Since becoming Australia’s capital in 1927, Canberra has been the definition of cool. For it’s home to exquisite culinary and top-notch cultural experiences in the form of museums and more. And a short jaunt out of the city even brought us to the gorgeous lakeshore and fauna-filled bushland reserves. What’s more, Australia is also an extremely gay-friendly country, and its capital leads the way in anti-discriminatory laws and equal rights. Since there is a rising number of options for gay accommodation in Canberra, it’s no surprise that it sees lots of LGBTQ travelers. Outwardly, Canberra’s scene might not exactly rival that of neighboring cities like Sydney and Melbourne. In fact, there’s just one gay bar in town today. However, the inclusivity goes beyond the realm of gay nightlife. Hence, LGBTQ people are not just accepted but welcomed everywhere.
When we were here during Pride, the biggest event for the LGBTQ community we saw was, undoubtedly, the SpringOut Pride shebang. During that time, the city also hosts the Capital Queer Film Festival as well as the Australian National University Pride Week. Moreover, you can get tuned into the latest goings-on in the LGBTQ community via Fuse Magazine, a national gay publication, and the Friday Night Lip Service community radio show, whose hosts usually identify as women and LGBTQIAPK.
Besides the gay scene, there was so much for us to explore in Canberra. We couldn’t take our eyes off the Australian Parliament, which is one of the world’s most impressive parliament buildings. Plus, we saw multiple museums and lakes, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, and even the Australian War Memorial. So, Canberra, Australia, might not be a raging LGBTQ destination, but it’s definitely a lovely one worth visiting.
Table of contents
QT Canberra
11
We were looking for a contemporary yet quirky hotel near the city’s only LGBTQ-friendly bar, the Cube Nightclub, and found that QT Canberra suited us perfectly. A mere 10-minute walking distance from the club, the flamboyant digs were the perfect gay accommodation in Canberra for us to crash after a night of partying away.
With a political theme, we expected the hotel to be drab, but the QT dispelled all such myths! The lobby is bohemian to boot, with eclectic furniture and wild printed upholstery. One wall pays homage to political greats; think Paul Keating, Margaret Thatcher, and the like. Since it’s a quirky hotel, its amenities are equally whimsical. We especially loved the pop-up artifact-selling shop in the lobby and a barbershop offering Canberra’s only close-shave service! The highlight is the bar and restaurant, which are decorated in the most decadent of manners. The breakfast buffet was possibly Canberra’s best, with pastries, coffees, charcuterie, an omelet station, fresh juices, and cheese. After a romantic dinner, we retired to the fireplace lounge to enjoy a nightcap and retire.
Interestingly, the room keys are emblazoned with quotes and images of past Prime Ministers. The rooms are as spacious as they’re cool, complete with the signature Old Fashioned cocktail kit from QT. There’s even a couples’ kit in the minibar, which we loved, as we kept the party going long after we’d retired to the rooms! Of course, the session ended up in the plush bathroom, which had a shower large enough for two. *Wink Wink*
Check Rates on:
The Village Hostels Canberra
10
Best value-for-money. The Village Hostels Canberra (formerly Canberra City YHA) was something of an all-around winner with excellent amenities, a wallet-friendly price, and a super-friendly staff. What’s more, it’s also one of the most value-for-money gay accommodations we could find in Canberra, sitting right next to its only gay club, Cube!
There’s a lot of love about the Village Hostels. We loved the sun-kissed rooftop terrace, as well as the sauna and the basement pool. No matter when you visit, they’re the perfect places to unwind. We lay contentedly on the tables and chairs on the rooftop terrace, soaking in the city views with drinks and a good book. The shared kitchen is not only spacious but also well-stocked, so it was easy to whip up quick meals. The ultimate communal spaces are the barbeque area serving Aussie fare and the onsite cafe, where delicious drinks and a friendly ambiance make for fabulous mingling and meet-cutes. It even serves a delicious breakfast of coffee, yogurt, cereal, toast, and eggs, starting our day on a high note. What’s more, the hostel even has an unheard-of spa area! That certainly won this hostel brownie points from our side.
“We don’t remember the last time we had such fun staying at a hostel! Not only was the company amazing, but also the facilities and amenities were top-notch.”
WOW Travel
We had the choice of female-only/mixed dorms or private rooms here, all of which are not only immaculate but spacious. Storage lockers, reading lights, lots of seating options, windows, and spotless bathrooms make this one pleasant place to crash.
Check Rates on:
Hotel Realm
9
There is more than one reason why we found the Hotel Realm to be the best gay hotel for exploring the city. Firstly, this five-star place is the epitome of style. Secondly, it goes beyond pure functionality with impressive facilities and high-standard service. Finally, it is a stone’s throw from the city center attractions, Parliament House, as well as entertainment, dining, and shopping. So, it’s no wonder that it also gets our vote for being one of the best hotels in Canberra.
The three-storeyed, light-filled atrium with white marble floors made a striking first impression. The showstopper is the sculptural red-square curtain which added some serious bling to our Instagram feed. Just like the service, the facilities here are excellent and focused on wellness. So, we swam in and relaxed at the heated indoor lap pool before heading to the sauna and the hydrotherapy spa pool. There are even spinning classes, but we headed to the spa, which even has a couples’ room for a romantic massage session. The signature restaurant is ideal for a romantic meal, while the coffee and breakfast pastries at the garden bar are perfect for grab-and-go.
We loved even the entry-level rooms here, which are superb and have art photography featuring Canberra and luxurious mod-cons, including bathrobes and minibars. If you’re looking for an incredible living experience, the suites with bathtubs and balconies are a better choice.
Check Rates on:
Ovolo Nishi
8
The undoubtedly sexy Ovolo Nishi is the coolest of all gay hotels we found in Canberra. This darkly-lit hub teems with design-driven chic and new-school charisma and was the perfect base for us discerning travelers. What’s more, the hotel sits on the southern edge of the city center, which is famous for its bar and food scene that we wanted to dive into.
The hotel is one of the most eco-friendly in the city. It sits in a Japanese-inspired sustainably-produced architectural masterpiece. On the inside, we loved the contemporary confluence of 20th-century natural materials, art, and furniture. For instance, the ‘grand stair’ lobby is an extravaganza of jutting wooden beams. Likewise, the public lounge is chock-full of leather couches, brass tables, and fireplaces. Right beyond lies the gorgeous ‘atrium’ fern garden, which we loved clicking photographs of. Besides the lounge, the hotel also has free yoga classes, a gym, and free bikes for hire, which we used to explore the neighborhood. Finally, the standout meal in the in-house restaurant is the ‘all-in’ breakfast (paid) with coffee, yogurt, toast, juice, and granola.
We positively gushed over the modern design of the rooms, complete with eye-catching art, snack bags, and comfy beds. The bathrooms are equally artful, with bespoke toiletries and boxy silver fittings. Since we wanted to splurge, we chose the larger Meandering Atrium room, which came with a free minibar, a kitchenette, and an oval-shaped bath.
Check Rates on:
Peppers Gallery Hotel
7
Best boutique hotel. The Peppers Gallery Hotel is one of the best boutique gay accommodations we found in Canberra. The historic hotel has quite a history; it was originally the Diamante Hotel, which was destroyed in a fire. A painstaking restoration later, it rose like a phoenix from the ashes, becoming of the best boutique digs in the city. What’s more, we were right in the heart of all the action and were merely a 20-minute walk to most of Canberra’s top attractions.
As we walked into the lobby, the original artwork on the wall welcomed us. We especially liked the lovely courtyard brimming with trees, blooms, and cozy nooks where we could relax. Moreover, there’s even a small library where we’d curl up with a book and a cuppa on lazy afternoons. Besides a fitness center, the bar and restaurant round off the amenities here, serving delicious Italian fare and cocktails.
Rooms at the hotel are delightful and moody in equal measure, complete with a monochromatic base and pops of color. The marble bathrooms felt decadent, and our higher-category Pepper King Room even came with a spa bathtub. Sleek modern amenities like a Nespresso machine, a Bang and Olufsen TV, and bespoke toiletries completed the place.
Check Rates on:
Hyatt Hotel Canberra
6
Best chain hotel. The Hyatt Hotel is the grandest of all gay hotels in Canberra. This five-star grand dame is an art deco masterpiece topped with Great Gatsby-esque charm. Since we were looking for an ostentatious, over-the-top stay, this fits the bill perfectly. What’s more, it lies close to most of the top things to do in Canberra and was the perfect base for us to explore the city. The best part? It offered amazing views of the gushing Molonglo River.
The 1927-built structure has housed an entire spectrum of politicians over the years. Dapper and old-world to the T, this hotel transported us to another era. Think bellhops, piano players in the lounge, and High Tea. The lobby has a smattering of showstopping features, including chandeliers, geometric window grates, and high ceilings. The gym at the Hyatt is one of the best hotel gyms we’ve ever seen, while the lap pool was the perfect place for a swim and lounge after a long day of exploration. Besides these, the hotel also has rental mountain bikes, aqua aerobics classes, and even an outdoor tennis court. The breakfast is one of the most decadent ever, with a salad bar, juice shots, pastries, a cheese platter, an egg station, and even waffles.
The rooms are all done up in shades of chocolate, gold, beige, and natural cream and are spacious to boot. The black-and-white marble bathrooms are particularly luxurious and made us feel like royalty. We went for the higher-priced Park Suite, which even had a balcony.
Check Rates on:
Hotel Kurrajong Canberra
5
Best heritage hotel. Few luxurious gay digs in Canberra capture the grace of old-world Canberra like no other, like the Hotel Kurrajong. We chose the 1920s-built art deco structure for its rich history and heritage. That’s because it was the former home to several of Australia’s Prime Ministers, what with it being a mere 10 minutes from the ‘Parliamentary Triangle.’ Since we’re absolute culture buffs and wanted to explore Canberra in a deeper, better way, we couldn’t find a better base.
Art Deco and politics form key elements of this hotel, which also has oodles of style and is akin to a sprawling cottage. So, it’s very common to see framed political portraits in the hallways and rooms named after former prime ministers. The interiors are decidedly 1920s-meets-now with geometric wall prints, azure furnishings and artwork, and more. The unfailingly polite staff is definitely the highlight here, right from service requests to catering to all our whims and fancies. That said, the facilities are excellent too. The courtyard with a glassed-in terrace area and overhanging lights are particularly delightful, especially the charming whiskey bar and restaurant. It’s here that a lovely, full breakfast buffet was served to us every day, kickstarting our fabulous day. Besides the 24-hour gym, there’s also the fireside lobby lounge area perfect for a nightcap.
Rooms are contemporary while retaining the historic charisma of the hotel. For instance, we stayed in the ground-floor Turnbull Suite with a lavish bathroom, large windows, and stunning views out of the courtyard. Besides that, even other rooms overlook the front lawns, both with and without balconies, with even separate baths.
Check Rates on:
Avenue Hotel
4
Lying smack dab in the city center is one of the best gay hotels we found in Canberra, the Avenue Hotel. With the city center precinct having undergone gentrification, this stylish hotel only betters the skyline. We were thrilled to discover that craft brewpubs and coffee roasters surround this hip hotel. Choose from a host of chic rooms at the hotel, which also include self-contained apartments or spa suites. We wanted to splurge and, hence, chose the suite with the spa bath. Nevertheless, all rooms are decked out with the latest in creature comforts, technology, as well as design. Bathrooms are equally high-end, with bespoke amenities and rainfall showers. The highlight of our room was the private balcony with outdoor furniture that offered sweeping views of the city.
The best of the amenities at the hotel is the signature restaurant, which is modeled after a European steakhouse. It’s the perfect place for a romantic dinner, especially with the marble bar. It’s also where a superb breakfast spread was served to us every day. One day we even enjoyed breakfast in the comfort of our room.
Check Rates on:
Little National Hotel
3
Best stylish budget hotel. Since we were looking for affordable yet stylish gay accommodation in Canberra near the Parliamentary Triangle, the Little National Hotel perfectly suited us. In fact, even other sights like The National Library, Lake Burley Griffin, and The National Gallery of Australia are all within a 20-minute walking distance. That, coupled with stylish interiors and free access to five-star facilities across the road, made this savvy bolthole perfect for us budget travelers.
Any misgivings we had seeing the seemingly drab exterior were done away with the interiors. A chic lobby welcomed us within, while the fifth-floor library is one comforting space. Think tea/coffee stations, communal tables and workstations, floor-to-ceiling windows, and lots of plants. The dreamy sixth-level bar lounge with two fireplaces was just the place to end the night with cocktails. What’s more, it even has Tuesday-Saturday happy hours. The best feature is that we had access to its sister property, The Realm, which is right across the road. So, we had access to a bevy of facilities like the gym, saunas, indoor pool, and spa for a very wallet-friendly price. Moreover, it even served a hearty breakfast spread to begin our day on a high note. Since we were interested in something offbeat, we even indulged in the cooking and floral arrangement classes arranged by the hotel.
The standout feature in the rooms is the cloud-like, four-poster, king bed, right in front of a gorgeous floor-to-ceiling window. We ordered everything from free in-house movies to tea/coffee to food in your rooms. Thanks to the small fridge and a Nespresso machine, we were able to unwind right in our room. The bathrooms are equally lovely, with the overall effect being intimate.
Check Rates on:
Mercure Canberra
2
Discerning gay travelers looking for authentic, local experiences will love staying at Mercure Hotel. One of the best gay hotels in Canberra, the hotel is inspired by the local environment. So, it employs natural textures and shades while drawing from the vibrant colors that surround Canberra’s landscape. Plus, the hotel is not without history. It was originally the Hotel Ainslie and has been around for more than 80 years. So, you can understand our extreme levels of interest in the hotel! Today, it still retains the original heritage features while adding modern comforts like free Wi-Fi, a gym, and even meeting spaces. The highlight is the two on-site restaurants, which are somewhat of a favorite spot for locals – and us. So, we could enjoy cider and craft beers from the local brewery before heading out to enjoy Canberra’s nightlife.
The sophistication extends even to the hotel’s rooms. Smart TVs with Chromecast, work desks, and plush beds are the mainstay, as are modern bathrooms with spacious standing showers.
Check Rates on:
East Hotel
1
Best extended stay. Since we wanted to explore the little-known parts of the city too, we stayed at the East Hotel and Apartments. One of the quirkiest best gay accommodations in Canberra, this hotel sits in the Kingston Foreshore neighborhood. The nearby Manuka neighborhood not only boasts a café culture but is also home to a lovely, 1930s-built Manuka Pool. Additionally, it’s also bursting with Art Deco architecture, parks, and more, and the Parliamentary Triangle is a mere 10-minute drive.
The hotel redefines ‘fun’ with bohemian touches like neon signage, vibrant colors, 3D wallpapers, and more. The effect is particularly palpable in Joe’s Bar, which has chain-draped lights, vintage glassware, and rainbow-colored fabric (yay!). The foyer is equally whimsical and features high tables full of jars of strawberry jubes and chocolate freckles, which are classically Australian. Plus, it even has an interesting, Instagram-worthy wall lined with retro-inspired bikes – sigh. Overall, the effect is as fun and casual as can get. Apart from the fantastic staff, the hotel also has tons of facilities, including a gym, a cozy library, and even a bookstore/cafe which serves artful breakfasts. We even borrowed free bikes to explore the neighborhood. Moreover, the three in-house restaurants/bars are dining destinations in their own right.
Since all rooms are apartment-style, they all feature laundry facilities and small but functional kitchenettes. Standard rooms are excellent and have everything from plush beds and Nespresso machines to balconies. Since we were here with our partners, we chose the Luxe Studio, which also has a spa bath!
Check Rates on:
Our Verdict!
Canberra might not have a gayborhood specifically. But, even then, that doesn’t stop the city from being very LGBTQ-friendly. And that’s evident in the profusion of LGBTQ-friendly hotels we found. And while we loved each and every pick of ours, we did love certain characteristics and features of some hotels more than others. That’s why we’ve come up with a specialized list, which we’ve outlined below:
- Best extended stay: East Hotel
- Best stylish budget hotel: Little National Hotel
- Best heritage hotel: Hotel Kurrajong Canberra
- Best chain hotel: Hyatt Hotel Canberra
- Best boutique hotel: Peppers Gallery Hotel
- Best value-for-money: The Village Hostels Canberra
Get Some Culture in Canberra:
- Canberra SpringOUT Festival – This is Canberra’s only pride festival and happens to be one amazing celebration. With parties, cultural programs, and more, it celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQ community in the city.
Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Canberra:
- Cube Nightclub – This is the only gay club in Canberra, but it’s pulsating to boot! The wild space is replete with performances, parties, a dance floor, and a DJ.
- A Gender Agenda (AGA): This local trans and GD organization hosts many events like BBQs and the like. It’s a great space to meet LGBTQ+ people of one’s own age.
Best Gay Saunas in Canberra:
- Fantasy Lane – This is Canberra’s leading gay cruise club with showers, an orgy room, and a lounge area. It also has a shop that sells condoms, lube, adult toys, and leather gear.
