The Sebel Canberra Civic

The Sebel Canberra Civic is an apartment-style hotel at 197 London Circuit, right in the heart of the Civic CBD and a short walk from the Canberra Centre. For dog owners it solves the usual city problem: it takes dogs, it takes two of them, and there is no pet fee, which makes it one of the easier central Canberra bookings to justify.

Dogs at the Sebel

The hotel welcomes up to two dogs, with a weight limit of roughly 25kg per dog, and pets stay free of charge. Dogs only, though: cats are not accepted. The one firm rule is that pets must not be left unattended in the rooms, so plan your day around it. Guest notes and room descriptions mention dog beds being provided, a genuine plus, but policies shift and designated pet rooms are finite, so confirm the current terms and the room type directly with the hotel when you book.

The place

Rooms are studios and serviced apartments, modern and tidy, with kitchenettes, Nespresso machines and comfortable beds. The apartment format earns its keep with a dog: more floor space to settle into than a standard hotel room, and the ability to self-cater when you would rather not leave the dog alone for a restaurant run.

The location

Civic is the drawcard. You are walking distance from the Canberra Centre and the city's pedestrian core, with footpath cafes all around, and Lake Burley Griffin's foreshore paths sit within easy reach for morning and evening walks.

While you're out there

The Haig Park Dog Agility Course in Braddon is a short drive away for an off-lead session, and Supersweet Cafe in Braddon is a popular dog-friendly coffee stop. Before you book, confirm the two-dog, 25kg terms, ask which rooms are set aside for pets, and sketch your outings so nobody gets left alone.

More options are in the ACT dog friendly stays guide, and the suburb around the hotel is on the Canberra destination page.