Best Luxury Hotels in Australia

Hidden in the Hinterland of Mullumbimby Creek, beside Mount Koonyum, this adults-only estate is made up of low rise pavilions. The site was originally a banana plantation and many of the original materials have been salvaged and reused in the build of Blackbird. Its resulting aesthetic is earthy and simple, yet stylish. Accommodations come with Egyptian cotton linen, burnished concrete floors, reclaimed timber joinery and Moroccan tiled bathrooms A magnesium lap pool was built into the mountainside and provides enviable ocean vistas, Named in Tatler’s 2020 annual travel guide as one of the ‘Top 101 Hotels in the World’, Blackbird is one not to miss.

Laidback luxury is the philosophy at this guest house in the centre of Byron Bay. It offers TV-free accommodation for over 21s only, with the option of a private plunge pool, lighthouse view, outdoor showers and claw-footed tubs. Owner and interior designer Deb Garske has created a slow living feel, incorporating wellness touches like local beeswax candles, Hunter lab skincare and an immune-strengthening Grander water system, as well as a personally curated local guidebook. Breakfast here is typical of Byron, with paleo granola, organic yoghurt and moonshine coffee appearing on the menu. Guests at 28 Degrees have shared access to a gourmet kitchen, a pool area and a reading room.

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.

Situated in Hobart’s central business district’s waterfront, this hotel tells the story of its neighbourhood’s history. 114 bedrooms display the area’s character in five separate themes, with an eclectic feel created by interior designer Pike Withers. Expect bold colours and surprising features that are contrasted by natural textiles and patinated brass. The Old Wharf restaurant celebrates local growers and Tasmanian ingredients, creating traditional family-style dishes, while The Story Bar features live music on Friday and Saturday nights, the Evolve Spirits Bar showcases nearby distillers’ produce and the Lounge serves oysters and vino to a backdrop of Aboriginal artefacts.

This was Australia’s first-ever dedicated art hotel, exhibiting works from local artists. Set beside the capital’s waterfront, The Henry Jones comprises a series of industrial warehouses that once served as the IXL jam factory (its live jazz bar and cafe are named after this). Dating back to the 1820s, the building is now a multi-award winning hotel. But the heritage can be seen in sandstone walls, exposed-beam ceilings, spiral staircases and vintage fireplaces, alongside modern features like whirlpool baths, Nespresso machines, organic indigenous toiletries and quirky design features. It also has two very good restaurants — Landscape and Peacock and Jones.

Deep in the Derwent Valley of New Norfolk, lies this Georgian mansion turned boutique hotel. Its public rooms have a traditional country house feel, with the eight bedrooms decorated to fit a contemporary vibe. Guests can also use the library, sauna, a hot tub and access the river from the hotel’s own pontoon. Pretty gardens wind down to the water, breakfast is taken buffet style and a set dinner is served on request. Like the Islington, Woodbridge On The Derwent is exclusively for an adult clientele and is a great choice for those seeking an intimate, high-end home from home experience.

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour is a luxurious, waterside haven with the essence of French influence present in design and feel. There are 590 luminous guestrooms and suites boasting spectacular views of the harbour, Jones Bay, and the city from floor-to-ceiling windows. The award-winning Atelier by Sofitel serves a range of French culinary experiences made with locally sourced produce while anything from coffee and croissants to tantalising tipples can be found at the elegant on-site establishments – Le Rivage Pool Bar, Champagne Bar, Lumière on Thirty Five, and Esprit Noir Lobby Bar. This sophisticated hotel is an ideal location for hosting your dream wedding but especially for conducting business – with the International Convention Centre just across the street and a wide range of meeting and event spaces on offer. Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour also features state-of-the-art spa and wellness facilities including a fitness centre complete with Peloton Bikes and a towering infinity pool.

Located in Melbourne’s bustling CBD, The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne is a five-star property with 257 stylish rooms and suites that offer breathtaking views of the city and Port Phillip Bay. Guests can indulge in contemporary Australian cuisine at Atria or savour a variety of premium rum and whiskey at Cameo – a tribute to Melbourne’s speakeasy scene. The Ritz-Carlton Spa provides a tranquil environment where guests can relax and recharge before heading out to explore the city. The hotel is made with materials that pay homage to the city’s unique stories.

Le Méridien Melbourne, located just a few steps from Parliament Square, offers a truly unique experience for travellers. Its iconic art deco façade welcomes visitors to 235 guestrooms adorned with mid-century-inspired architecture. Guests can also enjoy a ground floor café and bar, seasonal Victorian cuisine at the restaurant, and a stunning pool deck overlooking Fitzroy Gardens and the Melbourne skyline. This hotel is renowned for its immersive art and culinary programme and is the perfect spot for creative-minded travellers to meet and socialise.

The Royce, located on Melbourne’s iconic St Kilda Road, pays homage to the golden age and glamour of the original Rolls Royce showroom. Guests can indulge in uncompromising quality and luxury from one of the 96 rooms, most of which offer balconies with views of the city’s skyline. Breakfast is served in The Conservatory, surrounded by lush greenery, and the hotel is a gateway to the National Gallery of Victoria and the Arts Centre.

Stay in the city’s premier shopping, dining and theatre district at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins. Book one of the prime Celestial Suites and you’ll be 150 metres above the action, with incredible views, a bespoke butler service, personalised pillow slips and bathrobes, fresh blooms, a premium mini-bar items and exclusive access to Club Sofitel. Dine at No35 overlooking the Yarra River and Southbank; drink in the Atrium Bar on 35; have a Monet-inspired lunch at the Lume; and book a table at Sofi’s Lounge for its innovative Mary Poppins High Tea.

Named after, and inspired by, the late Adam Cullen, a native artist with a unique style, The Cullen is a Prahran Hotel with a daring approach. The hotel, which opened in 2009, is filled with Cullen’s offbeat contemporary art, which guests can also purchase. Sleep in an Art Series Signature Bed, revel in the rarity of a Melbourne hotel balcony, dine in two super cool eateries (Gramercy Social and HuTong Dumpling Bar), borrow an eco-car and take one of the Lekker loaner bikes for a spin. Its situation is a little off the tourist trail, adding to The Cullen’s bohemian cred.