Review: The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart

Australia’s first Luxury Collection property, The Tasman, opened in Hobart, Tasmania in December 2021. The hotel underwent an extensive construction process that began in 2015, which resulted in three structurally and aethestically unique buildings.

After stays at the Matild Palace in Budapest and Al Maha Desert Resort in Dubai, amongst others, my encounters with Luxury Collection hotels have been entirely pleasant to date. 

When we were planning a visit to Tasmania as part of a bigger trip to Australia, I was delighted to find The Tasman Hobart as an available hotel option. As we’d soon find out, it became one of the highlights of our trip.

The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart – Booking

After getting great value on our hotel stays in Queensland at the beginning of our trip, I was hopeful that we’d find ourselves in a similar situation for booking The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart. Luckily, we weren’t at all disappointed, and felt that we were on a roll with Marriott Bonvoy properties in Australia.

Redeeming points for a one-night stay at The Tasman Hobart ranges from 34,000–42,000 Bonvoy points throughout the year. 

On the other hand, cash rates go for around $390–600 AUD ($360–555 CAD) throughout the year, with the average price at around $400–450 AUD ($370–415 CAD).

Based on our valuation of Bonvoy points at 0.9 cents per point (CAD), you’ll be more or less on target when redemptions price out at the lower end, and above the target when cash prices skew higher.

If you have a Free Night Award available in your account, which you can also top up, the effective cost of a night at The Tasman Hobart reduces to your credit card’s annual fee of $120–150 (CAD).

For our two-night stay, we decided to redeem two Free Night Awards worth 35,000 Bonvoy points apiece, and topped them up with 2,000 points per night, for a total of 37,000 points per night. We also treated my aunt and uncle to a stay, for which we redeemed another 37,000 points.

I felt that we got excellent value out of our Free Night Awards, which only got better as our stay progressed.

If you don’t have Bonvoy points or Free Night Awards at your disposal, The Tasman Hobart participates in Marriott STARS, a preferred partner program. By booking your stay through an authorized travel advisor, you’ll pay the same as the best-available flexible rate, but you’ll enjoy a suite of perks, including complimentary breakfast for two, a $100 (USD) property credit, and more.

The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart – Location

The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart is ideally situated close to Hobart’s waterfront, just up the street from the Brooke Street Pier and Franklin Wharf. Hobart is also known as nipaluna, which is the traditional Aboriginal name for the area.

The Tasman Hobart is close to many of the city’s attractions, as well as some from the surrounding area.

Just down the street from the hotel is Franklin Wharf, which is home to several piers. There are a number of eating establishments in this area, and it makes for a nice stroll close to the hotel.

A bit further away by foot is Battery Point, an area with winding streets, beautifully preserved homes from the 1800s, and plenty of shops and restaurants. Keep an eye out for restaurants with an oyster happy hour in the afternoon.

The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), one of the area’s biggest draws, is around 20 minutes by car or an hour by transit from the hotel. 

Tasmania is known for its beautiful hikes, and there are a number within close proximity to Hobart. The hotel’s concierge can recommend options, or you can find some online. 

Hobart International Airport is around 20 minutes from The Tasman Hobart by car. Alternatively, you can take the SkyBus, which drops you off just down the street from the hotel. 

The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart – Check-In

We arrived at The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart in the late morning after a series of flights from Canberra and Sydney. The hotel’s exterior is impossible to miss, with the pointed glass façade from the brand-new Pavilion building guiding you in.

The Tasman Hobart has a very interesting history, in that it’s actually made up of three different buildings.

The Pavilion is the newest part of the hotel, having been built during the hotel’s construction. 

The Art Deco building, which is where the entrance to to hotel is, was originally built in 1947. Prior to being converted into a hotel, it was home to government offices.

The Heritage building is the oldest part of the hotel, and was built in 1847. It was originally St. Mary’s, a private hospital.

As soon as we entered the hotel, we were promptly greeted by the concierge staff, who offered to take our bags while we checked in. The lobby lounge at The Tasman Hobart is quite simple, with a few seats scattered about for guests.

As we were lead to the check-in desk, we were offered our choice of welcome drink. Naturally, we both opted for a glass of Tasmanian sparkling wine, which was crisp and refreshing.

The associate went over the details of our booking, including acknowledging my Marriott Platinum status. 

I applied Suite Night Awards to our two nights, which were made as two separate bookings. Both requests were granted five days prior to arrival, which meant that I didn’t need to engage in any “suite-talking” on this stay.

The associate also confirmed my request to stay in a Panoramic King Room one night, and a Heritage Suite the next. This way, we’d get to experience rooms in two different buildings in the hotel.

Furthermore, he acknowledged that we had a reservation for my aunt and uncle the following night. Much to my delight, they had been proactively upgraded to a Heritage Studio Suite.

Our room wasn’t quite ready when we arrived, so we decided to enjoy our glass of wine while exploring the different buildings in the hotel. We also had time to sit down at the Deco Lounge for a quick lunch.

As soon as our room was ready, an associate delivered the keys to us in the restaurant, and we headed up to the sixth floor of the Art Deco building to check out Room 621.

We initially couldn’t find our room, but then realized that it was tucked away behind a fire door in its own hallway.

The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart – Panoramic King Room

Upon entering the Panoramic King Room, there’s a small foyer that’s home to a large armoire and the entrance to the bathroom. Our luggage had been delivered to the room and stacked neatly inside, which was a nice touch, and we also found a second plush bathrobe and cozy slippers inside.

The room then opens up into the bedroom, which has stunning views of the harbour with floor-to-ceiling windows. Natural light pours in during the day, and we also enjoyed a beautiful sunset in the evening from the comfort of our room.

The room has pinstripe carpeting, which paired nicely with the throw pillow on the bed and the chaise longue. 

The king bed is the room’s centrepiece, with a bright red chaise longue at its foot.

On the coffee table, we found a handwritten welcome note and a bottle of Two Tonne Tasmanian Pinot Noir alongside some local chocolates as a welcome gift. 

Up against the window, there’s a beautiful wooden desk with a comfortable leather chair. The room’s flat-screen TV is mounted on the wall nearby, and can be swivelled into a comfortable viewing position.

The Nespresso coffee maker is just underneath the TV on the desk, while a mini-fridge is concealed by a wooden door.

In the corner of the room is a table with two armchairs facing the window. During our stay, we enjoyed a glass of wine here while we watched sailboats frolic about in the bay.

Looking up, there is a remarkably gorgeous wooden ceiling inlay, that I’d later find out is unique to each room. 

The bathroom also has floor-to-ceiling windows, which can be covered by electronic blinds for privacy. 

A single marble vanity has a large LED-backlit mirror above, with amenities that include locally made soaps placed nearby. A plush bathrobe hangs on the wall close to the door.

The bathtub and shower are housed in a single wet room. The bathtub has a plank of wood set out overtop, and made for a very comfortable and relaxing experience. 

We were very pleased with this room for our first night, as we were treated to a remarkable views from the comfort of our room.

It’s worth noting that the Panoramic King Room is the third-highest room type to which you can upgrade, which is below the Heritage Suite and the Heritage Studio Suite. 

The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart – Heritage Suite

For the second night of our stay at The Tasman Hobart, we relocated to the Heritage building. It’s easy to notice when you’ve moved from one building to the next, as the character of the hotel completely changes.

As we made our way to Room 150, we passed by a lovely library area located close to the elevators. 

Upon entering the Heritage Suite, there is a foyer with another door to walk through. The second door opens up to the suite’s spacious living room, with a gas fireplace that was running as we arrived.

The furnishings in the living room were simple but comfortable, with a large grey couch, a charcoal-grey wooden armchair, and a marble coffee table. A flat-screen TV is mounted above the fireplace.

In the corner of the living room, a small buffet is where the Nespresso coffee maker and minibar are found. 

At the far end of the living room is the bedroom. As I was exploring the room, I noticed that the original stone walls of the room had been preserved, and added some great character to the bedroom.

A king bed with a signature lambskin rug take up the majority of the bedroom. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and made for a very sound night’s sleep.

During turndown service, slippers were placed next to the bed on a mat that matched The Tasman Hobart’s logo.

A double armoire is against the wall opposite from the bed. Inside, I found a selection of hangers, a safe, an ironing board, and the extra bathrobe.

Next to the armoire is the room’s second flat-screen TV, which is mounted above a luggage rack.

Tucked in the corner of the room is a wooden desk with plenty of character, as well as a slick leather chair. 

A grey chaise longue sits underneath the window, with a thick wooden coffee table at its foot.

There wasn’t much of a view from the bedroom, but the unique suite more than made up for the lack of a view.

The bathroom is located through a passageway in the living room.

Along with a door that leads to nowhere in the living room, as well as a filled-in door and a chute in the passageway, the Heritage Suite has many preserved elements of the hotel’s past and left us guessing what stories the room could tell.

The bathroom is very spacious and has high ceilings, with a single marble vanity under a rectangular mirror on a white-brick wall as you enter.

The back of the bathroom is home to a soaker tub and a rain shower, which are housed in the same area. The bathroom was exceptionally inviting, and was unique when compared to the bathroom in the Panoramic King Room.

We thoroughly enjoyed the differences between the Heritage Suite and the Panoramic King Room. Both rooms are very well-designed and unique in their own way.

The Heritage Suite felt like a trip back in time, while the Panoramic King Room offered us outstanding views. When we return to The Tasman Hobart, I’ll aim to spend two nights in the Art Deco building and two in the Heritage building, so as to enjoy the diversity that the hotel offers.

The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart – Heritage Studio Suite

I had the chance to visit the Heritage Studio Suite during my stay, as my aunt and uncle had been upgraded from the base-level room into which they were booked. 

As the name would suggest, the Heritage Studio Suites are also housed in the Heritage building. Many of the room’s elements are similar to the Heritage Suite, just packed into a smaller, but still quite spacious, area.

Through the room’s foyer, there’s a buffet in an alcove between the bathroom and the bedroom. The buffet is home to the room’s Nespresso coffee maker and minibar, and features a thick marble surface.

The bedroom’s furnishings match the ones found in the Heritage Suite. The bed came with a lambskin rug, and the chaise longue at the foot of the bed had a wooden coffee table at its end.

Against the wall to the right of the bed is a beautiful storage unit, while on the opposite side of the room is a desk. The space where a fireplace used to be was instead empty in this room.

The bathroom has a lovely sliding wooden door, which is a feature that I much appreciated. 

The bathtub isn’t housed in the shower room, as it was in our two other rooms. Rather, it’s tucked against the wall opposite from the vanity. 

The room’s toilet is located in a frosted-glass room next to the shower. Otherwise, the bathroom was very similar to the one in the Heritage Suite.

If you’re unable to get an upgrade to a Heritage Suite, the Heritage Studio Suite offers many of the same design features and has plenty of character.

The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart – Deluxe King Room

I also had the opportunity to take a peek at a base-level room at The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart. This particular room was located in the Art Deco building.

The room was notably smaller than the other rooms in the hotel, but still came well-appointed for a base-level room.

The bedroom features a king bed and a long wooden desk against the window. A flat-screen TV is mounted against the wall on an angle.

The room overlooks the city, and doesn’t offer water views.

While the bathroom doesn’t feature a bathtub, you’ll find a walk-in shower, a toilet, and a smaller single vanity under a circular mirror.

Overall, I found the rooms at The Tasman Hobart to be thoughtfully designed, tastefully decorated, and unique. The Art Deco rooms have a cohesive style, and the Heritage rooms feature similar elements that add classy flair to a stay.

I appreciated how different the experience was between the Art Deco and Heritage buildings. In particular, I found that the preserved elements of the hotel’s past were a refined touch in the Heritage building, and the views from the Art Deco building were simply superb.

The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart – Breakfast

Breakfast is served in the hotel’s main restaurant, Peppina, from 7–10:30am on weekdays and 7–11am on weekends. You can find Peppina in the Heritage building, or accessed from the interior courtyard.

I enjoyed complimentary breakfast for two as part of my Marriott Platinum benefits, and we treated my aunt and uncle to breakfast as well. 

Peppina is a lovely space, characterized by brick, wood, and comfortable seats.

The breakfast buffet at Peppina features a gorgeous spread of hot and cold items, as well as cooked-to-order eggs. 

Tasmania is well-known as a food destination, and many of the items in the buffet were sourced from local vendors.

In the cold buffet, we found Tasmanian brie, Pyengana cheddar, Brookfarm muesli, West Haven yogurt, smoked ocean trout, and Tasmanian leatherwood honey, to name a few. Furthermore, there were beautiful pastries, baked goods, preserved vegetables, a salad bar, and fresh fruits.

The hot buffet section had a smaller selection of items, but all were very well executed. Hot buffet items included sautéed mushrooms, fried tomatoes, rectangular hashbrowns, streaky bacon, sausages sourced from local farms, and pancakes with maple syrup.

Made-to-order coffee was brought to us at the table, and there were also carafes of fresh fruit and vegetable juices, as well as a seasonal fruit smoothie up by the hot buffet. If you are so inclined, you can order breakfast cocktails or wine from the menu.

I thoroughly enjoyed breakfast at Peppina on both mornings of our stay. Our group had long, drawn out meals as we caught up and savoured the experience.

In fact, while it wasn’t the most elaborate buffet spread I’ve encountered at luxury hotels, it stands out as one of the most quality offerings. Indeed, breakfast is well worth the price of admission at The Tasman Hobart, and it fired on every cylinder.

The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart – Dining

Peppina is also open for dinner service from 5:30–9pm every day of the week. The restaurant serves Italian-inspired dishes featuring Tasmanian produce. There is an outdoor terrace available if the weather cooperates.

We didn’t have the opportunity to dine at Peppina during this stay, but if the breakfast is any indication, it should be a worthwhile dining experience. If you’re a craft beer aficionado, the taps at Peppina offer an array of local brews.

The Deco Lounge at The Tasman Hobart is located on the main floor of the hotel in the Art Deco building. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, and features Australian-inspired cuisine and tasty nibbles to enjoy alongside a hot drink.

The Deco Lounge has both indoor and outdoor seating available. The interior feels like a cozy library, while the outside patio is a nice shady spot.

We sat down for a bite to eat upon our arrival at the hotel, as well as a lovely coffee to start each day. For a light lunch, I ordered the lobster rolls and my wife Ashley ordered a broccolini salad.

The lobster rolls were divine, and the lemon wrapped in cheesecloth reminded me of the caviar service on Lufthansa First Class. We wanted to save some room for oysters out on the town, so we didn’t opt to order anything more this time around.

The coffees at Deco Lounge are great, and cost less than what you might expect at a luxury hotel.

If you’re thirsty for a drink, head down to the far end of the Heritage building to Mary Mary, The Tasman’s cocktail bar.

The interior is very inviting, and looks like a perfect spot to begin or finish the night. 

The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart – Other Facilities

The fitness centre at The Tasman, Davey Gym, is found in the Heritage building.

Once inside, you’ll find beautifully preserved stone walls and a range of exercise equipment, including treadmills, exercise bikes, and a room filled with strength-training equipment.

On the day of our departure, we weren’t able to enjoy 4pm late check-out, as our Heritage Suite had some incoming guests. The hotel was kind to offer me a separate room to work from after we checked out, which was a kind gesture.

The rooms were very interesting, and I imagine they used to be home to some important government meetings. 

Conclusion

The The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart is a luxury hotel that combines old and new in a remarkably seamless fashion. With three buildings from three unique time periods, a range of rooms to suit different tastes, and delightful cuisine, it’s surely worth considering on your next visit to Hobart/nipaluna. 

If you’re able to, I’d suggest trying rooms in the different buildings to experience all that the hotel has to offer. In the Art Deco building, you might be treated to sweeping views of the Tasman Sea, while in the Heritage building, you’ll be brought back in time.

Be sure to check out the breakfast buffet at Peppina, as you’ll be treated to a superb spread of quality, local ingredients in a very inviting setting. 

The Tasman Hobart hit all of the boxes for me, with outstanding redemption value, generous elite benefits, refined service, plenty of character, and a wonderfully well-rounded stay. I’m eagerly anticipating my next visit to Tasmania, and The Tasman Hobart will be my first choice for hotels.