The apartments are quiet, modern and well-located. David, not a green warrior in any sense of the word, just loved the tranquil surroundings.
One of the owners, an artist, has brought an individual style to the design of the building, as well as adding personal touches to the decor which give the apartments a home away from home feel. Where else will you find a garden with fresh herbs and vegetables which guests are welcome to use in their own cooking, or a hills hoist clothes-line out the back providing the best eco-friendly drying facilities nature can provide.
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| Fresh herbs and vegetables ready to pick. |
Check-in
One of a Kind operates without a check-in desk. We accessed our apartment by way of a numbered keypad. The owners use a clever system to create a unique four digit access code, using a number we already knew and therefore didn't have to commit to memory. I would love to tell you how they do it but it's probably not a great idea to splash the cipher around social media. We were also given a back-up phone number and an assurance that the manager wasn't far away.
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| Much of the artwork throughout the apartments reflects tools used by the builders. |
Our Apartment
The apartments are furnished according to different themes. Ours was reminiscent of old Shanghai with bamboo floorboards, splashes of red throughout and Chinese inspired designs on the rug and other furniture. Other themes include Mexico City, Kyoto, Paris, San Francisco and Yogyakarta. I am not a great fan of themed rooms, but these are understated enough to work well.
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| The bedroom in apartment no. 2. |
The eco-friendly design of the building is maintained inside with energy and water efficient appliances, environmentally low-impact toiletries and other products, and facilities for separating rubbish into organic, recyclable and landfill waste.
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| Canberra's supermarkets are plastic bag free so the basket of re-usable shopping bags in the entrance foyer is a nice touch. |
Each apartment has separate bedrooms and living areas, a modern fully-equipped kitchen, and a washing machine. The living room furniture, particularly the lounge suite is, in apartment No. 2 where we stayed, the weak link in an otherwise comfortable interior. The owners' desire to use recycled materials has, perhaps, been taken a step too far here but we were assured that all the 'recycled' lounges were in the process of being retired and replaced by new furniture.
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| The lounge suite in apartment no. 2 |
Location
Located in a tree-lined, suburban street in Dickson, One of a Kind apartments are quiet and tranquil - a refreshing alternative to the traffic noise which spoils so many of Canberra's small hotels and serviced apartments.
There is no shortage of nearby facilities. Dickson Centre with its large range of shops, restaurants, cafes, and village square atmosphere is within easy walking distance. Canberra's City Centre and many of the city's major tourist attractions such as the Australian War Memorial, the National Museum , the National Gallery, and Parliament House are less than 15 minutes away.
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| Tranquil, quiet, tree-lined surroundings. |
Facilities
One of a Kind has one and two bedroom apartments as well as two bedroom terraces.
Facilities include -
- Fully equipped kitchen,
- reverse cycle heating and air conditioning,
- washing machine, iron and ironing board,
- complimentary wifi,
- flat screen TVs,
- private balconies or courtyards and
- secure, undercover parking.
For a full list of facilities click - here .
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| Each apartment has a modern, fully-equipped kitchen. |
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| Private courtyards outside the two bedroom ground floor apartments looked lovely. |
Note: David and I received two complimentary nights' accommodation at One of Kind apartments.
One of a kind sounds like the perfect name for these apartments, and only a 15 minute walk away from the main places in town. We haven't been to Canberra yet, but it's on our list. Now will have somewhere to stay. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAustralians love to knock Canberra but it is a really interesting destination for tourists.
DeleteThat looks like a nice place to stay. I might keep it in mind since we don't have any friends, to bunk with, left in Canberra anymore... They all moved away to escape Canberra's drab winters.
ReplyDeleteHaha - I know what you mean about the winters. I lived in Canberra for four years and I still have relatives there but D and I love having our own accommodation when we visit.
DeleteWhat a fantastic find. One of a kind apartments definitely lives up to it's name. I love that each apartment has a theme and perhaps my favourite thing is the easy check in. Makes it feel just that much more like your own home.
ReplyDeleteThe thing I loved about the keypad check-in was not having to keep track of hotel room keys - definitely not my strong point.
DeleteI love self contained accommodation that have a kitchen garden. Being able to use the produce like that is a big draw card for me. The fact you can self check in without having to meet somebody is fantastic. Just means you can start your holiday straight away. As great as it is to meet the owners of properties and have a chat, sometimes you just don't feel like it, especially if you have driven a few hours to get there.
ReplyDeleteSadly, we didn't get a chance to cook with any of the vegetables or herbs. We were committed to too many nights out with relatives but I loved the idea of having fresh produce just out the back.
DeleteI agree. This is the way to go. I love having my "own" place when traveling. It feels so much closer to home! And yes...cooking vegetables....love it.
ReplyDeleteHotels can be fun but when you really want to relax there is nothing in the world like having a serviced apartment.
DeleteFrom what you describe and from your pictures, this apartment seems very comfortable, although I have to say it looks very modest. I am not a green warrior and to me eco-friendly is a phrase that suggest lack of comfort and extra work from my part (like making sure the trash is separated into organic and recyclable). Not to say there is no merit to this "save-the-planet" kind of lodging, but I prefer a more luxurious one.
ReplyDeleteHaha - you sound like David. I don't mind a bit of luxury from time to time but when you travel as much as we do there is nothing like having your own kitchen and laundry.
DeleteHi Lyn,
ReplyDeleteThe neighborhood looks peaceful. Not too unlike the streets around here where I'm living in New Jersey for a bit. Good on them too for going green. Even in areas where you may not expect it, energy-saving keycards and the like are widely in use. Smart. All it takes is a second to save SO much energy. Thanks for sharing!
Ryan
Sometimes it is the little things which make the biggest difference. I didn't mention it in the post but Canberra is very dry so saving water as well as energy is important. All the plants in the gardens (except the herbs and veggies) were natives which require much less water than introduced plants.
DeleteI was wondering where this was in Canberra and saw that it was Dickson, which we know well. I like self contained places.
ReplyDeleteDickson shops has come so far in the last decade or so. I couldn't believe it when I saw it for the first time in quite a few years. It is hard to imagine in Canberra but it is quite cosmopolitan.
DeleteOne of a Kind is such a cute name. I love the kitchen in your unit. The concept has personality and they've played it here to the hilt. Great for those seeking something different and a little more independent.
ReplyDeleteGive me a kitchen any day. I love being able to make breakfast and pack a sandwich for lunch even if we do eat out for dinner way too often.
Delete