The Henry Jones Art Hotel

Tasmania’s known for unspoiled nature, but the port city of Hobart is Australia’s second-oldest. And it’s this old industrial history that the Henry Jones Art Hotel trades on; the property consists of a series of historic row houses and an old jam factory that have been restored to house a cool contemporary hotel and art space displaying hundreds of sculptures, paintings, and installations by Tasmanian artists.

Elements of the original structure, like the exposed brick, vaulted timber ceilings, and old-fashioned staircases, remain intact, and some of the refurbished factory equipment now serves as interior decoration. Walls have been knocked down, while others have been painted with vibrant reds and yellows or replaced with massive glass panes, opening up an airy vertical space for the public gallery. True connoisseurs may want to splurge on the Art Installation Suite, a mini-museum in itself with spacious living quarters large enough for hosting a dinner party and a balcony overlooking the sparkling glass atrium.

Rooms and suites are unusually large, in bright colors and a range of textures, from leather to soft linen. They’ve got innovative lighting, ultra-modern all-glass bathrooms, original art, and views over the atrium or harbor; individually designed suites feature extras like sandstone walls, elliptical double baths, waterfront terraces, and overflowing spa baths. Al fresco dining is available at the romantic Atrium restaurant, while gourmet contemporary Australian cuisine is served in the more casual Henry’s Harbourside; the hip IXL Long Bar is perfect for a nightcap, against the backdrop of a wall of old tin cans, once used for tinning Henry Jones’s jam.

How to get there:
The Henry Jones Art Hotel is approximately a 20 - 30 minute drive from Hobart Airport.