The Best Boutique Hotels to Book in Brisbane

Art lovers will be wowed by the Johnson’s dedication to design. The hotel in Spring Hill, close to the CBD in Brisbane, is a tribute to the Australian abstract artist Michael Johnson, with his work on the walls, an art library and dedicated art TV channel in every room and even hotel tours with the in-house art curator. Elsewhere, there’s a gym, Smart cars and scooters to hire, a relaxed all-day restaurant and a spectacular 50-metre (538ft) rooftop pool with a sundeck.

Staying at Spicers Balfour House feels more like spending an indulgent weekend with an extravagant friend than checking into a hotel. Tucked away in the popular Brisbane suburb of New Farm, the boutique property has just nine rooms and eight suites, with antique designer furniture, Nespresso coffee machines, Bose sound systems and rainforest showers. Pretend it’s your own house by cosying up in the library or lingering over a cocktail at the rooftop bar, or book into the award-winning restaurant to dine alfresco in the leafy courtyard shaded by frangipani trees.

Locations don’t get much better than this. The lavish Emporium Hotel couldn’t be closer to the best theatres and museums in the city and is within strolling distance of Brisbane River and South Bank Parklands – but we won’t judge you if you don’t go anywhere. The Emporium is seriously tempting, with flashy red decor, an Art Deco piano bar with live jazz, a French patisserie and one of the best rooftop bars in the city. All just steps from your opulent bedroom, which comes with a hand-crafted bronze bar, silk wardrobes and a glass-walled bathroom that can be made private with the flick of a switch.

Shopaholics won’t need to go far to indulge at this hotel, located among the boutiques of trendy James Street. The hotel will even provide a complimentary chauffeur to whisk you to wherever you want to go if you’d rather head to the city centre a mile (1.6km) away. Back at the hotel, there are a few facilities on site – which helps keep costs down and put more money in your wallet for shopping – but guests also receive passes to a 24-hour gym and pool nearby, and some of the best pubs and restaurants in town are on your doorstep, too.

Gambaro has been a name to know in Brisbane’s food scene for decades, thanks to their renowned seafood restaurant on Caxton Street. The family opened this hotel right next door in 2014, offering 68 soothingly sophisticated rooms popular with business travellers, foodies and those visiting the nearby Suncorp Stadium. Just don’t miss the chance to feast on lobster and Australian wine at the legendary Gambaro Seafood Restaurant while you’re there.

Looking for something a little different? The first and only street art hotel in Brisbane has something to see wherever you look, with brightly coloured artworks on almost every wall in this vibrant 65-room hotel. The property, in the heart of Fortitude Valley close to Chinatown, has a bold urban look packed with personality, with individually styled rooms promising custom-made glass basins, matte-black bath fixtures, pod coffee machines and iPod docking stations. Some have courtyards or spacious terraces, too – though you must specify your preference when booking.

Party animals are well catered for at this striking, design-led hotel in Fortitude Valley. Cocktail lounges, rooftop bars and live-music venues are all close by, while the hotel itself takes inspiration from music and pop culture. Expect Alexa speakers and Chromecast streaming in each room, bold designer wallpaper, plenty of jewel-coloured velvet and a free mini-bar, plus a daily complimentary happy hour. You can even book the Rockstar Suite to go the whole hog, chock-full of original art, a speaker unit and designer flourishes.

The devil’s in the detail at this quirky boutique hotel located in a four-storey Neo-Georgian building close to the CBD in Brisbane. There’s something unexpected to spot in every room, from handmade wallpaper to antique furniture or eccentric artefacts. It’s not a matter of style over substance either: rooms come with Apple TV, heavenly beds and an in-room iPad, while guests are treated to free national calls and laundry as well as a complimentary daily martini hour.

Swerve the biggest hotels in the city, and check into this delightful two-storey B&B in a 1930’s building in the suburb New Farm. Rooms are simple but elegant, with padded headboards, stripped wooden floors and tea and coffee facilities, while one self-contained apartment also has a fully equipped kitchen and a lounge for anyone needing a little more space. There’s a lovely palm-tree-lined courtyard for relaxing, a hearty free breakfast is served each morning, and plenty of cafes, wine bars and restaurants are close by.

This opulent hotel by the Story Bridge is not short on wow factor. From the geometric glass exterior to the rooftop pool, the property goes all out to impress. Think original art from Australian artist Vincent Fantauzzo, in-room art libraries, Smart cars for hire, emerald-green velvet sofas and a fantastic rustic Italian restaurant, Polpetta. Be sure to ask for a river view room when you book.

Alex Perry is best known as an acclaimed Australian fashion designer and judge on Australia’s Next Top Model but has now brought his love of elegant extravagance to this hotel in Fortitude Valley. Each apartment is at least twice the size of a hotel room in the city, with Neff kitchen appliances, daily housekeeping, zoned climate-control air conditioning and, of course, ghd hairdryers and in-room garment steamers to ensure you always look your best.

Stay within walking distance of, well, pretty much everything by bedding down at this new Hyatt Regency. There are shops and restaurants in every direction from the main entrance, while the river, museums, botanic gardens and even bus stations are all less than 10 minutes away. The hotel itself has an all-day restaurant, a 24-hour fitness centre and 292 guestrooms, all with workstations, walk-in showers and city or river views – but the 20-metre (66ft) outdoor infinity pool is the real knockout, with its own bar and rooftop views.