Best new hotels in Australia offering five-star stays

Ideal for: a bespoke neighbourhood stay

Once a Federation shopfront turned iconic Italian restaurant, this tiny boutique hotel in the historic Owston’s Buildings in Fremantle is proof that big things come in small packages. 11 carefully restored and preserved rooms are built around the concept of a modern-day Italian locanda: a small, family-run guesthouse where dining, accommodation and the local neighbourhood are closely intertwined. The outcome is a highly bespoke stay with a touch of quiet luxury that invites guests to experience life in the Port City like a local.

Why we love it: 

• The design. While it nods to its storied past, Terrazzo countertops, playful wall tiles and colourful furnishings ground it firmly in the present day.
• The intimacy. The upside of only managing 11 rooms is that the staff can tailor itineraries, recommendations and in-room details to your needs.
• In-room goods: freshly baked treats from Common Bakery; luxury Australian-made linen, robes and towels; locally-made amenities, and freshly roasted coffee from Good Seeds Coffee.

Ideal for: a creative rendezvous

Hyde Hotel’s first ground-up, purpose-built hotel globally, Hyde Perth carries the same creative DNA as its sister venues. Situated on Pier Street in Perth’s CBD, the 121-room property offers a five-star experience that blends lifestyle, music and culture. Earthy tones, hand-laid stone and light-washed timber combine with custom furniture to create a relaxed environment that feels bespoke to its location.

Why we love it:

• Gorgeous interiors. With Anthology Studio leading the charge, spaces feel warm, layered and textural.
• FARRA. Hyde Perth’s Grecian-inspired dining concept unfolds across a dining room, pool and terrace.

Ideal for: a serene escape

The unveiling of Ardour Milton Park Bowral in late 2025 was one of the most hotly anticipated re-openings in Australian hospitality. And for good reason. The multi-million-dollar renovation presented a luxuriously reinvigorated hotel which still nods to its heritage. The 44-room Southern Highlands estate house offers French Provencal elegance and a serene escape overlooking handsome gardens or pine forests. Not to mention the upgraded Polo Bar and fine-dining restaurant, Hordens, which hero local ingredients.

Why we love it:

• The dining. A dedicated charcuterie room stands off the recently renovated bar, while Ardour’s signature high tea makes a return with local seasonal produce.
• The facilities. A wellness spa is due to open, in addition to the already opened sauna, heated indoor pool and hydro spa.
• The design. The captivating blend of old-world charm and modern luxury.
• The grounds. Surrounded by landscaped gardens and pine forests, every guestroom is a room with a view.

Ideal for: an all-in-one seaside stay

Following an almost decade-long closure and an extensive three-year restoration, the charming Queenscliff Hotel on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula was reinvented as a premier boutique luxury hotel and dining destination. 12 design-forward suites invite an intimate boutique experience, including complimentary breakfast for the length of your stay, along with access to in-house amenities such as the guest lounge with books and games, and of course, the iconic turreted viewing tower which was lovingly restored to its former open-air glory.

Why we love it:

• The view. The turreted viewing tower offers sweeping views of Port Phillip Bay.
• The location. Once frequented by Melbourne’s elite via the pier across from the hotel, guests can relive the experience aboard Searoad Ferries.
• The dining. Guests get priority access when booking a reservation at the on-site restaurant, Miettas.
• The suites. Featuring marble-clad rooms and spa-like features or original fireplaces.

Ideal for: the homebody

Designed as a full-service hospitality destination, Hotel Panorama brings accommodation, dining and entertainment under one roof. Along with 77 rooms split across three floors, including the likes of 26 serviced apartments and two premium suites comprising of a private balcony, fireplace and soaking tub, the hotel is home to a café, rooftop bar, outdoor beer garden and restaurant centred around a sunken fire lounge.

Why we love it:

• The suites. Guests have access to a gym, laundry facilities and in-room amenities.
• The cellars. Featuring a carefully curated selection of premium wines, beers, and spirits, plus, regular masterclasses.

Ideal for: when you want a European adventure without leaving the country

Few stays feel as a romantic as an overnight escape to Casa Renoir, Noosa’s 40-acre masseria-esque hotel. Framed by striking arches and sun-bleached walls, olive trees and stone terraces, Casa Renoir is an ode to the slow life. Individual villas offer privacy and quiet retreat, while dining experiences — perhaps collecting eggs or harvesting honey — invite guests to engage with the surrounding environment. A freshwater pool reminiscent of Puglia’s secluded beaches is hedged by old stone, citrus trees and chic beach umbrellas, welcoming a luxuriously slow morning spent swimming and reading in the sunshine.

Why we love it:

• The space. Live la dolce vita in the slow depths of Noosa’s hinterland.
• The service. Guests are paired with a local guide who is on hand to arrange any last-minute bookings or requests.
• The intimacy. With only a handful of villas, the 40-acre property feels entirely your own.