Australia’s Luxury – Urban Accommodation

Australia’s cities are vibrant, clean, safe, enticing. There are many luxury, five star and boutique hotels to suit all tastes and luxury brand allegiances. Here are a few of the urban favourites for luxury travellers.

Sydney, New South Wales

Park Hyatt, Sydney, New South Wales

Glittering, seductive Sydney – one of the world’s great harbour cities. When staying in Sydney, is it hard to beat the ‘rooms with a view’ of sparkling Sydney Harbour and the Opera House at the Park Hyatt located right on the waterfront, or beautifully restored The Langham, centrally located on a hill near the Observatory in one of the historic parts of the city. The mainstay luxury brands all have presence in the champagne city including Four Seasons, Intercontinental, Westin, Sofitel, Swissôtel and Pullman. There is also the funky QT in the city centre, The Old Clare in Chippendale and bridging heritage and luxury, the stylish Ovolo at Woolloomooloo Wharf.

Melbourne, Victoria

Crown Towers & Casino, Melbourne, Victoria

Melbourne. One of the great cities of the world for dining, arts, events and a major gateway for Australia. Melbourne’s Crown Towers offers 484 opulent guest rooms and suites with spectacular views over Melbourne and easy access to the vibrant Southbank arts, food and entertainment precinct. There is also the Park Hyatt and The Langhamfor luxury and style seekers, Quay West for family apartments. On the boutique side, in leafy South Yarra is The Lyall Hotel & Spa, a small hotel with just 40 suites that has the feel of a private club.

Brisbane, Queensland

Spicers Balfour, Brisbane, Queensland

Brisbane city has seen enormous change in recent years and a vibrant arts and food scene has evolved. Part of that change has been the development of The Emporium Hotel and Spicers Balfour. Both boutique, The Emporium has 102 guest suites and has a contemporary cosmopolitan savvy –chic style. Spicers Balfour has just 17 rooms in a beautifully redesigned classic Queenslander house and an adjoining heritage listed retro building ‘Simla’.

Adelaide, South Australia

Mayfair Hotel, Adelaide, South Australia

South Australia’s Adelaide is gateway to six of the premier wine regions of Australia; the wondrous wildlife of Kangaroo Island and the drama of the outback. The very centrally located Mayfair Hotel comprises 170 new rooms and suites within a heritage listed ‘romanesque’ building from the 1930’s.

Perth, Western Australia

Como The Treasury, Perth, Western Australia

Visitors to Perth have welcomed the opening of the Kerry Hill designed Como Treasuryin 2015 with open arms, and it has not disappointed. Forty-eight beautifully appointed suites up to 120msq, two restaurants, bar, private dining rooms and lounges have brought to life with enormous style and contemporary elegance the historic precinct and heart of the city. The Terrace in the west end of the city is another completely different, more traditional interpretation of a historic restoration, with just 15 rooms and much complimented hotel restaurant. And, opening late in 2016, the much anticipated Crown Towers Perth gives guests another luxe option.

Hobart, Tasmania

The Islington, Hobart, Tasmania

The Islington is an aboslute gem of a boutqiue hotel in one of Hobart’s oldest established suburbs just outside the city. Eleven distinctive rooms, salon lounge and library house an extraordinary and diverse private art collection. The open kitchen and expansive dining room are housed in a central conservatory with views up to Mount Wellington. The exclusive Lenna Waterfront Penthouses on Salamanca Place have extraordnary views over Sullivan’s Cove and are a great self-contained, luxe accommodation option. The Henry Jones Art Hotel and Avalon City Retreat are great city bases and just out of the city Mona Pavilions, located next to the famed and infamous MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) on the Derwent River on the outskirts of Hobart. Eight contemporary stand alone pavilions combine with avant-garde art, The Source Restaurant, micro-brewery and winery onsite to make a complete destination.

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Hotel Hotel Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Last but not least, the nation’s capital Canberra, home to our parliament, and some of our best galleries and museums. The cool place to stay is Hotel Hotel, with 68 rooms – they call them Cosy, Original, Creative and Meandering. Each one is unique and reflects love for the well made, the curious and the comfortable. Guests preferring a more traditional setting and art deco design may look at the Park Hyatt, just down the road from Parliament House.

Useful Links

Langham Hotel, Melbourne, VIC

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