Three Australian Hotels Make Travel + Leisure’s 2025 ‘It List’

Three standout Australian hotels have earned coveted spots on Travel + Leisure’s 2025 It List, the annual roundup of the 100 best new (and newly revamped) hotels around the globe. The Byron Bay boutique retreat Basq House, the design-forward The Eve in Sydney’s Redfern, and the strikingly contemporary Melbourne Place were the only Australian properties selected by the publication’s editors and reporters, who based their choices on first hand experiences.

The list, published in the May 2025 Hotels Issue, recognises properties that deliver exceptional hospitality, innovative design, and unforgettable guest experiences. Here’s what makes each of these Australian hotels worthy of global attention.

Basq House, Byron Bay (NSW)

A serene sanctuary tucked in the heart of Byron’s village centre, Basq House redefines coastal luxury with its 32-room offering on Bundjalung Country. Designed to evoke the feel of a welcoming home-away-from-home, the boutique hotel blends Moroccan-inspired architecture with a modern Australian aesthetic, thanks to StudioFab’s Matt Dalby and interiors by local designer Léo Terrando.

“Our vision was to create a place that reflects the spirit of Byron Bay but with a world-class edge,” said David Jones, Director at Jones & Jones. “Being named to Travel + Leisure’s It List is a proud moment for the entire team.”
With its magnesium pool, speakeasy-style lounge, and the recently opened Scandinavian-inspired Navia Bathhouse, Basq House offers a thoughtful mix of wellness, elegance and calm.

The Eve, Redfern (NSW)

In Sydney’s revitalised Redfern neighbourhood, The Eve is a bold, sensory-rich hotel that pays homage to its site’s 19th-century garden history with lush greenery woven throughout balconies, courtyards, and rooftops. Its 102 rooms feature tactile, earthy tones and local touches — including spirits from Archie Rose and Pepe Saya treats — while the rooftop pool and Lottie restaurant provide laidback luxury with a splash of colour and mezcal.
Art and indulgence take centre stage throughout The Eve. The streetside Bar Julius serves caviar breakfasts, while the wider Wunderlich Lane precinct, which the hotel anchors, offers a design-led culinary playground. Think modern Greek at Olympus Dining and Southeast Asian plates at Island Radio — all part of Redfern’s transformation into one of Sydney’s most compelling precincts.

Melbourne Place, Melbourne (VIC)

Capturing the essence of Melbourne’s creative spirit, Melbourne Place is a striking 14-storey hotel by architects Kennedy Nolan, located on Russell Street. With 191 rooms — from compact Everyday Queens to the grand Dawn Penthouse — the hotel makes a statement through its architecture, its interiors, and its curated art, including works by South Sudanese-Australian artist Atong Atem.
Public spaces are equally expressive. Marmelo restaurant delivers bold Iberian flavours beneath hand-painted tiles, while Mr. Mills bar channels underground glamour. The rooftop venue Mid Air, with panoramic skyline views and Mediterranean menus, is quintessentially Melbourne — equal parts style, substance, and edge.