Jackalope was recently named hotel of the year by Gourmet Traveller in Australia. The other finalists were the Treasury in Perth and Halcyon House.

Given the competition they must have managed to impress people somehow (whether via social media or otherwise). I haven't been to Jackalope but the Treasury is currently my favorite city hotel in the world. The manager is amazing and while some of her front of house staff (which includes a handful of ex-Aman assistant managers) need polishing, it is truly a great hotel. Halcyon House lives up to the hype and has been consistently highly rated by everyone I know who has visited.

I was seriously thinking about visiting Jackalope next month but will probably give it a miss. The rooms look dark and depressing - even their glossy web site pictures make it look like a pre-fab 70s hotel that was converted into a highly priced country hotel by painting everything black. Perhaps I'm off the mark but there are other more interesting accommodations in the area at that price point that I would much rather experience (and that look much more welcoming).