MACq 01 Hotel

Rooms and decor

What sets MACq 01 apart is the concept: it's Australia's first storytelling hotel. All 114 rooms are themed around a real Tasmanian character, from explorers and convicts through to artists — read the story card for your room before bed and you come away feeling like you've touched a piece of the state's history. Every room has heated floors, which is a genuinely warm detail in a cold-weather city, plus a flat-screen TV, and many look straight out at the Derwent River. The building is contemporary in design while still sitting comfortably in the old port district.

Food and amenities

The hotel has The Old Wharf Restaurant serving contemporary European food with a view over the water, plus two more bars and lounges, a gym, and a concierge who can book tours for you. There's a 24-hour reception too, so late arrivals are easy. It's the kind of full-service setup you'd expect at this price, with the food and drink pointed firmly at the waterfront rather than tucked away inside, and the staff scores well with real guests for service.

Location and getting there

MACq 01 sits right on the water on Hunter Pier, in the heart of the historic Sullivans Cove bay. The lobby looks straight out at the yachts and the Derwent River, and a waterfront position like this makes it feel like you're staying in the true center of town. From the door it's about a 4-minute walk along the water to Constitution Dock, where you can grab fish and chips for dinner, and roughly 5 minutes to the MONA ferry pier at Brooke Street Pier, the launch point for the famous art museum upriver.

Things to know before booking

This is the splurge of the list: the starting price is clearly the highest here, from around $289 a night and up to about $629 for the top rooms. In high season — summer and festival periods — rooms fill fast and rates climb well above the base, so book early. And because it's such a popular hotel, the lobby and restaurant can get busy at peak times.

Our take

MACq 01 Hotel suits couples best, and anyone after a distinctive waterfront luxury experience. Its real-guest score on Trip.com is 9.6 — the highest on this list — with location and cleanliness both rated 9.7. If this Hobart trip is about marking a special occasion and you want a stay with a story rather than just a smart bedroom, this is a confident way to open the list.