Review: Doubletree Hilton Hobart

For weekend getaways, Hobart’s cookie hotel hits the sweet spot.

Owned by Fragrance Group, the DoubleTree Hilton is the first new hotel to debut in Hobart since 2021 and the town folk are buzzed about it.

The doors were thrown open on October 16, 2024 and locals have swarmed in. Tasmania’s tourism scene shows no signs of slowing down, with the 7 Mile Beach golf course development set to entice a stream of tourists in 2025.

It's the city's first new hotel to open since 2021

Location

You’re never far from anywhere in Hobart. The Doubletree Hilton Hobart is in the CBD and only minutes away from St Davids Park. From there it’s a few steps down to Salamanca Place where restaurants, shops and entertainment abound - especially on Saturday mornings when the market is in full swing. The waterfront and the historic sites of this pretty town are close by and Battery Point Sculpture Trail is also within walking distance (3kms). 

The Doubletree Hilton Hobart is in the CBD and only minutes away from St Davids Park

The vibe

Stepping in from the bustling Hobart street, a blend of historic and new buildings, the hotel immediately reveals its modern edge. The waiting area of the double storey open foyer has a contemporary industrial vibe with a big potted palm hovering in the corner beside tan leather sofas. Sleek designer light fixtures hang above and floor to ceiling windows line two sides of the room. Natural tones and forest timber colours soothe the senses and staff greet guests warmly upon arrival. 

The hotel's modern lobby

The room 

Natural light floods my room from more floor-to-ceiling windows that look out to Kunanyi/Mt Wellington, Hobart’s majestic mountain. The hotel offers 206 rooms across seven room categories, including family rooms with connecting doors. I’m in an east-facing King with a mountain view. Those on the other side of the building offer views of the dazzling Derwent River.

I’m in an east-facing King with a mountain view

The sun is shining gloriously behind Kunyani and streams in, creating fingers of light on a  stunning photographic mural that stretches the length of the wall behind the bedhead. It’s a vivid reminder of Tasmania’s promise; the image’s raw, natural beauty depicting shimmering light on the seas, blue skies, glorious mountain ranges and craggy rocks at the water’s edge. 

The bathroom features an earthy colour palette

The carpet, too, highlights the maritime history of the island state; I love the rippling oceanscape of blue, with cloudy puffs of white and lines of navy, dark blue and grey throughout. In the bathroom, an overhead rainshower continues the watery theme, and fragrant refillable toiletries from Crabtree and Evelyn add a touch of elegance to the bathroom’s earthy colour palette.

Dining

Leatherwood Bar & Kitchen, the hotel’s indoor/outdoor casual eatery, is adjacent to the lobby. An open kitchen gives guests access to the happy chefs who smile while they work to create lunch and dinner menus that showcase Tasmania's best seafood and produce. I indulge in a generous serving of rich beef cheek linguine via room service during my stay.

An open kitchen gives guests access to the happy chefs who smile while they work

At breakfast, a waitress does the rounds of the tables with a tray of blueberry smoothies in tiny milk bottles. The buffet is extensive and includes an impressive selection of celiac-safe breads (with dedicated gluten-free toaster) and breakfast sweet snacks as well as an array of fresh fruits, yoghurts, cereals, salad ingredients, deli meat cuts and all sorts of Tasmanian soft cheeses.

A hot breakfast can also be cooked to order. Pretty sets of glass jars are on display, filled to the brim with chia seeds, sultanas, pepitas, dried apricots, pine nuts, almonds, hazelnuts, raisins, white sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, and more. Of course, there are mini croissants and mini muffins, bagels, danish pastries and breads.

The indoor/outdoor casual eatery, is adjacent to the lobby

The plant boxers in the restaurant are teeming with leafy plants. On benchtops, classy displays of local anchovies, sardines, bottles of pepperberry infused canola oil, cold-pressed olive oil and tins of leatherwood honey and chutneys remind guests of the extensive bounty of Tasmanian produce.

The extras

Check out the heated indoor pool, sauna and state-of-the-art gymnasium on Level 1. 

Check out the heated indoor pool

What’s hot 

At any Doubletree hotel worldwide there are choc chip and hazelnut cookie treats in a warm cookie drawer at reception. If you love cookies, they have a ‘say yes’ policy. 

What’s not 

The room service tray I placed outside my door was still there at 12pm the next day when I checked out. There were other trays at doorways all along the corridor.

The verdict: 9/10 

Doubletree by Hilton Hobart will surely iron out the little room service glitches and in every other way it’s a great four star hotel. 

Rooms start from $206 a night.

How to get there

Approx 20 minutes by Uber or taxi from the Hobart International Airport.

The writer was a guest of Doubletree by Hilton Hobart 

Originally published as Review: Doubletree Hilton Hobart