From the windows to the walls, to the sw…eet, sweet views over Hobart’s glimmering River Derwent, MACq 01 dazzles in more ways than one. This five-star hotel is easily the shining star of Hobart’s handsomely historic waterfront district.
The former shipping shed sits on prime real estate on what was once Hunter Island, one of the country’s most prized deep-water ports. Back in the day, the wharf buzzed with whaling, sealing and shipbuilding activity, and now these stories hum through the hotel’s walls.
MACq 01 is proud to be Australia’s first ‘storytelling’ hotel and immerses you in its narrative from the moment you arrive. After a seamless handover with the valet parking team, I’m led up a staircase engraved with the words: ‘Every traveller needs a pillow’, ‘Every story needs a start’, and ‘Every villain needs a hero’. It seems like my story is just beginning to unfold…
Chapter one starts after check-in, and for me, that’s in one of MACq 01’s premium waterfront suites on level three. It’s a solid walk down the hallway to reach my room, but I’m not complaining – it gives me a chance to peek at the intriguing characters plastered on each door.
All of MACq 01’s 114 rooms and suites are named after a prominent Tasmanian personality, both past and present. From Indigenous leaders and convict escapees to local artisans and sporting stars, these characters tell the stories of Hobart’s colourful and distant past. Welcoming me at the door of suite 303 is ‘Ma’ Dwyer, the former licensee of The Esplanade Hotel in Salamanca Place during the 1950s. Better known as ‘The Blue House’, this notorious sailor and whaler haunt earned its nickname from its rowdy clientele and Ma’s colourful language.
You can meet the 114 charming and chaotic characters of MACq 01’s doors on the hotel’s 114 Doors Tour, led daily by their passionate storytellers. This is just one of four complimentary tours offered for guests staying at MACq 01, which also includes Hidden Hobart: The Viewfinder Tour, the Sticky Stones and Secrets Tour, and the Henry Jones Art and History Tour.
Now, back to the suite. My waterfront room is so spacious that you could easily fit another bed between the existing king-sized bed and the lounge. Yet, despite its generous size, it maintains a cosy atmosphere with plush doonas, gentle lighting and fluffy carpeting.
Each room features a neutral grey colour palette that sets the stage for personalised character accents, including an original artwork by Tasmanian artist Troy Ruffels that beautifully frames the bed. My favourite part of the suite is undoubtedly the rather large private balcony, which offers stunning views of the River Derwent and the convict-built sandstone buildings of Hobart’s Old Wharf. A close runner-up is the oversized bathtub, complete with Appelles bath salts, followed by the fully-stocked mini-bar, featuring local Tassie snacks, spirits and complimentary Nespresso coffee pods.
From dry cleaning and shoe shining to in-room massages and movies on demand, your every desire is just a click or a call away at MACq 01. You could easily order room service from the Old Wharf Restaurant downstairs, but you might as well book a table to savour fresh seafood right by the water’s edge. Cap the night off with a whisky at MACq 01’s award-winning Evolve Spirits Bar, which doubles as a fascinating fossil museum.
Time Out tip: If your room doesn’t have a water view, head to the hotel’s Story Bar for a sundowner. It’s got one of the best vantage points in Hobart.