The Very Best New Hotels In Australia Right Now

Editor’s Note: This story on the best new hotels in Australia originally appeared in Volume III of B.H. Magazine. For access to future issues, subscribe here.

In recent years, Australia has been blessed with the opening of more than a handful of excellent new hotels, ranging from inner-city stays in Melbourne and Sydney to further afield destinations such as Yamba and Rottnest Island.

Here, we highlight a few of the best new hotels in Australia right now.

Melbourne Place, Melbourne

For a town as culturally layered as Melbourne, it’s hard to believe its central business district has been starved of an independent hotel for so long. Well, that was until Melbourne Place opened its doors last November.

At the Paris end of the action, the hotel breathes new life into the old theatre building at 130 Russell Street. With a selection of 191 rooms and suites, there’s a long list of reasons to lock in a stay here – one that starts with Kennedy Nolan’s remarkable architectural and interior design.

Behind a heritage-inspired brick exterior, and past the lobby’s striking digital art installation, each of the hotel’s 14 floors is splashed with its own unique colour palette. The rooms are light-filled yet wildly seductive, all embracing earthy tones and an inextricable use of texture. Jarrah from Western Australia hints at decades past, but is brought bang up-to-date with brushed-brass fixtures and luxurious soft furnishings in subtle pink, blue, and green hues.

Local is at the forefront of the hotel’s ethos. In each room, Joy Bear chairs from Melbourne furniture company Jardan have been specifically commissioned for the property; Fibonacci terrazzo tiles in the bathrooms are dipped in bespoke, hotel-only colours; and the selection of art, which has been curated by Andy Dinan of MARS Gallery, celebrates Australian talent.

Once you’ve worked through the complimentary mini bar, the hotel’s gastronomic offering is ready to deliver across all levels. On the twelfth floor, Mid Air offers an approachable day-to-night menu that’s heavy on single-bite snacks, scrummy skewers, and small plates. The humming rooftop hangout is curated by Nicholas Deligiannis, Good Food’s 2023 Young Chef of the Year, who also curates the hotel’s breakfast and in-room dining.

Industry stalwarts Ross and Sunny Lusted, from Sydney’s Woodcut, take the helm at Portuguese-inspired restaurant Marmelo on the ground floor, and basement bar Mr Mills, which, in classic Melbourne fashion, is accessible only via laneway.

Address: 130 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Contact: +61 (03) 7035 2900
Pricing: Starting at $300 a night

Sea Sea Hotel, Crescent Head

More than just a place to rest your weary eyes, Sea Sea Hotel in the northern NSW town of Crescent Head is a communal hub founded on local surf culture, hospitality, art, and music. The ’70s-inspired boutique hotel – designed and run by George Gorrow, co-founder of Ksubi and The Slow in Bali – is the epitome of barefoot luxury.

Inside, you’ll find 25 rooms, a surf club complete with bar and restaurant, and a hi-fi audio lounge for live music and art exhibitions. Outside, there’s a heated pool, fireplace, sauna, and ice baths. Everything you need to recoup when your arms feel like noodles.

Address: 30-34 Pacific St, Crescent Head NSW 2440
Contact: +61 447 441 009
Pricing: Starting at $418 a night

Il Delfino, Yamba

Why go all the way to the Amalfi Coast when you can stay at Il Delfino in northern NSW instead? Located just a pebble’s throw away from Yamba’s Main Beach, this lovingly restored seaside inn offers four unique suites (some with two bedrooms), in addition to a private bungalow.

Each room reveals water views and Italian-inspired furnishings, with Smeg appliances, Sonos speakers, and luxe amenities thrown in for good measure. Better still, there’s no drawn-out check-in process – the hotel’s self-check-in speaks to those who value privacy and zero fuss. Expect leisurely days by the sea, and intimate evenings on the balcony. It’s the Italian way, but in the Northern Rivers.

Address: 4 Ocean St, Yamba NSW 2464
Contact: +61 477 518 770
Pricing: Starting at $900 for two nights

RELATED: Four Aussie Stays Among World’s Hottest New Hotels For 2025

Raes Guesthouses, Byron Bay

Longtime holiday favourite Raes on Wategos has added a second aesthetically flawless property to their portfolio with the opening of Raes Guesthouses.

Located mere steps from the original hotel, the new boutique lodging – once again kitted out by eminent interior designer Tamsin Johnson – offers ten lush suites, each nestled amongst the tropical gardens of Wategos for maximum privacy. A new menu by executive chef Jason Saxby can be savoured in-room, at the grand communal dining table, or beside one of the property’s two lap pools. An endless summer awaits.

Address: 1 Marine Parade, Byron Bay NSW 2481
Contact: +61 (02) 6685 5366
Pricing: Starting at $825 a night

The Eve Hotel, Sydney

New to the vibrant Wunderlich Lane lifestyle precinct in Redfern is The Eve Hotel Sydney – a sophisticated urban escape (and one of the World’s Best New Hotels for 2025) featuring 102-rooms with vaulted ceilings, curated interiors, and immersive art installations, including several pieces from prominent Surry Hills artist and gallery owner Louise Olsen.

At the boutique hotel’s rooftop, guests will discover a 20-metre pool flanked by resplendent greenery, and Mexican restaurant Lottie, flaunting panoramic views over the inner-city suburbs. Downstairs, BarJulius – the hotel’s chic lobby bar by Liquid & Larder – is open early and up late, serving caffeine to cocktails alongside all-day bistro classics.

Address: 8 Baptist St, Redfern NSW 2016
Contact: +61 (02) 9096 1100
Pricing: Starting at $549 a night

The Lodge Wadjemup, Rottnest Island

Cute quokkas, crystal waters, and a nine-hole golf course create a strong case for heading west to explore The Lodge Wadjemup on Rottnest Island. The relaxed, coastal escape is set to offer a total of 109 rooms, with the first batch of 60 rooms available now and the remainder being released mid-year.

Experienced chef Mat Powell (Il Lido, Cottesloe) takes charge at the hotel’s all-day dining venue, where guests can savour Mediterranean-inspired dishes while soaking up WA’s iconic sunset over the salt lake.

Address: Boreham Wy, Rottnest Island WA 6161
Contact: +61 (08) 6401 4600
Pricing: Starting at $250 a night

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And while you’re at it, check out Boss Hunting’s other hotel guides:

• The Best Hotels In Sydney
• The Best Hotels In Melbourne
• The Best Hotels In Auckland
• The Best Hotels In Thailand For Your Own ‘White Lotus’ Holiday
• Live Like Royalty At The 11 Best Resorts In Bali