Boutique Hotel · Hobart

The luxury case for The Henry Jones Art Hotel.

Housed in a row of restored 1820s waterfront warehouses on Hunter Street, The Henry Jones Art Hotel is Australia's first dedicated art hotel. Its 56 individually designed rooms blend original sandstone walls, hand-cut timber beams, and industrial heritage with one of the country's most significant collections of contemporary Tasmanian art.

The mood

Industrial heritage, raw materials, and gallery-quality art at every turn

Ideal stay

2 to 3 nights

Why it earns the rate

No other Australian hotel integrates contemporary art into its fabric as completely. The heritage building, waterfront position, and serious dining make it one of Hobart's most distinctive addresses.

Some hotels hang art on the walls. The Henry Jones Art Hotel was built around it. Occupying a row of restored 1820s IXL jam factory warehouses on Hobart's Hunter Street waterfront, this is Australia's first dedicated art hotel, and after two decades it remains the most convincing example of the genre in the country. Over 400 works of contemporary Tasmanian art line the corridors, fill the rooms, and anchor the public spaces, not as afterthought decoration but as the organising principle of the entire property.

The building itself does much of the work. Original sandstone walls, hand-cut timber beams, and industrial-era fittings have been preserved rather than polished away, giving the 56 rooms a raw textural quality that most contemporary hotels cannot replicate. No two rooms are the same: each is individually designed around its heritage footprint and curated with works by Tasmanian artists. The Peacock Suite, named for an ornate painted peacock discovered during restoration, is the most dramatic example, with harbour views, a deep soaking tub, and a separate living area.

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The range runs from Art Rooms with courtyard or partial harbour views to Deluxe Art Rooms with broader waterfront outlooks and the Peacock and Jones and Co Suites at the top. What unites them is the same commitment to keeping the heritage visible: exposed stone, raw timber, and industrial details sit alongside quality contemporary furnishings and luxe textiles. Bathrooms vary with the building footprint but are consistently well finished, and the artwork in every room is a genuine talking point rather than filler.

Landscape Restaurant and Grill occupies a dramatic double-height heritage space, serving a Tasmanian produce-driven menu with an emphasis on grilled meats and local seafood. The IXL Long Bar, set within the original factory space, is one of Hobart's best spots for Tasmanian whisky and gin, with a cocktail list that makes serious use of the island's growing spirits industry. Jam Packed, the ground-floor cafe, draws locals and guests for specialty coffee and pastries. For a fine-dining city break, the combination of in-house quality and Hunter Street's wider restaurant scene is hard to match anywhere in Tasmania.

The Henry Jones Art Hotel is not for everyone, and that is part of its appeal. If you want uniformity, spa facilities, and resort-style amenities, look elsewhere. But if you want to stay inside a building that genuinely tells you something about where you are, surrounded by art that challenges and rewards in equal measure, with serious food and drink on the doorstep and MONA a ferry ride away, this is one of the most distinctive hotel experiences in Australia.

Is It For You?

Is The Henry Jones Art Hotel right for you?

Visit The Henry Jones Art Hotel
Best for
  • Art and design enthusiasts
  • Couples on a cultural Hobart getaway
  • Food-focused travellers wanting to be in Hobart's dining precinct
Less ideal if
  • Families needing interconnecting rooms or kid-specific facilities
  • Guests wanting resort amenities like a pool or spa on site

Atmosphere

Gallery-like and textural, with exposed stone, raw timber, and art-filled corridors that feel more like a curated exhibition than a hotel

Ideal stay

Weekend (2-3 nights)

Why splurge

No other Australian hotel integrates contemporary art into its fabric as completely. The heritage building, waterfront position, and serious dining make it one of Hobart's most distinctive addresses.

Rooms

Rooms & suites

Editorial pickArt Room for the best balance of space and art integration; Peacock Suite for a genuine splurge with harbour views and dramatic interiors.

Art Room

Every Art Room is different, with original works by Tasmanian artists, exposed sandstone or brick walls, and a mix of industrial and contemporary furnishings. This is the core Henry Jones experience.

Size
From 30 sqm
View
Varies: courtyard, street, or partial harbour
Sleeps
2 adults
Best for
Couples and art enthusiasts on a city break
  • Original Tasmanian art
  • Heritage stone and timber features
  • Individually designed interiors

Eat and Drink

Dining

The restaurants, bars, and rituals that shape how the hotel feels after the room itself.

Landscape Restaurant and Grill

Start here

Landscape Restaurant and Grill

restaurant

The hotel's signature dining room occupies a dramatic heritage space with exposed beams and waterfront views. The menu is built around Tasmanian produce, with a focus on grilled meats, local seafood, and seasonal vegetables sourced from the island's network of small-scale producers.

Go here for
Tasmanian produce-driven menu in a heritage warehouse setting with harbour views
Expect
Refined but warm, with the raw materiality of the building adding character
Book ahead
Book ahead for dinner, especially during peak season and weekends. Call (03) 6210 7712.

For cocktails

IXL Long Bar

bar

A cocktail bar set within the original IXL jam factory space, featuring exposed brick, industrial fittings, and a cocktail list built around Tasmanian spirits. The whisky selection highlights the island's growing reputation as a world-class whisky region.

Go here for
Tasmanian whisky and gin collection in an atmospheric heritage bar
Expect
Moody, industrial, and conversation-friendly

Then try

Jam Packed

cafe

A ground-floor cafe with street access, serving specialty coffee, pastries, and light meals throughout the day. Popular with hotel guests and locals alike.

Go here for
Specialty coffee and casual bites in a heritage setting
Expect
Casual and neighbourhood-friendly

What to Do

Signature Experiences

The on-property or destination moments that justify choosing this hotel over a generic luxury base.

Check with reception for scheduled times

114 Doors Tour

A guided tour of the hotel's art collection and the stories behind the building's restoration, led by a dedicated art guide.

Morning or afternoon

Hidden Hobart: The Viewfinder Tour

Explore Hobart's lesser-known laneways, heritage buildings, and street art with a guide who reveals the city's hidden layers.

Any time during gallery hours

IXL Tasmanian Art Gallery

Browse the hotel's dedicated gallery space showcasing rotating exhibitions of contemporary Tasmanian art, many works available for purchase.

Location

Getting to The Henry Jones Art Hotel

Located on Hunter Street in the heart of Hobart's waterfront precinct. Valet parking available. Short drive from Hobart Airport.

Salamanca Place

5 min

Walk

Brooke Street Pier (MONA ferry)

5 min

Walk

Hobart Airport

20 min

Car

Salamanca Place

Culture

Historic sandstone warehouses with galleries, restaurants, and the famous Saturday market.

5 min walk

MONA (Museum of Old and New Art)

Culture

A ferry ride from Brooke Street Pier to Australia's most provocative private museum.

25 min ferry

Constitution Dock

Landmark

Working fishing harbour and finish line for the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

3 min walk
Open the map 25 Hunter Street, Hobart TAS 7000

What to Know

Before you book

How is this different from a regular boutique hotel?

The art is not decoration; it is the identity. Over 400 works of contemporary Tasmanian art are integrated into the building, and the heritage architecture is the framework rather than a backdrop.

Is it a good base for exploring wider Tasmania?

Yes. The central waterfront location makes it easy to reach Bruny Island, the Huon Valley, and the east coast while keeping you in Hobart's best dining and cultural precinct each evening.

Which room should I book?

Every room is different, so there is no generic answer. An Art Room gives the core experience at the best value. The Peacock Suite is the one to book for a genuine occasion.

Editorial Verdict

The verdict on The Henry Jones Art Hotel

Why book it

  • Australia's most complete integration of contemporary art and hospitality
  • Heritage building with genuine character: exposed stone, timber beams, and industrial fittings
  • Strong dining precinct on the doorstep and within the hotel

Know the trade-offs

  • No pool, spa, or resort-style facilities on site
  • Some rooms are compact given the heritage building constraints

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