Canberra probably isn’t where you’d expect to find a slice of Italy, but East Hotel offers exactly that.
The family-owned hotel is just a short walk from the bustling centre of Australia’s capital city and offers a slick, boutique stay for both families, couples and business travellers.
With 140 moody and sophisticated rooms, the apartment-style units come equipped with a kitchenette, while the larger apartments have kitchens and laundry service.
There are also plenty of different room options inbetween. There are two Kids Cubby interconnecting rooms that come complete with an Xbox One, bunk beds, a play table, building blocks and a mini-bar stocked with kid-friendly goodies.
The rooms are spacious and decked out with dark monochromatic lounges and carpets, but with pops of colour the give warmth to the rooms.
While the staff at the East Hotel encourage you to explore the surroundings, you can’t go past the in-house restaurant, Agostinis.
In a nod to the heritage of the owners of the East Hotel, Dan and Dion have created a menu showcasing rich lamb ragu with housemade pappardelle and classics such as fried zucchini flowers with buffalo mozzarella and mortadella, as well as cannoli and tiramisu.
For a pre- or post-dinner drink, Joe’s Bar has a wide selection of Italian wines, including Chianti from Grene and Pinot Grigio from Breganze. But Joe’s also has a focus on local Canberra labels such as Collector Rose and Lark Hill.
From the hotel you can forget about the hassles of jumping in the car or taking public transport as there are plenty of shopping, dining and activities just a walk away in the friendly neighbourhoods of Manuka or Kingston.
If the sun is shining there are also free bikes in the lobby to ride down to the lake and wetlands where there’s plenty to do, see and explore.
However, you’re also no more than five minutes’ drive from Questacon or Parliament House.
Special deals
Pizza Package: Enjoy one night’s accommodation, an Agostini’s pizza delivered right to the comfort of your room, free parking, high-speed wi-fi and a 12pm check-out for only $209.
Italy in Canberra: Get yourself one night’s accommodation in a Luxe Studio, two classic negronis, an Agostini’s antipasto platter, as well as free parking and high-speed wi-fi from $270 for one night (valued at over $350). You can book extra nights from $229.
A Family Italian Adventure: Treat the whole family to an Italian excursion with one night’s accommodation in an East Two-Bedroom Apartment, a bottle of Italian vino, a family gelato park, free parking and wi-fi, from $380 for one night.
Explore more: easthotel.com.au
