Hyatt Hotel Canberra - A Park Hyatt Hotel

In a townscape ruled by geometry, the Park Hyatt Canberra has landed smack in the middle between the London Circuit hexagon and State Circle. The building itself is a radial plan that hints at some intended posh governmental design vestige from Canberra’s early days. And unlike the slick Diamant Hotel across the river, the Park Hyatt takes the high road with a restrained design palate more appropriate for dignitaries than DJs. Why might this be a good thing? Well, the Park Hyatt doesn’t just do “restrained” with a bucket of beige paint and a pillow mint, it actually manages to capture the subtle sovereign stateliness of the Capital itself. Canberra is not exactly a picture of pomp, but it has a comforting air of democracy that reappears in the courtyards and crown moldings of the Park Hyatt.

All of the expected qualities of the Park Hyatt brand are in full force here — you’ll find impeccable service and impeccably buttoned-up accommodations at all levels. Arrivals take place under a porte-cochere worthy of a high-security presidential visit. Once across the threshold the lobby and public spaces are airy and lightly formal, and lastly guest rooms are bright with classic contemporary furnishings, sort of how you’d imagine an Officer’s Club scene from a novel might play out. Bathrooms get a slightly more risky with extreme use of black and white marble; perhaps those are for a different chapter.

In proper Commonwealth fashion, tea is served promptly at 2:30 in the Lounge, regardless of one’s distance from the Crown (16,984 km, in case you’re wondering). Dinner can be more of-the-hour at Axis restaurant, overlooking the lake and serving up modern Australian fare. The Clubhouse contains a gym, pool and spa and can help wind down the day. And once retired to one’s quarters, of course, all state business can wait for tomorrow.