By James Wilkinson in Canberra
Doma Hotels’ latest venture in Canberra, the Little National, is set to open its doors on September 1.
The property, which features compact yet stylish 16-square-metre rooms, is located opposite Doma’s Hotel Realm and the Department of Foreign Affairs, will be the nation’s first compact luxury hotel.
Doma’s Director of Hotels, Patrick Lonergan, gave HM an exclusive first site tour of the property this week (Aug 11) and revealed the second Little National hotel was expected to open in Brisbane in late 2017 in the city’s South Bank district.
The Little National Canberra, he said, would set the benchmark for the new brand going forward.
“Comprising 120 rooms, this luxurious hotel will offer affordable luxury to all in an efficient space that requires no compromises,” he said.
“Little National Hotel is conceived for the business, conference and leisure guest who demands smart luxury and high amenity in a super-prime location but at a rate that allows for greater enjoyment of the other facilities offered by the thriving heart of Canberra’s Parliamentary Triangle.
“There is an international movement toward this new category known as affordable luxury hotels that is being spearheaded in Europe. It recognises that there is a community of travellers that seek a highly tailored and beautiful product that provides the essentials of accommodation with no compromises, but at a new price.
“Each of the 120 Little National Hotel rooms will include all the amenities of a 5 star hotel delivered in an well considered room featuring super-king size bed, wall-to-wall window, luxurious bathroom with rain shower and amenities, large HD Smart televisions, play-your-own smart devices direct, mood lighting, in-room safe, bar refrigerator and free high-speed WiFi.
“Public guest areas consisting of the hotel library and lounge augment the experience of the rooms. The spatial layout of these areas has been designed to allow for various modes of use, from interaction with friends or other guests, to finding a quiet private space to work from or relax,” he said.
Conceptually, the closest offering was citizen, which has compact and technologically advanced properties in Amsterdam, London and New York.