A good question.
A local answer.

Map each property to your planned venues and consider how often you will make that journey.

A city hotel near transport helps with the airport and meals, but the final rural leg may need a prearranged car.

Prioritise a place with reliable late check-in, a straightforward route to ANU and secure luggage storage on move-in day.

Check current roadworks and public transport notices for your travel dates; an old forum account of construction may no longer apply.

Try direct hotel availability as well as booking platforms; inventory and minimum-stay rules can differ.

A sofa bed in one open living area may not solve the sleep problem; review the floor plan and recent guest photos.

Look at Civic or the lake edge for a compact evening, then confirm the hotel's parking height, price and check-in access.

Ask the property about step-free access and a taxi or rideshare pickup point before booking.

Check nearby car parks' current overnight rules, security and total multi-day cost before leaving the hotel lot.

Search current licensed accommodation listings and verify that the pub still offers rooms, as older forum names may have changed.

Map the commute and an evening walk from candidate accommodation, then compare public transport with a direct ride.

Kingston offers a different evening setting from the central area, but neither location puts every landmark at the door.