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A handy guide for where to stay in Hobart
Wading through all the options of where to stay in Hobart? Check out this list of the city’s best places to stay, be it a boutique hotel, a quirky campground, or a quaint little cottage.
Just as Tassie’s food and wine scene has come of age, so too has Hobart’s accommodation offering. There are now a number of standout properties all jostling for your attention within the confines of this small city, whatever your budget and taste. Some of the city’s hotels have serious design credentials and are not just celebrated on a local scale, but number among Australia’s best.
It’s not all about luxury, no expense spared stays here, though. Hobart’s accommodation scene is also home to some well-maintained caravan parks and a glut of cosy Airbnbs too. Read on to find out where to stay in Hobart on your next trip to the Apple Isle.
Hobart hotels
There’s no shortage of boutique hotels in Hobart. Whether you’re on the lookout for a heritage hotel that boasts a wealth of history and character, an elegant and serene retreat outside of the Tassie capital’s CBD or a luxury accommodation in Hobart, these options deliver. And today, you can expect plenty more than just a room: the city’s newest additions also boast bars and restaurants to rival even the most established culinary players.
The Henry Jones Art Hotel
Hobart’s only art hotel is housed within a heritage-styled stone building. (Image: The Henry Jones/Adam Gibson)
A waterfront haven, no two rooms are the same here at the boutique Henry Jones Art Hotel. Some feature fireplaces, others terraces or spa baths.
Design-wise, expect plenty of nuance too: some rooms and suites, for example, are lined entirely with the original Blackwood panelling of IXL Jam Factory’s former administration offices, while others feature walls of original stone and timber.
With a noteworthy grill restaurant and an atmospheric cocktail bar on-site, you won’t have to venture far for a memorable tipple or bite to eat.
The Islington
The Islington is a fantastic example of Regency architecture. (Image: Supplied)
A fantastic example of Regency architecture set among sculpted gardens with views to Mount Wellington. Like The Henry Jones, The Islington is a boutique hotel. This one is filled with original art and antiques from the owner’s private collection.
Given its location, on the outskirts of the city (but less than a 10-minute drive away), this luxe bolthole almost feels more like a mountain-lodge getaway. With only 11 rooms that feature rainfall showers, roaring fireplaces and king-sized beds, this is the place if you’re craving luxury and tranquillity.
MACq 01 Hotel
Each of the spacious rooms has a private balcony. (Image: Supplied/Adam Gibson)
MACq 01 has transformed a shipping shed into an entirely modern and thoroughly sleek and chic abode. Almost every aspect of this self-described ‘storytelling hotel’ has been carefully curated to reflect Tassie history: expect rooms inspired by important local figures, complimentary tours offered by the hotel’s resident ‘storytellers’ and walls peppered with artefacts, artworks and quotes that help to narrate some of the island state’s untold stories.
The rooms here are minimalist, but not in a clinical, monochrome way. A warm colour palette imbues the furnishings, which vary between the luxury hotel’s five different room types. The focal point of each room and suite is a floor-to-ceiling artwork, created by Tassie artist Troy Ruffels, which stands behind the bed. Each and every room here features a private balcony that overlooks either the historic sandstone warehouses of Hunter Street or the city’s sparkling waterfront.
MACq 01 Hotel also just so happens to be home to two of the city’s best bars (Evolve and Story), and a schmick fine dining restaurant (Old Wharf).
Hotel Grand Chancellor
Find a heated indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling windows on the 10th floor.
If you’re after a hotel with some bells and whistles, Hobart’s Grand Chancellor could be the one. There’s a sizable fitness centre, a heated indoor pool on the 10th floor with floor-to-ceiling windows and a sauna, as well as valet parking, a highly rated hairdressers, a bar and a restaurant.
While the rooms and suites have a cookie cutter lean, some do feature dreamy views over the harbour or kunanyi/Mount Wellington.
The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Take in panoramic waterfront vistas at The Tasman.
Open since December 2021, this Hobart scene-stealer was six years in the making, bringing together not two but three buildings in the city’s heart. It’s the first Marriott Luxury Collection hotel in all of Australia – clearly the conglomerate’s bigwigs know a city on the up when they see one – and it promises abundant luxe touches… Cashmere throws, rain showers, high ceilings, 400 thread count linens, locally made leatherwood honey soap produced specially for the hotel, suites with fireplaces. If you’re after luxury accommodation in Hobart, The Tasman has you covered.
Mona Pavilions
Relax in a refined abode at Mona Pavilions. (Image: Rémi Chauvin)
As the folks over at the Mona like to say, “come and stay with us at Mona – not in the museum (unless you’re dead)”. The eight cutting-edge, self-contained villas at Moorilla Estate, which sleep up to four, are named after influential Australian architects and artists, and feature artworks plucked from the Mona collection and designer furnishings. Situated on a private peninsula that abuts the River Derwent, guests at Mona Pavilions can also gorge on unobstructed water views.
There’s a heated infinity pool, gym and sauna on the grounds, and the room rate includes breakfast at The Source restaurant, priority access to the museum (when it’s open), and a complimentary Moorilla winery tasting.
Villa Howden
Be surrounded by manicured gardens at this French provincial-inspired chateau. (Image: Alice Hansen)
Hobart, or French countryside? This luxe traditional French provincial-inspired chateau is only 15 minutes outside of Hobart in Howden. Complete with traditional Parisian decor and furnishings, Villa Howden will feel a million miles from home. Once you’ve dumped your bags on the bed, hop down to the heated indoor pool for some pre-dinner laps. Those less inclined to exercise can exploit the villa’s manicured grounds (complete with croquet lawn and petanque court), linger in the guest library, or relax in the lounge next to the open fireplace. After a quick refresh back in your room, head to the in-house bay-view restaurant Bruni’s.
Moss Hotel
The rooms are spacious yet cosy.
One of the most exciting new openings on the Hobart accommodation scene, Moss Hotel fuses stunning heritage architecture with expert local craftsmanship and natural materials designed to imbue a sense of the island’s landscapes. Think bedheads made with Tasmanian Blackwood joinery, sandstone side tables, exposed brick walls and timber beams, and bathrooms covered head to foot with moss-green subway tiles. The beauty is all in the details at this Salamanca Place bolthole, which was once a series of mid-1800s warehouses, home to traders and taverns.
Mövenpick Hotel
Enjoy fabulous harbour views.
This Swiss hotel chain is a familiar name. And while there’s nothing boundary breaking or unique about its offering, you can rely on the Mövenpick for modern amenities, contemporary style, top-notch service, cleanliness, and, of course, its signature ‘Chocolate Hour’ (for the uninitiated, that means complimentary house-baked chocolate treats in the lobby from 3.30pm to 4.30pm daily).
Guests at the Mövenpick Hobart can enjoy: blackout curtains, a pillow menu, premium linens, suites with freestanding bathtubs, an onsite fitness centre, free ice cream for kids under 12, accessible rooms and an in-house Italian restaurant and bar. The higher-tier rooms provide stonking great city and harbour views through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Crowne Plaza
Soak up the city skyline from your private bath. (Image: Crowne Plaza)
Located in the heart of Hobart’s CBD, the four-star Crowne Plaza offers surprisingly cosy and design-conscious interiors (the en suites are a particular standout). Rooms have a warm, autumnal colour scheme, and each one boasts floor-to-ceiling windows.
A 12-storey, purpose-built new-build (the property opened in 2020), the hotel is crowned by a Modern Australian restaurant with an adjoining terrace bar that offers sweeping city and kunanyi/Mount Wellington views. And next door is the Crowne Plaza Club Lounge, which offers snacks and drinks galore for those who book a club room (think complimentary canapes and Aussie wines every evening, plus a buffet breakfast).
Airbnbs and holiday homes in Hobart
Given Hobart’s artistic cachet, it’s no surprise that this regional capital is awash with beautiful homes. From one-bedroom units perfect for a couple’s weekend getaway to historic two-bedroom cottages with plenty of personality, these Hobart Airbnbs promise lashings of style, a fair whack of space and the hallowed opportunity to live like a local. If you’re wondering where to stay in Hobart, why not try one of the below options for size.
The Pickers’ Cottage
The Pickers’ Cottage strikes the right balance between comfort and beauty.
Your home away from home, this cosy West Hobart Airbnb strikes just the right balance between comfort and aesthetics. A gorgeous brick building that dates back to the 1850s, The Pickers’ Cottage has two bedrooms and is a great spot for small families – think blackout blinds, a travel cot, games and a high chair. And perhaps best of all, this little find is located within a stone’s throw from one of Hobart’s brunch institutions, Pigeon Hole Cafe. Beyond the cottage’s luxurious feel, it’s the attention to detail (think breakfast provisions and a handwritten welcome note) that really clinches the deal here.
A modern, inner-city apartment
Check into this modern apartment in the CBD for an indulgent long weekend.
Located slap-bang in the thick of it all, this bright, airy and modern apartment in Hobart’s CBD is a fine place to spend a long weekend. A spacious two-bedroom unit that sleeps up to four guests, it features a pared-back interior – a smattering of abstract monochrome artworks and a neutral palette with warm accents of terracotta and blush – as well as a huge bathtub that’s great for a wallow after a long day on your feet sightseeing.
The Conservatory
The accommodation’s original facade belies the modern interiors and extension.
You’d be hard pressed to find a Hobart holiday house with a more visually arresting design than this: a two-bed, two-bath home with unassuming modern, minimalist interiors. The Conservatory’s exterior is very dramatic: an elevated edifice (literally) all matte black, stark and box-like, with downlights offering a soft ambient glow around the building come dusk. It’s giving industrial chic.
There’s a fully equipped kitchen with Miele appliances, and the bathrooms feature underfloor heating (a much-coveted feature in Tassie’s cool climes). Moreover, the keypad entry system means there’s no need to faff around organising a key handover with the owners.
The Rox Hobart
Pore over the rustic luxury aesthetic at The Rox — a collection of four apartments that all feature the same design vision but offer slightly different experiences. The two-bed Elizabeth and Alexander apartments, for example, are housed in a 200-year-old building and feature plenty of sensitively restored heritage aspects (arched windows, lofty ceilings, original timber floors and raw brick walls). Meanwhile, The Rox Penthouse (two-bed) and The Rox Apartment (one-bed) were developed within a modern complex but still promise thoroughly fashion-forward interiors and, of course, all the mod cons.
Note that The Rox’s properties are not suitable for children under 10.
Hobart caravan parks and Hobart camping spots
Avid campers and caravaners rejoice. Hobart is surrounded by a number of caravan parks and camping spots in pretty much whichever direction you turn but beware that not all of them were created equal. The Hobart camping and caravan parks listed below, however, offer clean facilities, handsome sites and a few added extras too.
Snug Beach Cabin and Caravan
Retreat into a cabin right by the water’s edge. (Image: Snug Beach Cabin and Caravan)
Location, location, location – that’s the principal drawcard at Snug Beach Cabin and Caravan Park, perched right on the water’s edge. At night, when everyone’s settled into bed and a hush descends upon the park, you can even hear the waves lapping at the shoreline. Among the Hobart caravan park’s landscaped gardens there are powered and unpowered sites as well as cabins that can accommodate up to seven guests. Enjoy free, hot, untimed showers, an accessible amenities block and contactless check-in, all a 30-minute drive south of Hobart’s centre.
BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park
BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park offers family-friendly cabins, campervans and caravan sites.
This pet-friendly Hobart caravan park receives rave reviews for the immaculate state of its grounds and cabins, but convenience is also a key here: BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park is located just minutes from Hobart Airport and a 15-minute drive from the city. It’s also a reasonably priced option for those caravanning or campervanning, with powered sites available from $40 per night. You’ll find all the standard mod cons at this tourist park, from public barbecues to laundry facilities and a camp kitchen in addition to a playground and basketball courts. There’s even a free food section where travellers can donate whatever they no longer need (or pick up provisions for the road), as well as a free shuttle bus to the airport.
The Lea Scout Centre
If you’re looking to take it back to basics, The Lea Scout Centre is a great shout. Operating seasonally (between December 1 and March each year), this bush camping spot offers tranquillity in spades, as well as a wood-fired pizza oven, all less than 10 kilometres from the Hobart CBD. It’s caravan-, campervan-, motorhome- and tent-friendly, and features a limited number of powered sites too. Those craving a few more creature comforts can book one of the fully self-contained cabins instead.
Left of Field, Camping Gardens
A quirky, independent campground on the banks of the Tyenna River, right on the fringe of the Mount Field National Park, Left of Field is perfect for those wanting a true immersion in the thick of the great outdoors. Offering spacious powered and unpowered sites, the key drawcards here (beyond the setting) are a well-stocked licensed bar that plays host to live music most weekends, and an outdoor bathtub hidden behind the trees and ferns, made all the more cosy by a fire pit planted next to it. And did we mention that platypuses are often spotted in the river?
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