Six NSW hotels were just crowned the best in Australia, including one hidden gem
Sydney has no shortage of stellar hotels. We've got our favourites, and so do you, with millions of travellers rating their top picks in Tripadvisor's annual Travellers' Choice: Best of the Best Hotel Awards. The 2025 rankings have just dropped, and 25 Aussie hotels scored a shout-out, with six of them right here in New South Wales. In exciting news, one charming regional gem in Orange even took out the win this year!
To compile its best hotel rankings, Tripadvisor sifts through millions of traveller reviews from the platform's 1.6 million listings over the past 12 months. It also ranks the top picks in categories, including luxury, boutique, B&Bs, family-friendly, pet-friendly and all-inclusive.
Leading the way as Australia's highest-rated overall hotel for 2025 is Quest Orange, which currently has a stellar 4.9-star rating from more than 440 reviews. Time Out Sydney's Food & Drink Editor, Avril Treasure, recently stayed at this regional gem during Orange Food Week – Australia's longest-running regional food festival – and gave it her stamp of approval.
Treasure says, 'Quest Orange has 77 room options, ranging from studios to one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments – making it an ideal and affordable option whether you're travelling solo for fun or work, on a friend's trip, or away with the gang on a family holiday.
'It's walking distance to the centre of town, so the only driving you'll need to do is to the nearby wineries. Got a furry best friend? Quest also lets you bring your dog – just be sure to let them know when booking. As well as the modern, clean and light-filled rooms, I'm also a fan of the complimentary fruit and tea on arrival.'
(Heading to Orange? We recommend hitting up Hey Rosey – winner of Time Out Sydney's Best Destination Award 2025 – while you're there.)
Recently crowned one of the most beautiful places on Earth, Lord Howe Island is home to NSW's second-highest-rated hotel and the seventh best in Australia. With an impressive 4.9-star rating, Pinetree Lodge is loved by travellers for its easy beach access, lush walkways and beautiful cottages.
Other NSW hotels to crack the top 25 include Quest North Sydney (11th), Black Gold Motel in the Blue Mountains (14th), Quest Bella Vista (21st) and The Grace Sydney (25th). You can find the full list of highest-rated Aussie hotels below, or browse through the other categories here.
These are the 25 best hotels in Australia, according to TripAdvisor
Quest Orange, NSW
MACq 01 Hotel, TAS
The Reef House Adults Retreat Palm Cove, QLD
Quest South Perth Foreshore, WA
Mount Lofty House and Estate Adelaide Hills, SA
Emporium Hotel South Bank, QLD
Pinetrees Lodge, Lord Howe Island, NSW
Quest Perth Ascot, WA
Treasury On Collins, VIC
Royal Mail Hotel, VIC
Quest North Sydney, NSW
Zagame's House, VIC
Kingsford Smith Motel, QLD
Black Gold Motel, NSW
Quest on Dorcas, VIC
The Henry Jones Art Hotel, TAS
Deco Hotel Canberra, ACT
Goonoo Goonoo Station, VIC
Laneways By Ovolo, VIC
Avani Broadbeach Gold Coast Residences, QLD
Quest Bella Vista, NSW
East Hotel, ACT
Quest Echuca, VIC
Element on Coolum Beach, QLD
The Grace Sydney, NSW
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