Saffire Freycinet Tasmania

Saffire Freycinet’s captivating architecture carries a message of aspiration and confidence, reflected in the organic form inspired by the shape of a stingray.

Saffire Freycinet’s architects seemed to be genuinely inspired by the raw, otherworldly Tasmanian landscapes surrounding the hotel. Sand dunes, water, rock, and stone are all subconsciously referenced in the design.

The hotel’s roof is its most striking feature. Made from a polymer membrane stretched out over curved rib-like beams of the local pine, the arching structure undulates into the breathtaking landscape, as if some ethereal shape drifted out of the sea, to gently settle in the Tasmanian rugged terrain.

Landscapes inside

Responsible for the dramatic vision of the Saffire Freycinet is the “enlightened, socially humane architecture” mantra of the maverick Morris Nunn and Associates architectural practice.

The interiors, entrusted to Sydney’s leading interior design firm CHADA, follow this humanist principle. The spaces of the hotel seem to reach out to the landscape, inviting the ocean views to become part of the experience.

A muted color palette (calming grey, taupe, green and blue with splashes of orange) and austere materials (mainly stone and timber) echo the enviable location and surroundings of the hotel.

Lighting in the rooms is unobtrusive and carefully designed to control mood and limit excessive light—important also outside when the low level of exterior illumination helps to minimize light pollution.

Design classics (e.g. Eames pieces) and custom-designed furniture made of wood, woven fabrics and leather complete the interiors.

Space and warmth

The creators of the hotel understood that the luxury experience comes as much from the beauty of design as it originates in the amount of space.

The hotel has 20 suites (ranging in size from 80m2 to 140m2) and the open-plan public spaces are huge. The manta-ray roof covers the vast lobby and Palate, the two-level restaurant, with tables positioned to make the most of the stunning vistas. The Lounge features a five-meter fireplace, there is also the three-room spa and library.

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in our opinion

Saffire Freycinet is one of the most spectacular boutique hotels in Australia, putting Tasmania on the radar for all the luxury travel aficionados.

What we love

• Sensational setting, fantastic architecture and expertly finished interiors;
• Well-organized activities, from swimming and cruising to fishing and hiking;
• Chef Hugh Whitehouse’s succulent cuisine of dishes prepared with all local ingredients;
• The hotel’s eco creds: for example the low-wattage lamps and LED technology reduces energy wastage to a minimum, and lighting is designed to limit stray light, preserving the purity of the environment.

What you should know

• Trees obscure views from some rooms, so make sure to request one with a good view;
• Book spa before you arrive, it’s in high demand;
• It’s all about a quiet escape: this place is secluded and located in a remote area;
• Children are welcome at Saffire (though for a fee…);
• One thing that is perhaps missing is an open-air deck or terrace at the main hotel building;
• It takes just under three hours to drive from the island’s capital (Hobart) to the hotel. Or, arrive in style by helicopter (takes 35 minutes but it can be costly).