Mixing in a bit of art and culture into your Australian holiday isn’t always easy to plan. Unless of course you decide to stay at one of these hotels made for art lovers. When you hotel is practically an art gallery (or really is an art museum), you can see the magnificent pieces and enjoy them in between your travels, coming and going or enjoy them in your room in many cases. You never have to worry about what time an art gallery or museum is opening or closing either. Australian Traveller put together a list of art-forward hotels where you can plan to stay throughout Australia. This is part one, which will feature the Henry Jones Art Hotel and the MONA Pavilions in Hobart, Halcyon House Cabarita Beach in New South Wales, Majestic Minima in Adelaide, and Hotel Hotel in Canberra.
Henry Jones Art Hotel
Henry Jones Art Hotel Photo Credit: AustralianTraveller.com
Henry Jones Art Hotel Photo Credit: TheHenryJones.com
Henry Jones Art Hotel Photo Credit: TheHenryJones.com
The Henry Jones Art Hotel is eclectic in many ways. It is located in an industrial building lineup on Hobart’s waterfront in southeastern Tasmania. The original building was constructed in 1804. It used to be the home of H. Jones and Co, Pty, Ltd. IXL, one of Australia’s most successful companies, a jam factory. Two hundred years later, the historic building was preserved but transformed into this unique, five-star hotel. Paintings and artwork from both established and up-and-coming Tasmanian artists can be found throughout the hotel and even in the rooms.
MONA Pavilions, Hobart
MONA Pavilions Photo Credit: Mona.net.au
MONA Pavilions Photo Credit: Mona.net.au
MONA Pavilions Photo Credit: Mona.net.au
MONA is Australia’s largest privately funded museum, and you can stay on property of this amazing modern art gallery. The accommodations are the pavilions right next to the art museum in Hobart. In addition to the views of the art, the hotel overlooks the picturesque river Derwent. Here, even the furniture is art as well as the building itself.
Hiring a Car in Hobart
Hobart Car Hire Map Photo Credit: Budget.com.au
Hobart Tasmania Map Photo Credit: Google Maps
While in Hobart, you will want to hire a car so that you can see all the sites on your own terms. You can hire a car in the city of Hobart or at the Hobart International Airport. When you do hire a car, be sure to consult with the car rental agent for guidelines about driving in Tasmania and about any specific restrictions. Much of Tasmania is rugged terrain so be sure to let your agent know where you are going so that they can provide you with the correct vehicle, proper maps, and driving instructions. Click on the links to get a rate quote on the best car hire deals in Tasmania. While in Tasmania see things to do from our previous blogs:
Tasmania’s East Coast Road Trip
Tasman National Park
Overland Track in Tasmania
Strangest Places to Visit in Tasmania
Tasmania’s Touring Route
Things to Do in Hobart Tasmania
Halcyon House Cabarita Beach, NSW
Halcyon House Photo Credit: AustralianTraveller.com
Halcyon House Photo Credit: HalcyonHouse.com.au
Halcyon House Photo Credit: HalcyonHouse.com.au
What used to be a beachfront motel has been transformed into a seaside boutique hotel focused on art. The makeover left the Cabarita Beach hotel with a stylish design that didn’t lose any of that old-school charm. The art on display in the hotel is very diverse so it appeals to all tastes. The hotel is about an hour north of Byron Bay and about an hour and half drive south of the Queensland border. It is unique location makes it a quiet and private beach getaway for the art and beach lover.
Hiring a Car in Byron Bay
Byron Bay Car Rental Map Photo Credit: Budget.com.au
Byron Bay is located on the northern coast of New South Wales not too far from the border to Queensland. It is about an hour north to Carbarita Beach. There are quite a few places to rent a car from Budget in New South Wales. Coffs Harbour is the closest car rental location to the starting point of Bellingen. Closest to Byron Bay, you can rent a car at the Ballina Airport or you can hire a vehicle at Lismore or the Lismore Airport. Click on the links to get a rate quote on the best car hire deals in New South Wales. Here are some other things to do close to this New South Wales road trip adventure:
Best Places to Get Married in NSW and Victoria
Whale Watching
The Legendary Pacific Coast Scenic Drive
Quirky Places to Stay in NSW
Swim, Surf, and Shop in the Seaside Village of Lennox Head
The Waterfall Way
Washpool National Park
Best Scenic Drives in Australia: The Rainforest Way
6 Australian Summer Holiday Road Trip Ideas
Majestic Minima
Majestic Minima Photo Credit: AustralianTraveller.com
Majestic Minima Photo Credit: MinimaHotel.com.au
Majestic Minima Photo Credit: MinimaHotel.com.au
If you love art but also like to find budget friendly accommodations, then the minimalist aspect of the Majestic Minima in Adelaide is the right choice for you. The room amenities might be a bit minimalist, but the art is definitely omni-present. As you can see from the images, the walls are the canvas and each room has a different theme on the wall.
Hiring a Car in Adelaide
Adelaide Car Hire Map Photo Credit: Budget.com.au
Hiring a car in Adelaide is easy with Budget. There are 5 different car rental locations in and around Adelaide, so it is quite convenient to hire a car in Adelaide. There are car hire locations in Adelaide City, at the Adelaide Airport, in Adelaide North – Salisbury, Adelaide South – Reynella, and an Adelaide Trucks location close to the airport for hiring trucks, 4 wheel drive, and all-terrain vehicles. Check with your car rental agent about any driving restrictions for the area as well as driving tips and safety guidelines. Click on the links to get a rate quote on the best car hire deals in Adelaide, South Australia. While in South Australia, you might want to travel around and take in any of the following places we previously covered on our blog:
The Beautiful City of Adelaide, South Australia
Things to Do in Adelaide, South Australia
Take a Cool Drive through the Adelaide Hills
Strangest Places to Visit in South Australia
Coober Pedy, South Australia
Best Places in Australia to Dive with Sharks
Hop on Over to Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island Food Safari
A Getaway within a Getaway: Flinders Chase National Park
Visiting Barossa Valley
Bunda Cliffs
Murray River Region
The Coorong
Hotel Hotel in Canberra
Hotel Hotel Photo Credit: AustralianTraveller.com
Hotel Hotel Photo Credit: AustralianTraveller.com
Hotel Hotel Photo Credit: AustralianTraveller.com
Hotel Hotel in Canberra blends comfort, art, and luxury together in one hotel. There is art throughout the hotel. Rooms are made from natural clay rendered walls. It is in the Nishi building and was just renovated in 2014. Each room has artwork hanging and reupholstered vintage sofas.
Hiring a Car in Canberra
Canberra Car Hire Map Photo Credit: Budget.com.au
Canberra is known as the Australian Capital Territory is located within New South Wales Territory. Situated 280 kilometres south-west of Sydney and 660 kilometres north-east of Melbourne. There is plenty to see and do within the city and surrounds, so hiring a car is the best way to be able to get around and see the sights on your own time. There are car rental locations in Canberra City, the Canberra Airport, as well as places to hire a car in both Sydney or Melbourne. Canberra is located in the northern part of the ACT and is one of the largest cities in Australia. Check your maps and consult with your car rental agent for driving tips for the locations you plan on driving to since many areas just outside of the city can be rugged and rural. You want to make sure you have the right all-terrain vehicle. Click on the links to get a rate quote on the best car hire deals in Canberra ACT. While in Canberra, check out Things to Do in Canberra from our blog and find out how to Soar High in Namadgi National Park.
Stay tuned for more artsy hotels in Australia next week!