Canberra trip- Novotel hotel and dining at First edition

For me, creating family memories is everything. I document all of our special days out together with photos and videos, and often find myself sitting on the couch when the girls are in bed reminiscing on time with my family. It sounds silly, but time really does fly when you’ve got little ones. Before I know it they’ll be off to Uni – I always make time to cherish these moments while they’re so little.

My family and I recently took a trip to Canberra, and our experience at the Canberra Novotel is one we’ll be reminiscing about for years to come. The girls had been to Canberra before and had been desperate to go back, so I was thrilled to be able to see their faces when I announced we were heading off to the Novotel for another dose of Canberra fun!

It’s such an underrated city – great for families and just a short flight away. If you’re not sure whether Canberra is the place for you, it makes for a fantastic mini-break with little ones, especially with all the features of the Canberra Novotel. 

Arriving at the Hotel

From the moment we checked in, the girls were kept busy in the mini play zone. I was sorting out the paperwork at the check-in desk, and glanced over to find the girls playing hotels on the play table! So cute. It looks like I might have a couple of future hoteliers on my hands, bless them. 

Once checked in, we were whisked off to our room, which had plenty of space for us to spread out – a total must-have when traveling with kids, right?! The staff were really helpful and were able to assist us with our plans during the trip. They had plenty of recommendations for things to do with kids, too, so if you’re visiting for the first time, rest assured you’re in good hands.

Facilities

If you’re looking to unwind a little on your trip, the Canberra Novotel has its own sauna and pool – which has been recently renovated, too. If you’re a gym bunny, fear not – the on-site gym will mean you don’t miss a workout! My kids were a workout enough, so I skipped the treadmill this time around (lol!).

Dining- First Edition Bar and Dining

The hotel’s restaurant is the First Edition Bar and Dining Room, offering a varied menu of high-quality dishes to suit all tastes. The menu looked really impressive, and the breakfast was to die for – I can’t go past a hotel brekkie, can you!?

We were lucky enough to attend the Teddy Bear’s Picnic High Tea event as part of First Edition’s monthly special event. Every month is different, and there are plenty of family-friendly occasions on the schedule. At the high tea, every child was invited to bring their own teddy bear to join in the fun, and the girls loved recreating their very own teddy bear’s picnic in a fancy, high tea setting.

All the kids were able to play games like pass the parcel, make their favourite animals into balloons, colour in with the bear colour sheets, design their own teddy bear shirts, or take some time out with the building blocks and books available. The girls absolutely loved it, and got stuck into all the activities – which meant Mum and Dad were free to enjoy the tasty food, bonus! We tried bagels, mini cupcakes, classic Lamingtons, and a selection of sandwiches and cakes. If you’ve specific dietary requirements or preferences, the Novotel will happily cater. There were plenty of vegan options and flexibility for other dietary needs. 

Visiting Canberra

The hotel is also within easy reach of all of Canberra’s top attractions. The National Gallery and National Museum are definitely worth a visit, and the National Science and Technology Centre is a really cool hands-on educational experience, too. The Canberra Novotel concierge staff are full of knowledge about the local area, so if you need ideas or inspiration, they’re sure to help you out.

The Canberra Novotel is our go-to spot for city breaks in the Australian capital now – we’re so glad we’ve found somewhere we love to go back to. The girls get really excited now as they know exactly what to expect every time – we’re already planning our next Canberra adventure.

Check out Novotel Canberra HERE

Check out First Edition Bar and Dining HERE

** Hotel and restaurant was kindly hosted but all thoughts and views my own