The best new hotels in Australia

Opened: July 2026

Location: In the heart of Brisbane’s hipster Fortitude Valley –  Australia’s first dedicated entertainment district – surrounded by the city’s best bars, clubs and live music venues.

Vibe: Formerly Hotel X, this newly refreshed lifestyle hotel offers a stylish, relaxed base for exploring The Valley and beyond.

Rooms: Stay in one of 146 revamped rooms, featuring a pillow menu and sleep sprays, or step up to a signature suite to enjoy a record player and a handpicked vinyl collection.

Extras: The Spanish-inspired Iris Rooftop Bar & Restaurant, a 15-metre rooftop pool, a 24-hour fitness centre, flexible event and meeting spaces, plus a co-working space.

Opened: June 2026

Location: Just minutes from the iconic Cable Beach in Broome, acting as the ultimate gateway for exploring the wider Kimberley region.

Vibe: Named after the local South Sea pearl oyster, the former Kimberley Sands Hotel has emerged from a full-property revitalisation with refreshed guest rooms, upgraded communal spaces and a brand-new dining concept.

Rooms: From Garden Suites to Pool View Rooms and an expansive Master Pearlier Suite, the Pinctada Hotel’s 71 refreshed rooms feature generous floor plans, new beds and private outdoor spaces.

Extras: An alfresco Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, a casual breakfast café, a lagoon-style pool surrounded by tropical gardens with a poolside bar experience, and an additional plunge pool.

Opened: June 2026

Location: Perched high above the Jamison Valley on the outskirts of Katoomba, a 1.5-hour drive west of Sydney.

Vibe: Originally built in 1889, this iconic, heritage-listed hotel has entered a charming new era courtesy of a multimillion-dollar makeover by Salter Brothers Hospitality.

Rooms: All 89 personality-packed rooms have been reworked with romantic tones, bespoke bedheads, custom textiles and marble-topped finishes, keeping things firmly in five-star territory.

Extras: Four distinct dining venues, including high tea and late-night cocktails at The Lounge, fine-dining restaurant Darley’s, Southeast Asian spot Miss Lilian and buffet breakfast at Orangery. Outside, there are two acres of manicured gardens to explore, heated indoor and outdoor pools, a tennis court, complimentary bike hire and an Èliva luxury day spa (coming soon).

Opened: May 2026

Location: In Brisbane’s northern suburbs, a five-minute stroll from the mega Westfield Chermside shopping centre.

Vibe: A peaceful, light-filled apartment-style hotel designed with nature-inspired tones and greenery that mirror Brisbane’s subtropical climate.

Rooms: Designed to feel like a home away from home, the 148 contemporary pads include studios, one-bedroom apartments, and interconnecting two-bedroom family options. Most layouts come fully equipped with kitchens or kitchenettes, laundry facilities and separate living spaces.

Extras: An all-day café and bar (St Marks Road Co), a gym, meeting spaces and undercover parking.

Opened: May 2026

Location: Right in the heart of Darwin’s CBD, within walking distance to Smith Street Mall and the Darwin Waterfront.

Vibe: A convenient, all-suite city stay, offering relaxed, apartment-style living for short or long Top End adventures.

Rooms: Stay in one of 88 spacious suites, featuring one- or two-bed layouts, each equipped with full kitchens, laundry facilities and dedicated workspaces. Select suites even boast private balconies to soak up those famous Darwin sunsets.

Extras: A modern Australian bar and brasserie (The Aviary), an outdoor plunge pool, a 24-hour gym and on-site parking.

Opened: May 2026

Location: In suburban Adelaide, just a ten-minute drive from the CBD or 20 minutes from the airport.

Vibe: A shiny new $60 million hospitality destination that brings together modern accommodation, dining, entertainment, and events under one roof. 

Rooms: Stay in one of 77 light-filled abodes split across three levels, ranging from sleek studios and one- or two-bedroom layouts to two sprawling Panorama Suites.

Extras: A casual Lobby Bar and restaurant, Sidelines sports bar and outdoor beer garden (ft. a massive seven-metre screen), the Wonderland rooftop bar, and an on-site gym.

Opened: May 2026 

Location: Only 100 metres from the surf and sand, in the calm Sunshine Coast suburb of Mooloolaba, located a 15-minute drive from the airport and two hours from Brisbane. 

Vibe: A shiny 12-storey city-style hotel, but right by the beach. It makes history as the first full-service internationally branded hotel to open on the Sunshine Coast in four decades.

Rooms: Relax in one of 180 light-filled rooms and suites, reflecting the region's coastal charm.  

Extras: Four distinct restaurants, including a rooftop pool bar with 180-degree water views, a modern Australian rooftop restaurant (Sully's), a street-level Lobby Bar, and First Avenue Cellar & Bar. The hotel also features a dedicated AvaniSpa and AvaniFit fitness studio.

Opened: March 2026

Location: Set within the restored Owston’s Buildings on High Street in Fremantle’s historic West End.

Vibe: An intimate urban guesthouse paying homage to Fremantle’s rich Italian migrant history and offering a very personalised stay.

Rooms: Stay in one of 11 character-filled rooms, complete with hand-crafted furniture, local Rohr amenities and freshly baked morning treats from Common Bakery.

Extras: Downstairs, you’ll find Vin Populi – a popular Italian restaurant and Common Bakery – a beloved neighbourhood bakery.

Opened: March 2026

Location: Just moments from Mollymook Beach on NSW’s South Coast, a 3.5-hour drive from Sydney or just over two hours from Canberra.

Vibe: A classic 1950s Palm Springs-inspired beach motel, reimagined with contemporary Aussie coastal charm.

Rooms: Relax in one of ten Retro King Suites, each boasting private terraces and kitchenettes, or stay longer in the three-bedroom apartment, complete with a private entertaining deck.

Extras: A neighbourhood café (Dolly’s), an outdoor pool, plus complimentary cruiser bikes, soft-top surfboards and garden table tennis.

Opened: March 2026

Location: In the heart of the Perth CBD on Pier Street, just a ten-minute stroll from Elizabeth Quay.

Vibe: Marking Hyde’s Australian debut, the hotel blends its signature 2000s Los Angeles club energy with Perth’s relaxed coastal spirit. Expect a rotating cultural lineup curated by local creatives, from live DJ residencies to poolside wellness sessions.

Rooms: Stay in one of 121 boho-chic rooms and suites, drenched in natural light and styled with warm, WA sunset tones.

Extras: A Mediterranean-style outdoor pool deck with a poolside bar and restaurant (Farra), and a 24-hour gym with guided yoga sessions.

Opened: February 2026

Location: In the adorable NSW town of Bowral, just 90 minutes south of Sydney.

Vibe: One of the Southern Highlands’ most storied estates reimagined as a high-end retreat after a multi-million-dollar transformation.

Rooms: Stay in one of 44 upgraded heritage-listed guestrooms, with views of the gorgeous Bridgerton-esque gardens. Rooms include daily breakfast, walk-in showers and curated minibars. 

Extras: A signature restaurant called Horderns, serving pan-European fare; The Polo Bar, which features a dedicated charcuterie room; high tea; fitness centre; and Èliva Wellness Spa.

Opened: December 2025

Location: In the heart of one of Australia’s most iconic coastal destinations, just steps from Noosa Main Beach on Hastings Street.

Vibe: The sister property to Sydney’s beloved Manly Pacific hotel, this reimagined resort leans into relaxed luxury – the kind of place where sandy toes are totally welcome.

Rooms: 175 beautifully transformed rooms and suites, ranging from the pinnacle Elysium Suite, complete with sweeping ocean views and a private plunge pool, to Ocean View Suites, River View retreats and poolside sanctuaries.

Extras: A new collection of dining experiences by celebrated Sydney restaurateurs Anna and Alessandro Pavoni, including Italian trattoria Cibaria Noosa and all-day Mediterranean hotspot Bar Capri. There’s also a centrepiece pool featuring 120 sun lounges, a pool terrace and a swim-up bar.

Opening: December 2025

Location: Just metres from the sand at the southern end of Coogee Beach in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.

Vibe: The beautiful beachfront property is claiming the title of “Sydney’s only luxury beachfront hotel”.

Rooms: Relax in one of 198 breezy rooms, including 22 ocean-facing suites complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor baths and spacious designer lounges. 

Extras: A brand new seafood restaurant by celebrated British chef Rick Stein; a refreshed Mediterranean restaurant and bar called Shutters; a leisure deck complete with an ocean-facing infinity pool, a poolside bar and an outdoor event terrace; a spa and private pickleball courts.

Opened: October 2025 (the former Novotel property has reopened after a multi-million-dollar renovation under the M Gallery brand)

Location: On the shores of Sydney’s Brighton-Le-Sands beach – 20 minutes from the CBD – The Brighton is as close as you’ll come to a European beach resort without leaving the Harbour City. 

Vibe: The huge bayside retreat – complete with a Mediterranean-inspired beach club and a show-stealing outdoor pool – has all the polish of a global boutique hotel, ignited by the soul of its tight-knit Greek-Australian neighbourhood. 

Rooms: Spread across 14 floors, the hotel’s 307 rooms range from entry-level ‘Deluxe’ rooms to sky-high designer suites, complete with private balconies, luxe living rooms and bespoke in-room touches. 

Extras: A multi-award-winning Mediterranean restaurant called Ammos, a palm-flanked outdoor pool, a large indoor heated pool, an expansive fitness centre, a sauna and steam room, and restorative communal spaces.

Opened: September 2025

Location: Set within the heritage-listed former West Olympia Theatre on Oxford Street, at the crossroads of Paddington and Darlinghurst. 

Vibe: Australia’s first-ever 25hours Hotel brings the brand’s signature blend of design and quirk to Sydney. True to form, The Olympia leans into its neighbourhood’s creative streak – bold with just the right amount of eccentricity – perfectly suited to Paddo’s stylish, well-heeled crowd.

Rooms: 109 character-filled rooms across four levels, split between two design moods – the dark and dramatic ‘Renegade’ and the bright, whimsical ‘Dreamer.’

Extras: Multiple venues bring their own distinct personalities to the property – Monica, a rooftop bar with harbour views; Jacob the Angel, a sunny ground-floor café; The Mulwray, an intimate cocktail and wine bar made for late nights; and The Palomar – a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant from London’s acclaimed team. Add a live music courtyard, wellness facilities and a handful of retail spaces, and it’s as much a neighbourhood hangout as it is a hotel.

Opened: September 2025

Location: Perfectly placed at the junction of the CBD, South Melbourne, the Yarra River and the Arts Precinct, Hannah St Hotel puts the best of the city within walking distance – from galleries and theatres to laneway cafés and riverfront walks.

Vibe: The newest luxury bolthole in Melbourne’s hotel boom – it feels contemporary yet grounded, with an understated elegance that feels right at home in the city’s creative core.

Rooms: 188 sophisticated rooms across ten levels, designed with warm timber finishes and floor-to-ceiling windows. 

Extras: A rooftop bar with skyline views, a lap pool and wellness studio, plus a gym, sauna and steam rooms for post-exploration recovery. Downstairs, there's a modern Australian restaurant, co-working spaces and a providore-style café. 

Opened: September 2025.

Location: Just a short stroll from Fremantle Prison, the famous Fremantle Markets and every cool-kid café.

Vibe: A former convict-era precinct reimagined as a design-forward stay where the spirit of “Freo” (the port city) shines through with a hedonistic-meets-heritage swagger

Rooms: 83 contemporary rooms (plus restored heritage cottages) designed with a mix of stone, timber, and art that feels collected by your cool aunt. 

Extras: A wellness space with a sauna and ice shower for contrast therapy enthusiasts, and Anglesea, the ground-floor restaurant serving Japanese-Korean-inspired dishes.