Words by Dorian Mode Photography by Lydia Thorpe
Airport hotels are generally ‘have to’ not ‘want to’ – places you endure between flights, not destinations you’d actually choose. But there’s one airport hotel in Australia that gleefully defies this logic. Enter the Vibe Hotel Canberra.
Like something beamed in from a 1960s sci–fi movie directed by someone with excellent taste, this hip, state–of–the–art hotel has serious gram factor. With its curling Guggenheim–esque black–and–white six–storey atrium, gold lounge, and funky Helix Bar, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve stumbled into a boutique New York hotel rather than beige, bureaucratic Canberra. Better yet, it’s terrific for families – you can book adjoining rooms without the usual hotel rigmarole.
The rooms themselves channel “Mad Men” meets a gentleman’s club circa 1962 in the Hamptons. We love it. The bathrooms are so photogenic my wife starts snapping photos like paparazzi at the Oscars, which is saying something given she usually reserves that enthusiasm for sunset and overpriced lattes.
That evening we enjoy a cocktail at the Helix Bar – we order kaffir lime martinis that arrive looking like liquid architecture in a glass. Then we dine in the Vibe’s restaurant, which is perfectly set up for families, thanks to circular booths that create a cosy cocoon (book ahead or suffer the indignity of a regular table). We tuck into a 300gram Riverina Angus striploin that’s charred on the outside and blushing pink within, matched with a local 2023 Nick O’Leary Canberra Shiraz that’s peppery enough to make you sit up straight.
The following morning, after one of the best buffet breakfasts I’ve encountered (and I’ve judged many) – psst! everything was actually hot, a miracle in the buffet world – we head to our first outing.
I normally approach Taronga Zoo with the enthusiasm reserved for root canal work. Why? Because it’s exhausting. All uphill and down dale with little shade, and by day’s end the family resembles extras from a zombie film. So imagine our surprise when we discover the National Zoo and Aquarium is designed by someone who actually likes families.
Helix Bar and Dining
Helix Bar and Dining
Easy, tree–lined paths provide blessed shade. An aquarium and reptile cave offer air–conditioned respite. Here we meet lions lounging like oversized house cats, tigers pacing with theatrical menace, meerkats doing their trademark sentinel routine, and hand–feed exotic birds and kangaroos that are refreshingly polite about taking food from small fingers.
There’s a massive playground where children can burn off the kind of energy that makes long car trips unbearable, plus a Dinosaur and Megafauna display that proves extinction can be educational and entertaining. The Kids Discovery Trail particularly impressed us – it transforms the zoo into a treasure hunt, engaging little ones and teaching them to actually find the animals rather than just demand ice cream.
Post–menagerie, we head for the multi–award–winning Questacon, which is essentially Canberra’s Disneyland for the scientifically curious. The National Science and Technology Centre boasts more than 200 interactive exhibits related to science and technology, making it a popular destination for school excursions Australia wide – a reputation that’s entirely deserved.
The soundtrack is a symphony of squealing children echoing up the spiral ramp that connects the exhibition spaces. It’s so engaging you’ll struggle to drag the kids away, even with promises of ice cream. Possibly the only place where children voluntarily learn about physics while having the time of their lives.
Our last visit is to the War Memorial. One of the convenient things about the Vibe – and Canberra in general – is that everything sits within a blissfully traffic–less 10–minute drive. The War Memorial is a perennial favourite, and little boys gravitate to the guns, tanks and planes on display like moths to a flame.
There are interactive elements – tunnels to scramble through, a WWII bombing raid simulation that’s impressively loud – but let’s be honest, it’s more for the dads. While the children press their noses against glass cases, fathers get misty–eyed over Spitfires and read every plaque with the solemnity of visiting scholars.
Later we find ourselves back at the Helix Bar, champagne and wine in hand, soaking up the vibe of the Vibe. The sleek curves of the atrium catch the afternoon light, and Canberra – against all expectations – has delivered. Who knew the nation’s capital could punch this far above it’s weight?
FACT BOX #1
Vibe Hotel Canberra
Where: 1 Rogan Street, Canberra Airport ACT Website: https://www.tfehotels.com/en/hotels/vibe-hotels/canberra-airport/
Why stay: A sleek, contemporary hotel just steps from Canberra Airport and about 10mins from the CBD. Ideal for short breaks, fly–in visits or a comfortable drive to Questacon, War Memorial and the Zoo.
Rooms: Modern rooms with floor–to–ceiling windows, Nespresso machines and excellent soundproofing. Adjoining rooms are available, making it an easy option for families travelling together.
Eat & drink: Helix Bar and Dining serves modern Australian dishes with local produce and a generous breakfast spread for hungry families to fuel a day exploring the capital.
Facilities: Gym, conference spaces, 24–hour reception and underground parking at only $12 day.
Good to know: Canberra is also a handy jumping–off point for the Snowy Mountains ski fields, with Thredbo and Perisher about a three hour drive away – perfect if you’re heading to the snow with the kids.
handy links & websites
Questacon – National Science and Technology Centre Website: https://www.questacon.edu.au/
National Zoo and Aquarium Canberra Website: https://www.nationalzoo.com.au/
Australian War Memorial Website: https://www.awm.gov.au/