Your stay — Novotel
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The Property — Novotel
The Novotel Canberra is a business-hotel stalwart near the city centre, all beige brick and clean lines, with a competent lobby that smells of coffee and carpet cleaner. It appeals to government delegates and weekenders wanting reliable comfort near Lake Burley Griffin. The vibe is functional rather than charming—think conference lanyards and early breakfasts—but the pool and on-site Italian restaurant give it a slight edge over budget chains. It suits travellers who prioritise location and predictable service over character.
Chronicles of Canberra
Canberra was deliberately carved out of New South Wales farmland in 1913 as a compromise capital, following a design competition won by American architect Walter Burley Griffin. Its development stalled during the wars, but the 1960s brought the lake that bears Griffin's name and a wave of purpose-built brutalism—Parliament House, the National Library, the High Court. Today it's a quiet, orderly city of roundabouts and eucalypts, where public servants outnumber pollies and the cultural identity leans hard on national institutions like the War Memorial and the National Gallery.
Best Time to Visit
Full Canberra guide →Best months
March and April (autumn) for mild days and fewer tourists; November (late spring) for the Floriade floral festival without peak heat.
Peak / festival surge
January (summer school holidays) and October (for Floriade) are busiest; hotel prices jump 20-40% during Floriade. The National Folk Festival over Easter also drives demand.
Budget shoulder season
May and August are quietest—cool, sometimes rainy, but rooms can be 30% cheaper than peak. You'll have museums mostly to yourself.
Weather & packing
Canberra sits in a frost-prone valley, so July mornings hover around 0°C even if afternoons reach 11°C. Pack a heavy coat, scarf and gloves; you will use them.
Live City Briefing — Canberra
- The light rail extension from the city centre to Woden is due to open in late 2026, but construction near the Novotel may cause minor road detours in July—check signage.
- The National Gallery's summer blockbuster 'Picasso: The Vollard Suite' runs until August 2026—book tickets in advance for weekend slots.
- A new express bus service (Route 50) now links the hotel's area on Northbourne Avenue directly to the airport every 20 minutes, costing $4.50 each way.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Novotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 to 5 facing away from Northbourne Avenue, toward the internal courtyard or the quieter residential side. These mid-level floors avoid street rumble while keeping lift noise minimal – the lifts service all floors but tend to stop more on the ground and top levels.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms directly above the lobby/bar area on floor 1, as conference crowds and late bar noise carry. Also avoid rooms at the very end of corridors near the service lift or ice machine – these see staff traffic and door-slamming from housekeeping trolleys.
Best views
Rooms on the non-Northbourne side (ask for ‘city edge’ or ‘mountain view’ when booking) look over the low-rise suburbs toward Black Mountain or the Brindabellas – a proper Canberra horizon rather than a dual-carriageway.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 to 5 are the quietest – enough elevation to buffer street-level noise but not high enough to pick up wind or roof HVAC hum.
🔊 Noise notes
Northbourne Avenue is a busy six-lane road with truck and bus traffic from early morning till late evening. The hotel’s ground-floor bar and restaurant generate noise until about 11 pm on weekends. Near the lifts, you’ll hear the ‘ding’ and motor through the door, especially on floors 2–4.
Insider tips
1. Park in the hotel’s undercover car park ($10–15 per day) rather than on-street – night-time break-ins happen on Northbourne. 2. Ask at check-in for a ‘high floor, courtyard side’ – reception can often block one if availability is tight, and it’s worth the 30-second request.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Novotel
Free standard WiFi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests; premium tier ($15 AUD/24h, up to 50 Mbps) available via login code at check-in.
Two lifts serve all guest floors and conference wing; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital PressReader access on personal devices; no printed papers. Building is a purpose-built 1970s hotel with a recent lobby refurbishment.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out fee $50 AUD until 14:00, after 14:00 charged half the nightly rate.
Free baggage storage for same-day arrivals or departures only; available at the concierge desk.
Step-free entry at main doors; accessible rooms on ground floor; one lift fits wheelchair dimensions; no pool or outdoor step-free path to the garden.
On-site secured car park $25 AUD per night (no valet). Nearest public car park: City West Parking, 2-minute walk, $18 AUD overnight. No EV charging stations.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no additional city tax or resort fee applies in Australian Capital Territory)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required for non-refundable rates; a $100 AUD per night incidental hold on credit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Scientology (264 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Pilgrim House (347 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Ukrainian Orthodox Centre (700 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church (850 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Canberra Centre — 668 m · ~8 min walk
Latin American Plaza — 317 m · ~4 min walk
Canberra Museum and Gallery — 412 m · ~5 min walk
The Playhouse — 431 m · ~5 min walk
Glebe Park Central Community Playground — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 125 m · ~2 min walk
Develin’s City Chemist — 469 m · ~6 min walk
All In one — 125 m · ~2 min walk
Canberra Civic Coach Stop — 37 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Australian Dollar, AUD
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid currency exchange at the airport or tourist bureaux as they charge poor rates and fees.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted everywhere, including contactless and mobile pay; carry a little cash for small cafes or market stalls.
Tipping is not expected or required; round up the bill for good service in restaurants or leave a few dollars for hotel staff, but it's voluntary.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A flat white or latte from a local cafe costs around AUD 4.50–5.00.
A sandwich or wrap from a bakery or cafe will set you back about AUD 10–14.
A main course at a pub or casual restaurant costs about AUD 20–28.
No dedicated street food areas; look for food trucks at markets like the Old Bus Depot Markets on Sundays for affordable eats.
Aldi and Costco are the budget supermarket chains in the area.
Canberra Centre and the Canberra Outlet Centre have high-street brands at reasonable prices.
A MyWay day pass for buses costs about AUD 9.00; from the airport, take the R3 bus (about AUD 5.00) rather than a taxi.
Visit free attractions like the national museums and galleries; bring a reusable water bottle as tap water is excellent; eat at lunch specials rather than dinner.
Good to know — Canberra
Type I · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ A$1.43 · AUD
Emergency Contacts
CanberraFor all emergencies in Canberra, dial 000. For non-urgent police assistance, call 131 444. For health advice, contact Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. For the national Poison Information Centre, call 13 11 26.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Canberra, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Novotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 125 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Develin’s City Chemist — 469 m · ~6 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Civic Bus Stop (Alinga Street) → Various Canberra suburbs (e.g., Belconnen, Woden)
💡 Use the Transport Canberra app for real-time arrivals. The Mid City Motor Inn is a 3-min walk to the bus station. For Lake Burley Griffin, take bus 2 or 3.
Alinga Street Station (City) → Gungahlin
💡 The tram doesn't go to the airport yet, but it's great for reaching Gungahlin and EPIC markets. The Mid City Motor Inn is a 2-min walk from the Alinga Street stop.
Canberra Airport → Mid City Motor Inn (Canberra City)
💡 Book via the Canberra Taxi or GoCatch app for fixed fares; avoid surge pricing.
Canberra Airport → Tourist Hotel
💡 Uber is often cheaper than a taxi, but surge pricing peaks around 5–6 PM and 8–9 AM. Compare with Didi for another option. Pickup is just outside baggage claim.
Canberra Airport → City Bus Stop (Alinga Street / Civic)
💡 Buy a MyWay card at the airport newsagent for cheaper single trips; tap on and off. The Mid City Motor Inn is a 5-min walk from the city stop.
Canberra Airport → Tourist Hotel (London Circuit, Civic)
💡 Book through the Canberra Taxi app for a fixed fare of $35 to Civic. Avoid surge pricing late at night.
Canberra Airport → Hotel Queanbeyan
💡 Uber pool often skips cross-border trips, so stick to Uber X. Request pickup from the departures level to avoid airport surcharges.
Canberra Airport bus stop → City Bus Stop (London Circuit, near Tourist Hotel)
💡 Buy a MyWay card at the airport newsagent for easier travel around town. Tap on and off, or pay with your credit card (contactless) for the same fare.
Canberra Airport → Tourist Hotel
💡 Take bus 3 from the Airport to the City Interchange, then walk 5 minutes to London Circuit. The light rail runs from Gungahlin to Civic, but isn't direct from the airport—this combo saves time if you miss the R3.
Canberra Airport → Hotel Queanbeyan
💡 Book via the Canberra Taxi app for quicker pickup. The hotel is in Queanbeyan, NSW, so the interstate trip may incur a surcharge.
Canberra Airport → Queanbeyan Station
💡 Buy a MyWay card at the airport newsagent. Route 834 drops you at Queanbeyan Station, a 10-minute walk uphill to the hotel.
Canberra City (Jolimont Centre) → Queanbeyan Station
💡 You'll need a separate bus from the airport to Jolimont Centre first (Route 3 or 4). The coach runs parallel to the train line but is cheaper and just as fast.
About Canberra
Wikipedia ↗
Canberra ( KAN-brə; Ngunawal: Kanbarra) is the capital city of Australia and the largest population centre in the Australian Capital Territory. With an estimated population of 484,630 as of 2025, Canberra is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest Australian city by population. The c...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Novotel?
Request a room on floors 3 to 5 facing away from Northbourne Avenue, toward the internal courtyard or the quieter residential side. These mid-level floors avoid street rumble while keeping lift noise minimal – the lifts service all floors but tend to stop more on the ground and top levels.
Which rooms should I avoid at Novotel?
Avoid rooms directly above the lobby/bar area on floor 1, as conference crowds and late bar noise carry. Also avoid rooms at the very end of corridors near the service lift or ice machine – these see staff traffic and door-slamming from housekeeping trolleys.
Is Novotel noisy?
Northbourne Avenue is a busy six-lane road with truck and bus traffic from early morning till late evening. The hotel’s ground-floor bar and restaurant generate noise until about 11 pm on weekends. Near the lifts, you’ll hear the ‘ding’ and motor through the door, especially on floors 2–4.
Which rooms have the best views at Novotel?
Rooms on the non-Northbourne side (ask for ‘city edge’ or ‘mountain view’ when booking) look over the low-rise suburbs toward Black Mountain or the Brindabellas – a proper Canberra horizon rather than a dual-carriageway.
What are insider tips for staying at Novotel?
1. Park in the hotel’s undercover car park ($10–15 per day) rather than on-street – night-time break-ins happen on Northbourne. 2. Ask at check-in for a ‘high floor, courtyard side’ – reception can often block one if availability is tight, and it’s worth the 30-second request.
What time is check-in at Novotel?
Check-in at Novotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Novotel have Wi-Fi?
Free standard WiFi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests; premium tier ($15 AUD/24h, up to 50 Mbps) available via login code at check-in.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Novotel?
None (no additional city tax or resort fee applies in Australian Capital Territory)
Where can I eat cheaply near Novotel?
A sandwich or wrap from a bakery or cafe will set you back about AUD 10–14.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Novotel?
A MyWay day pass for buses costs about AUD 9.00; from the airport, take the R3 bus (about AUD 5.00) rather than a taxi.
When is the best time to visit Canberra?
March and April (autumn) for mild days and fewer tourists; November (late spring) for the Floriade floral festival without peak heat.
Top Attractions in Canberra
💡 Hire a bike from the dock near the library for about $15 per hour — flatter route than walking and you'll cover more sights.
💡 Check the free short film screenings in the theatre on weekdays; the café has outdoor seating overlooking the lake.
💡 Rent a bike from the docks near the National Library for about $15 per hour. The eastern section has fewer crowds.
💡 The section between Kings Avenue Bridge and the National Library is quietest on weekday mornings—take a thermos and a book.
💡 Rent a bike from the Acton Ferry Terminal for $10/hour — the full loop is 12km with great views of Parliament House.
💡 The Sculpture Garden is free and often quieter than the main building; bring a picnic if the weather is fine.
💡 Rent a bike from the shop near the National Carillon for about $15/hour—the full loop is 25 km but the central section from Commonwealth Bridge to the Jet is an easy 4 km there and back.
💡 Hire a bike from the Canberra Bike Hire kiosk near the Commonwealth Place bridge—$15 for an hour, cheaper than a taxi for the loop. Keep left for the best photo of Parliament House reflected in the water.