Best Luxury Hotels in Australia

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 brightly coloured retro colour scheme helps to set the hotel apart from many of the subtler luxury options and people who are young at heart are sure to love unwinding here. The whole establishment boasts a ‘50s beachside vibe from the lobby to the cute and charming coffee shop on the ground floor. Each of the guest rooms features the same charming pop art theme with big and brightly coloured posters on the wall and furnishings in yellow, pink and red. While style plays a key role, luxury certainly has not been overlooked and there are plenty of great spots for guests to relax such beside the huge outdoor pool and in the spa.

Standing proud on the edge of Brisbane’s central business district (CBD) and the city’s twisting, eponymous river, The W cuts a slick sail against the rest of its neighbouring corporate buildings. Inside, the W is vibrant, snazzy and energetic, with a design unashamedly inspired by pop art sensibilities. Rooms range from ‘Wonderful’, ‘Marvelous’ and ‘Fantastic’ to suites which up the ante from‘Wow’ to ‘Extreme wow’ – all of which easily describe a typical stay here.

If your taste in hotels runs to the quirky and hip, QT will not disappoint. Two historic buildings from 1920 have been merged and converted to form quite an amazing space. Recreating a 20s Broadway musical vibe, QT also enjoys a favourable location in the heart of Sydney’s shopping district. A dazzling mix of 20s, Gothic and Italianate on the outside, inside the 200 rooms are once both luxurious and high-tech. High design, antiques and original artworks and installations are everywhere including in the European-style brasserie, street-side café, and intimate lounge which boasts an enticing cocktail menu, Guests can chill out in the boudoir-inspired QSpa under ceilings of stained glass which offers a range of treatments including specials for couples, Hamman and relaxation lounge.

Attracting A-listers like Bruce Springsteen and David Beckham into its three penthouse suites, this property is set on the buzzy Chapel Street. The hotel has been around for decades, but took on a new personality under Sofitel, blending contemporary and retro elements in a fashion-forward approach. It has a breakfast brasserie and a bar, as well as room service, with lunch and evening restaurants plentiful in its neighbourhood vicinity. Be sure to make use of the heated pool on the top floor and look out for the signature rubber duck in the bathrooms; a nod to The Como’s quirky heritage.

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.

A stroll away from Darling Harbour in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, the Hyatt Regency is the ideal choice for leisure and business travellers. This is Australia’s largest hotel (892 air-conditioned rooms) and pitched at the top end of the conference and business market and facilities are mainly aimed at business customers or customers who want a luxurious base for sightseeing without too many on-site facilities. There are excellent conference facilities and the hotel is only 15 minutes walk from the International Convention Centre. The Sailmaker restaurant serves delicious food and guests can enjoy fabulous views while sipping a cocktail in the Zephyr sky bar or a workout in two fitness rooms.

Set on the banks of the gently flowing Nerang River, this elegant hotel provides guests with a warm welcome and plenty of class. The northern end of Surfers Paradise Beach is just a few steps away, while a number of other impressive attractions are also within easy reach. The style of the hotel boasts a marriage of wood and cast iron, while the rooms are decorated in soft tones and feature huge marble bathrooms. Dining in one of the two chic onsite restaurants is an experience that should not be missed and diners are treated to stunning coastal views as they work their way through the extensive menu.

The lavish Hyde Melbourne Place is conveniently located in the heart of the city’s central business district. The hotel is home to lavish guestrooms and spacious suites, featuring the unparalleled Dawn Penthouse with expansive windows and a baby piano. Guests can enjoy the exquisite dining available at the on-site restaurants, Mid Air serving international flavours and a tasting menu with Mediterranean classics at Marmelo. Marmelo Bar is also open all day from noon while the Guest Lounge offers a unique setting to relax. There is an on-site fitness centre, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, for guest use. The hotel’s stunning meeting and event spaces make every event special, from professional functions to elegant celebrations. The hotel showcases a curated art selection which heavily features local talents.

Just 250 metres from Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, The Westin is an urban retreat. With a heated pool and the swim-up bar Nautilus (the only one of its kind in Brisbane), you get can get a sun holiday experience, with all the benefits and amenities of a city break. A menu of international dishes is served in the Charles restaurant, with Aussie classics on offer at the Edens Table restaurant. And if you bring your canine best friends, you can be sure of VIP treatment — the chefs here have created a full menu that’s just for pet pooches. It’s child-friendly too, making it a great choice for family stays.

Located in the heart of the city, Kimpton Margot Sydney, is a treasured icon reimagined. The hotel combines art deco heritage with eclectic style and the result is guaranteed to delight guests. Guest rooms are modern with plush beds, stylish bathrooms, art-lined walls and even include a yoga mat! The hotel presents four restaurants each offering a myriad of dining experiences; from refined drinks and light bites in the elegant 1930s-style cocktail bar through to the flagship restaurant, helmed by renowned Australian chef, Luke Mangan. The hotel very much embraces a social spirit hosting nightly drinks receptions, pop-up events and much more. For energetic guests, there is a fully equipped on-site fitness centre with the latest Technogym machines and custom-designed Kimpton Lekker bikes for riding around town are available upon request. The rooftop swimming pool is the perfect place for a sun-soaked swim or simply a place to enjoy city views in style and comfort.

The artwork and unique touches that can be found throughout the InterContinental sets this establishment apart from other offerings in the luxury brands range. Plenty of high-end yet homely touches adorn the communal areas and guests are sure to love sitting on the spacious terrace to enjoy a cool cocktail and take in pretty city views. Those who are travelling for business will be able to catch up on a little work in the Loft Lounge, while people who book one of their impressive Club Rooms are granted full access to the Club Lounge where they are treated to goodies such as high tea, canapés and sunset cocktails.