Crowne Plaza Canberra By Ihg

This hotel offers a highly convenient urban base, celebrated for its central location that provides direct access to shopping areas, restaurants, and Glebe Park. Its signature feature is its exceptional walkability, making it an ideal choice for sightseers, families exploring the city, and business travelers attending events at the nearby convention center. Guests consistently highlight the friendly and attentive staff, as well as the generally comfortable accommodations. For those seeking a vibrant city experience with easy access to amenities, this hotel is a strong contender. To enhance your stay, consider requesting a room with a park view for a more serene outlook, and be aware that while the hotel is well-maintained, some areas are noted as needing modernization.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel provides a range of facilities for guest convenience and recreation. Most guests appreciate the well-equipped gym, often described as spacious and offering a good selection of exercise equipment. However, feedback on the swimming pool is mixed; while some find it adequate, many note it is an outdoor pool, often cold, small, and at times uninviting or unkempt, especially during cooler seasons. The sauna is available, though some find it too small. Guests generally find the Wi-Fi reliable. Some express concerns about the lifts, noting they can be slow or that there is only one serving the car park, leading to waits during peak times. The overall decor of some facilities is described as dated, suggesting a need for updates.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on room comfort and cleanliness is varied. Many guests find the rooms spacious, clean, and equipped with comfortable beds and effective blackout blinds, ensuring a restful sleep. Rooms often offer pleasant park views. However, a significant number of reviews highlight that the bathrooms are outdated, featuring shower-over-bath setups with shower curtains that some find unhygienic or inconvenient, and occasionally show signs of mould or wear. Some guests report issues with thin sheets, uncomfortable pillows (either too hard or too soft), and occasional oversights in housekeeping, such as dirty areas under beds or uncleaned kettles. Noise can also be an issue, with some rooms experiencing sound from the restaurant atrium or unexpected fire alarms during the night.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining experience, particularly breakfast, receives considerable praise. The breakfast buffet is consistently described as fantastic and excellent, offering a wide variety of hot foods, pastries, fruits, and an omelette station where eggs are cooked to order. Many guests appreciate the availability of barista coffee. However, some reviews indicate that the hot food at breakfast can be lukewarm. Feedback on the restaurant service for dinner is mixed, with some guests reporting slow or inattentive service due to apparent understaffing, and occasional issues with cold main courses. While some mention "kids eat free" deals, there is also feedback about confusion regarding this policy, especially concerning breakfast for children.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is a major highlight for most guests, placing it within easy walking distance of numerous key attractions and amenities. It is conveniently situated near the Canberra Centre shopping mall, a variety of restaurants, and directly adjacent to Glebe Park. The hotel's proximity to the casino and the convention center also makes it highly accessible for both leisure and business travelers. Guests appreciate the ease of reaching public transport options and exploring the city on foot. While the location is praised for its convenience, some guests note that the surrounding area can be busy, particularly during events.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and professionalism. Guests frequently commend the attentive service provided by the reception team, noting quick check-in and a welcoming approach. Many reviews highlight specific staff members for their exceptional service, making guests feel valued and well-cared for. The restaurant staff are also often mentioned for their pleasant demeanor and efforts to accommodate guests, despite some operational challenges. Overall, the commitment of the staff to providing a positive guest experience is a recurring theme, contributing significantly to guest satisfaction.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of certain practical aspects of their stay. Parking is available on-site but is frequently noted as being expensive, with high daily fees and sometimes tight or congested spaces. There are also recurring mentions of false fire alarms, often occurring in the early morning hours, which can disrupt sleep. Many reviews collectively point to a general need for renovation and updating across various parts of the hotel, including rooms, bathrooms, and some facilities, suggesting that while the hotel is functional, its decor and fixtures are showing their age. Some guests also mention issues with basic amenities like the lack of complimentary bottled water in rooms.