The 10 most interesting boutique hotels in Australia
By definition, boutique hotels are the smaller, more fashionable, niche hotels which offer its guests enhanced levels of service. Previously we’ve covered some of the coolest hotels in the world, but given the rising popularity of independent boutique hotels, we thought we’d show off some of the best in Australia.
1. The Prince [Melbourne]
The Prince, St. Kilda, Melbourne is the 2008 Winner of Australia’s Leading Boutique Hotel and rightly deserves it. Behind its eye-pleasing art-deco exterior each of the 40 guestrooms and suites are richly decorated with colour and texture. If staying at the Prince wasn’t unique enough, dip into the in-house Aurora Spa Retreat. Prices start at $450.
2. Orpheus Island Resort [Queensland]
Join the likes of Nicole Kidman, Elton John and Phil Collins on the list of past guests who have stayed on Orpheus Island. Everything about this resort is sophisticated and exclusive. A maximum of 42 guests can stay at any one time in the chicly appointed rooms. Far enough away from civilisation yet only 15 miles offshore is this true Great Barrier Reef island. The only way to arrive at the the island, of course, is by sea plane. Prices start at $725.
3. Sea Temple Resort and Spa [Port Douglas]
Nestled away in Queensland’s Far North, the Sea Temple Resort and Spa is a gorgeous place to stay. Although the Sea Temple Resort is larger than most boutique stays, its studio rooms, apartments, villas and penthouses retain that fashionable feel being so beautifully detailed and well finished. Guests staying can enjoy the tropical rainforest walk to the secluded beach, meander around the massive lagoon and even play some golf on the 18 hole championship course. Prices start at $384.
4. Adelphi Hotel [Melbourne]
A fantastic hotel situated in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, close to all the restaurants and theatres. The Adelphi is distinctively boutique in every way. Rooms are large, decorated in a funky style and the long-but-skinny rooftop pool which overhangs the edge of the building adds a real touch of excitement to the premises. Prices start at $305.
5. Longitude 131 [Uluru / Ayers Rock]
The renovated Longitude 131 is a luxury, green and romantic hotel situated in Australia’s Red Centre. Completely burned down in 2003 in a bush fire the hotel reopened in 2004 welcoming guests back again to stay in the 15 private luxury tents. From the rooms guests can enjoy uninterrupted views of Uluru from the comfort of the deluxe camping accommodation. If you fancy a break here then it’s time to break out your card and prepare for some serious financial damage! Prices start at (an eye-watering) $1618.
6. Cape Lodge [Margaret River]
The Cape Lodge is an ideal retreat for wine connoisseurs. Set in its own vineyard within 40 acres of native forest, the resort is renowned for its cuisine, seclusion and natural beauty. Prices start at $425.
7. The Hatton Hotel [Melbourne]
The Hatton is a 4 star boutique hotel with 20 suites decorated in a vibrant contemporary style. Just South of the Yarra River, very close to the Royal Botanic Gardens and only a few tram stops to the CBD, this gorgeous little hotel is a stunner. Prices start at $215.
8. Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa [Katoomba]
For a costly but award winning stay consider the Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa. Renowned as a haven of relaxation and just a few hours inland from bustling Sydney this 5 star hotel’s historic building is set in 2 acres of manicured gardens. Prices start at $705.
9. The Richmond [Adelaide]
Inside of this grand 1920′s-era building, The Richmond offers 30 beautifully renovated guestrooms and suites, generously sized with ample room Rated as one of ‘Australia’s Top 15 Small Hotels’ by Vogue Australia, the Richmond also has an exciting bar fusing stylish comfort with culture and fashion. The hotel follows an open plan theme throughout its lounge, restaurant and balcony which overlooks the Rundle Mall. Prices start at $180.
10. Kims Beach Hideaway [Toowoon Bay]
Only an hour’s drive from Sydney lays Kims Beach Hideaway occupying the prime beachfront position at the horseshoe shaped Toowoon Bay. Inside the resort bungalows and spa villas are luxuriously decorated and well facilitated with private pools, indoor spa bath, or outdoor jacuzzis. Prices start at $454. [pictured above]
Tagged: Australian hotels, boutique hotels, cool hotels, Melbourne, Sydney
RELATED
If we believe the seedy world of Kings Cross as presented on current Australian TV hit Underbelly, you’d run a mile before considering laying your head to rest (unless six feet under by mafia lords) in the area. But the infamous nightlife strip has really cleaned up its act. In fact, as an ex-Sydney-sider who hasn’t revisited the locale in almost a decade, it’s almost unrecognisable. Enter the Diamant Hotel, perched side by side with the landmark neon Coca-Cola sign. Read more
The Hatton hotel epitomises Melbourne cool. Those who value design, location, and luxury will find The Hatton the perfect Melbourne base. Read more
Edible Tales is a culinary concept that calls on diners to become active participants in ‘an unusually tasty experience’. The brainchild of food writers/ creatives, Rachel Khoo and Frankie Unsworth, Edible Tales is all about bringing strangers together in intimate pop-up events for a flash three nights. And after two successful runs in 2010 – one in Sydney and another in Melbourne – Edible Tales is now set to debut its first South American incarnation in Buenos Aires on February 25, 26, and 27. Read more
Also by ANDY BOYD
7 of the coolest themed hotels from around the world
One of the things that hotels, and international hotel brands in particular, are often criticised for is a lack of identity, the feeling of being somewhere but nowhere simultaneously. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. One of the emerging trends in the industry is the personalization of hotels around a style or a theme, so feast your eye on 7 of the coolest and most individual themed hotels from around the world! Read more
YOU'RE SAYING (1)
HAVE YOUR SAY
Wow! I’ve just realised that I’ve never posted the work of Swedish illustrator Kirsten Ulve before. And that’s just wrong. Her work is exceptional, a colourful, textural realm where anything seems possible. I interviewed her once for a magazine I was editing and asked her what, outside of drawing, she did better than anyone else. Her answer? ‘I bake very tasty brownies’. For real! More please.
Despite the intentions of many, it’s not so often that advertising — as an industry — truly thinks outside the box. Yet, when executed well, clever eye-catching advertising actually works. It does. As these examples will attest to. Read more
How old must Kermit be now? Not to old to collaborate with skater-friendly retailer Supreme and photographer Terry Richardson. Kermit, who usually wears nothing, has been hooked up with some new threads to advertise the brand. It seems Kermit and Terry are the perfect work partners: they’ve even released a video clip documenting the shoot.
Who says the Swedes have got a monopoly on seasonal ice hotels? This one in Kemi, northern Finland, is the world’s largest snow castle, standing seventeen metres high and with walls that are 1,100 metres long. It has restaurants, an art gallery, a hotel and a chapel. In fact, since opening in the early 1990s, it’s been quite a hit for tourists to get married at the snow chapel. Hmmm, now that would be a frosty start to any marriage. Read more
What can’t Jay Z do? Not content with having recorded the contemporary tribute to Gotham City, the all round entrepreneur has just launched an online lifestyle magazine called Life and Times, which the mighty one will personal curate.
Wolf and Cub are back with a brand new single and after listening to it, I feel like I should be out in the streets, warning my neighbours of the apocalypse. The song is huge, forceful, damming and painfully exciting. Joel Byrne’s half-drawl, half-howl proclaims the end, while (in true Wolf and Cub) the drums are epic and unsettling. And then, that moment, the bass against the fading echoes. My heart broke and my brain exploded. It’s too much to take. This band will be the death of me.
Each one of these Bracelaces by Itunube is turned into an elegant drawing on the skin using different kinds of lace combined with leather, metal components and glass beads. They are just US$25 in the Lost At E Minor store.
WE'RE POSTING / SOME OF THE BEST
The return of the Brionvega rr226
Italian brand Brionvega has resurrected the classy Radiofonografio piece first created in 1965. The updated version is just like the original turntable/radio unit, but also has a CD/DVD player.
Christoph Niemann illustrates a nightmare flight
New York Times illustrator Christoph Niemann has created a brilliant visual diary outlining the peril and pitfalls that beset the everyday passenger based on his recent experience flying from New York to his home town of Berlin. Read more
Nerd-attack! Man, this TARDIS zipper robe is so much cooler than any Star Wars crap people are hawking this days. This is for the true gangsta nerd.
Honest Food Preparation Instructions
Yes, we’ve all been there: the chinese food from last week that still looks edible amongst the bare surrounds of an empty fridge. But really, we shouldn’t. Just let it be. Or College Humor will expose you! Read more
Get lost in a daydream or a craving for something sweet while gazing at these cool sculptures by Brooklyn-based WiNK WiNK PONY. Made using clay, tree bark, wood, and mossy moss.
Inspired by the aesthetics of architecture and graphic design, FAQ Clothing has a post-modern approach to design. Each collection is based on a conceptual theme: ranging from vintage comics to lunar phases. FAQ works with no boundaries, nor rules, which makes for a compelling line. Check out more FAQ products in the Lost At E Minor store.
Read more
If you have a Twitter feed that focuses on cool pop cultural things and you’d like to swap Tweets with Lost At E Minor and other like-minded Twitterers, drop us a note (with Tweet Swap in the title). We have a system in place and we’d like to have you in on it! [illustration by Brad Fitzpatrick]
FOLLOW US
DISCOVER MORE
SO...
SEARCH: Can't find what you're looking for? Do a search..
IS IT GOOD FOR YOU TOO?
We hope you're enjoying your time on Lost At E Minor, but it's not over yet. Got something to share? Tell us about it and we'll look to publish it. If you want to have your work featured on the site, we'd love to hear from you. Pssst, we also have an online store stocking some of the goodies we feature on the site.
If you're a media agency and want to use this platform to connect with our readership, then drop us a line and tell us about it. Oh yeah, and we do digital consulting for cool brands that want to reach the sort of demographic that visits this site.
Andy said | 6 August, 2008
Awesome roundup, makes for a great read. There were some here I’ve never heard of.