Crowne Plaza Hobart: Is It Luxury? Distance & Dining

If you’re researching the newly-built Crowne Plaza in Hobart’s CBD, the core question is straightforward: is this an upscale business hotel or a true luxury stay? This review draws on official IHG data, independent travel coverage, and guest reviews to answer what real searchers ask — from brand positioning and airport distance to dining, parking, and whether it qualifies as high-end. We separate verified facts from marketing to give you a clear picture before you book.

Last checked: 2026-08-13

Hotel name: Crowne Plaza Hobart by IHG · Location: Hobart CBD, 1.1 km from Short Beach, walking distance to Salamanca Market · Rooms: 241 guest rooms · Dining: Tasmanian-inspired restaurant, bar, high tea available · Amenities: Fitness centre, rooftop dining, Club Lounge, 24-hour room service, valet parking · Chain: IHG Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza brand (upscale)

Is Crowne Plaza a high end hotel?

The short answer: Crowne Plaza is IHG’s upscale brand, not its luxury tier. IHG positions InterContinental at the top, Crowne Plaza one step below. Independent reviews reflect this distinction. The Sydney Morning Herald Traveller described it as a “five-star standout among four-star hotels,” praising its location, amenities, and value without calling it truly luxury. Expedia labels it a “luxury hotel with 3 restaurants” — but that classification is applied by the booking site, not an official star rating. No official star rating is listed in any of the sources reviewed.

Crowne Plaza brand positioning

Crowne Plaza is designed for business and leisure travellers who want reliable quality, not opulence. It competes with Marriott’s “Premium” tier (e.g. Marriott Hotels) and Hilton’s “Full-Service” tier (e.g. Hilton Hotels). The Hobart property opened in 2020, making it the newest hotel among major chains in the city, and its amenities — rooftop dining, a Club Lounge, a fitness centre — reflect that modern upscale positioning.

What “high end” means compared to luxury

Guests who expect luxury-level service, a pool, or on-site spa may be disappointed. Flight Hacks noted “drawbacks including lack of parking and no pool.” However, for travellers who prioritise a clean, modern, central stay with good dining, the hotel delivers above its price tier. The bottom line: Crowne Plaza Hobart is a strong four-star property with some five-star touches, not a luxury hotel.

How far is Crowne Plaza Hobart from the airport?

The hotel is located at 110 Liverpool Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, approximately 18.3 km (11.37 miles) from Hobart International Airport (HBA), according to IHG’s official site. The road distance is 18.4 km with a typical drive time of about 15–20 minutes, per Rome2Rio and Qantas Travel Insider.

Distance in km and miles

• IHG official distance: 18.3 km / 11.37 miles
• Rome2Rio road distance: 18.4 km
• Typical drive time: 15–20 minutes depending on traffic

Taxi cost and transport options

Taxi fares from Hobart Airport to the Hobart CBD are a common searcher question. While no precise current fare appears in the reviewed sources, a typical taxi trip of this distance in a regional Australian city would cost roughly A$50–A$70. Ride-share services such as Uber operate in Hobart and may offer lower rates. Ridesharing and hotel shuttle services are alternatives — the hotel’s central location makes them convenient.

What this means: The hotel is a short, affordable taxi ride from the airport. If you’re arriving by air, factor in about 20 minutes and A$50–A$70 for a taxi.

Which is the best hotel in Hobart?

“Best” depends on your priorities. Crowne Plaza Hobart is one of the strongest options for business travellers, couples seeking a central location, and first-time visitors who value a modern room and rooftop dining. It competes with The Henry Jones Art Hotel (boutique luxury, historic), MACq 01 (storytelling hotel, waterfront), and the Grand Chancellor Hobart (larger, older, often cheaper).

How Crowne Plaza Hobart compares to alternatives

Crowne Plaza’s key advantage is its newness — opened in 2020, it’s the newest major-chain hotel in Hobart. Its central location near Salamanca Market and the waterfront is consistently praised. Guest reviews on TripAdvisor give it a location score of 4.7/5, cleanliness 4.7/5, and room quality 4.5/5. By contrast, the Henry Jones Art Hotel offers heritage character but smaller rooms; MACq 01 delivers a more immersive Tasmanian story but at a higher price point.

What guests praise most

Expedia guest review summaries highlight breakfast quality and helpful staff. TripAdvisor reviews repeatedly describe the hotel as “central and convenient,” with easy walking access to piers, shopping, and Salamanca. One reviewer on Flight Hacks praised “locally inspired dining and innovative spaces to work and play.” The trade-off: you trade historic charm for modern comfort and consistent reliability.

“five-star standout” — The Sydney Morning Herald Traveller, 2021

Is Crowne Plaza nice?

Guest satisfaction data suggests yes — most guests leave feeling positive. The TripAdvisor rating of 4.2/5, based on more than 1,200 reviews, reflects a property that consistently meets expectations. Sub-scores for cleanliness (4.7) and sleep quality (4.6) are particularly high.

Guest reviews and ratings

• TripAdvisor: 4.2/5 overall (location 4.7, rooms 4.5, cleanliness 4.7, sleep quality 4.6)
• Expedia: Positives include breakfast, helpful staff, and central location
• Qantas Travel Insider: “comfortable and dependable stay”

What makes the stay pleasant

Recurring themes in guest reviews: the hotel’s central location makes exploring Hobart easy; the rooms are clean and modern; the staff are friendly and helpful; rooftop dining is a highlight. Flight Hacks noted that the hotel offers “innovative spaces to work and play” — a reference to the Club Lounge and the public areas designed for both business and relaxation.

On the downsides, parking (off-site valet only) and the lack of a pool are the most common complaints across multiple reviews. One reviewer mentioned that the valet fee can add up over a longer stay. The pattern: the hotel excels at the basics — clean rooms, great location, decent dining — but lacks the resort-style amenities some travellers want.

Alternatives in Hobart: where else to stay

For travellers who decide Crowne Plaza isn’t the right fit, Hobart offers several strong alternatives. The Henry Jones Art Hotel (boutique, art-focused, historic) is ideal for culture seekers. MACq 01 tells Tasmania’s stories through its design and guided walks. The Grand Chancellor Hobart is a reliable, often more affordable option with a pool — one amenity Crowne Plaza lacks. For those who want the same IHC eco-system, Newstead Hotel Launceston is another Tasmanian IHG-associated property worth considering if your itinerary extends north.

Frequently asked questions