Brisbane’s James Street is the new ‘Beverly Hills’ and offers more than a swanky stay

IT’S been likened to the most stylish streets of Melbourne and Sydney ... even Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive ... but Brisbane’s James Street is one of a kind

Stay the night at the Sage Hotel on James Street

THERE’S a high likelihood you’ve passed through, but until you’ve spent the weekend you haven’t truly experienced all James Street has to offer.

The edgy Brisbane precinct’s newest addition Sage Hotel is the perfect launch pad for your foray into food, fashion and the arts.

The hotel’s interior and decor is reflective and inclusive of its stylish and modern surrounds.

Staff are kitted out in Kit and Ace uniforms and accessorised with touches of Dinosaur Designs, both of which have shops down the road.

Designer light fittings and indigenous artwork accessorise the hotel itself, and rooms feature an industrial cityscape mural behind a luxurious bedhead.

The real cityscape is framed by generously sized windows with western facing rooms serving up a sunset more enticing than the new big-screen TV.

The room with a view at the brand new Sage Hotel, James Street, Brisbane.

While it’s lovely to stay somewhere that has the charm of a building well-lived in and well-loved, nothing beats the luxury of a room that’s brand spanking new.

While the compact site Sage occupies doesn’t allow for pool or gym facilities, that doesn’t mean you’ll go without a relaxing dip or a not-so-relaxing sweat sesh while you’re on holiday.

Your room at Sage awards free access to the iconic Valley Pool and Function Well Management gym.

The bathrooms inside the Sage Hotel James Street are impressive.

Craving a pamper session, I’m pointed to the well-established Waterlily Skin and Body Spa two buildings away.

Adjacent to the Sage lobby is James Street Cafe (which is also conveniently a cellar ... and they sell Black Hops), perfect for a grab’n’go coffee and snack, but if you’re looking to spread out with the morning paper and spend a little time indulging in a hot breakfast, head to Queens Arms.

Affectionately known as QA, you can still take advantage of that luxurious hotel comfort of charging to the room.

It’s these links Sage have made with local businesses that give the impression their priority is showcasing James Street in all its glory and encouraging guests to get out and about.

Strolling the street will transport you to a scene straight out of Confessions of a Shopaholic where the mannequins come to life, soundlessly screaming “Come in! Buy everything!”. Take the limit off your credit card, ladies.

Within walking distance you’ll find Kate and Ace, Camilla, Zimmerman, Calexico, Sass & Bide, Scanlan Theodore, Natasha Schweitzer, Gorman and more, each more enticing than the next.

Adding to the cultural element is TW Fine Art Gallery, the project of Tove Witzerman Langridge.

The Marcus Boelen Dirty Attraction exhibit as displayed at Tove Langridge's art gallery, TW Fine Art in Brisbane.

Listening to Tove speak about art is almost art itself, with his passion and wisdom immediately shining through.

The gallery, unpretentious and welcoming to all, is currently displaying our own Marcus Boelen’s Dirty Attraction exhibit, which Tove joyfully deconstructs with anyone who walks through the door.

It’s easy to lose track and before long, you’ll be needing to sit, relax, and delight in everything you’ve taken in.

The new Botanical Bar + Kitchen — just a jump away from Sage’s front doors — fits the bill.

Just next door is the aforementioned QA, with more of a casual pub vibe — pokies and sport on the TVs — but still delicious food and beverage.

Downstairs is Farrier Bar. It used to be a stable and they’ve retained its beautiful brick walls, now splashed with stylish equine art.

Farrier is Brisbane’s offering for night owls, with their supper club operating until 2am alongside a very well stocked bar.

Rosie Conway, manager and Issac Hull chef at Albion Provisions.

If sweet treats are more your thing, Jocelyn’s Provisions, a bakery spanning more than two decades, is a sweet dream come true.

Then there’s New Farm Confectionary and its promise of homemade sherbet and a strong stance against hollow Easter eggs (here they’re packed with honeycomb and rocky road).

Julie Tjiandra — owner of Scrumptious Reads bookshop.

Or if you fancy yourself the maker of treats rather than the eater, Scrumptious Reads is filled from floor to ceiling with nothing but cookbooks — every cookbook you could possibly imagine.

The piece de resistance, however, is the highly regarded Gerard’s Bistro, just a 300m trot down the street.

The Middle Eastern Bazaar’s menu features a fine-dining quality menu in a modern setting. Men, take note: this is where you go to impress your lady.

The lamb tartare stands out, or you can’t go wrong with their signature slow-roasted wagyu brisket.

After a day spent absorbing food, culture, wine and more food, you’ll be more than ready to sink into Sage’s sumptuous sheets.

The writer travelled as a guest of Sage Hotel James Street.

STAY

Sage Hotel James Street, 70 James Street, Fortitude Valley

PLAY

Waterlily Skin and Body Spa, 74-76 James St, New Farm

TW Fine Art Gallery, 181 Robertson St, Fortitude Valley

SAVOUR

Farrier Bar & Supper Club, 164 Arthur St, Fortitude Valley

Gerard’s Bistro, 14/15 James St, Fortitude Valley

QA Hotel, 64 James St, Fortitude Valley