Luxury Hotels - Canberra - Realm vs Diamant vs Park Hyatt

Has anybody stayed at either the Realm Hotel or the Diamant Hotel in Canberra? Options are limited as we know, and I have never been able to get excited about the Park Hyatt.

Any other suggestions or recent reviews gratefully received.

Has anybody stayed at either the Realm Hotel or the Diamant Hotel in Canberra? Options are limited as we know, and I have never been able to get excited about the Park Hyatt.

Any other suggestions or recent reviews gratefully received.CBR hotel options are bleak and nothing remotely approaches being a luxury hotel. Realm is by far the best choice, esp. if you get a suite (which isn't much more or different from a room).

From people I know who have come to stay, they have all said the Realm is better. I would go with either it or Diamant, noting that Diamant is also better located within the city.

Hyatt is definitely a no go. Old and boring vibe, and terrible location.

Have stayed in Diamant and Park Hyatt. Service much better at Park Hyatt.

Having stayed at both realm and Hyatt, it really depends on what you're after.

Realm is a cool uber chic hotel, whilst the Hyatt is much more of a nostalgic factor.

Realm has loccitane toiletries and Hyatt has vive toiletries if you're interested.

Realm is further away from the city than Hyatt, and both properties are 5*, Diamant is 4.5*.

I've stayed at the Realm and visited the Hyatt. Both are OK, neither over the top. I have a pretty strong preference for the Realm. It is contemporary, but not uber-hip.

I've stayed at the Realm perhaps half a dozen times over the years and never had a service snafu. The property is probably coming up on 5 years old now, but still feels new. The Realm is my default choice in CBR.

If you stay at the Realm, a few other small local tips:
At the corner of National Circuit and Brisbane (basically, turn right out of the hotel and go to the first major intersection), there is a nice little deli called the Lachlan Cafe on Brisbane, just a little right of the intersection. Nothing fancy, but a good spot for a quick/inexpensive lunch or breakfast.

Turning left out of the hotel, you can head to Manuka or Giles Street. Both of these are quite lively areas. Manuka has a wide variety of restaurants - I don't recall any by name, but in a dozen meals at random places there, I've been very pleased. Decent S/SE Asian choices, some Italians, and others. Upper mid-scale. Often you'll see MPs eating here.

A bit more down market are some of the options in/around Giles Street; particularly between Jardine and Howitt Streets. Facing Giles, there is a place that is basically only a meat-pie shop. Very good. A few of the pubs in that little plaza are quite lively. My favorite is Filfthy's, an Australian version of a proper Irish pub.

Both of these are 10 minute walks from the hotel...or a quick cab ride.

At all costs, avoid the Kurrajong hotel.

Thanks so much for your responses. The Realm it is.

Thanks so much for your responses. The Realm it is.

Would you mind taking a photo or two at the property to post when you get back?

Would you mind taking a photo or two at the property to post when you get back?

Sure. I will have a one bedroom suite. I doubt the property will be up to the usual standards for this forum but in a city like Canberra with such limited options all information is useful!

Sure. I will have a one bedroom suite. I doubt the property will be up to the usual standards for this forum but in a city like Canberra with such limited options all information is useful!

I don't know why but ALL the Oz cities have limited options!

I don't know why but ALL the Oz cities have limited options!

Yes, once you get outside of SYD and MEL it's a desert in the other cities! And even SYD (really only Park Hyatt and Observatory...) and MEL (really only Crown Towers, maybe Park Hyatt, one or two boutiques...) could be a lot better.

The best offerings are outside the cities, which is lovely but not much use for business travellers.

Yes, once you get outside of SYD and MEL it's a desert in the other cities! And even SYD (really only Park Hyatt and Observatory...) and MEL (really only Crown Towers, maybe Park Hyatt, one or two boutiques...) could be a lot better.

The best offerings are outside the cities, which is lovely but not much use for business travellers.I was just at the Realm yesterday, nice and comfortable and about the best in CBR, but 4 star.

MEL does have the Langham which has some great rooms (e.g. Terrace) but there are only a handful and the decor is quite shabby compared to Langham in HKG for example. Still comparable to Crown Towers plus with fresh air and a much better view (I prefer the Terrace rooms over their suites).

I want to find the best luxury hotel. Who can offer me hotels?

I want to find the best luxury hotel. Who can offer me hotels?

In Canberra?

I think we've pretty much covered it.