Brisbane's First Hotel Indigo Boasts a Japanese Eatery and 'Boy Swallows Universe'-Inspired Mural

Staycation-loving Brisbanites, you've just scored a new spot to spend a relaxing night away from home. Joining the city's ever-growing accommodation lineup is Hotel Indigo, with the brand making its first move into Queensland, setting up shop on North Quay by the Brisbane River.

Nodding to its location is a big part of this hotel — and dialling up the art and design focus as well. Accordingly, Queensland artists such as Blends, Leans and Fuzeillear have decked out the place with art that reflects upon the city's history, icons, hidden gems and laneways. One such piece: a towering 16-storey mural of a blue wren on the outside of the building, courtesy of Blends, that pays tribute to author Trent Dalton and his hit novel (and soon-to-be TV series) Boy Swallows Universe.

Inside, guests will find 212 design-led rooms that hero bold splashes of colour. The fact that you enter via two giant six-metre-high red doors — inspired by Burnett Lane's red fairy doors — gives that away, too. Mixing and matching textures and art is a key focus as well, both where you'll be sleeping and in communal spaces.

When you're not kicking back in your room, you can grab a cuppa, danish, muffin or sandwich from a graffiti-covered coffee cart in the lobby, or hit up Hotel Indigo's signature restaurant Izakaya Publico. The latter serves up Japanese dishes cooked using a warayaki grill, such as seared bonito and beef skewers.

And, there's also speakeasy-inspired bar 1603, which goes heavy on sake-fuelled cocktails, plus local wine and beers.

A brand from the IHG Hotels chain, Hotel Indigo also has a location in Adelaide, as well as international sites everywhere from Brooklyn, Hong Kong and Bali to Shanghai, Paris, Berlin and London.

In Brisbane, the new North Quay spot joins the inner-city area's other recent addition, voco. And yes, it's a busy time for new hotels Australia-wide, including the first Down Under outpost for Ace Hotels in Sydney, the design-driven AC Hotels in Melbourne, Newcastle's own QT with a rooftop bar and a suite in a clock tower and The Langham on the Gold Coast.

Find Hotel Indigo at 27–35 Turbot Street, Brisbane.