Alabama Hotel
Although first built and named in 1867, the Alabama Hotel survives on the middle floor behind an Art Deco facade on Liverpool Street in Hobart’s CBD. The hotel is an excellent budget option with a bar that spills onto a plant-filled balcony at the front of the building. The style here is distinctly retro, with nods to Pop Art and Americana. Twin rooms and queen, both standard and deluxe, are available, but you’ll need to walk down the hall for the shared bathroom facilities.
A: Level 1/72 Liverpool St, Hobart TAS 7000
Ph: 0499 987 698
W: alabamahobart.com.au
Mona Pavilions
David Walsh’s Mona has had a transformative effect on Hobart. If you’re keen on keeping the spirit alive after viewing the outstanding art collection, tasting wine at Moorilla Estate and perhaps dining at The Source Restaurant or Faro, then Walsh has the accommodation for you. Self-described as “super flash luxury dens on the River Derwent” (adjacent to Mona and Moorilla Estate), The Mona Pavilions consist of eight striking architectural boxes perched with commanding views across the Derwent. Each “den” is named after an influential artist or architect (all male, mind you) and each is unlike the other, except for the level of luxury and style.
A: 655 Main Rd, Berriedale TAS 7011
Ph: (03) 6277 9900
W: mona.net.au
The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel
Unsurprisingly, this hotel is situated in an old wool store building, centrally located in Hobart. The historic building has been converted to house a range of standard hotel rooms as well as self-catering apartments, including two-bedroom loft apartments. The hotel also has a restaurant, and it caters very specifically to those wanting to explore the many local mountain bike trails, with secure bike lock-up facilities, eco-friendly bike wash stations and a washer/dryer in every hotel room to deal with any muddy kit.
A: 1 Macquarie Street, Hobart TAS 7000
Ph: (03) 6235 5355
W: oldwoolstore.com.au
The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel
Unsurprisingly, this hotel is situated in an old wool store building, centrally located in Hobart. The historic building has been converted to house a range of standard hotel rooms as well as self-catering apartments, including two-bedroom loft apartments. The hotel also has a restaurant, and it caters very specifically to those wanting to explore the many local mountain bike trails, with secure bike lock-up facilities, eco-friendly bike wash stations and a washer/dryer in every hotel room to deal with any muddy kit.
A: 1 Macquarie Street, Hobart TAS 7000
Ph: (03) 6235 5355
W: oldwoolstore.com.au
Prospect House Private Hotel
Across the road from Pooley Wines, and owned by the Pooley family, Prospect House is only 25 minutes from Hobart, on the fringes of Richmond. The building is an 1830s convict-built mansion, which has been converted into a five-star guest house with resounding echoes of an English country estate. The rooms are luxurious in a serene, traditional way, with views of the extensive gardens and orchard. Head Chef Kurstin Berriman turns out breakfast, lunch and dinner from the country kitchen (for guests and casual diners, too), celebrating local ingredients in a refined but unfussy way.
A: 1384 Richmond Road, Richmond, TAS 7025
Ph: (03) 6205 9740
W: prospecthouseprivatehotel.com.au
Pumphouse Point
If you’re after an escape from it all, Pumphouse Point is a little bit of luxury in the wilderness. With 18 rooms housed in two historic buildings buried in Tasmania’s wilderness, this is a retreat to celebrate the outdoors. The modern rooms are stylishly spare rather than flashy, emphasising the grandeur of the views across Lake St Clair and into the bush. Stay in either of the two converted 1930s hydroelectric buildings, one on the shore and one 900 metres down a jetty in the lake, or book The Retreat, an architectural timber box secreted in the bush, where the style, luxury and seclusion is turned up even more.
A: 1 Lake St Clair Rd, Lake St Clair TAS 7140
Ph: 0428 090 436
W: pumphousepoint.com.au
Saffire Freycinet
With views across Coles Bay and to The Hazards mountain ranges in the Freycinet National Park, Saffire is one of Tasmania’s most luxurious and secluded lodges. This is accommodation as destination, with 20 private suites, a day spa and the acclaimed Palate restaurant all onsite. A lounge with library, five-metre fireplace, expansive deck – with stunning views, of course – and courtyard complete the picture. This is deep-pockets all-inclusive stuff, with breakfast, lunch and dinner covered along with beverages and some spa credits. Optional extras abound too, if that special bottle of wine from the cellar beckons, which it probably will.
A: 2352 Coles Bay Rd, Coles Bay TAS 7215
Ph: (03) 6256 7888
W: saffire-freycinet.com.au
Stillwater Seven
Focusing on the raw produce, wine, cider, beer and spirits of the Apple Isle in the acclaimed restaurant, Stillwater has been a celebration of Tasmanian produce for two decades. Situated in a converted 1830s flour mill on the banks of the Tamar River, the upstairs space has now been converted to house seven hotel rooms. Each room has a king bed and is luxuriously appointed, with bedside views of the Tamar. And if you’re one to shun minibars, pause to reconsider, as the rooms at Seven have their own “pantry, bar and in-room fridge”, stocked with Tasmania’s finest consumables.
A: 2 Bridge Rd, Launceston TAS 7250
Ph: (03) 6331 4153
W: stillwater.com.au
