Best Independent Style Hotels in Australia

A bold, colourfully lit facade meets guests arriving at the Adelphi, a palette that continues inside, along with quirky artwork and installations. Its heated, year-round cantilever rooftop pool on level 9 is a highlight for many visitors, conducive to some swoon-worthy holiday snaps. Attention to detail is a big deal here; from the personalised welcome notes in each room to the luxurious linens and bath products. Take advantage of bespoke experiences, such as gin-making sessions and private cinema screenings. The Adelphi, a design hotel, is located in the central business district of Melbourne.

Ace Hotel Sydney offers unique accommodation in Surry Hills with modern and casual interior design in a great location – on the edge of the Central Business District. There are plenty of comfortable options when it comes to guestrooms and suites including the option of a luminous terrace or the spacious Loft Suite. Guests can choose between a selection of excellent dining and bar options from – LOAM, Good Chemistry, The Lobby cocktail bar and the spectacular rooftop restaurant, Kiln. The hotel is also home to a number of meeting and event spaces for any occasion from a boardroom conference to a grandiose wedding day – the team are on hand to help with organisation and offer group bookings. Ace Hotel Sydney is within walking distance form Hyde Park and a short distance from Central Station to make getting around and exploring Sydney convenient and comfortable.

Those preferring a self-catering option can book a one, two or three-bedroom suite sleeping up to seven, with optional water views and paired car hire. All have private terraces and require a minimum two-night stay (larger apartments have five and seven-day minimums). Right next to the Waterfront Precinct, many wining and dining establishments are found on the property’s doorstep, although the fully equipped kitchen and BBQ facilities ensure you can cook up at feast in-suite. The venue is ideal for families with a wave pool on the grounds, plus porta cots, high chairs and strollers available on request.

Bijou (by Melbourne standards), The Lyall is found in the upscale neighbourhood of South Yarra, known for its fashionable shops, galleries and restaurants. Its 49 suites boast separate living areas, kitchens and private balconies, with some overlooking the Japanese Maple Garden; book a Parisienne balcony room, a Grand Suite or the Penthouse to be at the top of the tree here. The hotel is quite the urban sanctuary, with an on-site spa and relaxation suite that has won numerous awards. The Lyall Champagne Bar and Bistro offers a French-inspired menu with an emphasis on fresh and locally-sourced ingredients.

Here 41 bedrooms are split into two separate wings, themselves early 19th-century warehouses renovated by Circa Morris Nun architects. One was first built by an ex-con as a grain store but has also served as a ship’s chandler, sailmaker, jam store, print shop and book store. The other wing has spent most of its life as a hotel. Each bedroom comes with Grown Alchemist toiletries, 49 inch HD TVs, a minibar stocked with local treats and a colour scheme reflecting the hotel’s name; local flora and fauna and original materials augment the decor. There’s no on-site restaurant as such, but there are plenty close by.