The Luxe List 2014: Hotel Hotel, Canberra, Australia
In a city dominated by practical accommodations catering to politicians and businesspeople, Hotel Hotel has style to spare. Part of the Australian capital’s artsy New Acton precinct, it unites the talents of a long list of creative types. Canberra property developers Nectar and Johnathan Efkarpidis are the brains behind the 68-room, 32-apartment project, with filmmaker Don Cameron responsible for the interiors, which feature Japanese grass wallpaper ceilings, reclaimed woodchip panels, and rough rendered walls. A grand staircase of salvaged timber leads to the hotel foyer and a library of art and design books, while guest rooms are individually furnished with original midcentury pieces from Sydney collector Ken Neale. While the surrounding area has its share of attractions including a cinema, boutiques, and bars, a meal at Melbourne chef Sean McConnell’s in-house restaurant Monster is a must, if only to ogle the giant circular skylights and private dining room decorated with ceramic tiles by artist Gerard Havekes.
New Acton Nishi, 25 Edinburgh Ave.; 61-2/6287-6287; Hotel Hotel; doubles from US$250
