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10 best boutique hotels in Australia for enchanting getaways in 2025

The very best boutique hotels around Australia, as reviewed for our 2025 Hotel Guide.
Suite with ocean views at Raes on Wategos
Ocean views stream into the suites at Raes on Wategos

As part of our 2025 Hotel and Travel Awards, our panel of travel experts reviewed and endorsed more than 50 hotels to determine the very best boutique hotels in Australia. Offering intimate stays and personable hospitality, all boutique hotels in this list have 50 rooms or fewer.

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“Boutique is possibly the most overused – and misused – word in the travel industry. But these properties set the standard for boutique service, delivering intimate, bespoke experiences,” says Gourmet Traveller editor Joanna Hunkin. “These hotels also stand out for their exceptional dining offerings, which represent some of the very best in Australia.”

From this year’s Boutique Hotel of the Year, Raes on Wategos, to luxurious outback eco-retreats and stylish winery accommodation overlooking rolling vineyards, these are the best boutique hotels where our unique Australian sense of hospitality rings true.

Spanish Mission-style exterior of Raes on Wategos Hotel in Byron Bay, Boutique Hotel of the Year
Raes on Wategos is our 2025 Boutique Hotel of the Year

Raes on Wategos

2025 Boutique Hotel of the Year

Ideal for: Stylish celebrations and memorable milestones

This iconic Byron Bay retreat blends beachfront living with the comfort of a private hotel. Here, details are everything. Yes, it looks good on the ‘gram, but there is a craftsmanship and quality to Raes’ interiors that is unparalleled. Meanwhile, the hotel’s new Guesthouses – located less than 200m from the hotel and waterfront – offer an added level of privacy, shrouded by tropical gardens and private terraces, as well as the same breezy Balearic aesthetic.

Why we love it: 

  • The vibe. Bright, breezy, bohemian and yet impossibly chic, Raes on Wategos is more White Lotus than anywhere actually featured in the series. 
  • The spa. Tucked under the white-washed curves of the hotel staircase, entering the spa is like stepping into a hidden chapel, with Rationale products lining the altar. 
  • The location. Raes overlooks the picturesque beach, where dolphins regularly frolick in the surf. Lush tropical bush separates the Wategos enclave from the rest of Byron, bringing an added sense of isolation and exclusivity. 

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The Grand National hotel in Sydney
Details are everything at The Grand National Hotel by Saint Peter

Ideal for: Gastronomic getaways

It took six years to transform Paddington’s historic corner pub into The Grand National, delivering one of the most polished, considered and charming properties to open in Australia. From renowned Saint Peter chef Josh Niland and wife Julie, the hotel has the same commitment to quality and sustainability as the pair’s flagship restaurant. Hidden in the backstreets of Paddington, the boutique hotel gives guests a rare chance to indulge in a world-class experience while staying in the heart of one of Sydney’s most sought-after postcodes. 

Why we love it: 

  • The design. Polish and exacting precision permeate each of the 14 individually styled guest rooms.  
  • The food. World-class dining from renowned chef Josh Niland is found downstairs at Saint Peter. 
  • The location. Centrally located in Sydney’s Paddington, which boasts boutique shops, buzzy restaurants, leafy backstreets and neighbourhood pubs and bars. 

Crisp white and cool grey decor in the bedroom suite at Stillwater Seven, Launceston
The urban chic room interiors at Stillwater Seven (Credits: Anjie Blair)

Stillwater Seven

Launceston, Tasmania

Ideal for: Romantic, stylish getaways 

The offspring of one of Tasmania’s best restaurants and located in the same 1840s former flour mill on the banks of the Tamar River, Stillwater Seven is a moodily dark-hued boutique hotel jewel. Each of the seven compact but luxurious suites is unique, while the structural quirks of the old mill – hefty exposed wooden beams, paned windows with river views – seamlessly integrate with the chic décor. Of course, a meal at the onsite restaurant, Stillwater, is a must.

Why we love it: 

  • The design. A brilliant, thoughtful renovation of an historic building. 
  • The minibar. Packed with Tasmanian goodies, from wine and whisky to snacks and teas.
  • The location. Stillwater Seven is within walking distance of Launceston and the beautiful Cataract Gorge.

The elegant, neutral-toned interiors at the Arrivals Lounge at Como The Treasury, Perth
The elegant Arrivals Lounge at Como The Treasury, Perth

Ideal for: Sophisticated city staycations

Every detail at Como The Treasury – from the fragrant bath salts provided by the onsite Shambhala Spa to the botanical watercolours by local artists – is the pinnacle of quiet luxury. As the hotel is housed in Perth’s opulent, 19th-century State Buildings, the aesthetic is timeless elegance. Each of the 48 rooms and suites is deliciously oversized with soaring high ceilings, and many have iron lace balconies and views to Cathedral Square or the city’s rooftops.

Why we love it: 

  • The pool. A few lazy laps in the top-floor indoor pool – with its travertine tiling and light jazz floating through the speakers – is an invigorating way to start the day.
  • The bathrooms. It’s impossible to overstate the generosity of the ensuite bathrooms in every room category.
  • The floristry. The deeply considered use of Western Australian natives give the rooms, suites and common areas at Como The Treasury an eye-catching – and fragrant – sense of place. 

The verandah tucked away in the bush at Mount Mulligan Lodge.
Mt Mulligan Lodge is an eco-certified luxury lodge in the outback. (Credits: James Vodicka)

Mt Mulligan Lodge

Mulligan, Queensland

Ideal for: Families, weddings and closet cowboys and cowgirls

This splendid outback lodge is framed by the 18-kilometre-long escarpment of Mount Mulligan, a wall of red sandstone that’s five times larger than Uluru. It’s 160km northwest of Cairns, on land that is partly a cattle station for breeding Brahman cows. (Think Akubras and R.M. Williams boots.) The 14 spacious suites sport wide verandahs, each with a daybed and a curved, corrugated iron bathtub. Inside, expect large bathrooms, stylish sitting rooms, king-sized beds, timber floors and timber-louvered walls for air flow.

Why we love it: 

  • The views. Each of the suites at this luxury retreat offers panoramic vistas of Mount Mulligan. 
  • Alfresco bathing. There are corrugated iron bathtubs on suite verandahs – and curious kookaburras that come to visit.  
  • The adventures. There’s a range of bush-centric experiences such as self-drive ATVs to the goldfields.

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The award-winning restaurant at Lake House in Daylesford Victoria
The restaurant at Lake House is our Best Hotel dining winner for 2025 (Credits: Martina Gemmola)

Lake House

2025 Best Hotel Dining

Ideal for: Romantic getaways and family gatherings 

Alla Wolf-Tasker AM’s beautiful lakeside hotel started life over 40 years ago as a small country restaurant, then expanded to luxury accommodation and a brilliant spa set among 2.5 hectares of lush gardens. The 33 spacious studios and suites and two villas, some with outdoor spas, are reached by meandering paths that wind through the gardens. Inside, the rooms exude cocoon-like comfort bolstered by excellent linen and cashmere throws. The exceptional restaurant at Lake House remains the heart and soul of the property, especially now that much of the produce being used is grown nearby on their own Dairy Flat Farm. 

Why we love it: 

  • The food. The award-winning Lake House Restaurant offers beautiful, modern, seasonal food matched with local wines. 
  • The spa. Salus Spa is set amongst the treetops and offers thermal body rituals and Ayurvedic facials. 
  • Aperitivo by the pool. Enjoy a signature Negroni or Elderberry Spritz while admiring the views over Lake Daylesford. 

The outdoor pool and terrace at Kingsford The Barossa
Poolside dream scenes at Kingsford The Barossa

Ideal for: Those looking to soak up wine and serenity

Located in the heart of South Australia’s world-renowned wine region, Kingsford The Barossa is a sophisticated retreat for those seeking the perfect balance of relaxation and indulgence. A long, tree-lined driveway leads you to the historic homestead (which many will recognise from McLeod’s Daughters), surrounded by a contemporary complex that feels entirely in tune with its rural surroundings.

Why we love it: 

  • The vaulted wine tunnel. Home to a rare museum collection of Penfolds Grange and Henschke’s Hill of Grace. Tastings can be arranged.
  • In-room treatments. There are four spa treatments available which can be booked in advance. 
  • The serenity. And pretending you’re a long-lost McLeod’s daughter. 

Crisp white facade of Halcyon House at Cabarita Beach on the northern NSW coast
Halcyon House’s facade retains its 1960s surf motel charm (Credits: Madeline Johnson)

Halcyon House

Cabarita Beach, NSW

Ideal for: Laid-back luxury by the beach

Refitted retro motels are all the rage these days, but few match the acuity of Halcyon House. The reimagined 1960s surf motel meets Slim Aarons’ poolside cool to solidify it as one of Australia’s defining beachfront properties. Each of the 22 rooms — including three spacious suites — dishes up its own idiosyncratic edge thanks to resplendent bedheads pleasingly juxtaposing patterned textile wallpapers; the eclectic art hung salon-style above custom-upholstered couches; and antique treasures that add timeless allure.

Why we love it: 

  • The location. Set right on Cabarita Beach with direct beach access and a salty sea breeze, Halcyon House is a slice of paradise catering to the luxury jet set.  
  • The design. Move over crisp white linens and beige timbers; this bold and whimsical approach to beachside design is fun and fabulous.  
  • The pool. Fringed by lush pandanus palms and plush striped daybeds, this sparkling turquoise pool is as idyllic as it gets.  

The country manor style at the Library at Osborn House.
The Library communal area at Osborn House in the Southern Highlands

Osborn House

Bundanoon, NSW

Ideal for: Loved-up couples of all ages and girls’ trips 

Southern Highlands charm is distilled into stylish, modern manor living at Osborn House. The common spaces are the work of former Soho House group design director Linda Boronkay, combining art and whimsy to create thoughtful spaces that beckon you to sink back with a magazine, book or glass of wine. With fireplaces aplenty, Osborn House is the perfect cool-climate retreat.  

Why we love it: 

  • Country retreat vibes. A taste of the Cotswolds just two hours’ drive from Sydney.  
  • The spa. Osborn House Spa offers excellent facials and massages in a polished, serene setting. 
  • The forest bathing deck. The traditional sauna and ice bath, surrounded by tall pines and earthy aromas, gets you back to nature without roughing it. 

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Sweeping vineyard views from the outdoor deck at Jackalope Hotel, Mornington Peninsula
Wake up to vineyard views at the Mornington Peninsula’s Jackalope Hotel

Jackalope Hotel

Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

Ideal for: Those after a luxurious base from which to explore the Mornington Peninsula

When Jackalope Hotel opened on a Mornington Peninsula winery in 2017 it was like nothing the region had seen before with its striking charred timber-clad main building, neon-lit hallways and dark, shimmering interiors. It remains impressive; its sleek, modern geometric lines an arresting juxtaposition with its bucolic rural vineyard setting. 

Why we love it: 

  • The aesthetic. Jackalope has gorgeous and quirky off-the-wall design, furnishings and art.   
  • The spa. Set in the poolside geodome, it boasts a curated collection of seasonal treatments. 
  • The breakfast. The seasonal brekkie menu is offered at Doot Doot Doot or as in-room service, and included in your rate. 

All winners in the Gourmet Traveller Hotel and Travel Awards have been determined via an esteemed panel of industry experts, including Goumet Traveller editor Joanna Hunkin and seasoned travel contributors Michael Harden, Lee Tulloch, Alexandra Carlton and more. Led by Hunkin, the judges and an expert team of critics also reviewed and endorsed more than 50 hotels across Australia to deliver the Gourmet Traveller Hotel Guide.

How we pick the Gourmet Traveller Hotel and Travel Awards winners

Every recommendation you see has been handpicked by our editors. If you click, buy or book through our links, we may earn a commission. Read more here.

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