The Ten Best Hotels in Brisbane

Formerly known as The Fantauzzo, Crystalbrook Vincent is an art-inspired hotel located beneath Brisbane’s Story Bridge. Despite the name change, the site still pays tribute to world-renowned Australian painter Vincent Fantauzzo, so prepare to feast your eyes on six original artworks plus 500 of his most recognised pieces in reproductions gracing The Fantauzzo’s walls.

Built into the cliff bordering the CBD and Fortitude Valley, the $100 million site boasts a peerless view of the city and the Brisbane River, plus custom furniture and dark-toned interior decor that heroes concrete finishes, black glass, natural rock and timber. The pool is a definite highlight. And you’re just steps away from the excellent Howard Smith Wharves precinct, which is home to a brewery, overwater bar and slick Greek restaurant.

In 2018, the W Hotel chain returned to Australia in a big way. Showing just how much of a designer hotel hotspot Brisbane has become, the brand opened its new digs smack bang in the middle of the city. If you’re going to make a comeback, you may as well do it with a 312-room structure by the river along North Quay. The views are a huge drawcard, obviously, but this spot has plenty of other tricks up its sleeve.

When guests aren’t chilling in the decadent black-and-white tiled pool, they can grab a drink at the adjacent waterside bar or have a meal at the luxe New York-inspired restaurant The Lex. Slipping back upstairs and into the ten-gallon drum baths in each room is also an option. And as a bonus, there are even in-suite cocktail stations — prepare to get mixing.

In late 2018, Hong Kong-based chain Ovolo took over the hotel formerly known as Emporium, giving the 103-room site a huge $55 million facelift — taking inspiration from David Bowie in decking out its two ultra-luxe suites. Of course, everything is glam at Ovolo the Valley. Think rich hues, an overall design that finds its cues in the Valley’s streets and laneways, and the eclectic furniture choices that Ovolo regulars have come to expect.

The brand’s famous perks are also on the menu, such as a free minibar with every room, free breakfast with every stay, free wifi, free laundry and free happy hour drinks each day. When you’re not enjoying all of the above, head up to the top floor — that’s where you’ll find the rooftop swimming pool, gym and sauna.

It’s been a few years since Art Series Hotels made its first foray into Brisbane, and its Spring Hill site lives up to the brand’s concept. Every room in the 83-suite property nods to the space’s namesake: Sydney-born abstract artist Michael Johnson. The hotel is full of his original paintings and prints, including the trademark horizontal bars that have hypnotised art lovers in Australia and abroad for more than four decades.

In a former life, the site was once home to the Department of Transport, although no trace of that bureaucratic past remains. This is a sleek, minimalistic abode that finds its style in the hefty array of art with a resort-style 50m pool, deck bar and downstairs restaurant, and balcony views over one of the inner city’s quietest, leafiest suburbs. It’s effortlessly one of the best hotels in Brisbane.

Two years in the making, the 175-room spot is calling itself ‘Australia’s first urban resort’. And it well and truly deliverables on the brief. The oft-photographed pool is a bar-side haven where patrons can laze around in cabanas or on a sun lounge. Eating on the outdoor deck of the hotel’s excellent Greek restaurant Hellenika is an essential mark on the agenda. So is hanging out at the spa, Kailo, which is also open to the general public.

The white brick design by architects Richards and Spence is made for the local climate — there are openair spaces and breezeways, natural ventilation and plants aplenty, as well as a cool, soothing colour scheme. Inside the rooms, guests will find oak furniture, cork floors and sisal matting in the bathrooms, day beds for afternoon naps, linen robes and a minibar stocked from local suppliers. Operation self-care begins at The Calile, named Oceania and Australia’s best hotel in the World’s Best 50 Hotels Awards.

Now, you can’t talk about the best hotels in Brisbane without a mention of the Emporium Hotel. Up until a few years ago, if you were looking for the Emporium, you’d need to head to Fortitude Valley. But, after a bout of musical chairs among the city’s accommodation providers, the hotel can now be found at South Bank. And this spot is pure opulence.

Starting from the top – you’ve got their 23-metre rooftop infinity pool with insane views over the city. Moving on down, the generous-sized rooms come with all the best amenities, including marble and bronze finishings, mirrored TVs and in-suite wine fridges (they even have a pyjama menu for those who forgot to bring their own). Move from the Piano Bar, to the main dining room or The Terrace before visiting the Belle Époque — where you should try the afternoon tea experience.

You can’t miss this triangular-shaped structure in Fortitude Valley that purposefully takes inspiration from New York’s famous Flatiron Building. Of course, you’re not supposed to miss it. But marvelling at FV Brisbane by Peppers exterior is just the start — although one of its unmistakable highlights is definitely located outside and up high as well. Lofty pools with a view are on-trend at the moment, but we’re not complaining.

Here, said splash-friendly spot is U-shaped and looks out over the city skyline. You can also book private spa lounges should be you staycationing with a group, and then catch a flick on the outdoor deck. Or, find your bliss in the yoga studio.

It had us at rooftop bar. And then totally won us over with all the street art inside and outside the building. The Constance Hotel partnered with local and international artists to create all this, including Magee, Numskull, Rone and Beastman. The rooms come with all the trimmings. The distinctive accommodation options include private courtyards, internal spas and themed artist rooms. Free Wi-Fi, 40-inch TVs, in-room coffee machines and iPod docking stations are standard for all guests.

But back to the rooftop bar – we can easily see ourselves ‘working’ up here with a beer or coffee in hand all day long. Alternatively, we could hire out a shisha, order all the Turkish street food and dance late into the night with its resident DJs. But non-smokers don’t need to worry – those on the hookah are kept separate. It’s the ultimate urban hotel.

Brisbanites can be excused for feeling a sigh of relief about The Westin. Now that it exists, the huge hole in the ground that blighted Mary and Margaret Streets for years and years is finally gone. And it’s a case of good things coming to those who wait, with the hotel giving the city its very first swim-up bar.

The kind of attraction that you’d usually find on an island, by the coast or just somewhere other than an inner city street, the Nautilus is located in the middle of Westin’s 300-square-metre swimming pool — and features views over the city, too. Sounds like the only excuse we all need for a staycation in one of the hotel’s 299 rooms and suites. Although cabanas, deckside yoga classes, an on-site jazz bar and a 150-person restaurant all help as well.

Feel like royalty at this landmark building, chock-full of history and heritage features. Even the gym has ornate curtains, potted plants and oak wood finishes. And the rooms are just as elegantly designed, boasting views either over the river, Queens Park or the city centre.

You will spend big to stay here — but this is a five-star luxury hotel for high rollers, after all. You’ll likely feel like a winner when staying at the Treasury Casino and Hotel – even if you don’t have a windfall at the poker tables downstairs. Feeling lucky?