10 Australian hotels with inspiring interior design

Hotels have come a long way in the past decade. Gone are the utilitarian rooms of old that boasted little more than a comfortable bed and room service. In their place stand boutique hotels with French linen bedding and bespoke interiors, and holidaymakers are more than happy to pay a higher price for the premium experience.

While luxury accommodation is nothing new, social media and the rise of the influencer has brought the existence of such properties to the attention of everyday travellers. Gorgeous hotels and private accommodation providers have now become part of an aspirational lifestyle image carefully cultivated and powered by travel influencers spruiking the value of experience over material things.

To the great fortune of anyone who loves to travel and those who enjoy a long weekend away, this has resulted in an influx of opulent hotels, Airbnbs and boutique rentals so well-styled they wouldn’t look out of place in the pages of architecture and design magazines. Dressed with designer furniture and high-quality textiles, these transitional spaces have become endless sources of interior design inspiration. 

We’ve found some of the best hotels to influence your travels and inspire your interiors.

Tucked away in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Osborn House is a lovingly restored five star boutique hotel with a history dating back to the 1890s. The contemporary country aesthetic, created by Linda Boronkay, is warm and chic with timeless appeal. The furniture is upholstered in plush fabrics, the timber tones are rich and each piece of art complements the furnishings.

Positioned next to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park in New South Wales, Blackheath Chalets are a contemporary interpretation of mountainside cabins. The interiors were developed by Mina Staples, and feature environmentally friendly furniture, natural materials and gorgeous lighting design.

Soft lighting, tonal timber, limestone, leather and minimalistic styling characterise Hotel Realm in Canberra. With an emphasis on refined yet streamlined luxury, the hotel uses texture to create depth and interest within a restrained palette.

Read now: The rise of boutique hotels in Australia

Enjoying views of Yamba’s beautiful coastline in New South Wales, The Surf Hotel by Design King Company showcases a carefully curated composition of glass ceramic tiles, Italian terrazzo and timber with touches of pink, gold and blue splashed across a predominantly white base. The result is an elevated beach house aesthetic free from kitsch nautical references.

Dark, moody and accented with vivid colour, the W Hotel in Melbourne by Hachem showcases a graphic and slightly masculine aesthetic with sleek furniture and pop culture references. From marble with gold trims to surrealist architectural features, this hotel is the height of urban opulence.

The design professionals at CHADA were tasked with creating a quintessential homestead in remote New South Wales with only the finest finishes while adhering to the highest standards of style. The outcome is Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley, where you can expect to see crisp white walls, raw stone and open fireplaces with touches of leather and antique rustic accessories.

There are few things more luxurious than hiring an entire floating villa to enjoy the sweetness of total solitude. With a light, bright and fresh interiors palette, Lilypad Palm Beach references its watertop location through weather-softened timber accents, subtle stripes and the boat-like balustrade – it even has an outdoor shower and sauna.

Stillwater Seven in Tasmania’s north is hosted inside what was once a flour mill. Presenting a refined interpretation of industrial interior design, heritage features of the almost 200-year-old building have been celebrated. Exposed Oregon trusses and corrugated iron is contrasted with raw timbers, rich colours and tactile finishes.

For those who prefer to spend their holidays on the slopes, Whitehorse Chalets in Victoria is the ultimate destination. Full-length glazing provides unrivalled views of the snow-capped mountainous terrain, while an earthy palette and furniture inspired by the alpine location ensure a cosy and welcoming atmosphere. Reclaimed fence posts, bluestone slabs and fibre cement board appear throughout, as does modern lighting and furniture.

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