6 Fabulous Australian Hotel Openings from 2021
From trendy city boltholes to poetic regional lodges, these are the domestic hotel openings from 2021 that you will want to visit.
Sequoia
Opened August 2021, Sequoia is a luxury lodge perched on the side of Mount Lofty, serenely overlooking the Piccadilly Valley in the Adelaide Hills; a region currently under consideration for UNESCO World Heritage status.
The sustainably designed property pays homage to its beautiful surrounds, offering guests an immersive journey of discovery and delight that showcases the area’s historic settlements, Indigenous culture, wildlife, and working agricultural and wine landscapes.
Sequoia sits within a 50-kilometre radius of four world-class wine regions: the cool climate of the Adelaide Hills, the high-altitude of the Eden Valley, the maritime McLaren Valley and the historic Langhorne Creek. Unsurprisingly, the property places great emphasis on world-class wines and delicate artisan food, and for this reason, is an adult’s-only haven.
Core to the lodge’s philosophy is connecting guests with the land and its people through an array of seasonally curated onsite experiences, such as a guided tour or the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, informative sessions with local artisan producers and dreamtime story sessions. Within the lodge grounds, there are artesian spring-fed hot pools, an infinity pool, day spa and a wildlife enclosure. A tennis court and several walking trails can be accessed from the adjacent estate grounds.
Removed from the hustle and bustle of Adelaide, Sequoia is an indulgent sanctuary comprising 14 suites that have been designed with both the preservation and exhibition of the local environment in mind. Each room plunges guests into mesmerising, panoramic views of the valley and boasts luxurious details such as expansive daybeds, gas fireplaces, a large bathtub to soak up the vista, and wellness showers.
Poetic serenity in the Adelaide Hills
Silky Oaks
Boasting an undisputed reputation as the jewel in Tropical North Queensland’s luxury hotel crown, Silky Oaks Lodge, now part of the Baillie Lodges Collection, reopened in December 2021, after undergoing refurbishments. The new-look lodge features a reimagined central hub with a luxe-jungle aesthetic, six stunning treehouse-style suite categories, and inclusive rates.
The lodge’s forty private treehouse rooms are best described as luxurious retreats – complete with spacious balconies and hammocks – that overlook the crystal-clear water of the Mossman River and are encircled by cool, lush rainforest. The in-house restaurant, Treehouse, is an open-air affair that embraces the sights and sounds of the rainforest to create an extraordinary backdrop for enjoying fine, contemporary-Australian style cuisine.
A 90-minute drive from Cairns Airport, what hasn’t changed is the 88-acre property’s incomparable position and access to the region’s spectacular natural attractions, including the Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, the Great Barrier Reef and Cape Tribulation.
With a revitalised focus on offering high-end guest experiences that encapsulate the destination, Silky Oaks promises adventures for all types of travellers. Complimentary experiences include snorkelling in the Mossman River and yoga, while optional activities range from driving safaris, indigenous guided walks, snorkelling and diving the Great Barrier Reef and helicopter tours.
Tropical North Queensland luxury
Hyatt Centric Melbourne
Located in the heart of Melbourne’s increasingly thriving downtown, Hyatt Centric Melbourne heralds the entry of the lively Hyatt Centric brand into Australia and is the perfect launch pad to explore the city and its many hidden gems.
The contemporary boutique hotel will be home to 277 guestrooms, designed to reflect and celebrate the dynamic character of the city. The architecture and interior design include nods to Victorian era-inspired brickwork and Melbourne’s history in wool production and the gold rush.
Hyatt Centric Melbourne has also collaborated with emerging and established local artists, food producers and designers to encapsulate Melbourne's unique spirit. Here you’ll find art by Damian Cazaly, coffee from family-owned South Melbourne roasters Cottle Coffee, luxurious Mr. Smith bath products and fashion wear by PAGEANT for the hotel team's attire.
A Melbourne bolthole with style
The Tasman Hobart
Opened mid December, just steps from Salamanca Markets and St David’s Park, with fabulous waterfront views, is The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart. The Tasman is the first Australian outpost for Marriott International’s Luxury Collection hotels brand.
Housed in an original 1840’s Art Deco heritage building, The Tasman houses 152 unique rooms (featuring original artworks from local artists), some with fireplaces and free standing baths, Mary Mary - a hidden cocktail bar, and Peppina Restaurant, featuring Italian food by renowned Tasmanian chef Massimo Mele.
Offering three distinct eras within one property, The Tasman blends its 1840’s heritage design with the 1940’s luxury Art Deco building and the spectacular new glass ensconced Pavilion building. This is one property you will want on your ‘must see’ list.
5 star elegance in Hobart
Kingsford The Barossa
Over the past three years, one of Australia’s most exclusive luxury retreats, Kingsford The Barossa, has undergone a multi-million dollar upgrade, completing an incredible expansion to the property.
Nestled amongst in 225 acres of rolling hills, gum trees and riverbanks, and having previously been used as the set of McLeod’s Daughters, Kingsford The Barossa dates back to 1856 and sits on the Southern edge of the world-renowned Barossa valley wine region.
There are 16 luxurious rooms and suites to choose from, each with its own unique decor and design. There is also an outdoor saltwater pool, picturesque walking trails nearby and the exclusive Kingsford ‘Bush Bath’ alfresco bathing experience.
Food and beverage is a major focus here, with a cellar list that has to be seen to be believed. The property features The Orleana Restaurant, which has a focus on local Barossa produce, alongside three bars – the 1856 Lodge Bar, the Peppertree Bar and the Kegelbahn, which features a custom-built authentic German indoor bowling alley.
“We’ve taken the heart of the Barossa and put that at Kingsford. You come to Kingsford to share all of the Barossa experiences in one place, where you have privacy and exclusivity whilst savouring the best food and wine collection we can share.” Stefan & Leanne Ahrens, Kingsford custodians since 2009.
A luxury chateau relaunched in the Barossa
Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street
Breathing new life into Melbourne’s Historic Equity Chambers Building, March 2021 saw Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street open up after a 5 year hiatus by the brand.
The restored and refurbed chambers emanate old-school glamour and over-the-top class, drawing on both the Exotic Revival and Romanesque architecture styles. Wherever you look, the care and attention to detail that’s gone into transforming one of the CBD’s grand dames is clear.
In its reimagining as Hilton Melbourne LQS, the building’s old world-charm has been respected and original features restored, old and new have been cleverly combined, with sandstone, European Oak and bronze materials, creating a traditional yet modern feel. External and internal artworks have been curated in reference to the city’s thriving and internationally renowned graffiti-art scene.
Alongside 244 rooms and suites, each versatile enough for any kind of traveller, this elegant upscale city hotel has guest facilities you’ll love. There’s the fitness centre, meeting rooms and event spaces. Corporates will love the WFH-appropriate furniture, and then there is the signature ‘Luci’ restaurant and bar - in a setting that has to be seen to be believed.
Boasting a fabulous location, this hotel is in the heart of Melbourne’s vibrant art, theatre and dining precincts, as well as sitting on the doorstep of the city’s key business districts.
Old school glamour comes to Melbourne’s CBD