An affordable visit to Canberra’s attractions needs a suitably affordable hotel. What Mantra saves on sparkle it delivers in amenities, great staff and loads of space to stretch out after days of museums, memorabilia and gallery-strolling.
The arrival
Easy parking via the circular driveway made it a cinch to swoop in off Northbourne Avenue. Wonderfully friendly staff made for an easy check-in. Underground parking for guests and lifts straight to the room made the whole arrival and check-in process.
The vibe
Cool, calm and collected. Mantra on Northbourne delivers on all the fundamentals, leaving you free to indulge your senses out and about in Canberra. A recurring motif of black and white prints are a stylish nod to the local art attractions and classic history of our nation’s capital. Pops of yellow bring balance and brightness.
Accommodation – Room 901, a one-bedroom premier view
A top-floor room, with a sweeping view to Black Mountain. Oooh space, glorious space, lots of amenities and whisper quiet.
Living room
On opening the door, the separate living area was a lovely surprise. Tasteful black and white images of Canberra sights framed and hung over a grey 3-seater sofa was an inviting scene after the drive down from Sydney. The fully-equipped kitchen, including a cook-top, microwave and fridge twice the size of a regular mini-bar made it really easy to unpack and store a few must-have snacks I brought from home. It was lovely to sit on the balcony with coffee in hand and a bird’s eye view of Canberra to watch the city wake to a new day.
Bathroom
Even though they weren’t needed for this stay, the washer, dryer and laundry tub in the large bathroom were appreciated and noted as really useful to have if I were to return for a longer stay. The vanity had plenty of space for make-up and skincare.
Bedroom
A king sized bed and mirrored wardrobe stocked with extra blankets made the bedroom feel like a very comfortable home away from home. Grey curtains and headboard offset the crispness of the white sheets and fluffy white towels. A small desk in the corner and fast wi-fi were perfect for catching up on a bit of work.
About town
It’s less than a 10-minute walk to the centre of Canberra, and you can literally skip around the corner to Braddon where Lonsdale Street is dotted with cool cafes, bars and restaurants. A 7-11 on the next block is perfect for late-night ice-creams and sparkling water to store in your full-sized fridge.
If you’re keen to drive and willing to brave the roundabouts, you’ll delight in how easy the traffic is to manage, there’s a tram stop outside the door, and parking for guests in the basement.
Sleep quality
For a room overlooking Northbourne Avenue, Canberra’s main traffic artery, it was remarkably quiet. The bedroom had no shared walls, so there was no neighbourly noise to contend with. Full block out of light, a firm mattress on the king-size bed, crisp white linens, choice of pillows from fluffy to firm, and excellent air-conditioning made for a restful night’s sleep.
Health kick – gym and pool
The pool, hidden away in a sub-ground floor was more of a large paddling pool, not enough for more than five freestyle strokes. The tiny gym was well-equipped, with two treadmills, two cross-trainers and small selection of weight machines and free weights. The old-style wooden sauna was clean and a treat to have to myself.
The verdict
What we’re addicted to: Space! After a day of exploring galleries and gardens, it’s wonderful to be able to sit at a table and eat, or stretch out on a full-sized sofa. The fully-equipped kitchen meant being able to try more local delights picked up at the markets. And we loved that there’s one-bedroom, pet-friendly option for those who don’t want to leave their dogs at home.
What do we need to be more addicted? A little bit of greenery in the rooms and hallways would soften the black, white and bright yellow theme, to add a bit of luxury to this 4-star hotel.
Mantra on Northbourne 84 Northbourne Ave, Canberra ACT 2612
