Our trip to Canberra in the Genesis GV80 V6 Petrol was leisurely and easy. We stayed at the Kurrajong Hotel for 3 nights, and the Jamala Wildlife Lodge for 2 nights.

Nights 1 to 3 – My Trip Adviser review

Staying at the Kurrajong was not value for money, and a disappointment considering its long history:

The Kurrajong in Canberra is a heritage property, a short walk from old Parliament House.

The property was home to Ben Chifley from 1940 to 1951. The Australian politician had a long and prosperous political career, including a stint as Prime Minister. He suffered a heart attack at the hotel and died on the way to hospital. During the 11 years he lived at the Kurrajong, he walked to work daily.

The Hotel was one of 8 designed and built during the establishment of Canberra, and currently has 145 rooms. It closed on the 70’s, to become government offices but reopened as a hotel after an extensive renovation.

While the look of the public areas is what you expect of a 4.5 star hotel, the service is patchy.

Video Review: Is Citroen C5x Shine the Citroen in YEARS BEST? FULL review #gaycarboys

2023 Viofo A119 Mini 2 dashcam unboxing and review

Help Support Gay Car Boys Subscribe to our Youtube Channel 

ABOVE: Kurrajong Hotel and Canberra Surrounds

Kurrajong is a Heritage experience at a price, but is it worth it?

Staying at the Kurrajong was not value for money, and a disappointment considering its long history:

The Kurrajong in Canberra is a heritage property, a short walk from old Parliament House.

The property was home to Ben Chifley from 1940 to 1951. The Australian politician had a long and prosperous political career, including a stint as Prime Minister. He suffered a heart attack at the hotel and died on the way to hospital. During the 11 years he lived at the Kurrajong, he walked to work daily.

The Hotel was one of 8 designed and built during the establishment of Canberra, and currently has 145 rooms. It closed on the 70’s, to become government offices but reopened as a hotel after an extensive renovation.

While the look of the public areas is what you expect of a 4.5 star hotel, the service is patchy.

Our rooms

The welcome was warm, and we were given the keys to our rooms. We booked 2 rooms (a couple and single) which had small balconies overlooking a small enclosed car park used for back-of-house functions. We paid $840 for a 3-night package that included breakfast.

The room was smallish, but still in good condition after the 2015 reopening. The bathroom was nicely fitted, but has one of those shower doors that allows water to run out over the floor. It seems to be a common thread for travelers.

The bed was comfortable, and TV has streaming available from your phone. WiFi was included and had no trouble but needed to be reconnected if paused for an period of time, and each time you wanted to watch it. Free to air stations are available.

We had our own beverages and did not use the fairly expensive mini-bar.

Prices seemed to vary widely, starting at just under $200 a night, so our package during school holidays wasn’t bad value.

Staff were gay friendly.

Service

Our room was serviced but the it was little more than a bed remake and towel change. Glasses were left unwashed and empty take-out containers left insitu.

Eating

We opted for dinner inhouse, at Chifley’s, on the first night. It was the first and last time we ate dinner in. The prices did not warrant the amount or quality, and my lamb shank (1 only) was almost $50. We got a side of potatoes, but was rather small so ordered another, which was twice the size of the first. The dipping bread plate ordered as an entrée came out halfway through the main meal.

3 drinks, 3 mains, 2 small sides, and a very late bread dip plate was $210

I’m a late riser and ate breakfast (included in package) alone, with the others heading out early. Breakfast starts with a small trio continental, and a cooked plate made to order. The second day, the continental (normally valued at $16) was not delivered, so I asked for a slice of toast to go with the jam they had already given me. The waitress wanted to charge me extra for it. I objected, pointing out that half of my breakfast had not been delivered.

The coffee machine (yes, barista coffee is extra) was broken so we made do with vacuum flasks of pre-made filter coffee.

The Bar

We had cocktails on the second night. We started in the bar adjacent to Chifley’s and the barman was a delight. He, and the young lady at check-in, were the only staff who smiled and seemed like they wanted to be there. We drank our drinks both inside at the fire in the foyer, and our in the attractive courtyard.

To avoid confusion at checkout, we opted to pay for drinks as we ordered. I also ordered a barista coffee (latte) but it was charged to my room despite told otherwise.

The Staff

Apart from the 2 we mentioned, the staff were distant, and there seemed to be a distinct lack of experience throughout. Only the check-in felt properly efficient.

The establishment reminded me more of a training hotel, albeit a posh one.

The Public Areas

The finish and décor is Art Deco influenced with original features that have somehow been retained though several different uses of the building.

Chifley’s is a comfortable restaurant with a covered terrace alongside, and opens onto a well-presented leafy courtyard.

The foyer has ample seating to read, sip drinks, and sit by the fire. The large carriage loop allows guests to drop bags off and check in, but car parking is split between a court yard on one side, and gated open area on the other side of the hotel. Remember, the building was built at a time when car ownership was less than current times. It is charged at $17 a day, something we thought should have been included.

Check-out and Overcharging

Checkout was fairly painless, and we went to stay at the National Zoo and Aquarium for a further 2 days.

After we got home, we noticed extra charges on our card. After repeated attempts, we could not find out what they were for, apart from one which was a Pepsi from the mini bar. None of us can stand the taste of Pepsi, and we took out own beverages to drink when in the room.

I suspect I was charged for the toast, but without an itemized bill, was unable to tell. The other charges were a mystery.

It has now been several weeks, and multiple contacts. We were told all charges would be refunded, including the coffee, but appear to have gone to a card not belonging to us. We followed it up and are assured it will be fixed. It has not happened so far.

Seeing the Sights:

We took in Mt. Ainsley Lookout, Lake Burley Griffin, The Australian Mint, National Gallery of Australia (Don’t forget Jackson Pollock’s Blue Poles AKA No. 11 – 1952 bought for 1.2 million in 1973 but is now valued at $500million) ,the National Portrait gallery, Mini Golf, The National Zoo and Aquarium, and others.

We can highly recommend Grease Monkey for great burgers, and there is a great kebab place around the corner from the hotel.

Conclusion:

The building was delightful. It is well-presented and maintained, but service definitely needs to be improved. Check-in was perfect, as was the bar, although the barman also seemed to be fairly new.

All other staff looked utterly miserable, wanting to be anywhere else but at work.

The food and mini-bar prices are expensive and are not good value. There are plenty of places to eat nearby although Canberra tends to close early.

We would probably stay elsewhere next time.

More GayCarBoys Stories: