Best Luxury Hotels in Australia

This Art Deco-era Heritage Building took on new life welcoming high-end travellers in 2015. It is found in the hub of the city, the central business district, and is a serene, sophisticated and plush oasis. Guests can expect to find L’Occitane toiletries, a minibar stocked with complimentary local treats and media hubs and standard; those staying in the Executive category suites also benefit from Nespresso machines, a daily fruit bowl and local chocolates at turndown. The restaurant, with a menu featuring the likes of steak, seafood and caviar, is located in the basement, while the opulent Hennessy Bar occupies the Mayfair’s 13th floor rooftop.

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.

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.

The Motley Hotel, part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, embodies Melbourne’s creative spirit with bold design, artistic touches, and a deep connection to the city’s heritage. Built on the historic Federation Terraces of Bridge Road, it honours the legacy of seamstress Ms. Mary Parker. Offering 80 bespoke rooms inspired by Melbourne’s arts scene, the hotel blends historical charm with modern comforts. Guests enjoy offsite gym access, room service, and exclusive local packages. Dining is a highlight, with Ms Parker serving refined dishes celebrating Melbourne’s seasonal produce, while Threads Rooftop Bar offers craft cocktails with skyline views. A favourite among locals, The Motley Hotel delivers a stylish, immersive Melbourne experience.

Best described as quirky, this luxury hotel with 189 rooms sits on the waterfront with incredible views of the Harbour Bridge and Walsh Bay. Pier One is a great base for tourists being only a 5-minute walk from The Rocks and King George V Memorial Park. Rooms are modern, spacious, and stylish with large picture windows, while suites boast waterfront terraces. The excellent restaurant and bar also have fabulous views and there’s also a barbecue restaurant right on the harbour. Guests can enjoy leisure time in a well-equipped fitness centre. This pet-friendly hotel also has plenty of meeting facilities for business travellers.

Indigo Melbourne on Flinders, this boutique lifestyle hotel is a creative addition to Melbourne’s iconic Flinders Lane, which spans the city, housing both renowned restaurants on the eastern end and preserving seafaring and gold mining heritage on the western end. The hotel’s surroundings epitomise a laneway culture filled with street art, hidden cafes, bars, boutiques, and galleries. The property boasts 216 redesigned guest rooms inspired by the colourful legends of the Flinders Lane neighbourhood, notably the influential fashion photographer Helmut Newton. His work serves as a central theme in the hotel’s design, blending fashion, art, and runway elements. The hotel features a dramatic lobby-gallery space, commissioned artworks by local artists in guest rooms, a fitness centre with sustainable, body-weight-powered equipment. Additionally, the hotel offers an exciting dining experience with the Spanish bar and restaurant BESO, led by Chef Ana Cortes Garcia, offering contemporary twists on traditional Spanish tapas and an extensive selection of Victorian and Spanish wines, overseen by Guy Holder, a prominent figure in the local hospitality industry.

Queen Street Mall was the chosen location for Hyatt’s inaugural Brisbane property, opening its doors in early 2021. A 20-metre heated infinity-edge rooftop pool surrounded by a swish pool bar sets this hotel apart. Guests are accommodated across 292 bedrooms with either city or river views, robes and slippers, and room service on request. There’s a Tesla charging point on site, valet parking and a gym. The popular Lennons Restaurant and Bar cooks up comfort food using seasonal low carbon footprint ingredients, as well as the sought-after Wonder Pies by Ray Capaldi, and a list of Australian wines to accompany your meal.

Mondrian Gold Coast, located along the beachfront esplanade of Burleigh Heads, presents 208 rooms and suites that bring a bold design-led lifestyle to Australia’s coastal luxury scene. This is the first Mondrian hotel in the country, housed within a contemporary structure created by Fraser & Partners, with interiors by Studio Carter. Guests can expect an experience that balances laid-back beach energy with striking architectural detail and a strong connection to the local surroundings.

The interiors are both vibrant and calm, inspired by Burleigh’s beach culture with a West Coast aesthetic. Accommodation ranges from Studio rooms to expansive Homes, Beach Houses with private plunge pools, and the show-stopping Sky House featuring five-metre-high windows, a chef’s kitchen and a private bar. Dining is central to the experience, with Italian-influenced dishes at LiTO and a more contemporary Australian offering at Haven, set beside the magnesium plunge and resort-style pool. CIEL Spa introduces a wellness concept underpinned by bio-wellness therapies, while a 24/7 Technogym-equipped fitness centre and cultural programming

A boutique hotel in a converted wool store with a sense of fun, the Hotel Woolstore 1888, Sydney – Handwritten Collection is ideally located in Darling Harbour next to Barangaroo Park, a superb base for exploring the delights of Sydney. Inside the original fixtures of the wool store are on display in the public areas and rooms with rough-hewn beams, exposed brick, and pipes all incorporated into the décor. Rooms include furniture made from original ironbark beans and screen prints of works by Aussie wunderkind Jasper Knight and range from shoebox to suite with sun terrace. The hotel bistro and bar is an eclectic rendition of industrial chic meets vintage and serves Mediterranean cuisine.

Wake up to the sound of the waves when you book a beach-facing room at this family-friendly MGallery property. An outdoor pool also looks onto the ocean, flanked by a glass balustrade. Guests have several options for dining at Manly Pacific; Zalis serves modern, laid-back Australian cuisine from breakfast through to dinner and Bistro Manly provides a contemporary coastal take on French food, crafted using fresh seasonal produce. For drinks, there’s Sable, a mezzanine wine bar and the Charlie bar, which incorporates a gaming area.

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.

With vistas from private balconies overlooking Sydney Harbour from the glistening Circular Quay or the verdant Royal Botanic Gardens, Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour has plenty on offer to enhance guests’ experience in the stunning city. Each of the 5-star hotel’s luxurious 1- and 2-bedroom suites offer modern comfort, splendid views, and are fully equipped – making guests feel at home with chic lounge areas, kitchen, and laundry facilities. The hotel is located metres from the iconic Sydney Opera House and The Rocks and nearby public transport options open a world of possibilities, allowing guests to explore and discover Sydney. Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour offers meeting and event spaces complete with state-of-the-art technology and exquisite catering options. Guests are also welcome to a premium dining experience at Q-Dining while Hyde Hacienda Sydney Bar & Lounge offers an elegant space to relax and indulge in signature cocktails and South American inspired dishes.