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Hotel Realm is a 5 Star hotel on National Circuit Barton, located next to the Parliamentary Triangle in Canberra. The hotel is located within walking distance to national icons including Parliament House, the National Gallery of Australia and the National Library of Australia. The 5 Star hotel provides 163 rooms and suites, containing luxurious beds, complimentary WiFi and on-demand movies. The Realm Precinct offers a range of dining options, including the chef-hatted Louis, The Ostani Bar & Restaurant, chef-hatted Cantonese fine-dining restaurant, The Chairman & Yip, casual cafes Maple + Clove and Ritual, as well as a gym, spa, indoor pool, hairdresser and conferencing facilities. Hale Gym + Spa has the latest Technogym equipment and yoga, Pilates, spin and boxing classes. Hale Spa is Canberra's latest wellness destination, offering a sanctuary for the body and mind. Combining contemporary elegance with avant-garde design, Hotel Realm is Canberra's only AAA rated 5 star Hotel.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Luxury
Languages Spoken
English
Location
18 National Cct Barton, Canberra 2600 Australia
Hotel Realm
2,202 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
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Hotel Realm garners praise for its luxurious and stylish atmosphere, with many guests enjoying its modern, spacious rooms. Its prime location is a highlight, offering convenience for exploring nearby attractions. While the rooms are generally appreciated for their comfort, there are reports of maintenance issues and cleanliness lapses.
The hotel's amenities, including comfortable beds and well-equipped suites, are well-received, albeit some guests have encountered room service shortcomings and dated features. Service quality appears mixed, with experiences ranging from friendly to unresponsive. Additionally, questions about value for money are raised, with some guests dissatisfied with extra costs.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Stylish
Rooms
Spacious
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Well-appointed
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We stay at this hotel frequently and the service, ambiance, room experience and hospitality gets better and better every single time.
The beds and pillows are absolutely comfortable. The rooms are clean. The kitchen is spacious and there are a generous amount of amenities in the kitchen and bathroom.
Only last visit was this Easter long weekend. We arrived at 12am because of a family emergency. Lauren was at the reception earlier that day and was absolutely amazing right until she finished her shift at 11pm. She made sure we had food in the fridge so we could eat, she ensured I had a glass of red wine as per my request. She made sure the room was at the right temp, she made sure to have left notes for colleagues regarding our late arrival and our requirements (travelling from Sydney with 2 little kids). Lauren ensured our arrival and departure was amazing and done so very effortlessly.
Lauren also rescheduled our dinner renovations at Med. And texted me confirming the change of date and time.
I have travelled around the world, stayed at 5 star hotels and I have to say the Realm Hotel is by far the best.
The entire hotel is clean, smells amazing, all of the staff are approachable. The location is close to most attractions and great restaurants. They are kid friendly. Their Mud room, gym and pool are also clean, open for long periods of time and safe.
If you are travelling to Canberra, look no further than the Realm Hotel.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Extremely clean, sleep quality is the best. The staff is excellent.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Realm Guest Services, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel Realm
Responded 17 Apr 2024
Dear neetsandr, Thank you so much for your lovely words, and your very kind mention of Lauren and other Front Office staff. I will be sure to pass this on to her and to the Front Office Manager. We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your room, and the amenities that we have to offer. I do hope that we can welcome you back to the hotel in the future, as we would love to have you. Kind Regards, Kate Guest Services
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The Hotel location was great to visit many attractions like the Art Gallery, War Museum, etc. We liked the friendly service at the front desk, bar/caffe, etc. The room cleaning service needs improvement and pillows should not be placed in the floor while making the beds.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: June 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Malakai Yeomans, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel Realm
Responded 11 July 2024
Hi AlbertoU5715VS, Thanks for visiting Hotel Realm for your recent trip to Canberra. I am so pleased to see that you had such wonderful encounters with our team and that you enjoyed our central location. On the other hand, I am very sorry to read that you encountered cleanliness issues in your room. For this please accept my apologies and rest assured I have shared your comments with our Executive Housekeeping Manager. Thank you again for the review and we hope to welcome you back again soon! Kindest Regards, Malakai Rooms Division Manager
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Stayed at this hotel to attend a conference. Overall, I was pretty happy. The biggest issue was they mistakenly charged me for breakfast whilst I paid for it directly at the bar/ restaurant. I found out the extra charge thanks to alert from my bank every time there's against my card, so I could sort it out immediately in-person. Would've been much more hassle if I used a different card that doesn't alert me.
The room that I booked was very large (Realm Suite), laid out almost like a studio apartment, complete with kitchenette, microwave oven, and washer/dryer combo. Gym was very well-equipped. Pool and jacuzzi were also very nice. Didn't get to use the sauna or steam room, unfortunately.
If I came to Canberra again, I wouldn't mind staying here again
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Realm Guest Services, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel Realm
Responded 12 Oct 2024
Dear Mchoo2005, Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay while attending the conference. It’s wonderful to know that the Realm Suite met your needs with its spacious layout, kitchenette, and washer/dryer combo—ideal for a comfortable, home-like experience. I’m glad you found our gym well-equipped, and I hope you had a chance to relax in the pool and jacuzzi. Our amenities are designed to provide a well-rounded experience, and I’m sorry to hear you didn’t have the opportunity to use the sauna or steam room—perhaps next time! I also want to sincerely apologize for the confusion regarding the breakfast charge. We understand how frustrating that can be, and we’re grateful you were able to resolve it quickly. Your feedback will help us improve our billing processes to prevent similar issues in the future. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back to Canberra soon. If you do decide to stay with us again, we’d love to make your next visit even more enjoyable. Warmest regards, Mose' Taiatini Burbury Guest Services Officer
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Possibly the best place in stay in Canberra. The staff at Realm are always friendly, the rooms are always spot on, the beds are so comfortable, the bathroom products actually work and are beautiful, I know I don't have to bring too much with me in my overnight bag for bathroom products which makes travelling lighter. Dining is always spot on and the atmosphere on a Friday evening is full and fun.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Realm Guest Services, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel Realm
Responded 25 Aug 2024
Dear Lynley, Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We are thrilled to be considered one of the best place to stay in Canberra. It's fantastic to hear that our friendly staff, comfortable room, and well-thought out amenities make your visits so enjoyable and convenient. The lively Friday evening atmosphere is something we are proud of, so it's great to know you enjoyed it too. It was a pleasure to have you with us and we sincerely look forward to welcoming you back soon! Kind Regards, Sana Salahuddin-Duty Manager
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I stay in a lot of hotels and very rarely leave reviews anymore. If I am leaving a review I have either been very very happy or very very miserable. I loved my stay at this hotel. My stay at this hotel was absolutely amazing, my room, the view and the staff at the event I was attending were exceptional. This hotel was a little on the pricey side but not that expensive for Canberra. However lots of value here for what your paying that u just don't get in other comparable properties. Switches near the bed to turn ALL the lights off even in different rooms. The switches near the door for 'do not disturb' or 'make up my room' rather then the door hanger that can get easily lost or fall off. The tablet near the bed to set the alarm, get the weather or order room service is a really nice inclusion. In my room I had a big bathtub and a full sized kitchenette with a full sized fridge and this area also included a combo washer/dryer. So many extras that u just don't get in other hotels
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Date of stay: September 2023
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Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Malakai Yeomans, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel Realm
Responded 27 Sept 2023
Dear Itchyfeet6865 (wish I knew your real name) Thank you for staying at Hotel Realm and for sharing such a wonderful review on your stay with us! It is always encouraging to learn that guests are satisfied with our service as it is what we aspire to do every day! Thank you again for sharing your experience and we hope your next visit will be as pleasant as the previous one. Kindest Regards, Malakai Rooms Division Manager
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Friendly, courteous and professional staff. We stayed in a suite with a connecting room for our adult children so two fully stocked bathrooms were a bonus. Kitchenette and lounge area was also great, giving us plenty of space. It was a weekend stay so was very quiet with no traffic noise at all coming into our open windows. Would definitely stay again.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Realm Guest Services, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel Realm
Responded 7 Oct 2023
Dear Trakajak, Thank you for choosing your stay at Hotel Realm and taking out time to review us. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed your stay and a friendly interaction with our team who is always there to go above and beyond to make the guest experience special. We look forward welcoming you back through the doors of Hotel Realm. Warm Regards, Jasjeet Hotel Duty Manager
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Your stay at the Hotel Realm was very mixed. We stayed in a suite which was roomy and comfortable but a bit outdated. The positives are the bed is super comfy and so are the pillows and the room was very quiet and cool which made for excellent sleeping. The room has a balcony and open windows so you can get fresh air at any time. The airconditioning was also excellent. The kitchen area has a washer and dryer a full fridge and dishwasher as well as a sink and microwave. Parking downstairs was also good but it is open to the public and as the hotel has many conferences you may miss out on a park. The fully equiped gym and pool downstairs are exceptional, the only problem with the gym is that the airconditioning does not work very well and there were no fans. Now the not so positive, the lifts are very slow and sometimes misses your floor even though the button is pressed. Our phone in the room did not work and neither did the ipad. The ipad is used to order food so I had to either ring main reception on my mobile or go down to the restaurant and order. When I went down to the restaurant i then had to wait for the food and then take it back up myself.For a five star hotel this was not what I expected. We also got doubly charged for our stay and I am still trying to get that fixed. Free movies are those you can stream on your computer so not new releases. Rooms were not made up until around 4pm in the afternoon so I made my own bed. Electrical power points were very unstable and would come off the wall.. Having said all of this we would stay here again due to loaction and quality of sleep.
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Date of stay: February 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Realm Guest Services, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel Realm
Responded 7 Mar 2023
Good Evening dunnes016, Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, your feedback is important to us, especially regarding areas of improvement. Although I am glad you loved areas of your stay including our great beds! It is disappointing to see we have not been able to deliver on our usual high standards and I will be addressing your experience with our teams so we can continue to improve. I am delighted that you would like to return and that we have the opportunity to show you we can do better! Please when the time comes, do not hesitate to contact me directly via email (tess.mclaughlin@domahotels.com.au) so I can personally ensure we are able to deliver you a great stay! Kind Regards, Tess McLaughlin Assistant Front Office Manager
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The Hotel Realm in Barton is a very comfortable and well run hotel in a quiet and established area of Canberra.
Barton is growing as an accommodation and entertainment precinct but still has a quiet, peaceful and laid back feel about it.
There are some really quality cafes, bars and restaurants within easy walking distance of the hotel and the city centre is just a short journey away by car or bus.
You could even rent a bike or enjoy a leisurely walk there if you feel so inclined.
Most places in Canberra are easily accessible from Barton and, even if you don’t use hotel parking, street parking doesn’t seem to be an issue.
The hotel staff were consistently helpful and extremely friendly.
Our double suite was spotlessly clean, well laid out and had a very large balcony which we didn’t expect.
The only minor complaint I would have is just the same one I would have with lots of hotel chains today. Beige, cream, grey and black are fine neutral colours for classy hotel decor. But some nice colour doesn’t go astray either!!
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â The pool is more of a lap pool for exercise rather than leisure and the gym is offsite but with...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Realm Guest Services, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel Realm
I came as the NDIS had recommended and I bought Kristian who is blind with me. The Hotel facilities and location and staff are all 5 Star, I recommend anyone who is coming to Canberra...we are going to star on a annual basis. We stayed in a 2 bedroom suite and had 3 TV's a kitchen both bedrooms had ensuites.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Realm Guest Services, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel Realm
Responded 1 week ago
Dear Matthew, Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic stay and that our facilities, location, and staff exceeded your expectations. It’s wonderful to know that the two-bedroom suite provided everything you needed for a comfortable and enjoyable visit. We truly appreciate your recommendation and are honoured that you plan to make us your annual choice when visiting Canberra. We look forward to welcoming you and Kristian back next year for another exceptional stay! Kind Regards, Sana Salahuddin-Duty Manager
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A 5 star hotel should leave nothing to be desired and should meet all your expectations.
Unfortunately the Hotel Realm does fall short with that regard. We booked well in advance as we were attending a wedding. We paid the top rate for the room, which included a breakfast package.
When checking in we were given our room which was on the first floor. To our surprise the floor was undergoing renovations, had plastic runners and building dust along the corridors and a builders "smoko" room two rooms up from us.
Our shower in this room leaked all over the floor and mould was present in the shower / bathroom. I was very disappointed but decided to stick it out for the two nights and went down for breakfast. Breakfast was not a buffet, it was to choose "one item" off the menu, all of which were cheaper than the price I paid to add on breakfast.
I ordered a full English breakfast, which was supposed to be, Eggs, Bacon, Tomatoes, Mushrooms , and pork and fennel sausage and house beans.
What I received was eggs, bacon that was obviously cooked hours before and kept hot, a chorizo hot sausage !!, mushrooms sundried tomatoes, beans that were bitter and chillies powder mixed through all covered by rocket lettuce ....it was really bad.
This was the last straw, I received a "how is your stay so far" email which I replied to.
This is where the 4 star rating comes in, I was called ten minutes later and asked to come to reception by the duty manager "Sana". Sana was a lovely person, very apologetic and as we explained we should have been notified renovations were going on and offered a lesser rate or alternate when booking.
Sana then saved the Realm management further by offering us an upgraded room to an Executive suite, an apology card with a complimentary bottle of champagne  in the new room and a $50 credit to buy lunch or services in the Doma group.
The executive room was what you expect in a 5 star establishment and breakfast the next day was like eating at a different establishment, we did notice it was a different crew and head chef, which obviously made a difference.
Would I stay again....I'm in two minds, I think you need to be very explicit and ask what is going on and if rooms are renovated and feel confident before passing the hard earned over the counter. We had stayed before and it had a "wow" factor then, unfortunately its not the case at the moment. If it wasn't for the Duty Manager Sana the rating would be entirely different.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â I think you need to be very explicit and ask if renovations are in progress and stay off those...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Realm Guest Services, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel Realm
Responded 16 Mar 2024
Dear glennt415, Thank you for leaving us a review based on your recent stay experience with us. We really appreciate your honest feedback regarding your stay experience with us. We are glad that Sana was able to able to assist you during the issues you had ecountered and was also able to relocate you to an executive floor. Your kind words will be passed on to Sana to appreciate her customer service skills ensure you enjoyed the rest of the time in the premises. Also your feedback will be passed on to the management for future developments. We would really love to have you back at The Realm making sure to witness a excellent stay experience ! Warm Regards, Jasjeet Assistant Front Office Manager
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There are more places to choose from in the Canberra area.
PRICE RANGE
AU$196 - AU$272 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
hotel realm canberra
LOCATION
AustraliaAustralian Capital TerritoryCanberra
NUMBER OF ROOMS
163
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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