The Best Boutique Hotels to Book in Queensland, Australia

The QT Gold Coast is for luxury lovers. The rooms are modern with sleek decor and sensational vistas over the Gold Coast and include everything you might need. Try the King Suite’s Japanese deep bath with views, and order a drink to your room while you’re at it. This massive hotel offers a lot, with bars and restaurants aplenty – there are heaps of other options in the area, too. The hotel also has an amazing pool that you won’t want to leave, except maybe to visit the renowned on-site spa.

Meticulously created by brilliant local interior designers, this hotel is set in a classic New Farm Queenslander-style house. It hosts an impressive restaurant as well as a rooftop bar with gorgeous views over the city. Suites feature all the essentials, plus extras such as towel warmers and exercise equipment, but with the beautiful New Farm location (a suburb of Brisbane), you will be too busy eating to notice.

This stunning rural oasis will make you fall in love with a part of Australia you might not be familiar with. The Spicers Retreats group is known for its impeccable interiors, service and food. If you’re after a romantic weekend out of town and want a break from city life, this is where you want to do it. Relax by the fire in your room after a day eating and drinking your way around the stunning surrounding area. The pool is pretty special, too.

Sensationally designed, qualia will make you feel like absolute royalty. The spacious rooms are stylish and feature views of the bushland or Whitsunday Islands. Its restaurant lies next to the ocean, and as guests at qualia, you’ll have exclusive access to its two wine bars, complete with extensive drinks lists. This hotel is purely for guests over 16 years of age, so that you can enjoy your getaway in peace.

The Johnson, set in the beautiful inner-city suburb of Spring Hill, has taken design inspiration from abstract artist Michael Johnson. Boasting stylish facilities, including a gymnasium, a large pool with a sundeck and the slightly unusual option of one- or two-bedroom apartments, it’s perfect for weekends away with friends. Art-loving guests will also appreciate the on-site art libraries, a dedicated art channel and Johnson’s artworks peppered throughout the space.

This adults-only resort is the place to stay on Hamilton Island, a popular holiday destination on the Great Barrier Reef. Set on Catseye Beach along the Coral Sea, it’s a short walk from Hamilton Island Marina and offers modern, airy rooms with private terraces, sea views and beach access. Speaking of the beach, the hotel offers complimentary use of catamarans, paddleboards, windsurfers and snorkelling equipment. And when you need to wash off all that sand, you can luxuriate in your room’s rainfall shower or free-standing bath. But relaxation doesn’t end there: you’ll also have access to a spa and a sauna.

The Calile Hotel’s location alone is a selling point. On James Street in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley district, it’s a short walk away from top restaurants, shops, art galleries and more. The hotel itself has a bright, retro style with spacious rooms and suites in gentle pastel colours; you can choose from blue, green or pink. However, the pink rooms might be the way to go as some of them have balconies overlooking the sparkling pool. When not in your room, unwind with a cocktail in a poolside cabana or at the hotel’s spa facilities; either way, you’ll have ample space to relax.

Inspired by Australian painter Vincent Fantauzzo, this boutique hotel is one that art lovers will especially appreciate. It lies beneath Brisbane’s Story Bridge and features original artworks and giclee prints throughout, as well as complimentary art tours and other ways to get up close to Fantauzzo’s work. With 166 suites in all, the hotel has a lot to offer aside from its artistic elements, including a rooftop pool, a bar, a gym and fantastic views of the Howard Smith Wharves.

If you’re looking to connect with nature without losing the luxury comforts of a hotel, Sanctuary by Sirromet is the place to stay. Set on the grounds of Sirromet Winery, this getaway spot features a group of tented pavilions, including family and wheelchair-accessible ones, each complete with a private ensuite and balcony looking out over a tree canopy and lake. The 227ha (560-acre) property sits in the heart of South East Queensland and is home to a large population of wallabies, so animal lovers should keep an eye out. Wine lovers, meanwhile, should grab a glass and indulge in a tour and tasting at the on-site winery.

This luxury five-star hotel on Airlie Beach makes a great base from which to explore the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsundays. The hotel is beautifully designed, starting with the lobby and its luxurious Italian marble, lady palms, high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel’s 40 rooms (with water or village views) are simply yet elegantly designed and feature cloud bedding, blackout curtains, smart TVs and other luxuries. You may never want to leave your room, but make sure you don’t miss the hotel’s art gallery on the top floor.