Australia is experiencing a boom in boutique hotels – with their cutting-edge design and tailored experiences,

boutique hotels appeal to travellers in search of a sense of connection. Increasingly, consumers are seeking

small, luxury hotels which offer a range of immersive experiences, fine food and wine and high levels of

service. As a result of their growing popularity, boutique and lifestyle hotels offering authentic experiences are

in demand from investors seeking higher yields and are often located in regional locations that are set to

become must-visit destinations.

Tourism Australia has compiled a list of new and under construction boutique hotels in Australia, with owners

set to capitalise on the trend of visitors seeking an emotional connection and point of differentiation in their

hotel selection choices.

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: Ovolo Nishi, Canberra

Ovolo Nishi (formerly Hotel Hotel) in Canberra's cultural precinct of New Acton has unveiled 17 new hotel

rooms. In collaboration with the renowned Australian interior design and architecture firm Luchetti Krelle,

these much-anticipated hotel rooms have been curated with Ovolo's ethos of effortless living in mind while

extending on the original hotel and room aesthetic. The upgrade of these rooms is part of Ovolo Hotels' $5

million capital investment into the hotel since its inception in March 2018.

Midnight Hotel, Canberra

Due to open in late 2019, independent hotel operator Iconic Hotels is on track to deliver its first premium

hotel brand, Midnight Hotel. Midnight Hotel will be the eighth hotel delivered to market by Iconic Hotels, the

hotels division of leading independent property developer, Geocon. Featuring 199 premium rooms, a

restaurant, bar, indoor swimming pool, wellness centre, conference and event spaces and guest lounge, the

hotel is part of Geocon’s $200 million development in Braddon, central Canberra.

NEW SOUTH WALES Paramount House Hotel, Surry Hills

Located in the former headquarters of Paramount Picture Studios in trendy Surry Hills, Paramount House Hotel

is a mix of heritage and new. Exposed brick walls and wooden beams give the rooms a rustic feel while the

minimalistic decor adds a touch of class. Some of the rooms even have sunny alcoves adorned with indoor

plants and large windows that allow a flow of fresh air throughout the room. Paramount House Hotel opened

in April 2018.

Kafnu, Alexandria

Kafnu made its Australian debut in Alexandria, New South Wales when opening in March 2019. The unique

Kafnu proposition combines the best elements of a shared workspace, a boutique hotel and a social

community, welcoming business travellers looking for a place to build and connect. Facilities include 16

luxurious guestrooms, fully equipped coworking spaces, media production and podcast studios, a virtual

fitness centre and a bespoke gin bar. Conveniently located next to the iconic Grounds of Alexandria café, Kafnu

is just 20 minutes from Sydney Airport and the CBD.

voco Kirkton Park, Hunter Valley, NSW

The upscale Voco Kirkton Park Hunter Valley in NSW’s wine region has opened its doors in April 2019 and

brings the bold characteristics of voco to the region. Already a much-loved destination for locals and visitors

alike, Kirkton Park estate reigns on 70 acres of rolling countryside and scenic mountain views, only minutes

away from the region’s most popular wineries.

Citadines Connect Sydney Airport, Mascot

In May 2019, Ascott Limited launched Citadines Connect Sydney Airport (formerly known as Felix Hotel).

Perfect for frequent travellers passing through the harbour city, the refurbished hotel offers guests a

refreshingly sophisticated take on an airport hotel. The 150-room property features a stylish cocktail bar and

rooftop cinema and is fit with retro interiors of bright pastels, patterned floors and neon signs. Located in

Mascot, the property is a 15-minute walk or 2-minute drive to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.

voco Sydney, Sydney

Scheduled to open in 2020, the voco Sydney Central Hotel will include 301 premium guest rooms designed

around the concept of ‘me time’ and an eye-catching ‘green waterfall’ falling from the rooftop of the 17-storey

tower. The new hotel will be conveniently located on Pitt Street and marks the fifth voco property to open in

Australia since the brand’s global launch in June 2018.

QT Hotel, Newcastle

The popular boutique QT Hotel brand will be making its debut into Newcastle in 2020, marking the fourth QT

property to open in Australia within three years. The design-led hotel's luxurious, quirky flair and distinctive

service will feature across the 106-rooms, rooftop bar and its signature QT dining concept. Set to take over the

former 111-year-old David Jones Building, QT Newcastle will be conveniently located on Hunter Mall and

around a two-hour drive from Sydney.

NORTHERN TERRITORY: Kings Canyon Resort, Kings Canyon

Kings Canyon Resort has launched six premium glamping tents, offering visitors a chance to experience

Australia’s Red Centre in comfort and style. Offering modern accommodation amenities in the heart of the

outback landscape, the new homestead-style luxury tents will include premium linen, air-conditioning, a

private en-suite bathroom and plenty of room to relax including an outdoor deck with seating. Located in the

heart of the Red Centre, Kings Canyon Resort is a one-hour plane charter from Uluru or a five-and-a-half-hour

drive from Alice Springs.

QUEENSLAND: The Calile Hotel, Brisbane

Touted as Australia's very first urban resort, the Calile Hotel fully embraces Queensland's tropical flair. With a

design aesthetic that wouldn't look out of place in Palm Springs, featuring palm trees galore, alfresco dining,

cabanas, and a lot of pink. While you're there, be sure to make a reservation for Hellenika, the hotel's award-

winning, poolside modern Greek restaurant.

The Fantauzzo, Howard Smith Wharves Brisbane

Art Series Hotel has opened its eighth property in the precinct at Brisbane’s evolving Howard Smith Wharves

project named Fantauzzo. The six-storey, $60 million hotel has been carved into the cliffs under Brisbane’s

Story Bridge, featuring 166 suites, a rooftop pool, bar, gym and state-of-the-art dining and function venues.

Located in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD, guests can easily zip around town in the hotel-owned smart cars or

spend the day exploring the Howard Smith Wharves precinct.

Riley, A Crystalbrook Collection Resort, Cairns

With views of Cairns’ remarkable coastline, Riley, A Crystalbrook Collection Resort, is the epitome of seaside

luxury. This five-star resort has everything you need to have an indulgent holiday in Tropical North

Queensland, from the Luxury Eléme Day Spa to the expansive swimming lagoon. The resort has 311 rooms and

suites, each fit with contemporary design and amenities. Treat your tastebuds at Paper Crane, a modern Asian

fusion restaurant, or head up to Rocco, a Mediterranean-inspired rooftop bar set 12 floors above sea level.

Guests even have access to a manmade beach and secluded cabanas. The hotel opened in late 2018.

Intercontinental Hayman Island Resort, Whitsundays

Reopened in July 2019 following a $135 million refurbishment, Hayman Island by InterContinental has officially

opened at the northern most point in the magnificent Whitsunday Islands. With three distinct wings of rooms,

suites and villas which hug the pristine coastline of the island, the 166-room property offers instant immersion

into ‘island life’ for guests as they arrive via luxury catamaran, helicopter or seaplane. The refurbishment also

includes five new restaurants and bars, an extensive range of island activities and sensory spa experiences.

Daydream Island Resort, Whitsundays

Reopened in April 2019 following an extensive $100 million redevelopment, the refurbished Daydream Island

Resort is perfect for those travelling with children, as kids under 12 stay and eat free. With three new

restaurants and five bars, a beachfront pool, adjacent infinity pool and central lagoon-style pool with an

attached kids’ area, the resort has been transformed with 277 expansive suites. The iconic Living Reef has also

had a makeover now with an eco-friendly focus allowing guests to get up close and personal to the marine life

of the Great Barrier Reef.

Elysian Retreat, Whitsundays

The most secluded island retreat in the Whitsundays and the first solar powered resort on the Great Barrier

Reef, Elysian promises guests a blissful escape from the crowds. Restored in December 2018, this new

sustainable luxury eco resort offers a luxurious all-inclusive retreat catering to its maximum of 20 guests and a

small team of dedicated staff, including a private chef. Boasting a locally sourced island menu, personalised

organic spa treatments and aquatic adventures to cater to individual needs, Elysian is the perfect place to slow

down and immerse your senses in nature and island life.

TASMANIA: Ship Inn, Stanley

Opening in July 2019, nestled at the base of The Nut and overlooking the panorama of the windswept bay

beyond, the Ship Inn Stanley commands attention. Reinventing itself as a unique storytelling guest house, this

luxe offering beckons travellers seeking a boutique experience on Tasmania’s far North West coast. Each of the

seven luxurious suites within the walls of the Ship Inn Stanley have a compelling tale to tell. Guests are

immersed in local narrative and enjoy characters that reflect the history of the township. Beyond each suite,

the Ship Inn Stanley offers a guest laundry, boutique yoga studio and gym, and numerous corners in which to

while away lazy afternoons.

Moss, Hobart

In June 2019, Hobart’s newest boutique hotel, Moss, opened in the historic docks of Salamanca Place, bringing

the Tasmanian wilderness to the heart of the city. Set in Georgian sandstone warehouses and designed with a

nature-inspired concept, Moss offers 41-rooms with high timber beams, internal greenery and sun-drenched

balconies, creating a tranquil and idyllic atmosphere for guests. Located in the heart of Hobart, this inner-city

sanctuary is a gateway to the city’s rich culture, history, world-famous cuisine and natural beauty. An

additional 21 rooms will open in September 2019.

The Tasman, Hobart

Journey to the 1800s with a stay at this architecturally stunning and historically rich destination in the heart of

Tasmania's capital. The Tasman is set to boast 152 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites with carefully

restored features when opening in September 2020. Room designs will comprise of a modern interpretation of

Art Deco style expressed through an uncomplicated setting. Embracing its rich heritage and the distinct

character of its locale, the hotel will integrate seamlessly with Hobart's breath-taking scenery and culture.

Hyatt Centric, Hobart

Hyatt Centric, a new lifestyle brand by Hyatt Hotels is coming to Australia, with the hip new hotel set to open

in central Hobart in 2020. Hyatt Centric, a new, full-service lifestyle brand offers an upscale, cosmopolitan

experience created for millennial-minded business and leisure travellers. Hyatt will work with JAWS Architects

and Dreamtime Australia Design “to create bespoke, artisan and inspired interiors” for the 221-room property,

keeping it in harmony with the other Hyatt Centric hotels around the globe.

Motown Hotel (TBC), Hobart

MONA will unveil luxury hotel named Motown in 2024. The five-star property will have 172 rooms looking

towards Kunanyi (Mt Wellington), or up the river towards Claremont and Otago Bay. It will feature a theatre,

spa centre, outdoor concert stage and library, as well as conference and auditorium facilities, and several new

artworks.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA: QT Adelaide, Adelaide

The QT Hotel brand will make its South Australian debut by 2021, when it’s set to open in a $180 million

complex on Currie St in the heart of the CBD. A design-led hotel with a luxurious and quirky flair,

complemented by a distinctive signature service, QT’s South Australian foray will be Adelaide’s first lifestyle

hotel, bringing a unique offering to the market.

Sequoia by Mt Lofty House, Adelaide Hills

South Australia will soon have a new boutique hotel with the final redevelopment stage at award-winning

Mount Lofty House underway. Named ‘Sequoia’, the development, which will sit separate from Mount Lofty

House, will include 15 luxury villas positioned on the front escarpment of Mount Lofty Estate offering

unparalleled views of the Piccadilly Valley. Each of the spacious villas will feature private balconies overlooking

the valley, fireplaces and views from every angle. Sequoia is scheduled to open late-2019.

Sofitel Adelaide, Adelaide

Set to open in 2020, Sofitel Adelaide will be Adelaide's first new 5-star hotel in 30-years. The 32-storey

development will be the state’s tallest mixed-use development — the top eight levels will feature 80

apartments, while the remaining floors will contain the hotel’s 250 rooms.

Wyndham Adelaide, Adelaide

Located on Pultney Street the $35 million Wyndham Hotels & Resorts development is expected to open in the

first quarter of 2021 and will comprise of 124-rooms, an elevated lounge area, two restaurants, two bars and

meetings rooms.

VICTORIA

United Places Botanical Gardens, Melbourne

A reimagining of the boutique hotel experience, United Places Botanic Gardens represents a collaboration

between exceptional creatives across a range of disciplines. Dedicated to making each guest’s stay unique, the

property is a place where innovative architecture, interiors and design are complemented by the most

luxurious of amenities. Its understated good looks come courtesy of the Carr Design Group (the team behind

Smith-star Jackalope in the Mornington Peninsula) while Scott Pickett captains the kitchen.

Lon Retreat, Point Lonsdale

Taking over the former residence of Lonsdale Views, Lon Retreat has 360-degree views of Ocean Grove, the

Point Lonsdale Lighthouse and the Heads (the perilous entry point to Port Phillip Bay). Opened in late 2018,

with only seven individually designed luxury suites, meaning it’s perfect for a secluded getaway. The suites

stick to a pared-back, earthy colour scheme with plenty of locally sourced and crafted ceramics, light fittings,

art and furniture throughout the building. Guests also have access to a private beach, bar, gardens, a lounge

with an open fireplace and a mineral spa.

Hepburn Springs Escape Villas, Daylesford

Following the success of the Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, Hepburn Spa Retreat has opened new state-of-the-art

villas with magnificent, serene views over the surrounding native bushland. Designed for relaxation and

reconnection, guests unwind in their exclusive in-room freestanding spa or choose from a selection of

Hepburn mineral bathing and spa experiences with all-inclusive packages available. Perched on the edge of

Hepburn Regional Park on the grounds of the Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa in Daylesford, Hepburn Springs

Escape Villas are a one and a half hours’ drive from the Melbourne CBD.

Mojo Nomad, South Yarra

Following its incredible success in Hong Kong, the disruptive and award-winning hotel collection, Ovolo Group,

is set to launch its innovative brand Mojo Nomad in Australia. Mojo Nomad South Yarra will bring a unique and

exciting concept to the city of Melbourne and will become the brand's signature flagship property, once

completed in mid-2020. The Mojo Nomad experience is designed to break barriers and rules and challenge the

status quo.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Quay Perth, Perth

In June 2019, Perth welcomed the addition of another boutique hotel, with Quay Perth. The 80-room hotel is

part of the Louis T Collection and takes inspiration from Western Australia’s natural landscape and Perth's laid-

back vibe, offering a co-live, co-work and co-play destination. The multi-million-dollar redevelopment has

completely transformed the former hotel, with new guest rooms and public areas, all-day sidewalk eatery

Community at Quay, a chic rooftop bar and restaurant HQ Bar & Kitchen, plus innovative co-working spaces

offering sweeping views of Elizabeth.

Adnate Art Series Hotel, Perth

Accor has announced it will make its debut into Western Australia with the opening of Adnate. Scheduled to

open in October 2019, the $90 million hotel at Hay Street, Perth already stands at its maximum height of 27

storeys and will be redeveloped to offer 250 suites fit with signature Art Series prints, artworks and

furnishings. The hotel will also be home to a chic new international food and beverage destination, serving

Mediterranean cuisine and cocktails centred around the spectacular outdoor pool.

The Towers at Elizabeth Quay, Perth

The proposed Ritz-Carlton Hotel - The Towers at Elizabeth Quay - will feature 204 luxury hotel suites

accompanied by a wide range of venues and recreational amenities. The podium rooftop bar will be accessible

to the general public and will be a prime vantage point over the quayside. Set to open in 2020.

For more information on Australia’s regional tourism investment opportunity visit Tourism Australia’s

investment website.