hobart

The Islington Hotel: Picasso and a Cat Named Chaos

I've been so busy sharing all that's new and exciting in Tasmania, Australia, that I've almost overlooked a place that's not new, somewhat tranquil but also fabulous: The Islington, in Hobart.

This hotel is in a Regency style house that was built in 1847. (In New World terms, this is practically ancient.) When you first pull up through the gated driveway, it seems you're in for something pretty traditional. But while the history has been preserved, the additions made to the building are contemporary, so you get that pleasant frisson that comes from the blend of the old and the modern. There's an impressive art collection for a hotel that's quite small -- which means your search for the Islington's sketch by Picasso will not be terribly time-consuming.

Gallery: The Islington Hotel in Hobart, Tasmania