I was initially nervous about the prospect of visiting Hobart in winter, with visions of icy, freezing conditions. However, it’s for this very reason we’re decided to visit - to celebrate midwinter at one of Tasmania’s signature events, Dark Mofo.
Dark Mofo combines ancient traditions with current artforms to celebrate the dark through art, food, film, music, light and noise building up to a celebration of the longest night, finishing with the annual Nude Solstice Swim! This festival is the work of the creative minds behind MONA, a must visit when in Hobart.
With these chilly thoughts in mind, it seems appropriate to check in to a hotel whose décor takes inspiration from Antarctica. Salamanca Wharf Hotel is in a fabulous location with all the festivities of Dark Mofo’s Winter Feast just moments away at Princes Wharf. It’s also the same hub where the Sydney to Hobart yacht race finishes and the large ice-breakers begin their journey south. Many people may not realise, but Hobart is the gateway to Antarctica as a departure point for adventure journeys and the home of attractions such as Mawsons Hut Replica Museum.
The hotel has a contemporary steel façade and interiors in crisp white & blue with large photographic works by adventure photographer Laurent Dick featuring incredible Antarctic extreme sporting endeavours adorning the walls in public areas and rooms. We arrive late in the evening and find the after hours check in service a simple process to obtain our key. Walking into our Loft Penthouse, it’s warm & welcoming – lights & air-conditioning on ready for our arrival.
The Loft Penthouse is a spacious open plan design with full kitchen, living and dining space, balcony, king sized bed, laundry and generously proportioned bathroom. The kitchen is fully equipped including convention microwave oven, pod coffee machine, dishwasher and even a minibar. The well-priced minibar features a tempting selection of Tasmanian produce including Jansz sparkling, Cascade beer and Ashgrove cheese & crackers.
The sign of a great hotel surely has to be the bed, and Salamanca Wharf Hotel doesn’t disappoint with the most incredible cloud-like beds, custom designed by A.H. Beard with luxury bedding and Tasmanian timber headboard.
The gleaming white bathroom with separate shower and spa bath has plenty of MOR amenities and with cupboards and bathrobes under the heat lamp, it’s a good space to use as a dressing room too.
The lounge area with loft style sloped roofline (that I embarrassingly knocked my head on more than once) has a large flat screen TV, Foxtel and comfy leather lounge plus complimentary WiFi to keep you entertained and connected.
Downstairs is a conveniently located café with all day breakfast menu including favourites such as Spanish Eggs, Corn Fritters or House baked beans. It does a strong trade in keeping the locals caffeinated and it’s certainly convenient, but there are more impressive options further afield.
I’m lucky enough to inspect a range of rooms in the hotel with General Manager Anthea Pritchard and even the studio rooms make a fantastic choice for a short stay, but our favourite is the Loft Penthouse with luxurious egg shaped soaking baths. It’s impressive to hear all the thoughtful touches that have gone into this creative development to maximise the compact site, yet retaining a luxurious and spacious feel to each room.
Salamanca Wharf Hotel is a great base to explore everything Hobart has to offer, with galleries, cafes and shops literally on your doorstep and just a short stroll to the famed Salamanca Markets. Rates from $205 per night for apartment style rooms, it is the perfect place to set up base camp in Hobart.
Hits: Cloud-like beds
Misses: Parking after hours. The onsite car stacker only operates during Reception hours (8am-6pm) so you'll need to source street parking if you're a late arrival, which can be tricky during event periods.
The writer was a guest of Salamanca Wharf Hotel.
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