Sited on London Circuit, Rydges Lakeside can feel somewhat marooned among the car parks and freeways near to the ACT state parliament and government buildings, but its a few (albeit slightly complicated) minutes walk from central Canberra and, using a pedestrian bridge, the lake and Commonwealth Park.
All rooms have balconies, with prices higher for a lakeside view than the city view. Rooms are spacious and comfortable although, whilst there has been a recent renovation, some of the furnishings have seen better days.
Generally a fairly decent hotel - a couple of bars, a rooftop restaurant, breakfast cafe, pool etc and spacious lobby. A little tatty round the edges and the place could do with modernisation. But where the city is short on accommodation (try getting a room anywhere when Parliament is sitting), its not a bad option and there are good rates to be had at weekends (try taking out free Rydges membership before booking online thorugh their own website - you'll receive 15% discount). At $A135 per night (city view), it's good value - that balcony and floor to ceiling windows making a big difference.
(Breakfast at the cafe is not good value - $A17 for continental or $A22 full. Go out the back door and the deli/cafe across the road is much better, with organic food on offer).
It does have to be said though that Rydges website is misleading. The 16 storey building looks 80s or 90s architecturally with its white-painted facade. In reality, its 60s pebble-dashed- and the interior reflects a modernised 60s rather than a more recently built 90s building.
