History

Hadley’s Orient Hotel was built by convict labour in 1834. It initially operated as the Golden Anchor Inn.

From 1862, an ex-convict named John Webb ran it as Webb’s Family Hotel.

When Webb died in 1881, John Hadley became the landlord. He changed the name to Hadley’s Orient Hotel and arranged for electric lighting, telephones, and an elevator to be installed.

In 1890, Hadley bought the hotel off Webb’s executor. Before this, the property was twice offered as a lottery prize in an attempt to reduce the debts of the Van Diemen’s Land Bank. (The two lotteries obviously failed.)

A group of business people purchased the hotel from the Hadley family in 1935. The new owners did not change its name.

The building was offered twice more as a lottery prize, but on both occasions the winner chose to receive a cash prize instead.

The hotel eventually went into receivership.

Today

The current owner of Hadley’s Orient Hotel is Don Neil, a Tasmanian entrepreneur. He acquired it in 2013.

The hotel currently boasts a 24-hour reception, room service, and secure car parking. Meals are served in three dining rooms. Food and drinks can be purchased in the Orient Bar.

Guests

Several well-known people have stayed at Hadley’s Orient Hotel, including Prince Alfred, Princess Melikoff, and Roald Amundsen.

Bibliography

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Tas That Was is a column that includes:

  • anecdotes of life in Tasmania in the past;
  • historical photographs of locations in Tasmania; and/or
  • documentaries about locations in Tasmania.

If you have an anecdote or photograph you’d like to share with us, please send it to [email protected].