Nishi Apartments by Ovolo
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Hotel Details
Location
Nishi Apartments by Ovolo · Canberra, Australia
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Key Highlights
- ✓Service & Staff: The staff are frequently highlighted as "amazing," "friendly," "attentive," and "helpful."
- ✓Spacious & Comfortable: Rooms are generally described as spacious and comfortable, with some offering stunning lake views from balconies.
Expert Review: Nishi Apartments by Ovolo
Nishi Apartments by Ovolo, a Michelin Key Selected property in Canberra, Australia, consistently receives high praise for its unique design, prime location, and exceptional service. It's often described as a stylish and memorable escape in the vibrant NewActon Precinct.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Nishi Apartments by Ovolo is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently using terms like "Fabulous," "Excellent," and "Exceptional." Review platforms show strong ratings, including an 8.1 "Very Good" on Luxury Escapes, an average of 8.5 to 9.3 for various aspects on Agoda, and ratings often ranging from 8.0 to 10 on Booking.com. The Michelin Key selection further underscores its status as a high-quality accommodation.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud several aspects of Nishi Apartments by Ovolo:
- Design & Atmosphere: The hotel is celebrated for its unique, award-winning architecture and artistic interior decor, which combines rustic timber, concrete, and clay walls with vintage furnishings and original artworks. The building features a striking internal atrium lined with Tasmanian ferns.
- Location: Its position in the NewActon Precinct, a cultural and arts hub, is a major draw.
- Service & Staff: The staff are frequently highlighted as "amazing," "friendly," "attentive," and "helpful."
- Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, 24-hour fitness facilities, and the on-site Monster Kitchen and Bar are popular. The availability of e-bikes for exploring Canberra is also appreciated.
3. Room Quality
Nishi Apartments offers a range of accommodations, including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments.
- Spacious & Comfortable: Rooms are generally described as spacious and comfortable, with some offering stunning lake views from balconies.
- Design & Features: Each apartment is equipped with a queen-sized bed, a fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, and chic sitting and dining areas. They feature contemporary furnishings and original artwork, along with modern conveniences like high-speed Wi-Fi, HDTV, and Bose sound systems.
- Eco-Friendly Design: A notable aspect is the eco-friendly design, which relies on cross-flow ventilation for cooling in summer and floor heat retention (hydronic heating) for warmth in winter, meaning apartments do not have traditional air conditioning.
4. Dining Experience
The on-site Monster Kitchen and Bar is a significant highlight.
- Cuisine & Ambiance: Specializing in regional cuisine with a seasonal menu, Monster serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and light fare. The restaurant shares the hotel's distinctive design ethos, featuring an eclectic mix of vintage and contemporary elements.
- Guest Feedback: Guests praise the quality of the food and coffee, with some noting the creative dishes and a wide selection of wines. Happy hour is also offered.
5. Service & Staff
The service at Nishi Apartments by Ovolo consistently receives glowing reviews. Guests frequently highlight the staff's professionalism, friendliness, and willingness to go the extra mile. Personal touches, such as welcome platters for special occasions, are also mentioned.
6. Location & Accessibility
Nishi Apartments is strategically located in Canberra's NewActon Precinct, a dynamic area known for its cultural and artistic offerings.
- Nearby Attractions: It's within easy walking distance of key attractions such as the Australian National University, Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra Theatre Centre, and Canberra Centre. Other major sights like the National Museum of Australia, Parliament House, and the Australian War Memorial are also easily accessible, including via available e-bikes.
- Transport: The hotel offers a secure onsite car park (for a fee) and a taxi service. Public transport, including bus stops, is also conveniently located nearby.
7. Value & Pricing
While offering a luxury experience, Nishi Apartments by Ovolo generally provides good value for money, especially given its apartment-style accommodation and amenities. The average price is around $250 per room, though rates can vary significantly based on season and room type, with some deals starting from approximately $73-$209 per night. The inclusion of facilities like a full kitchen and laundry can add to the overall value for guests.
8. Common Complaints
The most frequent and notable criticism pertains to the lack of traditional air conditioning in the apartments.
- Temperature Control: The eco-friendly design, relying on cross-flow ventilation, can lead to discomfort during hot Canberra summers, with some guests finding rooms "unbearably hot." Opening doors for airflow can sometimes result in significant road noise.
- Minor Issues: Other occasional complaints include sparse kitchen utensils in some apartments, a "strange layout" for beds in certain rooms, and general road noise, particularly on lower floors or when windows are open. Some guests also noted the absence of a swimming pool or bathrobes in their rooms.
Sources
- luxuryescapes.com
- agoda.com
- booking.com
- trip.com
- booking.com
- michelin.com
- ovolohotels.com
- alovelyplanet.com
- michelin.com
- gourmettraveller.com.au
- booking.com
- hotels.com
- canberra-au.com
- expedia.com.au
- ovolohotels.com
- michelin.com
- kayak.com
- ovolohotels.com
- trip.com
- michelin.com
- agoda.com
- luxuryescapes.com
- canberraaccommodation.info
- hotelcanberra.net
- kayak.com.au
- reddit.com
- reddit.com
Points to Consider
- •The most frequent and notable criticism pertains to the lack of traditional air conditioning in the apartments.
Google Reviews
1,369 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
S.Y Wickremesinghe
Overall, I had a great experience. I booked a three-night stay. While the lighting in the room was quite dark and the hotel felt more like a four-star rather than a five-star, the location was excellent and I enjoyed my stay overall. Room was clean and nice. The hotel dining food was also good for lunch.
Graham Rodda
Convenient and comfortable. Staff welcoming and helpful. We upgrade our stay with a great value package of delicious food, drinks and movie tickets. Convenient undercover parking also available as an add-on. The rooms have a modern feel and were clean and well maintained.
Jodie Stewart
Service was impeccable and the location was amazing - close to all major attractions. I was expecting a bit more for the price - my room was small and there was no desk. Also, everything is so dark and my room was giving dungeon. They booked me in on the 1st floor with only a small window looking up into a back courtyard. I felt as though I was in some one's ( well appointed) basement. The hallway...
Tom Jackson
If you are staying night to night, avoid this place. While the room is fairly nice and the location is good, prices can fluctuate by over 100% night to night and the staff are either incapable or unwilling to do anything about it, let alone give you any warning that they may arbitrarily decide to double the price of your room. Very, very frustrating and disappointing, I'm in Canberra for a family...
Tiumaafififaamatalaoa Fonoti
Stayed at the 1 bedroom Lakeview apartment for a staycation after a work Christmas party. Loved how quaint it was, the room was just perfect for just myself, didn’t really notice not having aircon cause the balcony was really cooling. Would book here again in the future! Bar staff were absolutely lovely to deal with and so were reception staff, so accomodating to my last minute changes, and the ev...
James Jim Catt
The design of the Hotel was very interesting, and I really liked it. A mix of textured concrete and luscious wood (hope it was all treated in case of fire!). Lots of old suitcases and different sized urns/vases/tiles. The lighting however was awful. Too little too low and too yellow. Breakfast was varied, my chocolate pancakes were a lovely mix of texture and flavours with toasted almonds and cara...
Response from the owner
Hi James,<br><br>Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed and insightful review of your stay with us at Ovolo Nishi.<br><br>We’re delighted to hear that you appreciated the unique design...







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