Back story<\/h2>\n
The QT brand reimagined the Rydges Lakeside Hotel in Canberra in 2014. And in doing so, it applied its quirky QT formula of \u2018crazy + sexy = cool\u2019 to an extensive redevelopment of the 205-room hotel. The original hotel was built at One London Circuit in 1970 and it has great mid-century Brutalist bones.<\/p>\n
Designed by Peddle, Thorp & Walker back in 1972, the building is one of the most iconic landmark buildings in the nation\u2019s capital. And, now its achingly cool interiors have been finessed, it\u2019s become one of Canberra\u2019s many modernist buildings and a real eye-catcher.<\/p>\n
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Stay in the heart of the city at QT Canberra.<\/p><\/div>\n
History<\/h2>\n
In its heyday, the hotel hosted several milestone political party catch-ups, clandestine meetings, glamorous gatherings, and conferences. But the $6 million makeover and design changes brought about by QT mean the storied hotel is now in step with the hip and happening NewActon precinct. And according to the QT Canberra website, it remains a place where culture and politics collide.<\/p>\n
QT Canberra<\/a> is in the arts and cultural precinct of NewActon in the so-called \u2018capital of cool\u2019. It\u2019s also a short stroll from Lake Burley Griffin, boasting views from either side. Make the QT Canberra your starting point on a self-guided tour of Canberra\u2019s most iconic architecture<\/a>.<\/p>\n The designer accommodation looks elegant and spacious. (Image: VisitCanberra)<\/p><\/div>\n Our suite at QT Canberra is best described as minimalist chic, with the monochromatic theme brightened by pops of colour and quirk. Take the signature QT cocktail station. Or the cute pillow featuring a bespectacled dog.<\/p>\n Each room comes with modern decor.<\/p><\/div>\n Although the reimagined rooms remain compact, they are now both fun and functional with a king-sized custom QT Dream bed and balcony that you can open to breathe in the crisp Canberra air. The pocket-sized bathroom also ticks all the boxes: big mirror, large rain showerhead, good lighting, and quality toiletries from Kevin Murphy.<\/p>\n QT Canberra State Suite is a stylish two-bedroom penthouse apartment.<\/p><\/div>\n The small but perfectly formed rooms embrace the arty and edgy luxury that underpins the QT brand. Pull the curtains back in the rooms to reveal a long balcony that boasts views over Black Mountain, Australian National University and Lake Burley Griffin.<\/p>\n Settle in the QT Canberra Superior King Room.<\/p><\/div>\n Pops of yellow break up the neutral palette of blacks and whites and allow the natural light to butter the space. The room totally owns the 80s vibes. You will feel like you\u2019re nailing it in your new life as a digital nomad when you book the QT Superior Room, which has fast internet, free wi-fi and an ergonomic desk.<\/p>\n Expect old-school charm and service fit for a prime minister and a front-row seat to any covert political power plays.<\/p>\n Drift off to sleep in a QT Canberra Twin bed.<\/p><\/div>\n The sprawling ground floor is QT\u2019s crowning glory. It encompasses the reception, lobby and lounge areas, and the entrance to Lucky\u2019s Speakeasy (available for private hire only) and the Capitol Bar & Grill.<\/p>\n Hire Lucky\u2019s Speakeasy for private events.<\/p><\/div>\n Dominated by dark and moody tones and complemented by blond wood and monochromatic, patterned furnishings, it\u2019s modern and sophisticated. It\u2019s also full of playful, cheeky winks and nods to the site\u2019s heavyweight political history.<\/p>\n Find a floor-to-ceiling wine fridge in the wine cellar. (Image: VisitCanberra)<\/p><\/div>\n Neon Twitter feeds scroll down mirrors next to the reception, and the wallpaper is a brilliant kaleidoscopic pattern of pollies. The central lobby area also features a few glass-domed cabinets filled with politically themed knick-knacks. If you\u2019re here to hobnob with members of parliament, you\u2019ll be right in position.<\/p>\n Although there are a lot of knowing nods to the hotel\u2019s role in Australia\u2019s political history, it\u2019s worth taking a tour of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. It\u2019s one of the best things to do in Canberra.<\/p>\n QT Canberra bar and lobby evoke an eclectic but chic ambience.<\/p><\/div>\n Turn the corner and you come to a cool lounge area where neon and pop-art portraits of world leaders past and present \u2013 from Kim Jong-un to Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy \u2013 line the corridor. This leads us to the Capitol Bar & Grill<\/a>, where we settle in for a drink by the slick gas fireplace before dinner in the buzzing restaurant, one of many highlights of our stay.<\/p>\n![\"an](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/QTHotelCanberra.jpg\")
The style of the rooms<\/h2>\n
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Room ambience<\/h2>\n
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Amenities available<\/h2>\n
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Restaurants and food available<\/h2>\n
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