Is this sleek home Hobart's most underrated stay?

Find modern convenience and comfort in this picture-perfect holiday home.

Hobart is a city that effortlessly blends historic charm with contemporary edge. From the convict-era sandstone warehouses lining its historic wharf to the cutting-edge MONA and a thriving food and arts scene, there’s much to discover in this small but mighty waterfront capital.

Capturing this dual aesthetic perfectly is the work of award-winning Tasmanian architectural firm Rosevear Stephenson, which has worked on four separate accommodations in the city. One of their standout projects, The Conservatory, is a hidden gem that deserves a spot on your itinerary next time you visit the heart of the Apple Isle.

the sandstone building at The Conservatory Hobart

The Conservatory Hobart sits behind a historic sandstone building.

Tucked just behind a beautifully restored heritage sandstone building – also available to stay in and designed by the same team – The Conservatory is a light-filled, modern holiday home that offers a striking counterpoint to its historic neighbour, both thoughtfully conceived to meet the needs of today’s travellers. 

The modern townhouse is designed with striking Tasmanian architecture.

This four-person property is designed for comfort and convenience, whether you’re heading down for the Dark Mofo festivities or you’re looking for a quiet weekend enjoying the best of Tassie produce. Just a 10-minute walk from the action of the CBD, it’s perfectly positioned to access all the city’s highlights.

an open-plan living area at The Conservatory Hobart

The light-filled, modern holiday home is equipped with cosy amenities.

Spacious enough for families, a group of friends or two couples, you’ll find an open-plan living area that invites you to unwind after a day of exploring, two bathrooms with walk-in showers and two stylish bedrooms with plush bedding and thoughtful finishes that make it feel like home.

Elevated details such as under-floor heating in the bathrooms are a welcome feature on chilly Hobart days, while the terrace is an idyllic spot to relax in the sun with some local gin.

Elevate your stay in Hobart with stylish bedrooms that are dressed with plush bedding.

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to dining in Hobart. But if you’d rather enjoy some moreish baked goods from Pigeon Whole Bakers in the comfort of your own space, or cook up a meal with fresh produce from the Salamanca Market (a short walk away), this home has you covered with a fully equipped kitchen. Here you’ll find high-end appliances, including a state-of-the-art Smeg touchscreen cooktop and a spacious dining table, making home cooking both stylish and effortless.

The Conservatory Hobart is classically restored into a contemporary home.

For longer stays, the in-house washer and dryer add extra convenience, while the EV charger is a welcome feature for electric vehicle drivers. And with code-only access, check-in is a breeze – no keys to collect, just a smooth, hassle-free arrival.

Our advice? Book early before the word gets out about this underrated gem.

Live out your vintage design dreams in this beautifully restored Tassie cottage.

Perched prettily in a tree-lined street in the fringing suburb of West Hobart, a stay at Lumière Lodge is akin to style nirvana for those with a penchant for vintage aesthetics. A Pinterest board rendered real, owners Kerran and Sam have infused their heart and soul into the restoration of this storybook three-bedroom Victorian cottage. Carefully and faithfully acknowledging the past, while still somehow imbuing it with a softly contemporary feel.

At Lumière, the ritual of arrival has been purposefully planned to transport guests to a bygone era. Billie Holiday’s velvet croons (side tip: be sure to follow Lumière’s Spotify playlists) welcome in tandem with a gently glowing fire warming the dining and kitchen space. Here a provincial English aesthetic is folded into the cottage’s original architecture and interspersed with hand-chosen vintage oil paintings, quirky taxidermy animals and strategically placed silk bows.

Exterior of Lumière Lodge. (Image: Lean Timms)

The luxury cottage stay, Lumière Lodge. (Image: Lean Timms)

Large French windows, Neff appliances, a deeply generous marble-topped bench and an abundance of elegant vintage crockery, flatware and glassware practically beg the instigation of an impromptu dinner party. While by morning, the soft Tasmanian sun filtering into the space through the flagstone courtyard’s deciduous trees welcomes hands cocooned around coffee cups and croissant crumbs brushed away.

Fresh bread and jams for breakfast at Lumiere Lodge

Breakfast is best enjoyed in the light-filled kitchen. (Image: Lean Timms)

Set off from the original hallway, each room is a vignette seemingly styled for a specific moment. In the front study, one imagines enjoying a fireside glass of burgundy from the cellar while reading amid a pastiche of art and paraphernalia. A cosy lounge area with chestnut leather sofa and velvet wingback armchair invites whisky-sipping, walnut-cracking (from a bowl overflowing with the nuts), and deep conversation. It’s a room where it feels you might solve worldly issues or unearth a richer appreciation for your fellow guests.

A fireside chat doesn’t get cosier than this. (Image: Lean Timms)

During the restoration, a 1960s-era extension was demolished to make way for a more sympathetic and usable layout, while rooms were rearranged and repurposed, such as the original dining room, which became the main bathroom. This large, pink-drenched space is ambiently lit for enjoying a bath by a beautiful stained-glass window tenderly reinstalled from elsewhere in the cottage.

The pink bathroom at Lumiere Lodge in Hobart

Bathe beside the stained glass window in this pink-washed delight. (Image: Lean Timms)

Take the petite staircase upstairs to the dollhouse-like attic where a third, and comprehensively dusty-pink bedroom, complete with a compact bathroom, is an elegant retreat. It perhaps would have made an appropriate dressing room for a visiting 1920s Hollywood starlet with its gorgeous claw-foot bathtub positioned for a soak and a stargaze. Having been lowered in through the sash window by crane, while guided by hand, the bath’s existence here is a testament to the dedication Kerran and Sam have given to creating moments of exquisite detail at Lumière Lodge.

The doll-house-like bedroom in the attic. (Image: Lean Timms)

What’s there to do at Lumière Lodge?

The white timber cottage is the perfect place to relish cool Tassie evenings by one of the beautifully restored original fireplaces. This gorgeous stay enables guests to simply be together – reading, cooking, chatting or just silently connecting. You can also opt in for The Lumière Luxury experience, which is an evening hosted by chef Lilly Trewartha that includes a multiple-course, full-service dinner party.

Table set for a dinner party at Lumière Lodge

Dinner parties are anything but casual at Lumière Lodge. (Image: Lean Timms)

What does staying at Lumière Lodge cost?

Expect to pay from $600 per night for 1–2 people. This rate increases by $100 per person, per night ($1000 per night for the whole home). However, in the off-season (during late winter and early spring), you can expect a lower rate.

Lumière Lodge served as the perfect base for exploring Hobart. (Image: Lean Timms)

Is this sleek home Hobart’s most underrated stay?

Find modern convenience and comfort in this picture-perfect holiday home.

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blends history with luxury waterfront accommodation

This lovingly restored Tassie cottage is a vintage design dream

Live out your vintage design dreams in this beautifully restored Tassie cottage.

What’s there to do at Lumière Lodge?

What does staying at Lumière Lodge cost?