Sean Fennessy 
Sean Fennessy 
Sean Fennessy 
Sean Fennessy 
Sean Fennessy 
Sean Fennessy In theory, a luxury hotel made up of three separate ‘wings’ – a heritage section, which once housed a 19th century hospital, an art deco part dating from the 1940s, and a modern extension – sounds like it would run the risk of becoming a clunky jumble. In fact The Tasman, the first of Marriott’s Luxury Collection brand in Australia, manages to seamlessly blend each epoch into a charming mélange of old and new. The hardest part is deciding which wing is your favourite; it takes a few stays to find out.
The rooms
There are 152 rooms and suites across the three wings, and you’ll need to pay attention on the first journey to yours, as the three-in-one layout of the hotel can be a little mind-bending. The modern wing is crisp and clean, while the heritage wing is notable for its sky-high ceilings and offbeat vintage nooks and crannies (and one room has a fabulously quirky wooden bath). If you’re after views, the wedge-shaped Pavilion Suite, part of the modern wing, lets you gaze out towards the River Derwent and across the city’s colonial-era and more contemporary rooftops.
Food & drink
The hotel’s Italian restaurant, Peppina, is always packed with an upbeat mix of locals and tourists, getting stuck into plates of pasta (the signature is the bug tail spaghetti – get it), antipasti and local wines. It shapeshifts into a buffet breakfast in the morning, and the leafy, glass-roofed room looks even prettier under natural light. For something a little more casual, The Deco Lounge serves light à la carte breakfasts and lunches of the burger-and-salad variety.
The service
Repeat Marriott guests will know how the company makes an effort to learn its customers’ names and preferences, so you’ll always be greeted like they’ve been waiting for your arrival since you last checked in. Otherwise, service is Tasmania-friendly, and staff love to share their favourite hidden features around the hotel – so just ask.
Ideal for: Couples and business travellers looking for a city stay with a luxury edge
Why we love it:
- The location. A 10-minute walk from the harbourfront, Salamanca Markets and some of the city’s best bars and restaurants, The Tasman has a lock on Hobart’s best location. Even the city’s north – home to must-dos like the Sunday Farm Gate markets and intimate omakase restaurant Omotenashi – is only a quick trot up the hill.
- The bar. Mary Mary bar is a real vibe, tucked into a clubby, windowless speakeasy space that was once part of the old hospital. Their huge range of Tasmanian whiskies is to be reckoned with.
- The little mysteries. If you keep your eyes open, particularly in the heritage wing, you’ll find oddball nooks and off-kilter bits and pieces everywhere. It could be an old boarded-up doorway that leads to nowhere, or salvaged concrete pillars rescued from the premises as construction began. It’s all part of the charm.
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