The Tasman: Why you can't miss this stunning hotel in the heart of Hobart

Having grown up in Hobart, Tasmania, I've never really had the need to stay in a hotel there. However, as a Sydneysider now, I was recently given the opportunity to stay at The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel in the heart of the city and it seriously exceeded my expectations.

The Tasman is relatively new, having opened to guests in late 2021, with the hotel celebrating the unique local culture of Australia's island state and offering the opportunity to experience three distinctive eras of design.

There's the original 1840s Heritage Building, the Art Deco Building dating back to the 1940s, and the contemporary Pavilion Building, with each of the designs representing a new perspective and era of Hobart architecture. Unsurprisingly, The Tasman has won awards for matching the three different types of architecture.

Located steps from the famous Salamanca Markets, I was so impressed by the hotel from the moment I stepped foot in the lobby. A friendly staffer greeted me immediately, offering my husband and I a bottle of water while we checked in.

RELATED:

• The Prince Akatoki: A luxurious sanctuary in the heart of London

• A first-timer's guide to Tokyo: What to do, see and eat in Japan's capital

• How to spend 48 hours on the Central Coast for the ultimate getaway

We were staying in one of the gorgeous Heritage Studio Suites, where it's clear no expense was spared to create the ultimate luxury stay for guests.

My husband and I loved the design of the suite, which features incredibly high ceilings and a stunning bathroom that was probably the size of our bedroom back home. The room would look at home in New York City or London, and you probably won't even want to leave to explore (though you definitely should). The fireplace upped the cosiness level, which was definitely needed as the weather sat around the 14-degree mark for much of the trip despite being spring!

I wasted no time on our first day and enjoyed a soak in the very large and deep tub, wishing for the 100th time that I didn't ever have to leave the hotel. If you're not much of a bath person, the shower was also stunning – again, coming home was quite sad after experiencing the luxury of the hotel.

I was lucky to get a tour of The Tasman and saw the huge Pavilion Suite, which features incredible views of the Hobart waterfront. Robert Irwin had also stayed there the week before my visit, and judging from his Instagram posts from the trip, he loved it.

The Tasman is ideally located, with Salamanca and all its restaurants and bars mere steps away. You're also very close to Brooke Street Pier, which is where you can catch the ferry to the Museum of Old and New (MONA), which is highly recommended.

While plenty of lovely restaurants and bars are nearby, you would be remiss not to visit the hotel's restaurant Peppina and their speakeasy-style bar Mary Mary, both of which were highlights of the stay.

We had a very lovely waiter named Tom, who helped us tackle the cocktail menu and even suggested some off-menu options like the Charlie Chaplin. You'll find lots of whiskey and apple flavours on the menu, as Tassie is known for both of these things.

We ended up trying four different cocktails during our visit to Mary Mary, and each of them was so delicious. It's very clear the team knows what they're doing, and the service was next level. My pick was the Toreador, a fruity tequila-based cocktail.

After drinks, we moved to Peppina for dinner, and once again, we were not disappointed, both in service and in taste. The restaurant has won Wine List of the Year twice, so make sure you chat with one of the sommeliers to figure out what might be a good match with your food – it's clear these guys know what they're doing!

We loved the Polpette, the Pizza Fritter, and the Paccheri pasta and do yourself a favour if you visit, make sure you order the Verdure salad – we actually didn't, but the waiter brought us one anyway, and it was one of the best salads I've ever had. The tiramisu was also exceptional and didn't have an overpowering coffee taste, so if it's usually not your thing, it's worth trying anyway. The buffet breakfast here is also one of the best I've ever experienced.

We also visited the Deco Lounge twice during our stay for a coffee and to relax with a book, and it was also surprisingly great.

The Tasman would have to be one of the best hotels Australia has to offer, and a stay here is definitely worth your time. The fact it also has an incredible bar and restaurant is the cherry on top!

Yahoo Lifestyle was a guest of The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel.

Never miss a thing. Sign up to Yahoo Lifestyle’s daily newsletter.

Or if you have a story idea, email us at lifestyle.tips@yahooinc.com.