Diamant Canberra

Class: First

Style: Modern design

Rooms: 80

Canberra, though roughly midway between Sydney and Melbourne, sees but a fraction of the tourist traffic — it’s a purpose-built inland capital, like Madrid without the history or Brasilia without the concrete. But in the Diamant, Canberra has got itself a high-end boutique hotel that wouldn’t look out of place in either of the neighboring seaside cities.

It’s rare that a city’s first contemporary-style boutique hotel comes off quite so well as this one. The ’20s-vintage building underwent a thorough renovation at the hands of some of Australia’s top architects, and the result is stylish and chock full of personality — especially in the bedrooms, which are minimalist at eye level and more detailed below and above, with modernist furnishings and ornate patterned ceilings.

What it may lack in downtown grit the Diamant more than makes up for with a thoughtful and convenient package of services and amenities. The lakeside hotel is a part of the New Acton development, which includes a number of restaurants, bars and a smattering of retail shops, in addition to the hotel’s own lounge, wine parlor and dining room. It’s a win for everyone; there’s a small fitness room right next door, as well as a standalone day spa, and the Diamant’s guests enjoy complimentary access to the Fitness First health club, ten minutes’ walk through the park.