Olims Hotel Canberra - History
Olims Hotel Canberra is one of Canberra’s oldest and best loved hotels…
Originally known as the Hotel Ainslie, Olims was designed by architect CFA Voysey. Built in English deco style, it was initially established to house members of parliament and public servants.
Hotel Ainslie opened its doors in September of 1927, the same year as the Old Parliament House was opened. Privately run from 1930 by the Spendlove family, it was known to many as Spendlove's Hotel.
In its early days, the hotel consisted of accommodation for just 60 persons, 16 single rooms and 22 double rooms, and to quote one popular magazine of the day, there is hot and cold water in every bedroom.
Pre-World War II, the Hotel Ainslie was a lively place, and the centre of many social gatherings. The hotel is remembered by many as a Canberra landmark, it was the largest building north of Civic.
The hotel was classified by the National Trust, entered on the Royal Institute of Architect's Register of Significant Twentieth Century Architecture and on the Australian Heritage Commission's Register of National Estate, which is a Government body working to identify and protect places of heritage value.
Olims has all the charm and elegance of early federation architecture and the appeal of the bygone era, yet boasts facilities and services to cater for the modern traveler.
In 1987 a further 87 rooms were added to the original thirty seven, in addition to extensive landscaping and remodeling of the public areas including the public bar, bistro bar and restaurant and beer garden.
All extensions and refurbishments have been carried out in keeping with the original architecture, ensuring none of the old world charm of the property is lost.
In 1989 the hotel changed its name to Olims Canberra Hotel when it was purchased by the current owners.
The hotel still provides today's visitor with a taste of Canberra as it was in 1927.
Olims Hotel Canberra is an affordable 127 room Canberra hotel which makes the perfect base to explore the Australian Capital. No other hotels in Canberra can offer our unique blend of old world charm and modern comforts. We provide the best Canberra function venues & Canberra wedding receptions, and we are ideally situated to explore the many great Canberra attractions. Olims is your best choice for accommodation in Canberra. Make an online enquiry or call us on + 61 2 6243 0000.