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CANBERRA is greatly overlooked as a tourist destination in Australia. The city isn’t marketed the same way Melbourne is as an artsy charm, or Sydney is as a fast-paced coastal hub. Australia’s capital city is quickly and surely emerging as a vibrant business centre and an attractive holiday destination for single travelers, couples and families.

When in Canberra, it makes sense to stay in the thick of the action. Crowne Plaza Canberra is located in the heart of the central business district and is close to some of the city’s best attractions, shopping, restaurants, cafés and bars.

The hotel’s close proximity to many arts and cultural attractions is a bonus for visitors to Canberra. Only a seven minute drive away is the National Portrait Gallery, where visitors can view an extensive collection of photographs and paintings depicting iconic Australians.

The Gallery serves as an educational one-stop shop for visitors to learn about the contributions of some of Australia’s most prominent figures. Be sure to check out The Popular Pet Show exhibition, opening in November.

Also a short drive away is the National Gallery of Australia, featuring a large permanent collection as well as temporary exhibitions. Visitors can look forward to the Versailles: Treasures from the Palace exhibition, opening in December.

Visitors to Canberra can learn about Australia’s war history at the Australian War Memorial, one of the most revered historical institutions in the country, which incorporates a shrine, a museum and an archive.

At the Australian War Memorial visitors can join a guided tour, see the permanent galleries and view the regular exhibitions. On selected Fridays, pre-school aged children can look forward to storytelling sessions where tales of brave people and faraway places are brought to life.

For people who like to stay active while travelling, at nearby Lake Burley Griffin visitors can enjoy rowing, sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and fishing. Cyclists and joggers are treated to a 40 kilometer shoreline, which lends to a healthy evening routine for locals and visitors. With 300 days of sunshine in a year, even in winter on a clear day you can enjoy time outdoors with bright blue skies.

Over winter, visitors can experience The Truffle Festival Canberra Region. This annual event is held from June to August, celebrating the harvest of the black winter truffle. Each year a number of events are held across the region including gourmet dinners, cooking classes and demonstrations, farmers markets, truffle hunts and more offering plenty of opportunities to experience the prized truffle.

Crowne Plaza Canberra is an ideal choice for families. The Family Getaway package includes accommodation, breakfast and a family 3infun ticket with entry into three of Canberra’s great attractions.

During school holidays, parents can relax while their kids have fun at the Kids Corner, which is stocked with games, toys, crafts and kid-friendly movies. The Kids Corner is complimentary for hotel guests and catered to those aged eight and under.

Canberra-3597After a full day of exploring and learning, unwind at one of the Crowne Plaza’s many comfortable rooms. For business travelers we recommend the luxurious Presidential Suite. Spanning two floors, this suite is equipped with a boardroom-style dining table, a separate kitchen, spa bath and a balcony on each floor.

Other accommodation options include the Deluxe Rooms, Premium Rooms and Superior Rooms all with modern workstations, ensuites and plush bedding. Deluxe Rooms have a leafy view over Glebe Park, while the Superior Rooms offer views over Canberra city.

For those travelling for business, the National Convention Centre is less than a minute’s walk away from Crowne Plaza Canberra. The modern center is a partner with the hotel, so booking meeting rooms and large exhibition areas is easy.

At the hotel itself, there are many meeting spaces to choose from, ranging in capacity from 10 to 130. The hotel also offers tools and services that include stationery, a toolkit for facilitators, high stools with backrests and a variety of snacks that delegates can help themselves to.

Canberra-4135A handy service is also the dedicated Crowne Meetings Director, a designated point of contact for delegates to refer to from the initial enquiry right up to the final assessment. The Meeting Directors will also keep track of conference progress and provide itemized accounts of daily expenditures.

The hotel also offers 24-hour check-in, a concierge service to advise guests of the best of Canberra’s sights, a 24-hour business centre complete with computers, internet access, a photocopier and fax machine, a swimming pool (closed during winter months) and a well-equipped gym. Be sure to join the IHG Rewards Club program to receive free WiFi.

For a quintessentially Australian meal, Redsalt Restaurant takes advantage of fresh local produce to create modern Australian dishes and a range of premium grilled meats.

Crowne PlazaRedsalt’s seafood platter demonstrates some of the best of Australian produce, namely Coffin Bay oysters, king prawns and barramundi, all served with a simple lemon and dill mayonnaise to bring out those natural flavors.

Whether you are after a strategic location, top-notch facilities, high-quality food or the proximity to popular attractions, Crowne Plaza Canberra is a winning choice for both leisure and business travelers.

Click here to book your stay at the Crowne Plaza Canberra.

The post Crowne Plaza Canberra: Where leisure and business merge appeared first on Travel Wire Asia.

Source: travelwireasia.com