborated to make Hotel-Hotel as special and unique as it is. (You can read all about the collective creative talents here). We have the vision of March Studio to thank for the amazing Grand Stair and Blackbutt timber facade. The smell of fresh wood is strangely lovely.  

Monster Bar and Kitchen - taking over the ground floor of Hotel-Hotel, Monster is essential dining when in Canberra. Enjoy a cosy drink and nibbles by the fire followed by a fabulous menu, wine list and relaxed dinner in the open restaurant. Read all about our lovely dinner here too on the blog. 

A.Baker - not just a bakery as the name might suggest, A.Baker is a cafe, restaurant and bar serving bistro style food and an underground speakeasy. With a focus on local produce, signature artisan bread and coffee roasted by its owners, I can safely say A.Baker does one of the best Pain au Chocolate outside of Paris. The interiors are stunning also. Just across the road from Hotel-Hotel.  

We just loved this little family mini-break in Canberra, perfect for a school holiday getaway, and I can definitely recommend Hotel-Hotel for your next work trip, girls weekend, romantic getaway or family holiday. There is really just so much to see in Canberra and it is so easy to get around. The perfect Winter splurge. 
{*SP- I was a guest of Hotel Hotel}

Style Guide to Canberra

• Hotel-Hotel
• A.Baker
• Monster Kitchen & Bar
• Londsdale Street, Braddon 
• The Hive
• Handsome Pretty Shop 
• Elk & Pea
• Autolyse cafe
• Italian & Sons
• Cotter countryside
• Braidwood

Fun with the little ones

• National Portrait Gallery 
• War Memorial
• Quesatcon
• Corin Forest, Brindabella's
• Cotter Space Centre

Photo by A.Baker