6 best places to stay in Tasmania

As much as I enjoy traveling abroad, I find that exploring my own backyard can be just as fascinating and surprising as visiting a different place. Tasmania, located 240 kilometers from Australia’s mainland, is an island unlike any other. It is the most diverse and magnificent location I’ve ever been in Australia, known for its rugged, world-heritage-listed nature, ancient cities, and world-class cuisine and wine. I just spent 10 days visiting Tasmania, and while there, I searched for the most unique and gorgeous lodging alternatives on the island. Here are my top six recommendations for the most memorable locations to stay in Tasmania.

HOBART: The Islington Hotel

For a luxurious yet personalized experience

The Islington is a charming boutique hotel in South Hobart that is a far cry from the typical experience that is frequently obtained at lodging of this caliber. The hotel is constructed around an exquisite 150-year-old manor house and contains eleven rooms, five of which are in the original house and six in the new addition.

For a contemporary luxury hotel, it has remarkably managed to retain the cosiness and charm of its original state. From the opulence of the chandeliers hanging in the hallway to the uniqueness of the artworks embellishing every wall (each an original collected by the owners), the Islington manages to strike a perfect balance of quirkiness and class.

We stayed in a garden view room, which was smart, basic, and beautifully designed, and gave the most spectacular view to wake up to every day- a frame of the exquisite gardens with a backdrop of the majestic Mount Wellington. Breakfast of homemade muesli and eggs benedict was brought to us in a bright room overlooking the herb and kitchen garden, which included many of the local items on our plates!

Aside from the breathtaking vistas and delectable cuisine, it was the personal touches that made staying at this hotel so memorable. We were welcomed from the minute we walked in, with the staff welcoming us by name and offering to help us with everything we needed.

Every morning, we awoke to the aroma of freshly baked goodies drifting into our room, which were available for free throughout the day. Every night, we returned home to find a plate of herbal tea and chocolate goodies on the bed. On my birthday, the manager went out of his way to bring me champagne! Each of these personal touches appears to set the Islington apart from the usual high-end hotel.

CRADLE MOUNTAIN: Peppers Lodge

For a superior wilderness experience

Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge isn’t regarded as one of Australia’s most famous wilderness experiences for nothing. The resort overlooks a beautiful lake and an infinite stretch of countryside teeming with animals (as we discovered when we arrived and were welcomed at reception by a brush-tail possum)! Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge is an ideal nature-based retreat, including cabins and luxury rooms, a day spa, and a fine-dining restaurant serving local food and wine.

You may take a short shuttle from the hotel to the start of some of Tasmania’s most magnificent treks, which are located on the outskirts of the world-heritage listed Cradle-Lake-Claire National Park. In fact, one of Tasmania’s greatest short hikes begins right outside the lodge’s door. This stroll through a magnificent old-growth rain forest adjacent to a flowing river, appropriately dubbed the “Enchanted,” feels like something out of a fairy tale.

We stayed in a Pencil Pine Cabin, which is one of the most basic forms of lodging available at Cradle Mountain Lodge. From the outside, the cabin appeared to be something you might stay in at a school camp. Fortunately, when we entered the room, there were no bunk beds! The inside was simply and beautifully furnished, with a small gas-fueled fireplace in the corner and a view of the surrounding bushland. However, the room’s plain white walls lacked the warm, alpine sense that I love while I’m in the mountains.

Fortunately, all of this was rectified upon entering the main lodge, which had log-walled rooms with roaring fireplaces and a multitude of comfortable seats. The complimentary breakfast buffet at the main restaurant was rather basic every day, but the view we had every morning overlooking the pond was far from ordinary, making eating a genuinely lovely experience.

SWANSEA: Piermont Retreat

For a secluded and peaceful experience

Piermont Retreat was created as a location for individuals to unwind and feel at one with nature. It is truly a hidden sanctuary. Piermont Retreat, located on 230 acres of land, provides luxury environmentally sustainable cottages and apartments surrounding two private beaches. The hotel is within a 5-minute drive from Swansea and serves as an excellent location for exploring the famed Freycinet National Park.

We slept in one of the self-contained cottages, which ended up being my favorite accommodation in terms of interior design. The cottages are constructed entirely of natural materials and feature stone walls, a timber-slate roof, and my personal favorite feature: a log fireplace. The bedroom, living room, and kitchen all flowed into one another, and this arrangement seemed extremely comfortable and homely. The nicest thing of our cottage was that it was just feet away from the private beach—every morning I could watch the dawn from our balcony, and in the evening, I could gaze up at a gorgeous sky full of stars.

Piermont Retreat’s major point of distinction, in addition to its magnificent accommodations, is the provision of a comprehensive recuperative experience. On-site amenities include kayaks, mountain bikes, a swimming pool, and a tennis court, as well as a restaurant serving breakfast and fine-dining supper. Basically, it’s the type of location where you can come and remain contentedly without feeling compelled to leave (though I wouldn’t advocate doing so because there are so many beautiful sites to visit nearby!).

MOUNT FIELD: Hamlet Downs

For an authentic country experience

The Hamlet Downs Bed & Breakfast exemplifies the finest of Australian country hospitality. Being at Hamlet Downs is like staying at a home away from home, set in the lovely Tasmanian countryside just a short drive from the famed Mount Field National Park. Because the home is modest and only has two rooms, you will be treated like a VIP by the very pleasant proprietors.

The room we stayed in was a touch reminiscent of my great aunt’s house, but hey, that’s all part of the B&B experience. A beautiful enclosed patio connected to our apartment overlooked the colorful fall foliage and the hilly surroundings.

The cuisine that the proprietors cooked for us for breakfast and supper and presented to us on the terrace was the highlight of the location. The meal was home-cooked, substantial, and largely derived from the property’s backyard, and it was a welcome break from eating out at restaurants!

On My Wishlist

These are incredible places I found that I didn’t have time to stay at on my recent trip to Tasmania and are on my wish-list for next time-

LAKE ST-CLAIR: Pumphouse Point

Pumphouse Point, nestled in the middle of world-heritage nature, is one of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen. Accommodation doesn’t get much more nature-immersed than this, with sleek, modern accommodations located 300 meters out on Lake St-Claire!

EAST COAST: Thalia Haven

Thalia Haven, set amid 130 acres of forests, provides rustic stone-cottage lodging with views of the famed Oyster Bay’s crystal-blue seas. The ability to bathe in the most gorgeous outdoor bathtub ever has to be the most appealing aspect of staying here! Those are some serious bathroom ambitions right there.