Hobart Accommodation: Islington Hotel Review

Boasting a world-class art collection and wow-factor mountain views, the Islington Hotel is one of Hobart’s most elegant – and surprising – boutique stays.

Where

The Islington Hotel 321 Davey St, South Hobart, TAS, 7000

What to expect

Hobart’s Islington Hotel , secluded behind high gates, gives the impression that it is an exclusive private home. Beyond the perimeter walls is a peaceful, Andrew Pfeiffer-designed garden, containing flowers, birds, a one-hundred-year-old weeping willow tree and a serene pond, enhancing the tranquility of this delightful boutique property. But it is the sight of the stunning kunanyi/Mt Wellington that the eye and the heart is drawn to. My garden room has an uninterrupted view of the Organ Pipes and the spectacle of this mountain that overlooks the city. Staff member Elise tells me that for locals the mountain is a symbol of stability: it protects them, harbours them, holds their stories, and they love that it’s always been there, a comforting presence in an increasingly uncertain world.

Arriving at The Islington Hotel in Hobart.

First built as a private home in 1847, the property has 11 guestrooms, all individually appointed with luxe leather armchairs, candelabras and chandeliers; an extensive array of Whiteleys, Warhols, and even works by Matisse and Picasso pepper the walls. Perhaps in the art world these are easy pieces to come by but for a layperson it is a surprising delight to see these works outside of a museum or gallery. In some parts grand and opulent, in others, understated and elegant, the hotel’s decor occasionally has a touch of African safari; animal print lounges and furry bedspreads are juxtaposed with modern furniture and Regency architecture in a distinctly historical and homely collection. The property is an ode to the travels, experiences and art collections of directors David Meredith and John Goodyear.

The Library, the Morning Room and the Rose Room are all elegant spots to sit and either play chess, read or contemplate the world. Each has a distinct ambience. The poetry carved into the grand bookshelf doors was first penned by David’s ancestor, the writer, artist and botanist, Louisa Anne Meredith. Whilst the Tasmanian state library contains many of her works (paintings and sketches), Louisa’s original books, Over the Straits; a Visit to Victoria and My Home in Tasmania, are on display in the library on site.

The rooms

The accommodation has a king-size bed, loaded with plump pillows. It’s made up with crisp white sheets and a heavy doona, and can be separated into two singles on request. As a room divider, there are huge heavy drapes to draw across to shield guests from the bright morning sun which streams through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Despite the wonderful artworks on display around this hotel, kunanyi/Mt Wellington is the most breathtaking natural picture here.

The Islington Hotel is a boutique hotel that gives you the sense of seclusion despite being in the heart of Hobart.

The leather armchairs with gold frames are a simple nod to the modern traveller. These pieces were recently delivered from Vietnam where they were made to order. With matching glass tables echoing the gold frame holding books about Tasmania and the history of the hotel, they are lovely to relax in after a day’s travelling or touring.

The Islington Hotel Hobart — Each room at The Islington is covered in unique artworks, but it’s the view that really makes this hotel special.

The bathroom is enormous and the surfaces are smooth marble. The deep oval freestanding bath beckons and I fill it and sprinkle a jar of the provided bath crystals over the surface. Using the Palm+ Anitbacterial Hand Sanitiser and body balm adds extra luxury to an already decadent experience. A fluffy towel and a huge dressing gown wrap up the evening.

Entering the room after dinner, staff have completed the turndown service. Calming sleep music wafts out from the room’s iPad and the lights are dimmed. A tray with a teapot, and a square of chocolate Baileys fudge lies in wait on my luxurious king size bed.

A little dish of Islington Dream tea, touted as a ‘tried and tested Tasmanian brew [that] encourages the perfect night’s sleep’ sits next to a china teapot. This special touch really makes me feel welcome.

The hotel has free wi-fi, of course, and the room has a flat screen TV with cable channels for guests.

Restaurants and bars

The Conservatory Restaurant is the centrepiece of the hotel. The double-height windows have views of kunanyi/Mt Wellington, manicured gardens and rambling kitchen garden beds. Tomato plants burst out of the middle of manicured low hedges like unruly children. Lavender, strong and green, stands up like sentinels on the borders. The infinity pool glistens in the sun the morning I am there and reflects the bright blue sky.

As well as using food grown on site, the chef, Zac Shearer, creates sensational food from local fare, composting food waste and recycling as much as possible to ensure the sustainability of the property. A continental breakfast showcasing seasonal, organic, Tasmanian food – delicious homemade fig yoghurt, muesli, stewed fruit, cakes, croissants, all in miniature – is available as well as a cooked-to-order breakfast. Homemade cakes and biscuits are laid out for guests all day on a table near the kitchen.

The conservatory is an airy space, but has cosy corners in which to enjoy a meal, especially when the open fireplace is roaring. Dinner is served from Wednesday to Sunday during summer. Meats and seafood from King Island and Cape Grim form the basis of this menu and everything from sourdough to preserves are created in the kitchen.

The verdict

The Islington is an elegant, picturesque hotel with great food, little luxuries and welcoming staff to enhance your stay.

We rated

When I arrive, there is a private function underway but the hotel manager on duty comes to meet me in the car park. There is no reception desk, just a large welcoming hallway and parlour rooms off either side. The staff have an excellent ability to make guests feel special and comfortable. I really do feel like I’m visiting people I know, being welcomed warmly into their home and their lives. Excellent service is de rigueur at five-star boutique hotels, but the personal connections with Zac, Elise, Jess and the rest of the team well exceeded my expectations.

Things to note

This is a property focused on tranquility and rest. As such, children over 15 are welcomed but younger children are not able to be catered for.

Advice for other travellers

If possible, try to spend more than one day here to make good use of all the leisure spaces. If you book three nights, The Islington provides an airport transfer service.

Go soon to enjoy the view of kunanyi/Mt Wellington. Plans are underway to build a cable car across the Organ Pipes and the face of the mountain so it may never be the same again.

Enjoy a bushwalk to the top of Mount Wellington during your stay.

The location

Follow the Rivulet Walk for 30 minutes to Salamanca Place, home to the famous Saturday markets and great Hobart cafes, best restaurants to eat and shops. The Mona ferry leaves from the wharf in town. The Islington is on the road up to kunanyi/Mt Wellington, and from here you can branch off on various bushwalks; the Rivulet Walk can also be taken up to the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site (25 minutes).

Salamanca Markets Hobart — Spend a morning wandering around the nearby Salamanca Markets.

Price

From $240 per night for an attic room and from $345 per night for a garden room with mountain views. Luxe packages are available for guests staying longer than three nights which include chauffeured transport to and from the airport and a personally tailored itinerary for the duration of your stay.

Want to know more? Read our guide to everything you need to know about a trip to Hobart.

Welcome to Hotel Addict, a monthly column where I check into Australia’s best hotels, exploring not just the rooms, but the stories, service and settings that make each stay unforgettable and worth adding to your wishlist.

I arrive at The Tasman in Hobart at 10pm. Two McLaren 620Rs are parked out front, and a welcome cup of mulled wine – made from local chardonnay, not red wine – lands in my hand. It’s already clear this isn’t your average hotel stay. The last time I was in the Tassie capital was in 2022, when my family stayed at MACq 01 and cheered on my brother-in-law who raced in the Sydney to Hobart. This time, I’m moving away from one of my favourite Australian hotels and checking into this award-winning stay.

What I love most about Tasmania is the dedication to good produce. Farmers, chefs and locals alike create and grow some of the country’s finest offerings – plump oysters, world-class gins, irresistible cheese and fresh berries. And much of it can be savoured from the comfort of the unique accommodations peppered across the island, each impressing with its attention to detail. Perhaps none do it as well as this month’s chosen hotel, though.

Having opened its doors in December 2021, The Tasman was named in The World’s 50 Best Hotels list for 2024, putting Hobart firmly on the map for international travellers. Visitors and locals are also drawn to its onsite restaurant Peppina, an Italian eatery helmed by Tassie-born and Napoli-raised chef Massimo Mele, whose food philosophy centres on using the best produce, simply.

The view from the The Aurora Suite at The Tasman — The hotel is a short walk from Salamanca Place, the waterfront and Battery Point.

The building is located in the heart of Hobart CBD in the Parliament Square precinct – a short walk from the waterfront – making it a convenient base for exploring the city. Designed by Sydney-based architects fjcstudio with heritage guidance from Design 5 and interior design practice JPDC, the project involved melding and restoring three distinct architectural styles – 1840s Georgian, 1940s Art Deco and the new Contemporary Pavilion – while celebrating the city’s maritime heritage. The result is an elegant fusion of heritage character and modern sophistication.

There are 152 rooms and suites divided into Heritage, Art Deco, and Pavilion. My room is in the Heritage part of the building and features dramatic ceilings, a mini bar stocked with local treats and a huge marble-swathed bathroom with an enticing freestanding bath and Tasmanian dairy cream and leatherwood honey soap.

I decide to order room service since the onsite speakeasy, Mary Mary, is closed and I don’t have a dinner reservation. The late-night menu tempts with seafood chowder served with crusty bread and a ham and cheese toastie – but whenever I see a cheese plate, I can’t resist. Have I ever had a truly great one in a hotel? Not even in Bordeaux. But this time, it’s different: the spread is beautifully presented with thinly sliced apple and pear, three local cheeses, honey and an assortment of crackers made onsite. I pair this with a gin and tonic made with Forty Spotted Classic Tassie Gin and Tasmanian Tonic Company gin – it’s my perfect night in.

Forty Spotted Gin and Tasmania Tonic Company tonic at The Tasman — The minibar is stocked with local treats. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

The next morning, I opt for the buffet breakfast. Hotel buffets can be hit or miss, and I generally see them as a waste of money, but my sister claimed the offering at Peppina was her favourite she’s ever had. Coincidentally, one of her closest friends is in town for a conference and, having stayed here before, chose The Tasman and breakfast at Peppina again; more assurance of its deliciousness.

The space is light and bright with two productive olive trees boosting the mood. I load up a plate of chickpeas, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach, pickles, the world’s creamiest mushroom quiche and slices of cheddar. A bit unconventional, but it’s all perfect, and I’m convinced this is the best breakfast I’ve ever had. I finish with a pear and lemon pastry, which is on par with the baked goods I savoured on a recent trip to France.

Peppina restaurant at The Tasman — Peppina celebrates seasonal Tasmanian produce.

I spend the rest of the morning and afternoon walking around Salamanca Markets and the waterfront areas in the historic Sullivans Cove precinct, enjoying 12 Bruny Island oysters for just $20 – a steal! Back at the hotel, I squeeze in a quick gym session. It’s small, but the preserved sandstone walls give it a unique charm that makes the workout feel more like a novelty rather than a chore.

There’s no spa or swimming pool onsite – a disappointment I have to admit – but what it does have is a wine cellar and that might excite me even more. The cellar is stocked with Tassie drops as well as notable international bottles. During my tasting I decide to stick with local sips, which will be paired with a charcuterie plate, and to my delight, another cheese plate. Our sommelier Adrian guides us through eight different wines, including a very tasty 2023 Syrah, Bubb + Pooley and a 2024 Pinot Noir, Stoney Rise. The region is known for its cool-climate wines, especially sparkling wine and Pinot Noir, and Adrian’s animated commentary on each pour transforms the tasting into a performance. That or the wine is just working its magic…

A cheese plate and wine glasses lined up in a wine cellar at The Tasman — Sample Tassie drops in the wine cellar. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

I make the tipsy pilgrimage back to Peppina to try their dinner offering. I dive into a memorable line-up of kingfish ceviche, Bruschetta al Tonno, and gnocchi with pink oyster, nameko mushrooms, mushroom-celeriac broth and parmesan cream. Retreating to my ultra-comfy bed and almost eerily quiet room, the blend of character and comfort makes me feel like there’s nowhere I’d rather be after a full day of eating and exploring.

Although part of the Marriott family, The Tasman’s respect and celebration of its location allows it to exude personality and charm, making it feel worlds away from the impersonal atmosphere often found in large hotels. Where many hotel kitchens are fine but forgettable, The Tasman stands out for its dedication to great produce. And with rooms starting from $300 per night, it offers luxury at a more attainable price.

Details

Address: 12 Murray St, Hobart TAS 7000

Best for: Couples, foodies and design-savvy travellers.

Family-friendly?: Yes

Accessibility: The Tasman has a number of accessible rooms for each room type.

Parking: Paid parking is available.

Hotel review: Islington Hotel, Hobart