Hobart’s accommodation scene has matured significantly since MONA opened in 2011, upgrading from motels and pubs to include genuine luxury waterfront hotels, design-led boutique properties, and restored heritage guesthouses. The city is compact, so your choice of area matters less for logistics than for atmosphere. A waterfront hotel with a view of the Derwent is a very different experience from a quiet cottage in Battery Point or a budget room in North Hobart. Here’s where to stay in Hobart by area, budget, and style. For climate averages and seasonal advice, see our complete Hobart travel guide.
Where to Stay in Hobart: Waterfront and Salamanca
The waterfront strip from Hunter Street to Salamanca Place is Hobart’s prime accommodation zone. You’re steps from Constitution Dock, the MONA ferry, Salamanca Market, and roughly a dozen restaurants and bars. Hotels here command the city’s highest rates but deliver the most memorable Hobart experience. The row of converted sandstone warehouses directly facing the water (Hunter Street) houses MACq 01 and the Henry Jones Art Hotel, both in the same building but with different concepts. Salamanca Place itself and the streets climbing into Battery Point offer boutique options in quieter settings with heritage character.
Suggested Hotels in Waterfront and Salamanca
MACq 01
Hobart’s premier luxury hotel occupies a striking contemporary building on Hunter Street with 114 rooms, each themed around a Tasmanian character from convicts to explorers to modern entrepreneurs. Floor-to-ceiling windows face the Derwent River, and the ground-floor Old Wharf Restaurant serves seafood-focused meals with outdoor seating on the wharf. Best for couples and luxury travellers who want to walk to everything. Check rates and availability
Salamanca Inn
An all-suite hotel on the southern end of Salamanca Place, a 3-minute walk from the market stalls. All rooms have full kitchens, separate living areas, and balconies. The heated indoor pool and rooftop sundeck add value for families. Best for families and self-caterers who want Salamanca convenience without waterfront prices. Check rates and availability
Lenna of Hobart
A restored 1874 mansion on the lower slopes of Battery Point, 5 minutes on foot from Salamanca Market. The original mansion houses the reception, bar, and restaurant (Alexander’s), while modern motel-style wings provide the guest rooms. Parking is free. Best for visitors who want heritage character and classic comfort without the premium waterfront price tag. Check rates and availability
Where to Stay in Hobart: CBD
The CBD proper (between Murray Street and the waterfront, from Davey Street north to Bathurst Street) concentrates chain hotels and business-oriented properties around the Elizabeth Street Mall and the intercity bus terminal. This area works well for short stays where you want a clean, predictable room near transport without paying for waterfront positioning. The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is the outlier: a 5-star conversion of three heritage government buildings on Parliament Square with a destination restaurant (Peppina) and a whisky bar.
Suggested Hotels in the CBD
The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Hobart’s most architecturally significant hotel, integrating the 1840s St Mary’s Hospital, the 1840s Lands Building, and a modern glass pavilion. Rooms feature Tasmanian timber, marble bathrooms, and curated art. The on-site Peppina restaurant serves Italian food with Tasmanian produce. Best for travellers seeking 5-star heritage luxury in central Hobart. Check rates and availability
