Yahoo Lifestyle 
East Hotel Canberra: A luxurious pitstop to add to your snow trip
The East Hotel in Canberra is the height of pure indulgence.
I stayed at the East with a friend on our way to Thredbo, and what started as a quick pitstop fast became a highlight of the entire trip.
Stepping into the lobby of East Hotel we were greeted with modern furnishing with a dark luxurious feel, but the friendly and helpful staff created a warm and welcoming atmosphere where we immediately knew we would be taken care of.
We stayed in the Luxe One Bedroom Apartment which showed off uninterrupted views from a private balcony, had a well-stocked mini bar, a spacious combined living and kitchen area with a separate bedroom and bathroom with a luxurious spa bath.
The bedroom boasted an expansive window that allowed us to watch the sun slowly rise over Canberra from the comfort of the hotel's plush king bed, definitely a must if you can wake up early enough.
While the East Hotel is in the heart of Canberra, everything you need is right on your doorstep.
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In the evening we wandered down to the hotel bar Joe's, which has an extensive menu of classic cocktails and some with a surprising twist.
Living our best James Bond fantasy, we ordered a Vesper gin martini before heading next door to spoil ourselves with an Italian feast at Agostinis restaurant.
From the moment the restaurant manager escorted us to our table to when we were the last ones left gorging on tiramisu and affogatos, we were treated to five-star food and first-rate service.
All our needs were met with the help of expert advice on wine and the vast Italian menu. It was honestly hard to decide what delicious dish we wanted to treat ourselves to.
We settled on calamari soaked in milk, which was mouth-wateringly tender, and the Frico, a potato pancake piled with cheese which we immediately agreed was one of the most delicious aspects of the meal.
We shared an eggplant gnocchi dish before digesting it with a limoncello shot, tiramisu and an affogato – the definition of treat yourself.
After collapsing in a food coma we awoke the next day to continue our culinary journey at the hotel, with breakfast at Muse – a cultural space with delicious food, coffee and an array of books.
Sadly then it was time to leave – the only disappointing moment of the whole experience was having to check out.
The East Hotel is a must-stay for anybody travelling through Canberra, planning a weekend in the capital city, or looking for a romantic staycation.
The East, which boasts 140 rooms, opened its doors in 2012 with the passionate Italian family behind it opening their arms and welcoming their guests to the hotel as they would their home.
We found it the perfect pitstop to break up a trip to Thredbo from Sydney, and really got the weekend started early with an unforgettable experience.
The East Hotel currently offers a snow package for those passing through, with a night's accommodation in an East Apartment room, a $50 voucher for Joe's Bar or Agostinis and 12pm checkout priced from $330.
Yahoo Lifestyle was a guest of the East Hotel in July.
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