Islington Hotel

Every guest suite includes a luxurious king-sized bed, an indulgent breakfast each morning, all-day barista-made coffee and fresh treats, complimentary Wi-Fi, an iPad for in-room convenience, and complimentary parking. The marble bathrooms throughout feature rain showers, and many include bathtubs and heated floors. The Library, Games Room, Conservatory, and Morning rooms provide peaceful corners to unwind or spaces to connect with fellow travellers.

Outside, the heritage gardens are reason enough to linger. Hidden behind the heritage walls lies what the hotel calls a secret garden beneath the mountain. Century-old trees, rhododendrons, and cherry blossoms frame views of kunanyi, while a French herbal garden supplies the kitchen. An infinity-edge pond reflects the mountain, and resident pademelons, wild ducks, butterflies, and the occasional wallaby add a uniquely Tasmanian character. Whether you are sipping a quiet morning coffee on the terrace or simply escaping into a moment of stillness, the garden is an invitation to breathe.

The Conservatory Restaurant, housed in a two-storey sandstone extension with chequered marble floors and mountain views, is led by Head Chef Anthony Illingworth. The kitchen rises before the sun to ensure all bread, pastries, and condiments are freshly made in-house every day. The seasonal menu is built entirely from locally, ethically, and sustainably sourced Tasmanian produce: Cressy lamb, Highland wild rabbit, and whatever the boats brought in that morning. Breakfast, included for all guests, is one of the finest hotel breakfasts in the country: unhurried, generous, and placed in guests' rooms as refreshed treats at no extra cost throughout the day.

What the Islington does not offer is equally defining. There is no pool, no gym, no day spa, no children underfoot. The silence is deliberate. This is a place calibrated for adults who value conversation over amenity lists, who would rather sit in the library with a glass of Tasmanian pinot than be routed through a wellness programme. The staff know every guest by name, often before they arrive. Chauffeured airport transfers, local recommendations, and MONA tickets are arranged without fuss, the kind of service that never announces itself but is always precisely where you need it.

A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Hilton Honours, and Virtuoso, the Islington has been consistently recognised with Travellers Choice and Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor since 2011, and holds a coveted Michelin Key.

For travellers arriving in Hobart with serious intentions, a long weekend built around food, wine, art, and the wild geometry of southern Tasmania, the Islington remains one of the most compelling addresses in the state. It will not suit everyone, nor does it try to. But for those who understand what eleven rooms, a private art collection, and a mountain view from the breakfast table are actually worth, it is very difficult to improve upon.