The 10 best luxury hotels in Australia

For whatever complaint you may hear about it, Sydney is undoubtedly a gorgeous city and no location is better poised to appreciate its beauty than the Park Hyatt Hotel. While you could mount a very strong argument that the views from the $6 Sydney to Manly Ferry are quite similar, the view is only the beginning of the luxury. Guests will also enjoy an outdoor rooftop pool, private balconies and specially commissioned art. If your piggy bank is really bursting at the seams, you can splash $21,000 on the Sydney Suite that is shrouded in such luxury that attempting to find the right words for it would be relatively pointless. 

While sitting atop the Park Hyatt and looking down over a city of people less wealthy than you is definitely appealing, escaping into luxury is probably even better. Lord Howe Island is pure paradise, with some of the worlds best snorkelling and hiking, all joined by simply absurd views. Only 400 visitors are allowed on the island at a time, preserving the natural beauty and ensuring the feeling of wilderness freedom isn’t stripped away. Recover from your morning snorkel with a session in the spa and a meal that will likely contain freshly caught fish and ingredients straight from the kitchen garden. A quick google image search will have you salivating for this lodge and splashing your cash might be the only way to satisfy that craving. 

With the Great Barrier Reef’s days looking devastatingly numbered, if you feel like counting them down in luxury, this is your place to do it. You’ll be completely secluded while enjoying panoramic views of the Whitsundays, with the usual fine dining and spa experiences rolled in as well. There’s an infinity pool, then just in case the infinity pool isn’t quite what you’re looking for, there’s another infinity pool as well. If lying alone in luxury with your thoughts is making you question your life decisions, you can veer away from your inner monologue by snorkelling with turtles, windsurfing or for whatever reason, you can even catch a live ballet performance. 

To go a little less Hawaii and a bit more Great Gatsby, the Langham will have you feeling like you have the Queen on speed dial and could summon a cucumber sandwich with a snap of the fingers. You’ll feel obligated to be donning a ball gown as you waltz through the halls and the non-smoking rules will unfortunately quash your unexplainable desire to smoke a cuban cigar. Situated on the Yarra River, the hotel almost meets the eyeline of Melbourne’s stunning skyline and with the dining and relaxation options, you can expect to meet luxury at every step of your stay. 

If you happen to be reading this with a genuine consideration of which luxury hotel to visit. I would strongly recommend getting in touch with our publication and taking me with you to Sal Salis. It’s tough to imagine being metres from the shore of the world’s greatest reefs yet lying in such luxury that it still feels like a chore to drag yourself to the beach. However, Sal Salis on Ningaloo Reef provides luxury ‘tents’ that are eco-friendly yet perfectly marry the natural phenomena of beauty with luxury that doesn’t impede on the wilderness around it. You’ll be swimming with Whale Sharks while guiltily dreaming of your afternoon nap. 

While the Park Hyatt feels like a modern Sydney gem, The Fullerton Hotel (previously the Westin) feels like a journey back in time. The halls feel steeped in history and you can choose between contemporary and heritage rooms. Whatever you’ve done to earn your stay means you probably also deserve a long dip in the rooms vanity baths as well. While you watch the Martin Place commuters scoffing down their fast food you can enjoy your breakfast buffet or rest comfortably in your ivory tower as you enjoy the daily served High Afternoon Tea.  

The top floor of the Stamford Plaza will set you back a modest $4000 (give or take) a night, as well as the privilege of saying you were only 6 years late to a sleepover with Barack Obama, who stayed there in 2014. Quite unbelievably, every room of the Plaza has a view of the Brisbane River and you’re only minutes away from the best food and nightlife in Brisbane. If you aren’t yet financially or mentally ready to test your grade two piano skills on the Stamford Suite’s piano, there are plenty of other suite options that will still smother you in a blanket of luxury. 

If you’re a wine lover who drinks to remember, rather than to forget, this is probably your destination. In a true foodie’s dream, you can even blend your own wine or join the chefs as they visit the local markets. You’ll be picning with Kangaroos, scoffing at memories of your younger self who purchased whichever wine was on 2 for 1 special. The Louise has an admirable commitment to sustainability so you won’t feel like you’re destroying the beauty that surrounds you. While much of The Louise’s luxury is in the overall experience of the views and dining, there are a range of luxury suites that are comfortable enough to nurse any hangovers if necessary. 

The Crown Towers has held its spot as Victoria’s only Forbes Five-Star awarded hotel, which can be a fun fact to recite as you feast stories and stories above the hipsters of Melbourne. If you have upwards of $20,000 lying around or a death defying credit rating, you could even make a special request for the ‘Chairman’s Villa’ and enjoy your 1090 square metres of magic. You’ll have your own gym and massage room, an assembly of butlers ready to cater to your most unnecessary desires and if your friends haven’t abandoned you in resentment, a dining table that can fit 14 of them. 

Bamurru Plains is a three hours drive from Darwin, but if you’ve read this far in the article, you’ll probably be taking the charter flight option. You’ll encounter wildlife you weren’t even sure Australia had as your eyes wrestle with buffalo and magpie geese among the mangroves full of bird, reptile and mammalian life. While luxury will surround you no matter which of the 9 bungalows you’re lucky enough to be housed in, it’s a slightly different brand of luxury. You will find no televisions or mini bars, instead the room will be filled by the noise of nature, although your dose of luxury will be delivered by the decadent decor, infinity pool and natural beauty.