Design hotels: Tasmania dominates awards shortlist

Recognising excellence and innovation in design across Australia and New Zealand, the Eat Drink Design Awards just released its shortlisted venues for 2019 and the ‘Best Hotel Design’ category is full of some absolute beauties. From our beloved Calile Hotel to some gorgeous rural retreats, you don’t have to venture too far to find a world-class interior on your next local trip. And with three of the six shortlisted hotels in Tasmania, yet again the island state proves it punches above its weight on the design front.

The Calile Hotel (Fortitude Valley, QLD)
We featured this stunner soon after it opened and it’s no surprise to see the urban resort on the shortlist. Its neutral (but not boring) colour palette looks like a cool drink on a summer’s day – the perfect antidote to the Brisbane heat. We cannot wait to stay there.

“A podium level pool terrace transports guests to holiday mode, hotel corridors continue the outdoor experience naturally – ventilated with ceiling fans via customised breeze block screens and significant planting extends across the project, a verdant overlay linking streets to rooms,” says Richards and Spence, the firm behind the design.

Denison Rivulet (Denison Rivulet, TAS)
As mentioned, Tasmania is a design mecca but it’s rather impressive to see three of the shortlisted hotels are from the island state – the Denison Rivulet being one. Designed to take in its bucolic landscape, we love the unexpected gold flourishes that feature throughout – a bit of luxe in the bush is always a good idea!

“The cabins are spatially compact but high in amenity – as a continuation of the tradition of Tasmanian coastal shacks which provide both prospect within a large landscape, as well as a sense of intense enclosure,” say the project’s designers Taylor and Hinds Architects.

Stillwater Seven (Launceston, TAS)
Another of the Tassie hotels shortlisted, this project involved major alterations and additions to the first and second floor of an 1830’s flour mill.

“Weathered corrugated iron, heritage sandstone and giant Oregon trusses are highlighted and enhanced throughout the redefined interior. Each new space is filled with tactile patterns and finishes – raw edges, steel thresholds, burnt timbers and textured paintwork yearning to be touched,” says Cumulus Studio, the firm responsible for the design.

krakani lumi (Wukalina Mount William National Park, TAS)
Another Tassie hotel, this unique venue is the result of a collaboration between Taylor and Hinds Architects (who feature again!) and the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania. Located in the Mount William National Park, the venue serves as accommodation for a guided walk through the cultural landscape, from wukalina (Mt William) to larapuna (Eddystone Point).

“The language of the project is derived from the siting, form and qualities of the traditional seasonal shelters of Tasmania’s first peoples. This context and the notion of the story-telling interior is an important conceptual foundation for the work. The telling of the creation is an initiation into the spiritual and cultural interior of the landscape,” says the team behind the project.

Drifthouse (Port Fairy, VIC)
Two holiday apartments located within a period home, this project is located in the south-western Victorian coastal town of Port Fairy and represents boutique regional accommodation at its best. We love its relaxed, understated interiors.

“Fundamental to the brief was to work with the clients’ relaxed aesthetic and to ensure that the new work sat comfortably within its garden setting, juxtaposed by not jarring with the heritage buildings, the past omnipresent and pivotal,” says Multiplicity, the firm behind the project.

United Places Botanic Gardens (South Yarra, VIC)
Comprised of three two-bedroom and nine one-bedroom suites, this minimalist yet luxe boutique hotel is located in Melbourne’s South Yarra.

“We were briefed to create an immersive environment for discerning guests in a category dominated by ever-expanding art hotels. Our approach was to employ cross-disciplinary collaboration to celebrate exceptional local creatives. From the Laura Woodward kinetic sculpture in the foyer to the digital Community Guide created by the hotelier, spirit of place is at the heart of our approach” says Carr, the firm behind the project.

For more on the awards | Melbourne hotel penthouse transformed into seven loft rooms