Best hotels in Brisbane
A stellar lineup of new and refreshed five-star hotels is putting the River City back in the holiday spotlight.
After spending years in the shadows of Australia’s cultural capital Melbourne and harbourside darling Sydney, Brisbane is ready for its moment in the sun. A lot has changed in recent years. The River City has welcomed a string of designer hotels, and lesser-known neighbourhoods have evolved with an array of modern eateries, bars and creative spaces in their orbit.
The future looks bright, too. A lineup of blockbuster five-star arrivals is set to further transform the landscape. On our radar: the Ritz-Carlton, Movenpick and Rosewood will all star in the $3bn riverfront Queen’s Wharf development. With the 2032 Summer Olympic Games on the horizon, the boom shows no signs of slowing.
Here, consider the seven best hotels in Brisbane for your next city escape.
The Calile Hotel
Dubbed Australia’s first “urban resort”, Fortitude Valley’s buzziest five-star hotel takes design cues from cities such as Palm Springs, Miami and Rio de Janeiro. Architecture studio Richards and Spence wanted to create a coastal resort-style space by focusing on the central pool while still catering to city-slicker guests by offering premium facilities and maximising the convenient location.
Located in the thriving James Street precinct, the muted concrete and white brick exterior draws guests into a similarly serene blush and sky-blue interior. You’ll struggle to find a harsh line or sharp corner inside, where arched doorways and windows dominate. It’s a homogenous architectural flow that opens into a maze of open-air walkways, communal spaces and outdoor areas. The Calile Hotel’s 175 guestrooms mirror these hues, using sage and blush tones to produce a tranquil, inviting space.
Outside, guests will find a photogenic 28m pool lined with palm trees and cabanas where they can find relief from the humidity with a swim or poolside cocktail. Should they wish to take their beverage indoors, there’s the Lobby Bar and on-site restaurants such as Bianca (Italian), Same Same (Thai), SK Steak & Oyster and Sushi Room. The standout eatery is Hellenika, a modern Greek restaurant that opened its first venue on the Gold Coast in 2010. Chef Bryan Kelly serves up creamy taramasalata, cured white anchovies, veal-stuffed dolmades and lamb shoulder doused in dill yoghurt.
Perfect for: A resort-style tropical escape in the heart of the city
Stay: From $436 a night
Dine: Bianca, Sushi Room, Same Same, Hellenika and SK Steak & Oyster
Must-do: Lounge poolside under the palm trees with the hotel’s signature tipple, The Calile Spritz, in hand.
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Crystalbrook Vincent
With a central philosophy of responsible luxury, Crystalbrook Vincent is an environmentally conscious hotel that aims to offer a sophisticated yet ethical guest experience. Since its takeover by Crystalbrook Collection, the hotel has removed single-use plastics and transformed its bathrooms to be 100 per cent waste-free; key cards are made from recycled wood, toothbrushes from sugar cane and cornstarch, and coat hangers from paper.
Formerly The Fantauzzo, the hotel located at Howard Smith Wharves rebranded in July 2021 but maintained its partnership with Vincent Fantauzzo, whose prints adorn the six-storey property. Curated by the artist’s wife, actor Asher Keddie, the collection includes more than 500 prints and 180 original artworks in the hotel’s 166 guestrooms and communal spaces.
On the rooftop is Fiume (Italian for “river”), where guests can sip cocktails and enjoy contemporary Australian cuisine beneath Brisbane’s Story Bridge. If you’re after something more substantial, Mews offers share plates sourced from local independent growers and farmers, all of which is underpinned by the hotel’s commitment to sustainable sourcing and practices. Sip on a fairy floss-topped cocktail and nibble on Gold Coast yellowfin tuna tartare and Moreton Bay bug with myrtle and spicy cornbread.
Perfect for: Environmentally conscious travellers
Stay: From $345 a night
Dine: Fiume, Mews
Must-do: Swim in the pool under the Story Bridge; browse the impressive art collection by Melbourne-based artist Vincent Fantauzzo.
Read more: Crystalbrook Vincent review
Hotel X
On the fringe of Fortitude Valley and at the end of bar-lined Brunswick Street, X marks the spot of the InterContinental Group’s new-ish five-star hotel. Since opening its doors in December 2021, the hotel has established a pocket of luxury in a part of town known for its urban-grunge aesthetic.
Within the pale geometric exterior (which lights up with a colourful Tron-like display at night) are 146 vibrantly coloured guestrooms, each displaying artwork by award-winning architectural photographer Justin Nicholas. On-site French bistro Bisou Bisou serves up oysters, caviar and steak tartare in an earth-toned retrofitted space, while Iris, the rooftop bar and restaurant headed by chef Lloyd Evans provides breathtaking skyline views as well as Spanish-infused plates. The bar is close to the rooftop pool – an ideal spot for cocktails.
Perfect for: Easily exploring laneways, bars or Chinatown
Stay: From $260 a night
Dine: Bisou Bisou, Iris
Must-do: Explore the local area, including some of Brisbane’s best fashion boutiques and clubs, by bike or scooter.
Read more: Hotel X review
W Brisbane
Marriott Hotels opened W Brisbane in 2018, promising lively drinking and dining experiences as well as a full-service spa with bold, eclectic decor. Perched on the riverbank, the property pays homage to native animals and rare stones such as opals via prints and sculptures throughout.
The W’s signature WET Deck features a large swimming pool and balcony bar with impressive river views. DJs frequently perform at this artificial tropical oasis, which also serves as an indoor/outdoor function space. If you’re after something more substantial than the Deck’s range of nibbles, all-day diner Three Blue Ducks on the third floor serves food that showcases the region’s freshest flavours while adhering to a paddock-to-plate ethos. As with its three sibling restaurants, the eatery, headed by chefs Mark LaBrooy and Darren Robertson, pursues as many sustainable and ethical practices as possible. For an intimate spot, head to the Living Room Bar, which serves as a relaxed lounge by day and moody watering hole in the evening. From the re-imagined Australian High Tea (swap cucumber sandwiches for meat pie and Milo-inspired nibbles), to a lengthy list of creative cocktails, this versatile space will satisfy most cravings.
Once you’ve eaten your fill and danced the night away, the AWAY spa offers an extensive treatment menu where every appointment includes access to a mineral-rich vitality pool. Sink into a river-facing relaxation pod and take in the hotel’s ambient playlist, put together by W Brisbane’s music curator, Kane Dignum.
Perfect for: Social travellers planning a group trip or looking for a hotel with a buzzing night-life pulse
Stay: From $430 a night
Dine: WET Deck, Three Blue Ducks and Living Room Bar
Must-do: Spend a Saturday afternoon at the WET Deck, having a drink, swim and dance.
Read more: W Brisbane review
The Westin Brisbane
A haven for the travelling professional, this hotel’s inner-city location and commitment to quality service sets it apart. Staff expertise and attention to detail is notable across its 260 guestrooms, 39 suites and communal areas.
While its address is unmatched for convenience, the flip-side is balcony views are less impressive than some of the city’s riverside accommodation options. Regardless, the corporate ambience is eased by a delightful resort-style pool area that boasts Brisbane’s first swim-up bar, day beds and partially submerged stone sun loungers. It’s a space that is particularly beautiful in the evening when the surrounding buildings are illuminated.
Aviation-inspired jazz bar and cafe The Charles’ offers a thoughtful selection of cocktails, wine, craft beers and light bites. If you’re looking to break a sweat, the large state-of-the-art 24/7 gym has complimentary pilates classes, or if you need some vitamin D, take a guided jog along the Brisbane River with the “run concierge”. And don’t forget to unwind in the Heavenly Spa.
Perfect for: The travelling professional
Stay: From $410 a night
Dine: The Charles’
Must-do: Sip a cocktail at Brisbane’s only swim-up bar.
Read more: The Westin Brisbane review
Emporium Hotel South Bank
The Emporium’s 146 suites ooze luxury with a modern edge. Kitted out with the latest entertainment technology and in-room automation, the accommodation has everything from high-definition televisions to surround-sound audio systems, but doesn’t compromise on chic timeless decor.
Be transported to a prohibition era-style watering hole at the Piano Bar. Listen to live jazz (Thursday-Sunday) while a mixologist takes you through the impressive range of beverages, or shake it up at a cocktail masterclass. The Terrace on the rooftop has a retractable ceiling and floor-to-ceiling glass doors, ensuring views of the South Bank Parklands and river can be enjoyed year round. For those with a sweet tooth, on-site patisserie Belle Epoque serves treats, breakfast, lunch and high tea. For a more substantial meal, Signature Restaurant showcases the best gastronomy the greater Brisbane region has to offer, including crispy chicken skin with scallops, and quail with bacon jam.
Perfect for: Those who appreciate larger rooms and ending the day with a well-mixed cocktail and live music
Stay: From $410 a night
Dine: The Terrace, Belle Epoque, Signature Restaurant and the Piano Bar
Must-do: Take a cocktail masterclass at the Piano Bar.
Read more: Emporium Hotel South Bank review
Ovolo The Valley
Sister to The Inchcolm by Ovolo in nearby Spring Hill, this quirky sibling in Fortitude Valley has spacious, high-design rooms outfitted with contemporary art. Ovolo’s innovation extends to guest perks as well, providing complimentary services such as social-hour drinks, in-room minibar, 24-hour gym, breakfast, all-day snacks and a loot bag stuffed with treats. The hotel also plants a tree every time a direct booking is made.
When hunger strikes, head to Za Za Ta, a vegetarian Middle Eastern-Mediterranean fusion restaurant decked out by award-winning interior designer Luchetti Krelle. For post-dinner drinks, wander over to Kazba for a Tel Aviv-themed cocktail experience, complete with charcoal and wood-fired snacks.
Perfect for: Those who appreciate quirky interior design and want a hotel with inclusive treats and amenities
Stay: From $320 a night
Dine: Za Za Ta, Kazba
Must-do: Enjoy a free round of drinks at social hour.
Read more: Ovolo The Valley review
Have you stayed at one of these hotels? Share your review in the comments.