Moss Hotel

Moss Hotel in Hobart, Australia, a distinguished Michelin Key Selected property, consistently earns high praise for its exceptional location, distinctive design, and outstanding service. Housed within beautifully preserved 19th-century warehouses, the hotel offers a blend of historic charm and contemporary luxury, inspired by Tasmania's natural landscapes.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Moss Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently rating it as "Exceptional" or "Wonderful." Review scores often reach 9.0 or higher out of 10, particularly for location, staff, and comfort. It is celebrated as a "very special stay" and a luxury boutique experience.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud Moss Hotel for several key aspects:

• Location: Its prime position directly on Salamanca Place, placing guests steps away from Salamanca Market, the harbour, and numerous dining and cultural attractions, is a major highlight.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's unique design, featuring preserved heritage sandstone walls, original timber, exposed brick, and a nature-inspired aesthetic with moss-green Italian tiling and a lush living wall, creates a visually arresting and tranquil atmosphere.
• Service & Staff: The staff receives widespread acclaim for being incredibly friendly, helpful, accommodating, and personable, contributing significantly to a seamless and enjoyable guest experience.
• Boutique Experience: The hotel offers a distinctive boutique feel, emphasizing thoughtful touches, bespoke textiles, and local Tasmanian products in its minibars.

3. Room Quality

Moss Hotel boasts 41 uniquely designed rooms across two separate buildings, blending heritage features with modern comforts.

• Comfort & Design: Rooms are described as comfortable, cozy, stylishly decorated, and well-appointed. Many feature high wooden beamed ceilings, exposed brick, and eye-pleasing sandstone.
• Amenities: Standard amenities include plush king-sized beds with comfortable pillows, air conditioning, free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, and soundproofing. Bathrooms are a standout, often featuring rainforest green Italian tiles, walk-in rain showers, heated floors, bathrobes, and luxury Grown Alchemist bath products. Some "Grove Bath" rooms offer deep-soak bathtubs with bath salts, while "Grove Balcony" rooms provide private balconies. Minibars are stocked with locally sourced Tasmanian snacks, wines, and craft beers.
• Room Types: "Pod" rooms, despite their name, are often noted as surprisingly spacious. "Bower" rooms in the MOSS 39 building are designed with accessible bathrooms.

4. Dining Experience

Moss Hotel does not have an on-site restaurant or bar, encouraging guests to immerse themselves in Hobart's vibrant culinary scene. However, the hotel's lobby lounge area provides a relaxed space.

• Breakfast & Nearby Options: Guests are advised to plan for breakfast outside the hotel. Popular nearby recommendations for breakfast and lunch include Dandy Lane, known for dishes like caramel-apple French toast.
• Local Dining: For dinner, guests are spoiled for choice with various restaurants and bars immediately surrounding the hotel. Suggestions include Maldini for trattoria-style Italian cuisine, Malik for Mediterranean flavors, and Franklin for modern Tasmanian cuisine.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Moss Hotel consistently receives glowing reviews. Staff members are repeatedly praised for their exceptional hospitality.

• Helpfulness & Friendliness: Guests describe the team as "extremely helpful," "friendly," and "personable," going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay.
• Efficiency: Private check-in and check-out, along with a concierge service, contribute to a seamless experience. Housekeeping is noted for maintaining spotlessly clean rooms. Multilingual reception staff (Mandarin and English) are available.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location is undoubtedly one of its strongest assets, earning high scores from guests.

• Neighborhood: Situated in the heart of Salamanca Place in Battery Point, it offers immediate access to the bustling Salamanca Market (especially vibrant on Saturdays), the historic waterfront, and a wide array of pubs, restaurants, and cafes.
• Attractions: Many of Hobart's key attractions are within walking distance, including the Salamanca Arts Centre, Parliament Square, Maritime Museum, and St David's Park. The MONA ferry is also easily accessible across the street.
• Transport: Hobart Airport is approximately 18 km away. Paid parking is available on-site, though spots can be limited, and height restrictions apply. Guests should be aware that Salamanca Place is closed to vehicles on Saturdays for the market.

7. Value & Pricing

Moss Hotel is generally considered to offer good value for a luxury boutique experience in a prime location. Prices for a 1-night stay for two adults can start from approximately AUD 250 to AUD 308, including taxes and fees, though prices are subject to change based on booking dates. Extra beds and cribs are available for an additional charge.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring comments or minor criticisms include:

• No On-site Dining: The lack of an in-house restaurant or bar means guests must venture out for all meals, particularly breakfast.
• Room Lighting: Some guests have noted that rooms can be a bit dark, and the lighting may be challenging in certain areas.
• Noise: Due to its central location above Salamanca Place, rooms overlooking the street can experience noise from bars and pubs, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. However, the hotel provides earplugs as a thoughtful amenity.
• Parking: While paid parking is available, it is limited, and the closure of Salamanca Place on market days can affect accessibility.
• Bathroom Privacy: One guest mentioned that the bathroom doors might not offer extensive privacy.

Sources

1. mrandmrssmith.com
2. thetravelquandary.com
3. unios.com
4. michelin.com
5. hyatt.com
6. timeout.com
7. booking.com
8. booking.com
9. hotels.com
10. booking.com
11. trip.com
12. mosshotel.com.au
13. mosshotel.com.au
14. tasmanianhotels.com
15. hotels.com
16. qantas.com
17. expedia.com.au
18. kayak.com.au
19. mrandmrssmith.com