Australia‘s best hotels according to travellers have been revealed

Rachael ThompsonBy Rachael Thompson
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The ranking is determined by millions of travellers who left customer reviews on TripAdvisor.

TripAdvisor has just revealed the highest-rated hotels in Australia from Orange to Perth. A mix of the unexpected and the extraordinary, the Best of the Best Hotels list highlights the diversity of Australia’s accommodation offerings and the stays that travellers loved most. 

According to TripAdvisor, their Best of the Best title is awarded to “Those who receive a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the TripAdvisor community over a 12-month period." Of their eight million listings worldwide, only one per cent achieve this accolade. 

Looking for your next getaway? Take inspiration from this just-released list.

Quest Orange

A studio room with a kitchen at Quest Orange.
Quest Orange offers convenient home-away-from-home amenities. (Image: Quest Orange)

Quest Orange is an unexpected accommodation to take the top spot, but it has impressed travellers with its blend of comfort, style and convenience. Offering self-catered accommodation in the heart of charming Orange, it gives guests the home-away-from-home experience. 77 spacious apartments are spread across three levels, ranging from studios to one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments, with airy living spaces, tasteful decor and fully self-contained kitchens and laundry facilities. Head up to the rooftop terrace to enjoy some fresh country air and a summer barbecue.

Quest’s South Perth outpost also took the fourth spot on the list, highly rated for providing modern comfort in a prime location.

MACq01

An aerial shot of a terrace overlooking the Hobart harbour at MACq 01 Hotel.
Enjoy waterfront bliss at MACq01. (Image: Stu Gibson)

The second-highest rated property on the list is the Tassie waterfront gem, MACq01. Sitting pretty on Hobart’s Macquarie Wharf, this self-described storytelling hotel celebrates the city’s past. The 114 spacious rooms and suites are divided into five sections that reflect Hobart’s Tasmanian traits: colourful and quirky; grounded yet exceptional; fighting believers; curious and creative; and hearty and resilient. They are also each named after a notable Tasmanian figure, which is revealed to the guest at check-in. Rooms are swathed in contemporary luxury with maritime-inspired decor, blending history and comfort for a truly unforgettable stay. 

The Reef House Adults Retreat Palm Cove

An outdoor swimming pool at a hotel.
Enjoy complimentary sorbet by the pool. (Image: Tourism & Events Queensland)

Third on the list is The Reef House Adults Retreat Palm Cove. This tropical oasis offers a peaceful escape perfect for couples, honeymooners or those in need of a city break. It features Queenslander-style elements like wide verandas and rooms that boast serene, tropical elegance. Direct beach access, two sparkling pools, complimentary sorbet, and activities like mixology classes and yoga make this a coveted accommodation in North Queensland. 

The exterior of Pinetrees Lodge on Lord Howe Howe Island.
The idyllic Pinetrees Lodge on Lord Howe Island took spot no.7. (Image: Pinetrees Lodge)

The top 10 hotels in Australia

  1. Quest Orange
  2. MACq 01 Hotel
  3. The Reef House Adults Retreat Palm Cove
  4. Quest South Perth Foreshore
  5. Mount Lofty House & Estate Adelaide Hills – Adults Retreat
  6. Emporium Hotel South Bank
  7. Pinetrees Lodge
  8. Quest Perth Ascot
  9. Treasury On Collins
  10. Royal Mail Hotel
Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
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A must-visit list of Victoria’s most iconic spots

    Megan ArkinstallBy Megan Arkinstall
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    From natural wonders to historical sites, we’ve rounded up Victoria’s most epic icons that deserve a place on your itinerary.

    Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

    Mount William peak in Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park
    Mount William is the highest peak in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park. (Image: Matt Donovan)

    From towering mountains to crystal cascades and ancient rock art sites, the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is a playground for both outdoor adventurers and nature lovers. Don’t miss the views from the highest peak Mount William or the iconic Pinnacle.

    Murray River

    A paddle steamer down the Murray in Echuca
    The wonders of the Murray are best experienced on board a paddle steamer. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    A natural icon of majestic proportions, the Murray River flows for a staggering 2700 kilometres, making it one of the world’s longest navigable rivers. Meandering through Victoria before flowing out to sea at Goolwa in South Australia, the river is home to diverse wildlife, picturesque towns and secluded creeks and beaches.

    Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell

    the Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road
    The Twelve Apostles are a star attraction on the Great Ocean Road. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

    These limestone sea stacks are arguably Victoria’s most famous icon . After an $8-million upgrade to its lookout, The Blowhole near Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool (meaning breath of the whale) has recently reopened. A brand-new Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre, complete with rooftop lookout, will open in 2026.

    You Yangs, Geelong

    kangaroos in You Yangs
    Kangaroos enjoy dusk in the You Yangs. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Rising 300-plus metres from the flat volcanic plains between Melbourne/Naarm and Geelong, the You Yangs are massive granite boulders named for the local Wadawurrung word ‘Youang’, meaning ‘big hills’. Hiking, biking, rock climbing and horse-riding are popular within this regional park.

    Redwood Forest, Yarra Valley

    Redwood Forest, Yarra Valley
    Yarra Valley’s soaring Redwood Forest. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Near the town of Warburton, an extraordinary forest of some 1500 Californian Redwoods stands among native orchids, eucalypt trees and rich birdlife. Planted in the 1930s, these 55-metre-plus trees can live for 2000 years and will grow to be some of the world’s tallest.

    Wilsons Promontory, Gippsland

    the Wilsons Promontory
    Wilsons Promontory is home to the incredible Skull Rock formation. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    The Prom, as it’s known locally, is the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. This 50,000-hectare reserve comprises granite mountains and forest, fringed by sandy beaches and surrounded by a marine park rich in marine biodiversity. It’s also home to the incredible and imposing Skull Rock formation.

    Hanging Rock Reserve, Macedon Ranges

    the Hanging Rock Reserve, Macedon Ranges
    Enigmatic Hanging Rock. (Image: Visit Victoria/ Rob Blackburn)

    This six-million-year-old volcanic rock  was thrown into the national spotlight thanks to the 1967 novel and consequent 1975 film based on the fictional disappearance of schoolgirls in 1901. Mystery aside, visitors can walk the steep 105-metre summit, fish for trout and go twitching.

    Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

    exploring Sovereign Hill
    Step back in time at Sovereign Hill. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Cry ‘eureka!’ at Sovereign Hill , a living museum to the prosperous Gold Rush era of the 1850s, during which Ballarat produced the most gold in the world. Visitors to this much-loved attraction can walk historic  streets, enter a gold mine and try panning for the good stuff, too.

    The Great Stupa, Bendigo

    Great Stupa, Bendigo
    The Great Stupa in Bendigo. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Who’d have thought the largest Buddhist temple in the Western world would be tucked away in Bendigo’s bushland? Welcoming visitors to explore, this sacred Buddhist pagoda is an epicentre for Tibetan culture, architecture, art and interfaith harmony.

    Cape Schanck Lighthouse, Mornington Peninsula

    the Cape Schanck Lighthouse from above
    Heritage-listed Cape Schanck Lighthouse. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

    Ensuring the safe passage of ships in the notoriously treacherous Bass Strait since 1859, this heritage-listed lighthouse overlooks dramatic volcanic coast and wild beaches. The surrounding reserve is home to a plethora of wildlife including little penguins, seals and echidnas.