Grand Old Duke

Grand Old Duke offers heritage accommodation in Battery Point, Hobart, with three self-contained apartments set within a converted Georgian pub on Hampden Road. The building dates to 1856 and was originally established as a hotel before later serving as a boarding house. It has since been refurbished as four-star accommodation, while retaining its Georgian corner-hotel character and its place among Battery Point’s historic buildings.

Each apartment has a distinct layout. The York Apartment is the largest, with two bedrooms, a spacious living room, a full kitchen and river views, sleeping up to seven people. The Cambridge Apartment has one bedroom, a sunroom and kitchenette, and accommodates up to three. The Wellington Apartment includes one bedroom, a separate lounge and kitchen, with space for two and a roll-away bed available. All three apartments have free Wi-Fi, making the property suitable for different types of stays, from couples and solo travellers to families or small groups.

Guests share access to a laundry and courtyard, while parking is limited to one small on-site space, available on a first-come basis. Street parking can be found in Battery Point, although a space directly outside cannot be guaranteed. The accommodation’s location is a practical part of the experience: cafes, bars and restaurants are close by, and Salamanca Place is a short walk down the hill. Its position near Arthur Circus and other well-preserved nineteenth-century buildings also makes it a fitting base for exploring Hobart’s historic centre on foot.

The venue’s story adds depth to the stay. It began as the Duke of York, after its first proposed name was already in use, and was later renamed the Exhibition Hotel. Ann Prentis took over as licensee after her husband’s death in 1859, remaining in the role until 1877 at a time when publican work was among the limited occupations available to women. After the hotel closed in the 1890s, the building’s later use as a boarding house helped lead to its current accommodation role. Grand Old Duke suits visitors who value character, self-contained space and a central Battery Point setting over the facilities of a large hotel.