Abode Hotels Canberra: a stay for every type of traveller

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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Abode Hotels is one of the brand’s apartment-style stays shining a spotlight on Canberra’s suburban spirit.

Abode means a place of residence, a house or home – and this is embodied at each of Abode Hotels’ self-contained stays across the nation’s capital.

Stay in one of the brand’s stylish iterations and you will learn a lot about Canberrans and how they like to roll, from laid-back brunch spots to happening bars and everything in between. And after exploring the delights of Canberra all day, it’s only natural that you’ll want somewhere comfortable to rest your head. This is where Abode steps in.

Location

Abode Hotels’ eight properties are located in regional and residential areas, including Canberra suburbs such as Phillip, Belconnen, Malua Bay, Kingston, Gungahlin, Woden, Tuggeranong, Murrumbatemen and Narrabundah. And while all the Abode offerings in Canberra are different, they are all designed for those who enjoy creature comforts.

an aerial view of Abode Malua Bay near the beach
The beach is just a few steps away from Abode Malua Bay. (Image: PewPew Studios)

In-room digital guide Your Abode further encourages self-exploration and local immersion, serving as a modern-day guidebook of each hotel and its surrounding area. The hotel brand is bucking the trend of city-centric stays, inviting travellers to instead engage with regional communities across Canberra. So, while I booked into the 63-room Abode Kingston, I’d be happy at any of the brand’s locations.

the property exterior of Abode Murrumbateman
Abode Hotel’s Murrumbateman location is undeniably homely.

For my stay, I was just a five-minute drive to the Parliamentary Triangle, which is one of the most popular places to visit in Canberra.

Want to check out some of the city’s best boutiques? It’s a 10-minute drive to the CBD. Fancy a paddle around Lake Burley Griffin? Love Boats is just over a one-kilometre walk away. Make sure you factor in time to see some of the world-class museums and galleries, too.

Style and character

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself feeling right at home within minutes of checking in to an Abode Hotel. This is not your standard, cut-and-paste hotel experience. In fact, the brand’s focus is built around providing a sense of homely comfort.

Abode Hotels Canberra
Expect all the creature comforts plus a ton of local flavour.

The staff remember my name and instantly make me feel welcome from the moment I check in at the marble reception desk with terracotta-toned pendant lighting.

Although each hotel has unique design touches that nod to its individual surrounds, they all have a similar look and feel. Abode Kingston guests can expect a lot of wood, rattan and eucalypt greys and greens; my room reflects the colours of Canberra’s countryside.

Abode Hotels Canberra in Kingston
Guests at Abode Kingston can expect colours inspired by the countryside.

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Facilities

Each Abode location varies when it comes to facilities. If you’re not tied to a specific location, use the website to filter through the hotels based on what you’d like to have access to. If a pool is a non-negotiable, book Abode Belconnen. Want an onsite restaurant? Abode Woden, with No.10 Restaurant + Bar on its ground floor, is the one for you. All locations feature Your Abode.

Abode Belconnen in Canberra
With amenities like a 25-metre outdoor pool, Abode Belconnen is perfect for a summer stay.

Where I’m stationed at Abode Kingston, guests have access to complimentary Wi-fi and room service.

The hotel also has bikes that you can borrow to do a hot lap of nearby Lake Burley Griffin. It’s nothing out of the ordinary to see a fellow hotel guest cycling into the horizon, map of the region in hand. They’re likely bound for a tour of the local markets or one of the many cute local coffee nooks.

bikes parked inside the lobby at Abode Hotel Canberra
Borrow a bike at the hotel’s lobby to cycle around the city.

What’s more, you can forget about organising a pet sitter. Most Abode Hotels offer a Pet Package which includes animal-friendly rooms so the whole clan can come on holiday.

two dogs sitting outside a unit at Abode Hotel Canberra
Stay with your furry friends at Abode Narrabundah.

Rooms

A stay at the Abode Kingston is the antithesis of staying in a big city hotel, and the only challenge presented is finding the motivation to leave. The serviced apartment-style rooms offer everything you’ll need, like unlimited free wi-fi, air conditioning, a rainfall shower, Google STAYCAST streaming, bar fridge and plenty of space to spread out.

You can book a regular hotel room, king studio, courtyard studio, balcony studio or executive studio. Guests should note that the hotel room and king studio do not offer kitchenette or washer/dryer facilities.

Abode Hotels Canberra in Kingston
The rooms at Abode Kingston are spacious and light-filled.

The rooms are clean and quite minimal, and the hotel itself feels like the kind of apartment living we all long for. There’s much to be thankful when ensconced in these rooms, where it feels like Marie Kondo has had a say in the clean lines and minimalist approach.

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Food and drink

Abode Kingston is located just a short stroll away from Kingston Foreshore, one of Canberra’s dining hotspots. Guests are encouraged to wander down to the string of acclaimed restaurants, bars and cafes to experience fresh local flavours.

If you’d rather stay in, use the hotel’s handy Abode Pantry. Located in the lobby, it is stocked with a variety of food and beverage items (plus other travel essentials) that you can take back up to your room. From healthy frozen meals to midnight snack treats, the Abode Pantry has something for every guest. Or, treat yourself and order take-out via Your Abode.

the dining at Abode Murrumbateman
Adobe Pantry is a great option for guests who want to stay in.

Do Abode Hotels have access for guests with disabilities?

Abode Hotels have rooms at each location designed for the mobility impaired. At Abode Kingston, guests with accessibility needs can book the wheelchair-friendly acccessible room, which features an ultra-spacious layout, one queen-sized bed, an ensuite with walk-in shower and multiple accessible fixtures.

Are Abode Hotels family-friendly?

All Abode Hotels are family friendly, with children four anmd under staying for free (using existing bedding). Portable cots are available in select room types at an additional charge of $20 per night. Interconnecting rooms can also be arranged for larger families.

Details:

Best for: Those looking for a stay that will connect them with the local Canberra community.

Address: 14 Kennedy St, Kingston ACT

Phone: (02) 6108 4760

Cost: From $198 per night.

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Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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Why winter is the best time to be on the New South Wales coast

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

    Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.

    Winter on the NSW South Coast

    Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.

    Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.

    two people standing in front of kiama blowhole
    See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.

    Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.

    Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures on the new south wales south coast
    Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery. Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.

    Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda, and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.

    End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines.

    The Sebel Kiama exterior
    Sleep by the harbour.

    Winter on the Mid-North Coast

    A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.

    First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.

    Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, winter on the New South Wales coast
    Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk, one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.

    Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines, where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.

    port macquarie koala hospital
    Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala. Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.

    Back in town, Whalebone Wharf serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.

    At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie, right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.

    bed at Mercure Centro Port Macquarie
    Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.

    Winter on the Central Coast

    On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.

    The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk, an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.

    Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.

    a humpback whale breaching on the central coast
    Spot migrating humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park. Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

    If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast, a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery, where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.

    Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm. Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.

    woman holding a pearl at Broken Bay Pearl Farm
    Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)

    As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal, which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.

    Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores, between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.

    restaurant at Pullman Magenta Shores central coast
    Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Winter in Wollongong

    Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.

    If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.

    Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.

    monk teaching tai chi at Nan Tien Temple
    Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch. Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.

    The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong. A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery, which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.

    monkey at Symbio Wildlife Park
    Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)

    As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen. It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.

    Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.

    Novotel Wollongong Northbeach
    Fall asleep listening to the waves.

    Winter on the New South Wales coast starts with a cosy place to stay. Start planning your adventure at all.com.