Firstly I need to apologise for not posting a report of our trip to Canberra in July. Time just got away. In short we stayed at the Hyatt, spent all weekend at Mt Stromlo, at in Kingston and lunched by the lake in glorious weather.

Now for the actual topic.

Family Guru minus GS headed off to Canberra the World Championships Mountain Bike weekend after securing a fantastic $173pn room at the Hyatt we decided to stay overnight rather than the hit and run we had planned.

We left home at dawn and arrived at Mt Stromlo Forest Park just in time for the Women’s Cross Country event. Parking was easy, although many locals had taken the option of not paying the $10 fee and parked outside the venue and walked in. The venue was well set up with stands that had a big screen showing most of the on course action for those of us too lazy to make the trek up the hill to view from one of the many vantage points. Food was standard sports event fish and chips etc. If you plan to go out to next year’s World Champs I suggest unless you are happy to queue for what was expensive and high fat then self cater. Getting to Stromlo was well sign posted from Adelaide Ave the only traffic hassle was actually getting into the venue.

After the mens’ X country we headed back and checked into our room. This was our 4th Hyatt Canberra stay this year and I must admit that it was ok, but nothing to be memorable. The room was freshly refurbished (soft only not bathrooms) and located in the central atrium with a verandah on the rear. The room still had “eau de solvent “ which meant we kept the doors open as long as possible. After a quick drink in the bar, we ate early at Hoang Hau knowing we needed to be back at the MTB course by 7.30pm.

GD chose our viewing location on the “bear trap” promising us this was the most likelihood to crash point, hmmm. She was correct but we were only treated to one face plant which negated the lovely sinking in the mud feeling we experienced for most of the hour. Did I say it was raining…and very muddy.

Back in the room and depositing as much mud as possible on the doormat of the hotel rather than in the room we hit the sack, noticing slight noises from the room next door. At 12.19am I was bolted into consciousness by the shower in the room next door being turned on. I had read of noise issues in some rooms at the Hyatt but had not experienced them. I have now! All in all, noise and odour I felt it was probably a good idea we had not booked it for the next weekend’s National Titles for Road cycling, even though the $173 limited time offer sprang to availability again.

I literally raced home on Sunday as I needed to be at one of the University of Western Sydney. Not a bad trip though..just under 3 hours from Stromlo to Milperra.

Thursday afternoon three Guru family members again headed south to Canberra. I am beginning to think that we should perhaps buy property as we have spent almost that much on accom lately! Our hotel of choice was realm (spelt in lower case deliberately…it’s sooo much cooler). We had booked a Lane suite with a rollway $275 + $30 when the best offer at the Hyatt had been $420 for the same type of room we had last weekend. I had a quick look at the realm in July and was happy enough. My first impression was the building was cold but on checking in this time the hotel area was warm and uber modern. Descriptions of concrete bunker are probably accurate but there is definitely artwork, you just don’t look for paintings on the wall. The foyer is hung with a huge curtain of red metal slats..certainly aimed at the art market but I suspect the actual purpose is to dull noise. It didn’t work when the conference was at lunch. realm certainly lacks the ambience of the Hyatt but TBH the hussle and bussle of dodging your way through high tea at the Hyatt can be a little tedious as can the long walks from car to room. Rooms at the Hyatt may now be Art deco but they are still conventional hotel in feel.

Alarm bells rang as we walked to the room I got a very pleasant surprise. Once cocooned inside there was no sound to be heard, nor did we hear any internal noise all weekend due to clever placement of panels at each end of the room, decorative and again functional. The kitchen was basic with a combi grill micro but sufficient for our needs as I had smuggled in the fry pan. Only hitch was no bowls which did make an appearance after ringing reception, although they disappeared again after the room was serviced on Saturday.

Friday morning bright and early was out to Stromlo yet again but I will spare you the boring sport details, except that Cotter Rd to Uriarra is closed and you need to detour via Duffy. Well signposted for thos heading out that way.

Nationals thankfully only entail one race per day so we found ourselves with an afternoon to spare. Each time we go to Canberra we plan to visit the Wineries and each time we find something else to do. With GD wanting a rest and planning a swim Guru and I went in search of the nectar of the gods, or at least something drinkable. Knowing the reputation of Clonakilla this was our first point to sample. We found the wines which were not highly prized to be better value for money and the tasting informative and well explained. On our hosts recommendation we head next up the ubiquitous dirt road in the wine region to Helm.

Helm is a boutique winery with a cute little schoolroom built in 1888 serving as the cellar door. This was a great find. The host, Judith, was happy to chat and quite surprised when we left $600 poorer, yes the wines are that good!

We made our way to Shaw Vineyard and had a coffee before tasting, Sacrilege I know but we wanted a break and the view from the café was pleasant. A short tasting we were most impressed by their sticky maneuvering our overpacked car we managed to fit in another 6 bottle (3 sticky and 3 light whites).

Back to realm we hit the pool for a short swim then in room catering courtesy of Coles Manuka, frypan and Microwave. Thankfully the rooms have dishwashers. After a laid back evening we retired early. Saturday morning was clear and cool and GD was racing in the afternoon so we lazed around had an early lunch then after racing had another swim in the pool. I then checked out an Atrium room and made a booking for January as Realm seems to meet our needs at the same price or better than the Hyatt. Dinner same “restaurant”.

Sunday morning checkout and racing then home…

Comments on realm

• Friday the room wasn’t serviced. They came but GD was in the room so they left. A quick phone call later in the day saw the appearance of new towels and removal of rubbish. We didn’t ask for anything else to be done.

• Some of the reception staff were bright breezy and oh so helpful. There was only 1 i felt was a little miffed to have to be deal with us. Top marks to Sophie who showed us through the Atrium room.

• Our newspaper on Friday did not arrive until after 8am. If you were a business traveller I could see this would be an issue.

• Saturday morning we planned to have breakfast in the cafe. With buffet, and a limited one at that, we decided bacon, eggs and pancakes with Strawberries in room cooked by moi was a better option

• Rooms don’t have a plunger for coffee but there is a bar downstairs and we were able to have a good coffee there.

• Construction noise may be an issue as we heard some work on Saturday morning but the rest of the time not a sound.

• Manuka shops are walkable and you don’t get the spilling out of the bars at closing time noise.

• No turn down, but do you really need it??

In short a good weekend and I think we have finally found that alternative to Hyatt.