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Henry Jones Art Hotel – Tasmania

The Henry Jones Hotel is in historic Salamanca Place (CC)
Holiday Goddess Editor Julie Miller explores the Henry Jones Art Hotel in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
Warren Glover may have one of the coolest jobs in hospitality. As resident historian at the Henry Jones Art Hotel in Hobart, Tasmania, his job description includes researching and showcasing the history of the property, delving into the convict background of hotel guests and leading spooky tours through the streets of Hobart – a dream job for a history graduate who thought he’d never get the chance to use his university degree.

The Henry Jones Art Hotel is the only hotel in Australia with an historian in residence; and considering it overlooks the birthplace of the city of Hobart, the role makes perfect sense. Here, 200 years ago, hapless convicts disembarked after their voyage from the other side of the world; the causeway fronting the hotel was the site of public executions, the corpses left hanging for two weeks as a warning for new arrivals.

The hotel is actually housed in a row of historic warehouses dating from the 1820s; this was where entrepreneur Henry Jones made his name creating the iconic jam brand, IXL.

History oozes out of every lovingly-restored crevice in the building, from its massive knotted beams to the stripped sandstone walls in the spacious, gracious and totally stylish suites. The two-level Peacock Terrace also features the original spiral staircase, worn steps at all. Frankly, it’s one of sympathetic restoration jobs I’ve encountered, beautifully set off by minimalist modern finishings and furniture.

From the moment a guest checks in, they are immersed in history as they are presented with convict records matching their surname. With a gazillion crooks named Miller gracing our shores, my printout was a little off the mark; but had Glover had more details about my geneology, he would have discovered that my ancestors were indeed transported to the Apple Isle after being relocated from the notorious Norfolk Island penal settlement. As it was, the historian’s efforts left an impression, personalising my visit beautifully.

As the name suggests, the Henry Jones Art Hotel is also Australia’s first dedicated art hotel, with rooms and corridors a veritable gallery featuring over 300 pieces of contemporary art.

The hotel certainly deserves the accolades it’s been receiving, including taking out top billing in the Australian listings on the Conde Nast Gold List 2010.

Henry Jones Art Hotel

25 Hunter St, Hobart

 

 

 

 

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