Overpriced, inefficient and dissatisfying would be the three words I'd use to sum up my recent two-night stay at QT Canberra.||While the room price was affordable enough, the food and drinks are incredibly expensive. At the bar, a glass of wine starts at a minimum of $16 for a standard size and goes up to $44 for a large (that's a glass, mind you - there's probably some good bottles that could be had for the same price, and QT's 'large' glass of wine is more like a 'medium'). At the restaurant, they’re charging around $40 for pasta, $50-$70 for steaks, $42-$48 for other mains and $18-$22 for desserts, with the wines on the wine list even more expensive than the aforementioned figures at the bar. I guess they figure they have a captive audience in the hotel, so can charge any price they like?||My first night there they couldn’t do room charges at the bar due to a "technology outage" (apparently writing on a bit of paper who ordered what and their room number and then charging it after the fact was too difficult a concept to grasp) and they didn’t even bother asking if I wanted room charges on the second night, instead just having charges paid by card as if a normal bar. I did get a discount when I showed my membership, but they were never proactive in asking and I would've certainly been paying full price had I not been diligent in showing it to them.||As part of my booking, I received a $40 food and beverage voucher to be used each day, yet both at the bar and at breakfast the staff seemed perplexed by the voucher. I was told to ask the front desk about it and had to get the respective manager in each section to take over both times - why are you offering vouchers to customers if your staff don't even know what they are or how to properly handle them?||Continuing the voucher madness, there's a sign you can hang on your door which promises you "a $10 food-and-beverage voucher each night you say 'no thanks' to housekeeping". The fine print says that "if you wish to participate, please hang this on your door before 1:00am". Well, I did this, and expected to get another $20 worth of vouchers when checking out, but when I asked about this (once again, I'm the one who had to be proactive about asking - spot a theme here?), I was only given one voucher despite having the sign out for both nights I stayed there. I was told because “housekeeping hasn’t been today [the day I checked out] I only get one voucher” - what a nonsensical excuse. If I hang the sign on the door on Friday night and Saturday night and check out Sunday morning, how DOESN'T that entitle me to two vouchers? Oh well, it's probably a moot point anyway - the lone voucher I did receive had an expiry date of the same day (why would I want an extra $10 to spend on the same day I'm checking out? Logic would dictate it would make much more sense to be valid for a month at any QT location in Australia or something similar).||There was a long wait for breakfast, involving queuing up for 5 minutes beforehand, staff taking 10 minutes to come and take my order and the food taking 30 minutes to come out from ordering (I was advised of a 20 minute wait), on top of me having to ask where the juice that I ordered was. Similarly, there was another long wait for dinner - staff took 10 minutes to come and take my order, the starters took 15 minutes to come out from ordering, a glass of wine took 25 minutes to be poured and only came out once I reminded them I'd ordered one (they'd seemingly forgotten) and the main took 1 hour to come out with no warnings of any delay to be expected like at breakfast.||There was no instructions on how to access the WiFi in the room; I called reception twice (nobody picked up the first time) and was promptly told by a rude woman on the other end of the line that “WiFi isn't working due to an Australia-wide outage” (presumably referring to the CrowdStrike incident). I went down to reception to ask them myself what the login details were whereupon I was given a card on with said details; they told me they usually give them out at check-in but didn’t due to the ‘’current outage” - I connected perfectly fine to the WiFi when I was provided with the details, so why didn’t they just give it to me in the first place (or have it in the room)? ||While the room itself was fine, there was no bathmat provided, so water ends up going all over the floor of the bathroom given the strange design of the shower. There's also no fan in the bathroom, so the mirrors fog up extensively after showering.||Overall, the extremely lacklustre stay at a supposed 'four-star' hotel left a sour taste in my mouth (and a huge hole in my pocket) - I wouldn't advise anybody...
Read moreMy stay at QT Hotel Canberra from 6th July to 7th July 2024 was nothing short of exceptional, leaving me thoroughly impressed with its impeccable service, luxurious accommodations, and attention to detail. From the moment I stepped into the lobby, I knew this would be a memorable experience.
Upon arrival, I was warmly welcomed by the young lady at the front desk reception. Her professionalism and genuine friendliness made check-in effortless and pleasant. She provided me with all the necessary information about the hotel amenities, dining options, and local attractions, ensuring I had everything I needed for a comfortable stay. Her personalized service set a positive tone right from the start, making me feel valued as a guest.
The cleanliness of QT Hotel Canberra is truly commendable. Throughout the hotel, from the lobby to the corridors and guest rooms, everything was spotless and well-maintained. The attention to detail in cleanliness did not go unnoticed, reflecting the hotel's commitment to maintaining high standards of hygiene and comfort for its guests. It was evident that cleanliness was a top priority, which enhanced my overall experience and sense of well-being during my stay.
The hotel room service attendant also deserves special recognition for their exceptional service. Every interaction with them was met with a warm smile and eagerness to assist. They ensured that my room was impeccably cleaned and stocked with fresh amenities each day. The attention to detail in room service, from the neatly made bed to the replenished toiletries and refreshments, contributed to a seamless and enjoyable stay. Their efficiency and professionalism were truly exemplary, further enhancing the overall quality of service at QT Hotel Canberra.
My accommodations at QT Hotel Canberra were luxurious and comfortable, exceeding my expectations in every way. The room was beautifully appointed with modern furnishings and tasteful decor that perfectly blended style with functionality. The QT Gel Bed provided a restful night's sleep, and the spacious bathroom with premium amenities added a touch of indulgence to my stay. The attention to detail in room design and comfort ensured that every moment spent in the room was a pleasure.
Dining at QT Hotel Canberra was a delight, thanks to the variety and quality of options available. The Capitol Bar & Grill offered a sophisticated dining experience with a menu showcasing locally sourced ingredients. I enjoyed a delicious dinner of grilled seafood paired with a fine wine recommended by the knowledgeable staff. The ambiance was inviting and stylish, making it a perfect spot for a memorable meal. Additionally, the QT Lounge provided a relaxed setting to unwind with cocktails and light bites, complemented by attentive service and a cozy atmosphere.
The hotel's central location was ideal for exploring Canberra's attractions, including the National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House, both of which were within easy reach. The concierge team provided valuable recommendations and assistance, ensuring that I made the most of my time in the city. Their knowledge of local landmarks and events was invaluable, allowing me to experience Canberra's rich cultural tapestry with ease.
Overall, my experience at QT Hotel Canberra was exceptional from start to finish. The combination of outstanding service, luxurious accommodations, and attention to detail exceeded my expectations in every way. Special mention must go to the lady worker at the front desk reception for her exceptional hospitality, the hotel's commitment to cleanliness, and the diligent room service attendant who ensured my comfort throughout my stay. QT Hotel Canberra truly sets a standard for excellence in hospitality, and I look forward to returning to this exceptional hotel...
Read moreA few years ago, I had to make some regular trips to Canberra for family reasons. I would book in to the QT Canberra, and loved it - in fact, it became my all-time favourite hotel! It was fresh, sparkly, creative, funny, and just great food and service. I did not need to go over Covid, but recently took my wife for the nearby flower festival. I was so excited she would experience the QT - but.... something has changed. Overall, it was just an average experience, and we left very disappointed. The trouble began from my initial booking. Once I made it, I received an upgrade offer that afternoon. I took one of the options offered to me, and received a confirmation email. It showed my initial quote and the upgrade price to add on - but they calculated a much higher fee! I had to ring them, and they fixed it for me. I realized I booked on the wrong night, and moved the booking by 24hrs. Again, I got the upgrade option and confirmation email. The same mistake happened again (with different amounts) where it quoted my stay, the upgrade cost and was trying to charge me more. Again, I had to ring to get it corrected - or at least explained. So they fixed it. (By the time we got to our upgraded room, it wasn't really anything to sing about.) A similar thing happened at checkout. When I went to review the receipt (make sure you get one!), I saw there were two additional costs totaling an additional $45.00. Initially, the person I talked to was debating the costs, but then could see they were wrong, and I had the $45 reimbursed. Over the phone, I was told I could not book a car space, but at the hotel I was told I could have. Over the phone I was told about the restaurant, but at the hotel they told me it was closed on Sunday night like the rest of Canberra. (I was so disappointed with this, as I remember they served such a great steak!) I remember how you could watch unlimited movies through Netflix (I think), but now they say you can also watch Disney+, Stan and all other streaming services (as long as you have such an account accessible from your own device like a phone, and you have to use Chromecast to cast it to the television - this meant I had to buy Chromecast apps, which in the end did not work because the Wi-Fi would stop - then I discover they gave me a wrong password instructions, but by then I just wanted to go to bed. So we went to bed wondering why we could not feel the presence of the air conditioner. One thing I thought was really cool about the QT Hotel was the inclusion of a Nespresso machine to make your coffee!! BUT... there was no milk in our room to go with it, even though there was a frother. I had to go down to the restaurant and get some milk in a coffee cup.
So I feel bad to give a poor review on a place that used to be my favourite, but hopefully this will inspire them to bring it back to its glory days of recent years. Otherwise, the experience is...
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