Hobart is a compact city, meaning location is key when selecting a hotel. Mövenpick Hobart finds itself within reach of all the action, from the Saturday morning Salamanca Market to a variety of nearby bakeries and the Mona ferry terminal.
Mövenpick Hobart marks the Swiss brand’s first Australian property, with 221 rooms and suites promising panoramic Hobart views. There’s also a free daily chocolate hour and ice cream is included for children 12 and under.
I’ve stayed here twice now, and my feelings are mixed. Read on for the full review.
In this post:
Check-In & Status Recognition
- Status during stay: Accor Gold
- Honoured: drink voucher, late check-out
- Not honoured: room upgrade, welcome amenity
This stay was booked just a few hours prior to arrival, thanks to a flight cancellation. With the tight timeframe, I called prior to booking and asked whether the suites showing on the reservation page would be available for an Accor upgrade. The receptionist confirmed this, so I booked the top Deluxe Harbour View category.
On arrival at Mövenpick Hobart, the receptionist mentioned status upgrades do not include suites, and as I had selected the highest room on offer, they couldn’t honour my benefit. After being very annoying, I was shut up with a bottle of sparkling wine – which should have been offered proactively anyway.
The Room – Deluxe Harbour View
The rooms at Mövenpick Hobart are all nearly identical, with the Superior and Deluxe offerings being slightly larger and located on higher floors. Classic rooms are best avoided, with most backed onto neighbouring buildings and therefore offering no view.
Shortly after arrival, I received a bottle of sparkling wine.
The room was on the smaller side at 27sqm, especially considering this is the largest guestroom offered at Mövenpick. It’s not tiny by any means, but not large either.
But the space is at least opened up with floor-to-ceiling windows, although I’m not sold on the “Harbour View”.
By compassion, this was my gorgeous view from a 2021 stay, which wasn’t a Harbour View but for some reason faced the waterfront.
What I did love was Mövenpick’s modern aesthetic and the warm vibe from within the room. The stone and wooden finishes, as well as linen walls and black surfaces made this a comfortable place to stay.
Also comfortable was the bed, with the sheets and pillows high quality too.
The entry area adjacent to the door provided enough space for two closed suitcases plus hanging space, with robes and slippers provided. There was an ironing board in the cupboard, and a safe hidden below.
The amenities for hot drinks were impressive, with Nespresso Capsules and some premium Dilmah Silver Jubilee teas. The minibar was stocked with a small selection of mostly Tasmanian snacks and drinks, with the prices reasonable for once.
There was a small table by the corner windows, with conveniently placed outlets beside.
The quality design didn’t continue into the bathroom, which was disappointingly tight and lacked any useful storage. It was a functional space though, and the rain shower was pretty neat.
Dining & Drinks
Mövenpick’s restaurant Tesoro is a dining destination in its own right. The modern Italian restaurant serves up a selection of humble, uncomplicated food with a focus on quality local produce. There’s also an impressive beverage list to boot.
My pick for dinner was the Chef’s Roadtrip menu, a four-course offering that highlights Tasmaina’s exceptional produce. The crispy pork cheek was phenomenal, as was the 50-day dry-aged Sirloin.
Mövenpick Hobart Breakfast
A full buffet breakfast is served daily at Mövenpick Hobart, and it’s a pretty good selection. But the à la carte breakfast menu was my choice, as it is better both in terms of value and quality.
Mövenpick Chocolate Hour
With the brand’s Swiss origins being famous for chocolate, Mövenpick hotels worldwide dedicate one hour every afternoon to all things chocolate. In Hobart, hotel guests can enjoy a complimentary Chocolate Hour from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. If you’re after something a little extra, Tesoro offers paid upgrades to their Chocolate Hour, which includes chocolate-infused cocktails and an affogato to finish.
Hotel Facilities
There is no pool at Mövenpick Hobart, but there is a rather boring gym hidden away from any natural light. It’s well equipped, but not really a pleasant space to be in.
Parking is offered as a valet service for $35 nightly.
My Take – Mövenpick Hobart
There is a lot to like about Mövenpick Hobart. Without a doubt, it’s a beautifully designed property that boasts a fantastic and walkable CBD location. The food is excellent and the room was comfortable, but I’m still salty about my welcome experience.
