Canberra’s famed DOMA property group brought their minimalist, space-savvy formula to Sydney’s CBD last September. Little National’s 230 petite guest rooms might be lacking in floor space, but they more than compensate with sleek mod-coms, including a wall-to-wall king bed, luxe white linens and a generous mounted smart TV. There’s also a guest gym, library, and verdant rooftop garden bar, all within a stone’s throw of Wynyard Station and Circular Quay. 26 Clarence St, Sydney | littlenationalhotel.com.au/sydney

A shiny new Ovolo opened in Melbourne earlier this year, and it’s a riot of colour and 70s disco fever vibes. Capitalising on every inch of its narrow footprint, there’s a vegan restaurant onsite artfully named Lona Misa, eye-catching artwork a-plenty, and a fun leisure space replete with a pool table and gramophone. Award-winning designer Luchetti Krelle has fitted out all 123 rooms with plush old-world-meets-new energy. 234 Toorak Rd, South Yarra VIC | ovolohotels.com/ovolo/south-yarra

Sustainable hotel savants Crystalbrook Collection are behind Newcastle’s first five-star hotel. Curved interiors reflect the building’s cylindrical structure, with 130 guest rooms and suites playing to a green tune via 100 per cent waste-free bathrooms and biodegradable or recyclable amenities. The hotel is home to Romberg’s bar and Roundhouse restaurant, both offering 360-degree city views, and menus powered by produce that has clocked minimal food miles. 282 King St, Newcastle NSW | crystalbrookcollection.com/kingsley

A lush 15-hectare sanctuary brimming with luxury bathing experiences, spa treatments and wellness rituals, is set to descend on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula. Capitalising on the region’s iconic thermal springs, the expansive Alba Thermal Springs and Spa will offer indoor, outdoor and open-air treatment rooms and steamy pools for unparalleled thermal wellness. Slated for opening in June 2022. 282 Browns Road, Fingal, Victoria | albathermalsprings.com.au

Luxury Collection Hotels are set to make their first Aussie foray this December, choosing Hobart as their city launchpad. The 152-room hotel will be home to a hidden cocktail bar and new Italian restaurant called Peppina, which sees touted Tassie chef Massimo Mele manning the pans. Featuring 152 rooms, the hotel will reside in an original 1840s Art Deco heritage building on Murray Street. Slated for opening 1 December, 2021 12 Murray St, Hobart TAS | marriott.com/hotels/travel/hbalc-the-tasman-a-luxury-collection-hotel-hobart/

The southern hemisphere’s first Atelier Ace boutique hotel has found its home at Sydney’s historic Tyne House brick factory – the site of the country’s first ceramic kilns. Featuring 264 rooms, a ground floor restaurant, bar and cafe, plus a rooftop restaurant and bar, the 18-storey hotel is being brought to life by Melbourne’s Flack Studio. Ace Hotel, Sydney, is taking bookings from 1 May, 2022. 49–53 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney | acehotel.com/sydney

Six-star properties are hard to come by on mainland Oz. Enter Sequoia, the Adelaide Hills’ latest luxury hotel offering. Located in the grounds of Mount Lofty House, home to the three-hatted Hardy’s Verandah restaurant and Arthur Waterhouse Cocktail Lounge and Champagne Bar, it’s perched high above the Piccadilly Valley, a region touted to soon receive UNESCO world heritage status. The intimate lodge is comprised of 14 sustainably designed suites, each offering panoramic views and luxe amenities. An infinity pool, day spa, natural artesian spring-fed stone hot pools, campfire amphitheatre, and world-class food and drink experiences, are all part of the package. 1 Mawson Dr, Crafers SA | sequoialodge.com.au

Named after four-time Archibald People’s Choice Award winner Vincent Fantauzzo, whose works adorn many of the hotel’s walls, Crystalbrook Vincent is Howard Smith Wharves’ new five-star offering. 166 rooms are sprawled over six levels, with a rooftop infinity pool, Fuime rooftop bar and Polpetta restaurant all on site, boasting views over Brisbane River and the iconic Story Bridge. Crystalbrook’s signature sustainable ethos permeates the hotel (it’s single-use plastic free, with 100 per cent waste-free bathrooms), and the design is underpinned by LA resort-style vibes. 5 Boundary St, Brisbane City QLD | crystalbrookcollection.com/vincent

Boasting 50 impeccably appointed guest rooms, Brisvegas’ new Ovolo is perched above the CBD. As with other Ovolo properties, the art and design are big here – the boutique hotel was inspired by Gertrude Stein’s Paris salon, a favourite of Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Picasso and Bowie. The Inchcolm Bar is also home to Martini Hour from 5:30pm–6:30pm daily, with five martinis to choose from. 73 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill QLD | ovolohotels.com/ovolo/inchcolm

It will be easy to hit the snooze button at the recently opened W Melbourne, with 300-count linens, balcony views of the CBD, and the W MixBar (inviting you to unleash your inner bartender) available in each of its 294 bold rooms and suites. Designed as the showpiece of the $1.25 billion Collins Arch precinct, the hotel channels the city’s creative spirit, serving up a double shot of the brand’s signature super-charged luxury. 408 Flinders Lane, Melbourne | marriott.com.au/hotels/travel/melwh-w-melbourne

A $35 million renovation and rebrand has breathed new life into Surfers Paradise’ iconic, sprawling JW Marriott Hotel. Underpinned by a mindful luxury ethos, all 223 five-star guestrooms and suites are open and light-filled, designed to promote mindfulness and connection to the local environment. There’s an intimate izakaya sushi bar on site, that famous saltwater lagoon pool and artificial reef teeming with tropical fish, private marina, and outdoor pool, all set on 2.5 acres of ponds and waterfalls. 158 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD | marriott.com/hotels/travel/oolsp-jw-marriott-gold-coast-resort-and-spa/

There are four tasty new reasons to stay at the new Melbourne Marriot Docklands: first up is Archer’s, a sleek all-day restaurant with a menu by executive chef David Albert. Then there’s elegant lobby bar, Ada’s; followed by Corsia, a café inspired by Melbourne’s laneways that serves coffee by ST ALi by day and espresso martinis by night. And finally, the Sunset House, with its rooftop bar and restaurant surrounding a jaw-dropping infinity pool, offering views of Melbourne’s skyline. Did we mention there’s 189 rooms, an M Club executive lounge, and a fitness centre with newly-launched Technogym Excite Live, too? 15 Waterfront Way, Docklands VIC | www.marriott.com.au

Famous for its aquamarine, quokka-filled waters, Rottnest Island has welcomed its first luxury resort, built next the island’s famous pub, Hotel Rottnest. The family-run beachfront hotel features 80 rooms surrounding two lagoon-style pools, with plenty of areas to lounge around and bask in the region’s natural beauty, including the Beach Club directly across from Thomson Bay. Finish a day of sandy-toed exploration at chef Will Meyrick’s on-site restaurant, the Southeast Asian-skewed Lontara. Corner Parker Point Rd and, McCallum Ave, Rottnest Island WA | samphirerottnest.com.au

The first Hilton property to open in Melbourne in five years is set in the city’s historic Equity Chambers Building and features 244 guest rooms, five spacious suites, The Douglas Club cocktail club, an executive lounge, fully-equipped gym, meeting and event spaces. It’s also home to Luci, a mod-Australian restaurant with a strong footing in Italian cuisine, set within the grand hall of the art deco building. 18 Little Queen St, Melbourne VIC | hilton.com/en/hotels/melamhi-hilton-melbourne-little-queen-street

Langham Hospitality Group is getting ready to open their third luxury hotel in Australia this year. The Langham Gold Coast will be the first new development with direct beach access to Surfers Paradise in three decades. It will also feature 169 rooms and suites, plus 170 additional serviced apartments. Sydney-based Studio Aria have been tasked with fitting out all 18 suites, which feature 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and interiors reflecting the surrounding Gold Coast hinterland. An onsite Cantonese restaurant, lavish afternoon tea parlour, pool bar, sky terrace, and the ultra-luxe Chuan Spa, all sweeten the deal further. Slated for opening December 2021 at Surfer’s Paradise, QLD | langhamhotels.com/en