Islington Hotel Hobart

Islington is a very special, small, luxe hotel in Hobart with a long history and a large and delightful garden, affording  unique and stunning views of Mount Wellington. Decorated with fine art and furnished with antiques, Islington appeals to those who desire the very best in life, surrounded by personalized service, presented in an atmosphere of serenity, luxury and tranquility. Built in 1847, Islington is an outstanding example of Regency architecture recently restored to showcase the property’s original glory and up-dated to include the little necessities and amenities our forebears over-looked, such as a glass enclosed mountain-view pavilion and a cellar stocked with the finest Tasmanian wine. The House Upon arrival, the portico-ed entrance opens into an expansive marble floored hallway from which extends a library stocked with Louisa Anne Meredith’s illustrated books on early Tasmania, a drawing room for the taking of tea and a morning room where the sun shines by day and the log fires crackle by night. Opening from the hall is the center piece of the hotel, the conservatory, that adjoins the country kitchen and extends onto a marble paved terrace, beyond which is a 35 sq metre reflecting infinity pond, a mountain view pavillion and, towering in the background, the ever changing beauty of Mt Wellington. Islington is Hobart’s only five star hotel – a luxury boutique hotel that has consistently won best luxury accommodation awards over the past five years. The Rooms Eleven sumptuously furnished guest rooms many with distinct characters that reflect an eclectic mix of a bygone era coupled with contemporary elements. Each room has a distinctive design flourish, celebrating one of the many early Tasmanians who provided inspiration for the hotel. The Attic; Regency and Signature Rooms can be found in the original part of the house and reflect a more traditional design. The more contemporary Garden Rooms are located in the more modern wing with french doors opening to the large garden that surrounds the property. Islington accommodation rooms are resplendent with fabulous imported fabrics, fine antiques and the famous deeply comfortable king size Islington Angel beds. Specially made for the hotel by A H Beard, the oldest bedding manufacturers in Australia and located in southern Tasmania, the Islington Angel beds have been custom made using the latest latex materials with wool embedded into the layers for warmth and comfort.

The 11-room Islington Hotel on Australia’s laid-back southern island has received a luxurious upgrade. Set at the base of Mount Wellington, this historic and elegant urban lodge overflows with an eclectic collection of art and antiques, including Picasso sketches, Khmer statues, Persian rugs and Japanese lacquer furniture. The two-story glass conservatory is a standout and houses the main dining area serving bespoke menus. Pluck a good tome from the inviting library, and stroll the garden for its reflecting pond, exotic blooms and 100-year-old willow. The hotel makes a posh base for day trips to nearby wineries and Freycinet National Park.

Set aside time for a visit to the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). The clifftop entrance leads to caverns of remarkable, engaging masterpieces. Distance from Hobart Airport (HBA): 20 minutes