NEW HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Jackalope, Mornington Peninsula, Vic
There’s been stiff competition in the past 12 months but this new hotel stands out for the scale of its ambition and the elegance of its execution. While Jackalope’s 46 rooms and suites are beautifully finished, its art collection, architecture and high-concept interiors are the real show-stoppers.
The design vision is a little bonkers in places (think
David Lynch meets Roger Vadim), but it succeeds with its exuberant charm and obsessive detail. Add three enticing eating and drinking venues, impressive eco-credentials and Arcadian views, and you’ve got an address to remember. Finalists: QT Melbourne, Vic; The Johnson, Brisbane, Qld>