East Hotel

Italian owners Dan and Dion Bisa take immense pride in their 2012-opened property, where stylish vibes hit you from the get-go. The lobby's black-ceiling atrium has colorful armchairs on tree stump-print rugs, a three-story video projection behind a community table, and rows of wooden logs under locally produced artwork. Free-to-rent cruiser bicycles line a wall here, and free lollipops accompany apples. Even more color fills the adjacent Italian Joe's Bar, where lime-green suede booths and shelves filled with vibrant vases sits next to a textured purple wall. The bohemian bookstore and cafe, Muse, is a more toned-down space that's popular. The hotel's atmosphere is relaxed and hip, attracting a variety of trend-seeking leisure and business travelers.

Just off a main road (though surprisingly quiet), the hotel occupies a great spot between the Kingston and Manuka districts, which together border downtown Canberra. Both are an eight-minute walk. Packed with fun cafes, restaurants, and shops, they're great to wander, and waterfront dining at Kingston Foreshore forms a hotspot at the edge of Lake Burley Griffin. Political destinations are best reached by car or taxi. Australia's Parliament House and historic Old Parliament House are a six-minute drive, and Yarralumla's embassies are two minutes farther. Families need only walk six minutes for science exhibits at Questacon, and it's about the same distance for lawn-surrounded Manuka Pool, for which guests receive free passes. Canberra CBD is a five-minute drive and Canberra Railway Station is a 15-minute walk. Allow nine minutes by car (or 35 minutes by public transport) for Canberra International Airport.

Contemporary rooms stylish and sleek, designed with dominating charcoals in walls, carpets, kitchen cabinets, and runners on white-linen beds. Purple velours throw pillows, retro seating in vibrant yellow or blue, and locally produced artwork add lovely pops of color, while midcentrury-modern wood furniture keeps the spaces functional. Studios measure 323 square feet (30 square meters) and have well-equipped, sleek kitchens with stovetops, coffeemakers, fridges, microwaves, and all necessary cookware. One- and Two-Bedroom Apartments add ovens, dishwashers, and washer/dryers. 

Other amenities include large satellite flat-screen TVs, dining areas, desks, ironing facilities, safes, bathrobes, slippers, and AC. For families, Kids Cubby rooms come with toys, kiddy treats, PlayStations, and bunk beds. Pristine bathrooms have showers or jetted tubs in upgraded units, Organic Appelles Apothecary toiletries, and hairdryers. All have furnished balconies, with street and building views or more-scenic Parliament and city vistas. 

Guests start the day at Muse, where healthy a la carte breakfasts pave the way to all-day fare. Cafe vibes here are strong from book-filled shelves wrapping canteen seating, and floor-to-ceiling windows let in lots of light. Sharing plates are popular here, although the space gets busy. Fine Italian wines at Joe's Bar continue at Agostini Restaurant, where pastas are traditional and a wood-fire oven dishes out pizzas. It's best to book ahead for both the bar and restaurant. Though small, the 24-hour gym's Precor and Concept cardio and weight-training machines are modern. Guests can continue workouts off-site, thank to free-to-rent bikes. Unfortunately, there are no spa or pool facilities on-site, but guests receive free passes to Manuka Pool nearby. Eight glass-wrapped meeting rooms can fit between eight and 120 people. Studio guests can use public washer/dryers for free. On-site parking is handy, but at a fee, while Wi-Fi is free throughout.