I’ve Stayed at 30 Top Brisbane Hotels – These Are the Ones I Loved

It’s the difference between a sleep and a fabulous stay – these are the top Brisbane hotels I love and where to stay in Brisbane for an unforgettable experience! There are many new hotels to stay at in Brisbane, but these are my favourites.  They all offer something different, and depending on whether you are staying in the city, South Bank or Fortitude Valley, you will find easy access to a wide range of activities.

Where to stay in Brisbane

Whether you like glitz and glamour, old-school charm, L.A. cool, or a business-savvy stay,  there is a Brisbane hotel that will meet your needs. Here is where to stay in Brisbane to match your innermost dreams and your city plans with tips from a local on how to pick the best hotels in Brisbane for your planned activities or just relax with a Brisbane staycation.

Photo below – Kerry Heaney and Kevin Gordon test out one of Brisbane’s top hotels with a drink at Club Millesime, Sofitel Brisbane Central.

 Above: The Star Grand Brisbane – River King Room

The Star Grand Brisbane, Brisbane CBD

Brisbane’s newest hotel, which is part of the landmark Queen’s Wharf development, The Star Grand Brisbane, has opened to big expectations from everyone.  Its rooms are lusciously decorated, and the riverside views are hard to beat. When completed, the precinct will be an amazing stay, but in late 2024, there are still parts of the Leisure Deck to complete.

Why choose this Brisbane hotel?  Stay here to experience the latest in luxury, and go for a Skyline Penthouse if you can afford it because the bath is amazing. It’s a no-brainer for casino lovers, and with the Neville Bonner Bridge at your doorstep, it is an easy stay for QPAC or anything at South Bank.  Don’t miss the Sky Deck for a fantastic view any time of the day.

Read my peek inside The Star Grand

Below: The Star Grand Brisbane Skyline Penthouse Suite ensuite

Above: Street art adorns the facade of The Constance, a top Brisbane hotel. 

The Constance, Fortitude Valley

Located on busy Constance Street, just a short skip from the heart of Fortitude Valley, The Constance is a quirky boutique hotel with 65 rooms and plenty of vibe.  Step inside the lift and start enjoying a street art gallery that features different artists on different floors. The artists include Bao Ho, Gris One, Beastman, Rone, Magee, and fUnSKULL. Some rooms have a spa, others an ‘outside’ courtyard. The decor tends towards bright orange and lime green, which is a great contrast to the neutral walls.

Most importantly, the bed is very comfortable, and the bathroom is well-designed. Showers that leak over the floor are one of my top hotel hates, but The Constance bathroom is compact, efficient and dry!

Dine in the ground floor Rose Room, where the menu tends towards Turkish treats. At night, from midweek onwards, the rooftop bar Dirty Sultan serves neo-Turkish share plates and drinks.

The top floor includes a small, well-patronised gym.  Guests also have access to the heated 50-metre Valley Pool.

Why choose this Brisbane hotel? If you are looking for a boutique hotel with excellent access to Fortitude Valley and James Street at a lower price point, this is your spot.  It’s also a favourite with street art lovers and Beastman fans who can book a room decorated by their favourite artist with a minibar package.  Imagine a daily supply of snack bars, chips and soft drinks at your disposal.

The Constance

Below: Inside The Constance – Courtyard Room.

Above:  Stay in Brisbane in a Premiere Suite at Sofitel Brisbane Central

Sofitel Brisbane Central, Brisbane CBD

Step inside this chic hotel, and you’ll feel like you’ve taken a Parisian mini-break.  It’s one of Brisbane’s premiere luxury hotels with 379 rooms and 37 suites.  The ground floor is filled with restaurants and bars and you’ll always find something open here. Dine in Bistro Suzette for nighttime views of the city.  Come back in the morning for one of the best breakfast buffets in town and try the chef-made omelette station.

Opt for Club Millesime access, and you’ll also be able to enjoy afternoon and evening drinks on the 30th floor.  The food here comes in delicious small portions but is ample as a snack or for those not interested in big meals.

I stayed in a Premier Suite with two rooms and a lavish bathroom.  However, all rooms have what I rate as one of the most comfortable hotel beds around, the Sofitel My Bed.  It almost always guarantees a great night’s sleep for me. My only gripe is a lack of bedside USB and power points.

I particularly like the pool here, which is secluded, rather than the showpiece that you’ll find at many other city hotels.  Swim and sunbake here without being on display.  It’s next door to Stephanies Spa Retreat, and I can highly recommend a massage and Opal Rasual Temple steam room treatment.

Why choose this Brisbane hotel? 

Sofitel Brisbane Central is located above Central Station on a straight line from Brisbane Airport.  Walk out the Ann Street door, and you are just metres from Brisbane’s Edward Street, where many of the world’s top fashion brands have a shop front. Don’t miss Queens Plaza or the Tattersalls Arcade.

Sofitel Brisbane Central

Below: Suite bathroom at Sofitel Brisbane Central

Above: Kerry Heaney enjoys half-price oysters for Happy Hour on Thursdays at Hyatt Regency Brisbane, a top Brisbane hotel.

Hyatt Regency Brisbane

Take the escalators from Queen Street Mall up into the five-star Hyatt Regency and relax in a refined space with the city buzzing below.  The hotel has 292 rooms that overlook Brisbane city and the Brisbane River with views to South Bank. Two onsite restaurants mean plenty of in house dining oportunities.  I especially enjoyed the half price happy hour oysters at the Hibiscus Bar on Thursdays.  This venue overlooks the 20-metre infinity pool which is pretty in pink at night.

The rooms are well designed with plenty of power points just where you need them plus ample hanging space in the bathroom.  Whether you are shopping, exploring or on business, this hotel has plenty of options.

Why choose this Brisbane hotel? Located at the top end of Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall, Hyatt Regency Brisbane has easy access to many of the CBD’s top attractions.  In one direction, Brisbane’s premium shopping streets are right at your fingertips. In the other South Bank, with GOMA, QPAC, the Museum of Queensland, and South Bank Parklands, all are within an easy stroll.  Nightlife and restaurants surround the hotel but don’t miss the top spots in Burnett Lane.

Hyatt Regency Brisbane

Below: Room and ensuite in Hyatt Regency Brisbane.

Sunset views from a Hotel X Balcony. Photo Justin Nicolas

Hotel X, Fortitude Valley

X marks the spot for Brisbane’s newest five-star hotel, which elevates Fortitude Valley with a cocktail of ultra-cool art, Avant-Garde lighting, magical cityscape views and thrills, plenty of thrills. Hotel X promises somewhere decadent, somewhere different and somewhere wild, which is a good match to the Valley’s thriving night scene. There’s both a ground floor restaurant and bar, the quirkily named Bisou Bisou (‘Kiss Kiss’ in French), and a rooftop poolside restaurant and bar where the city views are panoramic. You can hand your keys over to a concierge valet and work out in an expansive gym. Top tier rooms feature artwork by Justin Nicolas, Dyson and GHD hair appliances and amenities designed by high fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld. It’s not hard to find this hotel at night as Hotel X’s white geometric facade with its lighting system is a strong feature.

Why choose this Brisbane hotel? Minutes walk to James Street’s boutiques, restaurants and cinema, Brunswick Street’s night action and close to the bars and restaurants of Howard Smith Wharves and Brisbane city via bus or the Riverwalk.  Easy access to the city via bus or train.

Hotel X

Below: Hotel X bedroom. Photo Justin Nicolas

Emporium Hotel, South Bank, Brisbane.

Emporium Hotel South Bank

Walking inside this glamorous hotel is like stepping into another brighter, shinier world.  It’s a place where, even if you walk in frowning, you will leave with a smile. Hip design, the latest in-room technology, and personalised service are the Emporium Hotels Group’s new five-star Emporium Hotel South Bank star elements. Take your life in your hands with the roulette wheel of fate when it comes to the virtual shark which resides in one of the four lift wells, and ride to the sky and The Terrace bar for the best South Bank views of Brisbane.  Who knew the river city was this pretty at sunset?  Guests also get to enjoy the infinity rooftop pool, which aces every other hotel pool in Brisbane. The hotel’s ground-floor piano bar and restaurant are also recommended. Next door on the ground floor, high tea at Belle Epoque is another special treat.

Why choose this Brisbane hotel? For South Bank action and a touch of luxury, this is the place to be. You also don’t have to go far to stumble to bed after a night at The Terrace bar.

Read my full review of Emporium Hotel South Bank

Below – bedroom and pool views at Emporium South Bank.

Nestled under the Story Bridge, Crystalbrook Vincent is dark and moody. Photo: Kerry Heaney

Crystalbrook Vincent, Brisbane CBD

It feels like a scene out of a spy movie when you slink down the long corridors to reach the rooms at Crystalbrook Vincent on the edge of Brisbane’s CBD near the Story Bridge. This place is ultra-cool and perches on Brisbane’s hottest entertainment precinct doorstep.  Howard Smith Wharves has the bars and restaurants that have put Brisbane on the map for good times vibes.  The options are many and well patronised, perhaps even a little over-loved at times. Check out Felons, Greca and Mr Percival’s and don’t miss Crystalbrook Vincent’s rooftop bar.

Why base your Brisbane stay here? Having somewhere close by where you can dip into and out of this merry mayhem is a great way to enjoy a break. It makes a great Brisbane staycation as well.

Read my full review of Crystalbrook Vincent.

Photo below: Crystalbrook Vincent.

W Brisbane Lobby Bar. Photo: Kerry Heaney

W Brisbane, Brisbane CBD

From the moment you walk in the door of this hotel, it’s clear that this is a different sort of stay.  If the giant glitter thong (the food kind) doesn’t give you a hint, the multi-coloured mirror wall will. Head up to the fourth floor, walk past the food-inspired wall art with its Jazz crackers, Chicco rolls and Iced Vo Vo biscuits, and you’ll discover enough local sayings to keep you laughing for the rest of your stay. The five-star W Brisbane has turned the old law court site at 300 George Street into something special. Inside are three bars and restaurants, including Three Blue Ducks from The Farm at Byron Bay. The design throughout the 312 guestrooms pays tribute to local Indigenous culture, with the river snaking throughout. The views stretch from South Bank to Mount Coot-tha, but the nighttime view over South Bank is the one to book. W Brisbane offers a delicious Eat Your Heart Out High Tea in the ground floor lounge bar.

Why make this your Brisbane stay? You’ll have good access to the top end of town, Queen Street shopping and it is an easy walk over the bridge to South Bank’s museums and art galleries.

W Brisbane

There’s always a talking point at W Brisbane like this collection of local sayings.

The Calile, James Street, Brisbane

Calile Hotel, Foritude Valley

Beverly Hills luxe meets James Street cool poolside at the award-winning Calile Hotel. This seven-storey urban resort also is home to one of ‘the’ restaurants in town, award-winning Hellenika. Here the highly prized poolside seats are often favoured by the rich and famous. The adjoining micro-precinct, Ada Lane, has lips smacking with its eateries and bars.

Is this your Brisbane hotel? James Street is Brisbane’s upscale shopping street with plenty of ways to part you from your money.  The street is also lined with restaurants and bars for a feel-good, fun time.

Read my full review of Calile Hotel 

Room at The Calile. Photo: Kerry Heaney

Treasury Casino Junior Suite. Photo: Kerry Heaney

Treasury Hotel Brisbane, Brisbane CBD

When it comes to old-world charm, one Brisbane hotel stands above the rest.  Crafted from the former state Treasury building, the Treasury Brisbane Hotel is the sort of place where the doorman remembers your name every time, even if it has been a while. The rooms are spacious with generous bathrooms and the sort of style that the Queen would love. Treasury Hotel also has a very fine Height of High Tea.

Why stay here? – You’ll have good access to Queen Street and city shopping. If you want to try your luck, the casino is just a skip away.

Read my full review of Treasury Hotel Brisbane

Treasury Hotel Brisbane has an internal courtyard.

Ovolo The Valley. Photo: Kerry Heaney

Ovolo The Valley

Close to the action but with a little distance for sanity, Ovolo The Valley is a comfortable stay in Fortitude Valley.  Oversized rooms and bathrooms, extremely comfortable beds and friendly staff are highlights but let’s not forget the rooftop pool. It’s also home to dining sensation Za Za Ta which combines Middle Eastern flavours with top local produce and a Queensland feel.

Why stay at this Brisbane hotel? It’s dog-friendly, so you can take your pooch. Plus, who doesn’t like free lollies in the lobby?

Read my full review of Ovolo The Valley

Pet-friendly room, Ovolo The Valley. Photo: Kerry Heaney

Brisbane Airport Pullman

For a pre or post-flight stopover, I suggest a stay at the Brisbane Airport Pullman, which is located within walking distance of the domestic terminal. Access to the international terminal is available via shuttle bus or train. Despite the closeness, you won’t hear a plane take off or landing. I promise.

Why stay here? You can work on your jetlag with a relax by the swimming pool and dining on local produce at the in house restaurant.

Read my full review of Brisbane Airport Pullman

Ground floor bar at Brisbane Airport Pullman