Good god, I have been ruined for hotels forever…read more Last year when I paid a visit to MONA I decided that at some point in the future I would stay in one of the Pavilions. A friend visiting from the US seemed like a good reason to make a trip down to Hobart and luxuriate in what i think is one of the most spectacular parts of the world. Everything about MONA is impressive and the pavilions are no different. We stayed in the Sidney pavilion and it was incredible. We're talking huge bedroom, a huge lounge room with comfortable couches, dining setting, the usual TV and iPod docking stations and... your very own Sidney Nolan on the wall. The Bathroom was over the top, with a huge bathtub overlooking the Derwent river outside and Aesop bathroom products. The outdoor deck overhanging the river was a really lovely way to spend the early evenings, and the "mini" bar was anything but. Seriously, a whole temperature controlled fridge features the entire Moorilla Estate wine selection, the fridge was filled with a number of Champagnes, soft drink and juices. The snack cupboard was extensive too and I suppose if you didn't want to eat dinner at The Source or venture in to one of the excellent restaurants in town, you could use all the kitchen to make your own dinner (I wonder if anyone ever bothers?) The whole experience - off the hook.

We were contemplating where to travel for the end of 2018, and after looking at a list of unusual…read morebut fun hotels to stay at, we thought that The Pavilions at MONA were a great spot (and it dovetailed with our ambition to get back to Australia). It can be a little confusing when you initially arrive at the entrance to MONA as to where you are supposed to go, but after wandering around (and calling the front desk out of confusion, along with jet lag), we realized that the Ether building (i.e. the tallest one on the property) was where we needed to go to check in. The lady at the front was helpful in explaining everything, along with the inclusions of staying (free entrance to the museum - definitely worth utilizing; we only made it through half the museum and now have an excuse to come back) and breakfast at The Source each morning (also a must-do, as the food is delicious). The setup of the pavilions - each uniquely designed with their own layout and alongside the river, a bit off from the main museum grounds - means that you're generally shielded from the crowds that come to visit, although given that the parking lots are close by, you can have folks inadvertently wander up to your entrance (that happened to us a couple times). Mostly, though, the folks staying here can simply relax in peace. Couple that with a guaranteed parking spot (which usually seems to be respected, at least for us), and you have the makings of a successful stay. What makes any of the pavilions so great to stay at is how they are furnished and set up. Each are unique; each are named for someone of regional importance (ours was named Esmond, after an architect of local renown). Since each is different, the exact layout won't apply to each one, but suffice to say that we thoroughly enjoyed the Esmond. It's a one bedroom 'pavilion' that has massively high ceilings, a large TV hanging on the wall, and a sound system controlled by wall panel that really lets you turn up the tunes if you so desire. All the pavilions face the river (some with clearer views than others - the Esmond's is what I would call a partially obstructed view) and have a porch where one can sit and idly enjoy the serenity of the Tasmanian countryside. You have a full kitchen that one can utilize (stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, even a wine cellar stocked with wine from the vineyard on premises) that is quite useful. The fridge has plenty of local treats; we ended up enjoying the local cheeses and salami that were stocked there on Christmas Day, given the lack of open options around. There's a washer/dryer combo next to the bathroom that took us a little time to figure out how to use but came in quite helpful. The bathroom is gorgeously appointed, with a rainfall showerhead in the shower and a large bathtub, replete with Aesop amenities. The bedroom is relatively straightforward, but what I liked most were the blinds that completely blocked out light - it made it very easy to get a good night's rest and provide complete privacy from the nearby walkway. There is a gym in the middle of the row of pavilions that has a small pool and a few exercise machines; it isn't the most complete set of workout equipment by any stretch, but it should get the job done (I stuck to running on a nearby path by the river). The pavilions themselves are gorgeous, but the included items (breakfast, museum entry) plus access to the grounds at all times, even before and after the museum opens / closes, is really nice; we had a great time wandering around the outside exhibits on Christmas Day all alone. At a very reasonable price for what I feel is a near top-of-the-line luxury experience, this is one of those remarkable lodgings that one should make a point of staying at if they make it to Australia. I would absolutely come back again, even if it was purely just to stay on the MONA grounds and disconnect from everything else. Top-notch amenities and top-notch hospitality...you cannot ask for me.

Our travel group had a team dinner here in a comfortable (albeit a bit dark) back area of this…read morereally busy Irish Pub. It was only midweek and our guide told us that this place was always packed. There was lots of local energy here, of which we should have stayed longer and soaked it all in. The food and drink was a set menu, but in an Irish Pub, that meant that a burger, chicken parma, or fish and chips were always on the menu. The beer choices were on the light side, in which I should have insisted on a Guinness or a Kilkenny, instead of the local lager. It was all good, both in terms of taste, quantity, and good craic.

Liked this place. Visited during the day so quiet apart from the local mid afternoon drinking crew!…read more Big wood fire. Some outside dining spaces. They had a waitress set or which was a nice touch. We had meat pie and chips was great and tastie sat on bed of mushy peas which were great. Apparently really busy at night. Pretty close to downtown and would try it again. Oh and the steak was also apparently good.

With a name like The Pickled Frog, how could you not stay here! Right on the western edge of town…read more(but in Hobart that's only 10 minutes walk away from the centre of town) you really can't miss the bright green building on Liverpool Street. Given the loud exterior, the interior is not quite what you'd expect. The common areas are warm and welcoming with plenty of overstuffed couches, booths and even hammocks and two (two!) fireplaces. It somehow manages to create the perfect hostel common area with lots of different spaces with quiet nooks and crannies where you can hide away with a book, and larger open spaces where you can meet some new friends. The rooms and bathrooms are aging but clean, but there definitely could have been more shower stalls and toilets for a hostel this size. I'd love some more hooks or a bench in the shower stalls, and more than one sink in the upstairs bathroom - prepare for toothbrushing dances when when the hostel is full!

The Pickled Frog Backpacker is a typical average quality autralian backpacker…read more Cheap, no so clean but not dirty, kitcheen, TV, Wi-Fi (better to go national library it's free) and so on .... (check out web site for more informations) Good place to start a trip in Tasmania, it's possible for you to join a group for trecking in national parks.

We stayed at the Tasman during our trip to Hobart. Great location steps away from Salamanca markets…read moreand the piers. The building is one of the renovated heritage buildings and the rooms are beautifully furnished and very comfortable. Great staff all around and the restaurant on site was also excellent. Would be happy to stay here again if we come back to Hobart.

Wonderful stay in The Tasman. Its central location made it easy for us to walk (or easily drive) to…read morethe top destinations in the area. Loved the water front views from our room. The rooms are geared up in tech for lights, heating, and curtains. Nice that you don't have to get out of bed to turn anything off. Shower was hot with rain and hand held spouts. Thick fluffy towels. Lotion, dental kits, ... they had anything you might need. Beds were comfy. Loved the down pillows and comforter. Slept well. We used the valet parking which allows you to take your car any number of times during the days. We never waited long. Staff was outstanding. So helpful and welcoming. Great upscale experience.

Most impressed by this lovely place in central Hobart, Tasmania…read more I was taken away by the hosts and their helpfulness and the accommodation is just beautiful in a old world setting. Antiques everywhere... or reproductions for the keen eye. The bedrooms have all the mod cons but still with beautiful period decor. Breakfast is very filling. There is fresh fruit salad, ham, cheese, warm boiled eggs. Cereals, croissants/jam, different breads for toast and tea / coffee.

We stayed here for a couple nights while exploring Hobart, Port Arthur and Mount Wellington. It…read morewas a very comfortable room and they have a beautiful tea (or is it a Port?) room. It was nice to hang out and meet other travelers from all over the world. The owners are down to earth and helpful, though the guy is a bit rough around the edge - when I asked him what restaurant he recommends, he was almost defensive and said that he prefer pubs- it made for an awkward moment!

This hotel is located on the harbor and is within walking distance of lots of shops and restaurants…read morein the harbor area, as well as the Saturday morning market. I highly recommend requesting a harbor view room, the sights and sounds are lovely. This hotel offers history tours and every room has a tribute to a historical person of Tasmania. The lighting and decor create a modern and darkly elegant atmosphere. The room was very spacious, with a large bathroom that had heated floors in front of the mirror. There was a bathtub and separate shower and a very large closet area. They offered all amenities you would need and had a nice selection of snacks and drinks, and the bed was very comfortable. This hotel has a downstairs restaurant as well as a tapas restaurant located right next door. They offer a exercise room as well as a self serve laundry or hotel dry cleaning service. But the star service at this hotel are the people. Everyone we met was amazingly kind, attentive and helpful. That service made this a 5 star hotel!

We arrived in Hobart in the middle of summer and stayed at the MACq 01 Hotel. I was stunned by the…read morebeautiful layout and architecture that really blends characteristics of the wharf but also that of the natural environment of Tasmania. Walk into the lobby and you'll instantly understand what I'm talking about! There's a beautiful lounge area that allows for guests to grab an afternoon drink. Order from their bar menu and you can get some incredibly savory treats. The charcuterie board was my favorite. Their wine lists feature a lot of local wines and Tasmanian wine is among the best. After checking in, you can take the elevator upstairs to your rooms. Unfortunately they don't air condition the public space but they keep the windows open on both sides. That allows a breeze to come through on either side. However once you step into the room, you can control the thermostat yourself. Each room features a Tasmanian individual. Read about their biography on your door and familiarize yourself with some Tasmanian history! Inside, the rooms are modern, spacious and comfortable eliciting the same response you probably had when you first walked into the lobby. Love the wood they use to decorate and really makes you feel at peace as you stay there. The tap water is safe to drink and much better tasting than anything you can get in the US! The hotel itself is just a 10 min walk to the Salamanca market and about a 15 min walk to anything else downtown in Hobart. There are many restaurants and art galleries around for those looking to take home some local souvenirs. The hotel is also fund raising for the bush fires so you can purchase a plush koala, wombat or tassie devil and all the money goes to charities helping with the ramifications of the wild fires. Internet is available here but really slow and difficult to connect to (encourages you to get out of your room and actually explore Tasmania). I really enjoyed my stay here in Hobart and I look forward to any future opportunities to travel here again!

The Islington is about a 25 minute walk from the centre of Hobart and you're transported to a…read moreRegent English manor - a place where the royals would probably holiday. It's got that country charm with manicured gardens, eclectic collection of museum quality artworks and graphic interior which could easily be in Vogue. Dinner is for house guests only, so luckily we were able to secure an invite by some friends. We were treated to a private dinner in the library (minus Colonel Mustard and the candlestick), however not before having a drink in the lounge. The menu offered home style cooking with the focus on local and seasonal produce and extensive wine list. I opted for the freshly made gnocchi with tomato sugo and parmesan crisps and the super rich chocolate an forest berry ice-cream salad to end a very indulgent night. The Islington makes you feel completely at home (we even spied a couple in there bath robes eating!). It's open plan design with a recently contemporary renovation in the rooms downstairs, it truly is the epitome of luxe!

After endless delays out of Sydney, we finally arrived in Tasmania and to the Islington well past…read moremidnight! This is not your typical hotel that has a check-in desk...it's more like a B&B. The overnight manager greeted us in her robe and led us to our room. Since it was so late we just went straight to our room and eventually missed out on the story and tour of the hotel. Our room faced the back garden with a wonderful view. I loved that their bathroom is stocked with Aesop products. The big downside is that it is far from everything. We ended up walking to and back from Templo, which I really didn't mind since I grew up in San Francisco and is used to walking up and down a ton of hills, but it can be inconvenient. The breakfast here is great and my hubby loves the cafe lattes here! They recently brought on a new head chef who was previously at Saffire, so I'm sure the food is going to get even better than it already is!