Vibe Hotel by Bates Smart

When I think of airport hotels I think of dark, stuffy spaces filled with dated furniture – there’s nothing left to be desired when it comes to this type of accommodation. Thankfully, the new Vibe Hotel at Canberra Airport has restored my faith in airport hotels, bringing sophistication and style that any frequent flyer would love to kick back in. The glass circular façade of the Vibe Hotel Canberra Airport is reminiscent of the celebrated Guggenheim Museum in New York City providing a glamorous shell for the 191 rooms, which includes 12 suites and 9 luxurious apartments. Australian-based multidisciplinary design studio Bates Smart brought the worldly elegance of the 1950’s and 60’s to the establishment’s interior, filling the ground floor foyer with gold paneling and metallic elements for an elegant first impression. A cocktail bar is centered in the atrium to create a fun and lively atmosphere and is the perfect spot for a much-needed drink on arrival! Looking up from the lobby you’ll find the guest room corridors run in a series of rings working their way up the 7-storey establishment. Painted black, the corridors contrast against the white interior balconies to create a modish appeal, reminding me of the James Bond intro sequence with the black and white spiral effect. Handsome tan leather seating seen in the lobby is also featured in the guest rooms, popping against the soft greys in the space. Floor to ceiling windows allow visitors to take in the local landscape, while the circular hoops in the exterior’s glazed curtain wall provides some privacy without obscuring the view. [gallery columns="4" ids="34374,34376,34377,34378,34379,34380,34381,34382,34383,34384,34385,34386,34388,34389"]