A Perfect Weekend in Hobart: Where Stories and Luxury Collide
Hobart’s past and present intertwine in every story, every sip, and every stay. At The Henry Jones and MACq 01, history comes alive through art, flavour, and unforgettable Tasmanian experiences.
Hobart is a city where history whispers from the sandstone, where art and storytelling pulse through the laneways, and where the past and present meet in extraordinary ways. At its heart are two hotels that don’t just offer a place to rest—they immerse you in the city’s very fabric.
Side by side on the waterfront, The Henry Jones Art Hotel and MACq 01 tell different chapters of Hobart’s story. Perfectly positioned, they serve as the ideal base for exploring the best of the city—from its buzzing Salamanca Market to the avant-garde MONA museum, scenic hikes, and waterfront dining.
Over one unforgettable weekend, you’ll step into Tasmania’s creative soul, walk through centuries of history, and dine in spaces where the land and sea dictate the menu.
The Henry Jones Art Hotel: Where History Meets the Avant-Garde
Once a jam factory, now a living gallery, The Henry Jones Art Hotel transforms Hobart’s industrial past into something bold and beautiful. Its corridors and rooms are lined with an ever-evolving collection of contemporary Tasmanian art, making your stay a truly immersive experience in itself. Exposed sandstone walls, raw timber beams, and original factory details blend seamlessly with plush furnishings, creating a space that is both historic and modern. Each room tells its own story, with unique artwork, freestanding bathtubs, and captivating views over the harbour or inner courtyard.
Begin your stay with the complimentary art and history tour, where expert curators guide you through the building’s transformation—from the 19th-century IXL jam factory to the striking art hotel it is today. On particularly warm days, you may even catch a lingering sweetness in the air, a remnant of the jam-making days when sugar and berries infused the walls.
Before dinner, settle in at IXL Long Bar for a pre-dinner cocktail. Their Negroni is a must-try—a perfectly balanced classic served over a hand-cut block of ice, delivering a smooth, slow-melting sip that sets the tone for the night ahead.
For dinner, Landscape Restaurant & Grill pays homage to legendary artist John Glover. The flickering glow of the Asado grill dances across the exposed stone walls, setting the scene for a feast of Tasmania’s finest produce—aged Cape Grim beef, Bruny Island oysters, and heirloom vegetables, all kissed by fire and smoke.
MACq 01: A Hotel of Stories
Just a stone’s throw from Henry Jones, MACq 01 takes storytelling to another level, transforming history into an experience. More than just a luxury hotel, it is a living, breathing museum of Tasmanian history. Each room is dedicated to a real character from the past—convicts, explorers, local legends—ensuring every stay is personal. The design reflects these narratives, with contemporary luxury softened by historical details: leather-bound books, rich textiles, and sweeping views over the River Derwent. Suites are spacious and airy, with moody bathrooms featuring deep soaking tubs and private balconies where the sunrise paints the harbour in soft hues.
To dive deeper into Hobart’s past, join the hotel’s walking history tour, led by a passionate (and delightfully irreverent) guide who brings the city’s characters to life. As you wander the waterfront, tales of resilience, rebellion, and reinvention unfold, making history feel less like the past and more like a living, breathing force woven into the city’s streets.
After a day of exploring, indulge in a luxury Arras sparkling wine tasting—an exclusive experience showcasing Tasmania’s finest méthode traditionnelle sparkling. Held in a relaxed lounge setting within the hotel’s Story Bar, the tasting highlights House of Arras’ world-class craftsmanship, with each glass offering complex layers of elegance, texture, and finesse. Paired with locally sourced delicacies, it’s a decadent way to toast to your Hobart escape.
Retreat to your suite, where luxury and indulgence await. The amenities are delicious, highlighting a bounty of Tasmanian produce within the room’s fridge and pantry section, from chocolate to exceptional chilled Negronis and Martinis in oh-so-chic bottles. Settle in with your drink, watch the sunset over the harbour, and soak in the stories that surround you.
Before departing, Old Wharf, MACq 01’s waterfront restaurant, offers a final taste of Tasmania. Here, the menu is a love letter to the island’s seasonal bounty—freshly shucked oysters, charred octopus, delicate blue eye trevalla, and abalone kissed with local seaweed. Pair it all with a cool-climate Tasmanian Pinot Noir as fishing boats bob in the harbour, a quiet reminder that in Hobart, the past and present are forever entwined.
A Weekend That Stays With You
Hobart is a city of stories, and there’s no better way to experience it than through The Henry Jones Art Hotel and MACq 01. One celebrates the artists redefining Tasmania’s future, the other honours the characters who shaped its past. Together, they offer a weekend as rich, layered, and unforgettable as the city itself.
Hobart’s past and present intertwine in every story, artwork, and meal. At The Henry Jones and MACq 01, your stay becomes part of the city’s ever-evolving narrative. For more inspiration, explore these uniquely Tasmanian experiences and unforgettable glamping getaways across the state.