There’s no need to travel overseas for a luxe getaway. Heck, you don’t even need to stray beyond the city limits.
Boasting a slew of hip new designer hotels (and a few old school favs), Brisbane is brilliant for a glamorous weekend staycation.
From chic vintage boutiques to sleek sustainable luxury digs, we’ve rounded down the River City’s five finest hotels.
Crystalbrook Vincent
Nestled beneath the Story Bridge, this legendary five-star lodging gives you easy access to Howard Smith Wharf’s best eateries. Not keen to venture past the lobby? There’s a sublime rooftop bar and an ultra-authentic Italian restaurant to keep your taste buds content.
Art aficionados can admire an eclectic collection of Vincent Fantauzzo works. No less than 500 prints lie peppered throughout the property. As part of the sustainable luxury Crystalbrook Collection, Vincent boasts waste-free bathrooms and zero single-use plastics. What’s more, you’ll see wads of recycled materials everywhere you look.
The Calile Hotel
A smash hit on Instagram, this slick designer hotel is fast becoming Brisbane’s most iconic staycation spot. Its impeccable interiors feature rich materials like polished oakwood furnishings and cork floors—the sparkling marble-clad bathrooms are out of this world. Throw in photogenic amenities like a sun lounger-lined resort-style pool and soothing day spa, and you’ve got five-star perfection.
Peckish? Tuck into some tasty Hellenic tucker at the in-house Greek restaurant: Hellenika. The relative newcomer (opened in 2018) sits on Fortitude Valley’s James Street, a hotbed of hip boutiques and bustling restaurants and bars.
The Westin
Craving the whole tropical resort kit and caboodle? There’s no need to travel further than Brisbane’s CBD. This world-renowned luxury hotel chain has finally opened its Brisbane branch to gift the city its first swim-up bar.
Smack bang in the centre of a 300m2 artificial lagoon, the Nautilus Pool Bar is a super scenic spot to sip a frothy one on a sun-kissed afternoon. The sweeping inner-city views get better with every glass. Paddock-to-plate gastronomy comes courtesy of Eden’s Table, and there’s an in-house Jazz bar (sans the pool) for cruisy late-night tunes.
W Brisbane
The famously fun and flashy W decided to make Brisbane its Australian debut—that goes to show the city’s designer hotel credentials. Overlooking the river, this ostentatious Ann Street offering consequently boasts epic Southbank views. Couple that with Wow Suites full of hedonistic extras like a cocktail mixing set and a WET Deck pool bar, and you’ve got the perfect weekend party pad.
Can’t stretch for the Wow Suite? Plunge into the communal pool to gawk at its sleek geometric design and grab a cheeky bevvy from its attached waterside bar. Next, to line the stomach before a wild night on the tiles, fill up at Three Ducks, an eco-friendly “paddock-to-plate” establishment from Byron Bay.
The Inchcolm by Ovolo
A bedazzling blend of old and new, this chic boutique occupies a charming heritage-listed house in Spring Hill. Ovolo has done a bang-on job at renovating its interiors, adding fresh contemporary décor to complement its unique retro theme.
From the David Bowie-printed crockery to the 1920’s-era Gertrude Stein’s Paris salon (don’t miss martini hour), it’s a captivating place to retreat, rendezvous and revel.
Eat Well on Your Brisbane Staycation with Kiff & Culture
You’ve got the accommodation sorted. Therefore, it’s time to work out where you want to eat.
Instead of flicking through fake Trip Advisor reviews, why not jump on our Brisbane Artisan Food & Drink tour. We’ll whisk you between the city’s finest restaurants and boutique booze-makers in one fun-filled afternoon before dropping you off at your staycation base of choice.