Abode Woden

The location was good, within walking distance of Westfield, and the room had a kitchen and washing machine. But at $240 a night for a family room without breakfast, this felt overpriced. Maybe a nearby chess tournament and near-full bookings pushed the rate up. Previous reviews usually mention $120 to $130, and it felt like they were ripping us off. The lift needs servicing. It banged loudly and squeaked constantly, which we could hear in our room at night. Road noise came through the poorly insulated windows too. The air con kept resetting, so we couldn’t control the temperature or change modes. The TV flashed and was unusable, and we couldn’t cast from a phone. WiFi kept disconnecting. The bathroom step is high and could trip kids. Housekeeping was almost nonexistent. We were told it’s only done every fourth day. We stayed five nights and got one service, while rubbish sat out for two days without collection. There’s no gym or pool, and the buffet breakfast is expensive for what you get.

The thin windows let in a garbage truck at 4:30 AM and a few loud cars now and then. Otherwise, I liked the dimmable bedside lights and the desk was handy for office work. The serviced-apartment kitchen had pans and utensils, and there was a washer-dryer combo, though I didn’t use either. The mattress felt springy and a bit cheap, but I didn’t wake up with a sore back or neck. It’s close to Westfield, with good shopping and food choices, as well as the Hellenic Club. The coffee was nice too, Vittoria Mountain Grown and decaf.

Getting around Canberra was easy with convenient access to the bus network. Westfield Woden is only a short walk away, and you can find everything you need there. Prices also seemed much more reasonable than in Sydney. I had a wonderful stay at Abode Woden. The modern, spacious room had a fully equipped kitchen, which is a big plus if you like cooking. I’d recommend it to people visiting Canberra who value extra space and the option to cater for themselves.

I went on my own and felt safe and comfortable. The room was spacious and immaculate, and the restaurant downstairs was a highlight, with the best steak I’ve had in ages. I’ve already started recommending the hotel to friends and family.