We had a standard double room for 3 nights, with a rollaway bed for our son. Good points: KS bed with quality linen and down doona and pillows - absolutely superb. Best bedding in any hotel I have stayed in. Loved that we could open the windows to get fresh air. Security safe for valuables. Not so good: Staff for the most part were unremarkable or even rude (especially in the bar). Bathroom was bleak. Functionally - very ordinary. Dim lighting, poor layout. Hopeless for applying makeup etc. Poor ventilation in bathroom - room actually had a dank odour. Pool closed at 5pm - are you serious??? Should be open at least till 10 - or 24 hours preferably. Gym facilities were not included in the standard room rate - very misleading as that was part of the reason we chose this hotel.. should not have to pay extra $$$$ for use of facilities. Extra $$ to access internet - should be included. Rollaway bed had a ghastly synthetic blanket. No microwave in room. No table to eat at.

My husband and I stayed at the Realm during the June long weekend. Yes, the hotel is a bit bunker-like in its decorating style and yes, it could do with a bit more glitz and glamour if that's your taste, but for heavens' sake, is that how we rate hotels - on personal decorating style?!!! We received first class service from the moment we booked until the moment we left this hotel. The price was more than comparable with other hotels when arranging a gallery/breakfast/parking package. The staff were wonderful. The room was gorgeous with a separate sitting room, comfortable bed and a bath to die for. Kitchen wonderfully set up with laundry facilities as well if required. Lovely, clean and modern. Ok, the view was a bit ordinary, but you don't go to Canberra for the views (maybe I'm spoilt - I leave near Sydney harbour so I have no expectations that anything will match my daily views). We were quite unwell with the flu when we arrived and so didn't want to venture out to explore places to eat, so after some sightseeing, we had lunch in the cafe (can't remember the name), complimentary drinks before dinner in the bar, dinner and breakfast in the restaurant. Everything was excellent - service, food etc. I just think some of the critics are people who are terribly hard to please. Thanks Hotel Realm. We were more than satisfied.

The hotel is obviously state of the art, new and fresh. The staff were exceptionally friendly and well trained. The formalities were quick and easy. The room was clean and spotless. Well appointed with all the usual to be expected from a 5 star. I have stayed a lot of different places. The Realm was sterile and devoid of character. There was no artwork of any description to be seen. We did not eat there so can not comment. The car park was excellent and secure. The environment was unexciting in Canberra's business area but a good position from Manuka, which I like. The power point for the kettle was meters away from the bench it sat on. The toilet door will whack you in the head if your wife comes in for something. There is nowhere to put the hand soap. These design flaws are annoying when the hotel is so modern. Above all, the place resembles a comfortable concrete bunker.

The weekend of the 2020 Summit was a good time to be in Canberra, so we took the opportunity of star spotting, staying at the new Realm in Barton as seen in the SMH the fortnight prior. Reception was understaffed when I arrived at 4pm, with several people trying to register. Only 1 staff member initially. Very pleasant person, only too willing to help out. I had booked directly and it cost an extra $10.00 over an above the internet booking, rip off. Our Suite on the Executive floor faced the building site next door, no noise, and the view of the distant trees made this tolerable. TV did not work in the bedroom, but everything was very nice. Bathroom had a spa, lovely toiletries and plenty of fluffy white towels. Our 'free' Cocktail and Canapes at the downstairs bar were a disaster: 1 drink of wine and no canapes despite waiting over an hour. We had dinner at Narrabundah waiting for us. Distant and aloof describes the service at the bar. Minus score. Breakfast was served in the sunny Cafe, small selection of items but as we were on the Executive Level we could eat from the a-la carte Menu, pretty ordinary food I might add. Coffee was wonderful and we had a few of these. Service was pleasant and attentive, if inexperienced. Parking was free and very convenient, however, no newspaper offered or delivered, despite hearing others order theirs. A bottle of chilled wine was delivered to out suite after arrival, nice touch. I suppose good staff are hard to find, so overall we made excuses for that. Advice? Book over the net or through Wotif etc. Not directly.

There were a lot of little things about the hotel that were not quite right. On there own it wouldn’t matter but as there were quite a lot it got annoying. You could tell it was a new hotel that still needs to work out the bugs. There was no TV guide to tell you what channels were what. While watching sports on the top and bottom of the screen was cut off not allowing you to see the score. There was no price list for the mini bar and it was not refilled every day. After a day out sight seeing we returned to an alarm going off in our room. The room service attendant had refilled the mini bar but forgot to close the door. When we left our towels on the floor to be exchanged, they weren’t. They were refolded and put back on the shelf. Water was leaking out of the sides of the taps when they were in use. Staff was helpful but seem like they did not know what to do. As I mentioned it was lots of little things that let our stay down. The good points were that it was close to a lot of the attractions, the food was good but the service could be better.