Hobart hotel in high society

A LOOK inside Hobart's 11-room Islington Hotel reveals why it has been named as one of the world's top 101 hotels, writes Kathy Grube.

Accolades ... Islington's Amy and Nicholas Parkinson-Bates toast the success of their "devilishly smart hotel" yesterday. Picture: The Mercury

A LOOK inside Hobart's 11-room Islington Hotel reveals why it has been named as one of the world's top 101 hotels.

More a grand mansion or art museum than a hotel, its walls are adorned with million-dollar paintings and Australia's oldest tapestry.

The $3 million refurbishment of the 1847 Davey St residence, once the residence of Hobart mayor and Tasmanian premier James Milne Wilson, caters to every whim of its guests.

There is a 24-hour houseman on site, a personal chef to cook up any culinary request using organic fruits and vegetables, marble bathrooms, flat-screen TVs and an acre of gardens.

Being listed among the world's best hotels in British high-society magazine Tatler is something general managers Nicholas Parkinson-Bates, 31, and wife Amy, 29, only ever dreamed of.

The couple, who moved to Tasmania after five years in the hotel industry in Sydney, started at the Islington while it was being refurbished eight months prior to opening last January.

"To be listed up there with hotels like the Observatory Hotel in Sydney, which has won nearly every prestigious domestic and international award, is amazing," Nicholas said.

The building features many valuable works of art collected by the owners – two wealthy Australians based in Japan and Vietnam: David Meredith is a senior international advertising executive, John Goodyear a former partner in a major Sydney law firm.

Indeed, Mr Meredith has a strong Tasmanian connection, being a descendant of colonial writer and botanical artist Louisa Anne Meredith.

Many of her books and illustrations are on display and hotel guests can take personal art classes from Hobart botanical artist Lauren Black.

Guests can also make use of the hotel's own masseuse and personal trainer.

Daniel Stevenson-Smith, 24, and footman to the Queen, lives onsite as houseman.

"We have had some of Australia's and America's wealthiest people stay with us," Nicholas said.

"Famous people including radio broadcasters, authors and people listed in the Business Review Weekly magazine's rich list have been guests."

Pronounced Is-ling-ton, there are plans to make the hotel even more luxurious with the addition of spa facilities and a luxury hotel car.