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First look inside a stunning new hotel in Victoria

A historic facade, designer guestrooms and spacious ensuites with freestanding bathtubs ... this gorgeous new hotel has it all.

First look inside a stunning new hotel in Victoria

By Akash Arora

Updated April 1, 2025, first published December 2, 2022

A historic facade, designer guestrooms and spacious ensuites with freestanding bathtubs ... this gorgeous new hotel has it all.

A stunning hotel has just opened in the heart of Ballarat. And if the feature walls in a range of mesmerising shades - from cerulean blues to rust reds - don't take your breath away, the striking artworks and deep soaking bathtubs should.

Hotel Vera in Ballarat, Victoria.

Housed in a 19th-century mansion with a historic exposed-brick facade, Hotel Vera is home to just seven suites, each decked up in a different colour palette - moss green in one, placid grey in the other.

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Hotel Vera in Ballarat, Victoria.

Irrespective of which room you choose, a few creature comforts are guaranteed: king beds with plush linen, spacious ensuites with designer amenities, gourmet breakfast featuring hyper-regional produce and - our favourite - a personal check-in service, without queues or desks.

The historic facade of Hotel Vera in Ballarat, Victoria.

Just don't forget to explore the historic Victorian town while you're there. Lose track of time at the Art Gallery of Ballarat among renowned Australian artworks or go for a wander in the lush Botanical Gardens.

Hotel Vera in Ballarat, Victoria.

Words byAkash Arora

Akash is the Deputy Travel Editor for Australian Community Media. He has lived and worked in four cities around the world – Sydney, London, New Delhi and New York – and, at last count, travelled to 42 countries.

My all-time favourite destination is ... New York. You can drop a pin anywhere in Manhattan and start walking in any direction, and the sights and sounds of the city that never stops will begin to stimulate all your senses in an instant.

Next on my bucket list is … Scandinavia - at the peak of summer, when the sun almost never sets.

My top travel tip is … If you’re flying to Sydney from anywhere in the world, pick a window seat far from the wing on the left-hand-side of the aeroplane. If the weather gods and flight path align, you’ll have the most incredible views of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House.