QT Canberra sits at 1 London Circuit, on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin, offering a blend of boutique design and central convenience that places the city’s key landmarks a short walk away. This review combines verified guest ratings from platforms such as Hotels.com, Booking.com and Agoda with official property information to give you a fact-based picture of what to expect from a stay here.
Last checked: 2026-06-04
Hotel name: QT Canberra · Address: 1 London Circuit, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia · Star rating: 4-star boutique hotel · Key amenities: Free WiFi, on-site restaurant (Capitol Bar & Grill), fitness centre, valet parking · Official website: www.qthotels.com/canberra · Phone number: +61 2 6247 6244
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-04.
Sources reviewed: Official property website (qthotels.com), Hotels.com listing, Booking.com listing, Agoda listing, TripAdvisor reviews, Expedia listing, Travel Weekly hotel directory, Travelocity listing, conference venue documentation (Australasian Academy of Sleep Medicine), independent travel blog (A Winter Escape).
We did not conduct an on-site visit, interview hotel staff, or independently verify prices beyond publicly listed rates.
Key facts in brief
- 8.0 out of 10 – “Very good” (Hotels.com)
- 8.7 out of 10 (Agoda)
- 205 rooms across 15 floors (Travel Weekly)
- 6.4 km from Canberra Airport (Agoda)
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 London Circuit, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia (Hotels.com) |
| Guest rating (Hotels.com) | 8.0 / 10 (“Very good”) |
| Guest rating (Booking.com) | 7.6 / 10 from 3,387 reviews (Booking.com) |
| Number of rooms | 205 (Travel Weekly) |
| Year built / last renovated | Built 1972, last renovated 2012 (Travel Weekly) |
| On-site self‑parking price | AUD 30 per night (Hotels.com); AUD 35 per night reported by Travelocity |
| Breakfast service | Full breakfast surcharge, served 6:30 am–10:00 am at Capitol Bar & Grill (Hotels.com) |
| Check‑in / check‑out | Check‑in from 3:00 pm to midnight; check‑out 11:00 am (Hotels.com) |
| Wi‑Fi | Free in rooms (Hotels.com) |
| Distance to city centre | 1 km (Agoda) |
QT Canberra parking
Parking at QT Canberra is paid and on‑site. According to Hotels.com, self‑parking costs AUD 30 per night, while Travelocity lists the rate at AUD 35. A 2025 conference venue document from the Australasian Academy of Sleep Medicine confirms that paid parking is available for hotel guests on‑site, with additional public parking on nearby London Circuit.
Older TripAdvisor discussions reference a historic rate of around AUD 12 per night, but direct booking‑platform reports from 2026 suggest the price has risen. Reviewers on TripAdvisor describe the spaces as limited and sometimes tight to access, particularly on weekends.
The bottom line: Expect to pay AUD 30–35 per night for on‑site self‑parking. Spaces are limited, so car‑free travel or early arrival is advisable.
QT Canberra breakfast
Breakfast is served daily at the hotel’s on‑site restaurant, Capitol Bar & Grill. Hotels.com and Expedia both state that a full breakfast is available for an additional charge, with hours from 6:30 am to 10:00 am. The restaurant serves Italian‑inspired cuisine for lunch and dinner as well.
A Winter Escape’s detailed 2025 review described a buffet priced at AUD 25 per person, including pastries, yoghurt, muesli, fruit, cheeses, charcuterie, and hot items such as scrambled eggs, bacon, mushrooms, baked beans, and roasted tomatoes, plus an omelette station. Barista‑made coffee was available at extra cost. The reviewer argued that AUD 25 offered good value compared with nearby cafés.
Room‑rate packages occasionally include breakfast, but the standard policy is a surcharge.
The trade-off: Breakfast carries a separate fee (around AUD 25, based on one detailed report), but the buffet spread is substantial and competitively priced against Canberra’s café scene.
QT Canberra location
Set at the edge of Lake Burley Griffin, the hotel sits about 1 km from the city centre, according to Agoda. Hotels.com notes that the Australian National University and Canberra Centre are within a 15‑minute walk. TripAdvisor reviews regularly highlight the easy walk to Civic (the central business district) and the lakeside paths.
The independent blog A Winter Escape described the location as “not technically in the heart of the action of the CBD” but only five to ten minutes on foot, making it effectively central for most visitors. For guests attending conferences at the nearby National Convention Centre or visiting Parliament House, the position is well‑suited.
Why this matters: QT Canberra’s lakeside setting offers a quieter environment than a direct city‑centre address while still keeping you within a short walk of restaurants, shops and cultural sites.
QT Canberra reviews
Guest ratings are generally positive across the major platforms. Hotels.com gives an 8.0/10 (“Very good”), Agoda an 8.3/10, and Booking.com a 7.6/10 from 3,387 reviews with sub‑scores: staff 8.5, cleanliness 8.2, comfort 8.3, facilities 7.8, value for money 7.7, free WiFi 8.5, and location 8.3.
Common praise includes helpful staff, the comfort of the beds, the on‑site bar (Capitol Bar), and the free bicycle rentals. A Booking.com verified guest named Simon, writing in June 2026 after a May stay, described the hotel as “quiet” with “comfortable beds and easy car parking if available.”
Recurring complaints centre on parking: limited spaces and tight access are mentioned repeatedly. Some guests also note that the property, originally built in 1972 and last renovated in 2012, shows signs of age in corridors and some rooms.
“Great location – easy walk to Civic or Lake Burley Griffin. Parking is a bit tight but manageable.”
TripAdvisor review (2026)
The pattern: Satisfied guests emphasise the staff, location and comfortable rooms; the most consistent downside is the limited, paid parking.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lakeside location within walking distance of the city centre and ANU
- Free WiFi and free bicycle rentals
- On‑site Italian restaurant and bar praised by guests
- Helpful and friendly staff (rated 8.5 on Booking.com)
- Spacious, comfortable rooms (rated 8.3 on Booking.com)
Cons
- Paid parking (AUD 30–35 per night) with limited availability
- Breakfast incurs an additional charge
- Building shows some age despite 2012 renovation
- Not in the pedestrianised CBD core – a short walk required
Pricing overview
QT Canberra’s rates place it in the mid‑to‑upper range for central Canberra. Hotels.com showed a sample rate of approximately AUD 176 per night (including taxes) for select dates in 2026. Travel Weekly lists standard room rates from roughly AUD 118–150 and suites from AUD 183–378, while the A Winter Escape blog reported weekend deals from around AUD 120–150 per night. The price variation reflects season, booking channel and room type.
Given the boutique positioning and central location, the hotel represents a reasonable value proposition, especially when considering the free amenities (Wi‑Fi, bike hire) and the on‑site restaurant.
Location and getting there
Canberra Airport (CBR) is 6.4 km away, a taxi or rideshare ride of about 10–15 minutes. The hotel is roughly 1 km from the city centre, which is a 10‑minute walk across London Circuit and into Civic. For those arriving by car, the on‑site parking is paid (AUD 30–35/night) and limited; consider using nearby public car parks on London Circuit as a backup.
Walking times: Canberra Centre (shopping) – 10 minutes, Australian National University – 15 minutes, Lake Burley Griffin foreshore – 2 minutes, Parliament House – 25 minutes.
Public bus stops on London Circuit provide connections to other suburbs and the airport.
Alternatives to consider
If QT Canberra’s parking constraints or price point don’t suit your plans, other options in the capital include the Quality Hotel Dickson in the northern suburbs, which offers a different price band and more generous parking. For a more central location within the pedestrian core, hotels on Northbourne Avenue or near Garema Place may be worth comparing.
Our pick
QT Canberra is best suited for design‑conscious tourists and couples who value a boutique aesthetic, lakeside proximity, and free perks like Wi‑Fi and bicycle hire. Business travellers will appreciate the central location and on‑site restaurant, while weekend trippers can take advantage of competitive weekend rates (sometimes from AUD 120‑150/night). The paid parking and breakfast surcharge are the main practical trade‑offs.
Related reading: Quality Hotel Dickson · Best Western Hobart Guide
For those wanting to explore the area further, our guide to Lake Burley Griffin offers detailed information on walks, boating, and history.
Frequently asked questions
Does QT Canberra have free WiFi?
Yes, WiFi is available free of charge in all guest rooms, according to Hotels.com. Booking.com sub‑scores give the free WiFi an 8.5 rating.
What are the check‑in and check‑out times?
Check‑in is from 3:00 pm to midnight; check‑out is at 11:00 am (Hotels.com). Minimum check‑in age is 18.
Is breakfast included in the room rate?
Generally no – breakfast is offered as a separate surcharge. The full buffet is served at Capitol Bar & Grill from 6:30 am to 10:00 am (Hotels.com). Some package deals may include it; check your booking details.
Does QT Canberra have a gym or fitness centre?
Yes, the hotel offers a fitness centre. Travel Weekly and Expedia list health club access among the property’s amenities.
Is parking available and what does it cost?
Paid on‑site self‑parking is available for approximately AUD 30–35 per night. Spaces are limited, and early arrival is recommended. Nearby public parking on London Circuit is also paid (Hotels.com).
What restaurants are at QT Canberra?
The hotel has one restaurant: Capitol Bar & Grill, serving Italian‑inspired cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is also an on‑site bar, Capitol Bar, open daily for drinks (Hotels.com).
Map – QT Canberra location
[Map placeholder – 1 London Circuit, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia]