Every year, we produce the Australian Hotel Guide to scout the country for the very best in hotels: from city to country, coast to coast, club sandwich to club sandwich. We check into reviewed hotels anonymously and pay our own way. What we experience at these top Australian addresses is the same as what you, our readers, would experience. No special treatment; no added extras. Just honest, informative reviews of the best hotel experiences around the country. It's time to get packing. Pick up a copy of our 2017 Hotel Guide with our June issue, out now.
2017 Australian Hotel Awards: The Winners
From the best hotel pool to the address with the best breakfast, we reveal the winners of our 2017 Australian Hotel Awards, including Australia's Hotel of the Year. Pack your bags.
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2017 Hotel of the Year: Jackalope, VIC
In less confident hands the juxtaposition of rural vineyard setting, ultra-contemporary architecture and almost cinematic design could have been an expensive failure. Instead, Jackalope creator Louis Li and an enthusiastic team have created a hotel unlike any other in the country. And we mean that in the best possible way. jackalopehotels.com
Finalists: Como The Treasury, Perth, WA; Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach, NSW
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2017 New Hotel of the Year: Jackalope, VIC
This newcomer is bold in both the scale of its ambition and the elegance of its execution. While Jackalope's 46 rooms and suites are beautifully finished, its art collection, architecture and high-concept interiors are the real show-stoppers. Add three eating and drinking venues, impressive eco-credentials and Arcadian views and you've got an address to remember. jackalopehotels.com
Finalists: QT Melbourne, Vic; The Johnson, Brisbane, Qld
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2017 Large Hotel of the Year: QT Melbourne, Vic
In its former guise as the Greater Union cinemas, this landmark Russell Street site has seen plenty of blockbuster openings, and its latest incarnation, QT Melbourne, is no exception. The 11-storey Modernist tower brims with verve and character, from the saucy "directors of chaos" greeting guests at street level to a rooftop bar with city-skyline views. It is, we hope, the face of hospitality's future - a large hotel with an even larger personality. qtmelbourne.com
Finalists: Crown Towers Perth, WA; Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Vic
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2017 Boutique Hotel of the Year: The Old Clare Hotel, NSW
Singapore hotelier Loh Lik Peng's transformation of an old pub and brewery offices into an irresistible city inn of high-luxe heritage rooms with sizzling restaurants and a rooftop pool gets better with age. And the winning concept of a "super concierge" underscores a commitment to service as well as showmanship. theoldclarehotel.com.au
Finalists: Hotel Hotel, Canberra, ACT; The Langham Sydney, NSW
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2017 Regional Hotel of the Year: Jackalope, VIC
The opening of Jackalope signals the arrival of the Mornington Peninsula - regarded mainly as a seasonal holiday region - as a destination of international standing. jackalopehotels.com
Finalists: Lake House, Daylesford, Vic; Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach, NSW
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2017 Best Service: Halcyon House, NSW
Service is Halcyon House's strongest suit. The gestures range from house-made lemonade on arrival to special care in a crisis. During the floods in northern NSW earlier this year, Halcyon GM Mauro De Riso organised helicopters to shuttle guests to the airport. Just one example of routinely exceptional service. halcyonhouse.com.au
Finalists: The Old Clare Hotel, Sydney, NSW; Crown Towers, Melbourne, Vic
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2017 Best Breakfast: Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Vic
This is the third year we've awarded best hotel breakfast to Collins Kitchen at Grand Hyatt Melbourne. Executive chef Jason Camillo and his team deserve continued recognition for sourcing mostly Victorian produce and cooking it on the spot. melbourne.grand.hyatt.com
Finalists: Hotel Hotel, Canberra, ACT; Como The Treasury, Perth, WA
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2017 Best Pool: The Johnson, QLD
The "MK50" 50-metre pool, designed by former Olympic swimmer Michael Klim, is the sensational centrepiece of The Johnson's "urban resort" of sunloungers, padded booths and jaunty umbrellas in orange, white and aqua above the city. artserieshotels.com.au
Finalists: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast, Qld; Crown Towers Perth, WA
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2017 Best Bar: QT Melbourne, VIC
The 11th-floor indoor-outdoor Rooftop at QT delivers what the city loves best: a chance to dress up and party at the top of the town. qtmelbourne.com
Finalists: Crown Towers Perth, WA; Mayfair Hotel, Adelaide, SA
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2017 Best Club Sandwich: The Louise, SA
The chubby club at boutique Barossa inn The Louise arrives as a brioche bun that works brilliantly with the charred chicken breast, Linke's Barossa bacon and mayo made in-house and spiced with Newman's horseradish. thelouise.com.au
Finalists: The Johnson, Brisbane, Qld; Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach, NSW
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2017 Best Minibar: Como The Treasury, WA
Generosity defines the complimentary in-room refreshments at Como The Treasury, from the layered Czech honey cakes to seasonal fruits and a drinks selection of mixers, juices and craft beers. Extra points for fresh milk, teas by Jing and gleaming Riedel glassware. comohotels.com
Finalists: QT Hotels & Resorts; Ovolo Woolloomooloo, Sydney, NSW
