An insider guide to the best places to stay in Brisbane

You won’t recognize Brisbane if you haven’t been there for a few years. This former grand country town has come of age and become one of Australia’s most sophisticated cities. Its accommodation offerings reflect this, with billions of dollars being invested in some of Australia’s best new hotels. There’s everything here, from five-star city hotels to historic guesthouses and even island resorts just a short ride from the city centre.

Star Greater Brisbane

Perfect for: Guests who love style and serious amenities
Opening in August 2024 as the first phase of the $3.6 billion Queen Wharf Brisbane Precinct development, The Star Grand Brisbane epitomizes the rebirth of the city of Brisbane. All rooms above the casino are quite large (40 square meters on average) and well-equipped, but it’s the extras that stand out. The seventh-floor Entertainment Deck includes the Isoletto Pool Club, a resort-style retreat with three infinity pools overlooking the Brisbane River, while the 23rd-floor Sky Deck features 250 meters of some of Brisbane’s best new restaurants and bars.
The Star Grand Hotel, 33 William Street, Brisbane, Telephone 1800 888 899. See star.com.au/brisbane/hotels/the-star-grand-hotel Starting from $375 per night.

westin brisbane

Perfect for: Business travelers and leisure travelers… equally
When the Westin Brisbane opened in 2018, it was lauded as a testament to what Brisbane would become: one of the country’s coolest capital cities. While Brisbane continues this run, The Westin Brisbane still stands out with the innovations it brings. Here is a hotel in the middle of the CBD that is popular with business travelers as well as leisure ones. Resort-style amenities are available throughout the property: Guy Grossi Italian restaurant, the first Westin by Westin Spa in the country, Brisbane’s first swim-up bar and more. But business travelers never feel outnumbered either. And on weekends, room rates sometimes drop.
Westin Brisbane, 111 Mary Street, Brisbane, Telephone 07 3557 8888. See marriott.com. It starts at $315 per night.

crystalbrook vincent

Perfect for: Culture lovers who like to be social
It is as much an art gallery as it is a hotel. But you don’t have to love art to stay. If you’re a fan of a spectacular view, you’ll love the panoramic views over the Brisbane River and CBD from the hotel’s rooftop bar. Crystalbrook Vincent is carved into the sandstone cliffs beneath the Story Bridge, and you can walk from the lobby towards Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane’s best new entertainment and dining precinct. You can also choose between rooms wrapped in rocks or rooms with city views.
5 Boundary Street, City of Brisbane. Phone: 1300 002 050. See crystalbrookcollection.com/Vincent. It starts at $295 per night.

Emporium Hotel

Perfect for: Couples and families who want to feel spoiled
There are 143 suites with river views at South Bank, Brisbane’s premier arts and entertainment precinct (across the river from the CBD). There is also an infinity pool on the rooftop, next to restaurants and bars with views of the entire city. Or you can check out The Parklands Suite, one of Australia’s most opulent penthouses with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, three dining rooms, a 15-metre infinity pool and a wrap-around balcony on the hotel’s 21st floor. It comes with an Ambassador (think: a butler who doesn’t stay in your room).
267 Gray Street, South Brisbane. Phone: 07 3556 3333. See. www.emporiumhotels.com.au. It starts at $369 per night.

Novotel South Bank

Ideal for: Families eager to keep their children busy
Novotel South Bank offers something for every traveler, especially those with young children. Parents have many options for accommodation in the heart of Brisbane’s cultural district, just a short walk from the city. But children are particularly well catered for, with an outdoor racing track for electric cars, an outdoor pool with all kinds of pool toys, a Lego butler who can deliver Legos at any time of the day or night, a children’s minibar and teepees with many games in the junior suites of each family suite; A perfect escape for kids.
38 Cordelia Street, South Bank. Phone: 07 3295 4100. See. novotelbrisbanesouthbank.com.au. It starts at $295 per night.

Spicers Balfour Hotel

Perfect for: Couples escaping to the city
Spicers Retreats offer rural retreats in some of Australia’s most beautiful regions; this is the city version that follows the same philosophies. Located in the stylish inner-city suburb of New Farm, the hotel offers nine rooms in a historic Queenslander and eight suites in an adjacent Art Deco building. Both have access to a rooftop bar with an honest beverage system and Balfour Kitchen & Bar, one of the city’s most upscale Vietnamese restaurants. You’re a two-minute walk from cafes, restaurants, bars and boutiques; But when you are at home hide in your private little world.
37 Balfour Street, New Farm. Phone: 1300 597 540. See. Spicerretreats.com. Starting from $395 per night.

Hotel

Perfect for: Foodie and art-loving couples
Note the massive white geometric facade; But what would you expect from a hotel in Brisbane’s hippest neighbourhood, Fortitude Valley? Don’t worry: this place isn’t pretentious at all, and even the rooftop restaurant Iris, Brisbane’s hottest rooftop spot, is wonderfully devoid of attitude. Book a suite to have an outdoor terrace overlooking the city, there’s artwork on every wall, and there’s a French bistro and bar in the lobby. Hotel X is proof (if you needed it) that Brisbane has truly matured culturally. The James Street District is a two-minute walk away.
458 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley. Phone: 07 3519 1000. See. hotelx.com.au. It starts at $346 per night.

Tangalooma Island Resort

Perfect for: A family holiday where city meets sand
Brisbane is home to more than 350 islands located in Moreton Bay; consider these islands to be Queensland’s most underrated (semi-)tropical islands. Take a quick 75-minute catamaran ride from the city and you’ll find one of the best family accommodation options in Brisbane. Located on the world’s second largest sand island (Moreton Island), Tangalooma Island Resort offers family-friendly beaches, snorkeling over shipwrecks, sand sledding, whale watching tours and hand-feeding wild dolphins. An easy escape before or after a city break for families who like a little bit of everything when they travel.
Moreton Island. Phone: 1300 652 250. See. www.tangalooma.com. It starts at $239 per night.

Adina Apart Hotel

Perfect for: Couples and families looking to dine out
Here is a hotel in the heart of the city, suitable for everyone, from families to couples on romantic holidays. Built within a 1920s state bank building, you will enter this building through a former bank room that doubles as a lobby, with its impressive high ceilings, marble floors, columns and wood paneling. There’s a kitchen in your room to keep costs down, but there’s a Donna Chang restaurant downstairs with a pretty tempting Chef’s Hat rating. You’ll also get great cocktails in the Boom Boom Room, and you can take a lap or catch some rays in the heated pool open to the Queensland sky.
171 George Street, City. Phone: 07 3155 1000. See. www.adinahotels.com.au. It starts at $336 per night.

Galileo

Perfect for: Couples who want it all
Press us, are we in Beverly Hills? This is the hotel that really put Brisbane on the map. More of an urban resort than a hotel, the rooms are all clustered around a 30-metre-long swimming pool surrounded by cottages, palm trees and one of Queensland’s best restaurants, Hellenika. There is quite a view here; However, while some guests show off, there is not the slightest trick from the friendly staff. Located in the heart of Brisbane’s trendy James Street district, walk past your hotel and you’ll find the city’s best bars, boutiques and restaurants just outside.
48 James Street, Fortitude Valley. Phone: 07 3607 5888. See. thecalilehotel.com. It starts at $476 per night.

Hotel Indigo

Perfect for: Couples who want culture at an affordable price
It’s only the second of its kind for the boutique-innovative brand. Built on the edge of the city, next to the river in North Quay, you could call it an art hotel, but it wouldn’t go overboard and turn into a museum. Art welcomes you before you even enter; There is a 16-story mural on the outside of the building. The lobby also features murals by local artists, as well as sculptures and suspended ceiling installations. You’ll love the on-site Japanese restaurant, Izakaya Publico; plus its cozy bar 1603 is one of the best hotel bars in Brisbane.
27/35 Kalkan Street, City. Phone: 07 3237 2330. See. hotelindigo.com It starts at $337 per night.

inchcolm

Perfect for: Guests who love casual nostalgia
Inchcolm epitomizes Brisbane’s development; because it feels partly like a big country town, with its three-hour happy hour every Tuesday through Saturday where strangers chat with each other, but it’s also a very chic city, with its huge open-walled bar that doubles as a reception and modern art deco touches throughout. Located on the edge of the CBD in Brisbane’s lush Spring Hill, next to Fortitude Valley’s endless nightly entertainment options, each room is individually decorated in nod to its centuries-old heritage, but with just enough modern touches to keep it fresh.
73 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill. Phone: 07 3226 8888. See. odehotels.com/inchcolm. It starts at $290 per night.

W Brisbane

Perfect for: Couples and families who enjoy style with lots of home comforts
There’s a simple reason why this is one of Australia’s best hotels: it feels good to be here. It cost $800 million to build and was the first W Hotel to open in Australia, but despite a resident DJ spinning tunes throughout the hotel and decor resembling a New York lounge bar, it feels almost as homey as home. Although your home probably doesn’t have a bar like The Wet Deck, an outdoor venue centered around a swimming pool where you can watch the sun set over Mt Coot-tha, or a restaurant like The Lex that exudes all the dark, moody atmosphere of a classic New York City steakhouse.
W Hotel, 81 North Quay Road, Brisbane. Phone: (07) 3556 8888. See. brisbane.com. It starts from $450 per night.