Luxury Hotel Review: Macq01, Hobart, Australia

Where Is It: At Macquarie wharf, on the waterfront in central Hobart.

Why Go:  It is Hobart’s newest, most luxurious, and coolest hotel.

Best For: Honeymooners, stylish couples, and luxury travellers looking for a romantic getaway. 

Three Things We Loved: The views, the cocktail bar, the informal luxury.

Overview:

One of the earliest sites of European settlement in Tasmania, Macq01 occupies perhaps the best real estate in Hobart, with front row seats overlooking the Derwent River and Mount Wellington. The hotel is the latest offering from a group which owns two other high profile properties nearby. Macq01 is a 114-room “story telling” hotel, and the first of its kind anywhere the world, which builds historical local tales into every part of its being. In order to engage guests in a learning experience, each room has a theme, telling the story of, and detailing the traits, of one of 114 iconic characters ranging from local natives to inventors, explorers, convicts and heroes. The entire hotel is decorated with artefacts that further relate to the stories of the past while hotel staff is extremely keen to regale additional tales. Built around a huge open fireplace and a range of comfortable leather armchairs that overlook a stunning view to the wharf, both The Lounge and the Story Bar provide a great meeting place for locals and guests alike. The latter is also decorated with some of the most infamous newspaper front pages in Tasmania’s history.

The Accommodation: 

The hotel offers a variety of rooms and suites, each characterised by a spacious floor plan and high quality fit out. The generously proportioned rooms range in size from 48 square metres to 105 square metres for the corner suites, and in price from $400 to $1400 a night. The style of luxury is relaxed and informal with an emphasis on comfort, warmth, romance and culture. As the rooms are styled around the five character categories that define a Tasmanian, if you’re in a room that reflects the hearty and resilient, you can expect quality timbers and leather furniture. However, if you happen to chance a colourful and quirky character, expect to find vibrant artworks coupled with a creative décor. The hotel will keep you guessing though as you’re only able to discover which character you will inhabit once you check in.

Where We Stayed:

We enjoyed a stunning Premium Waterfront suite which had a huge private outdoor terrace and unbeatable views of Constitution Dock and Hobart city. Incredibly spacious and well appointed, the room featured a super comfortable king size bed, wireless sound, a tablet, coffee machine and a 55-inch flat screen television on which a host of new release movies can be accessed at no cost. The expansive bathroom with warm lighting and a moody black slate fit-out is resplendent with heated Tasmanian huon pine flooring, while luxurious boxer style robes, thick towels and locally made, high quality beauty products add to the pampered feel. We simply adored the free butler service that is comes with this room - you can request anything - which provides the ultimate in top tier indulgence. 

What Else Is There:

The Old Wharf Restaurant reflects the story of early Tasmanian industry in its raw design elements, incorporating iodised steel and recycled wharf timbers. Its focus is on locally sourced seafood but other local produce including Derwent Valley lamb, Spring Bay mussels and Cape Grim beef is also superb. Don’t miss the opportunity to sit at the 12 seater Chef’s Table where tastings, cooking classes, cocktail making and wine appreciation classes are held.

The Verdict: 

The Mac01 hotel is a fabulous place to stay in a gorgeous location, with lots of common space to sit around and relax either as a group or alone. The hotel is elegant yet relaxed and informal while staff are exceptionally friendly, helpful, and well trained. Ideal for a romantic getaway in Hobart.