The lowdown

Number of guestrooms 114, including 27 suites; all but two rooms have balconies. Check in/out 2pm/10am

Food and drink The Old Wharf Restaurant serves a modern Australian menu that tilts to seafood, naturally, and a small but perfectly formed buffet breakfast (plus an à la carte option). The Story Bar opens onto the wharfside deck.

Water Two complimentary bottles (600ml) of still water.

Minibar There are bottles of boutique Tasmanian spirits, ranging from $22 to $62 (100ml), as well as games – Giant Pick Up Sticks, Jenga and Barrel of Monkeys – at $15 a pop. A Nestlé Mint Pattie costs $2.50.

Room service The Cape Grim Steak Sandwich ($30) comes on Pigeon Whole Bakers bread with anchovy mayo, a fried egg and Heidi Farm gruyère. From order to delivery: 16 minutes.

TV and movies Local free-to-air and selected Foxtel channels, with 120-plus free films.

Bathtub Freestanding and deep, in a huge Tom Ford-sexy bathroom that’s so moodily lit, applying make-up is strictly a fingers-crossed affair.

Amenities Appelles Apothecary

& Lab

Bathrobe Hooded, all cotton, urban grey and unexpectedly flattering.

Pillow menu Body, feather and down, latex, low-profile microfibre and memory contour.

Wellness The gym, open 6am to 10pm, has free weights and cardio machines; personal training and in-room massage can be arranged. Wi-fi Free throughout.

Business facilities This hotel has been built for fun but reception will print, photocopy, scan and post.

The concierge test There’s no concierge at MACq 01; rather a 24-hour guest services team. Asked to identify the nearest Asian grocer, one person on the desk immediately named a Japanese deli in the city, while a second added an Asian supermarket in Sandy Bay.

The housekeeping test Asked to iron a cocktail dress, the butler knocked to collect it within two minutes. It was beautifully done and returned with a handwritten card with well wishes and a joke about the “pressing matter”.

Parking Each room comes with a complimentary valet car space. (Need another? Just ask.)

Price From $305 for a room that overlooks Hunter Street’s sandstone buildings to $1200-plus for the two Luxury Waterfront Suites (104 and 105 square metres).

Ask for... as much water in that view as possible.

Our rating ⭑⭑⭑⭑