Six Brisbane hotels with spectacular views

Towering over the Brisbane skyline, Meriton Suites Adelaide Street holds the crown as the city’s joint tallest hotel. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood rooms with natural light, with many offering breathtaking views of the Brisbane River. Check out the action as boats and kayaks cut a course beneath the historic steel Story Bridge and if you’ve got something to celebrate (or your whole family’s in tow), book the aptly-named Altitude Suites: these top floor luxury apartments have two to three bedrooms and views that span the horizon.

To explore the nearby area, take a 20-minute walk down the river bank to the City Botanic Gardens, which is home to ancient trees, mangroves and ornamental ponds. Alternatively, take a shortcut through the Bamboo Grove and head to Old Government House – one of Queensland’s most important heritage sites. Hop on board the CityCat – Brisbane’s ferry system – and see the sights from the water with the wind in your hair. Later on, zip down Brisbane River to the trendy inner-city suburbs of New Farm or Teneriffe and check out Brisbane’s buzzing café culture.

Back in your spacious apartment, sink into one of the charcoal-hued sofas after a long day of sightseeing. If you still have energy to burn, hit the indoor heated swimming pool or jump on a treadmill in the state-of-the-art gym overlooking the city skyline. Finish up in the Jacuzzi spa or retreat to the red wood-panelled on-site sauna.

Found on Queen Street’s pedestrianised mall, Next Hotel Brisbane couldn’t be closer to the action – it’s surrounded by historic arcades, fashion boutiques and restaurants serving everything from healthy salads to bento boxes. From the hotel’s pool terrace and bar, chill out with a signature spritz cocktail and nibble from a charcuterie platter or tapas selection while watching the world below. Or indulge in an Argentine parilla grill at the on-site restaurant, Lennons, with panoramic vistas of the city streets.

With wood-panelled feature walls, plush leather furniture and photography of iconic Brisbane landmarks, your guest room is a comfy spot for watching the city’s lights twinkle. Lie back on your DreamWeave mattress and premium pillow, and gaze out at the night sky as you drift off to sleep.

To start the day right, fill up at the full buffet breakfast or for takeaway fuel, pop into the on-site café, Lennons ToGo, and grab a fresh coffee before starting your day of sightseeing. Head over to South Bank to explore the Rainforest Walk – a tropical promenade in the heart of Brisbane – or follow the riverside walk down to the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art. These are home to 17,000 artworks from Australia and around the world.

When you’re ready to check out after your stay, Next Hotel’s ‘In Transit Zone’ will store your luggage, leaving you to free to spend your final hours in Brisbane bag-free. And you can also freshen up with a shower, or take a quick nap in a sleeping pod at no additional cost.

Originally constructed in the 1920s, the Ovolo Inchcolm brings art-deco design to a modern setting. Recently re-launched following an extensive renovation, the heritage-listed boutique hotel celebrates the roaring ’20s and is inspired by American writer Gertrude Stein and her renowned Parisian salon. It’s easy to picture yourself at one of her infamous weekly gatherings, having a drink and a chat with Ernest Hemingway or Pablo Picasso.

Perched at the top of Wickham Terrace in Spring Hill, Ovolo Inchcolm is a five-minute walk from the Central Business District (CBD) and only moments from Central Station. You can delight in leaf-framed vistas of gleaming city skyscrapers from many of the hotel’s individually designed guest rooms, some of which also have views of St John’s Cathedral. Or take a 15-minute stroll to the Roma Street Parklands: a 16-hectare green space with 1,200 mature trees, 1,800 unique plant species, and a man-made lake.

The hotel’s restaurant, Salon de Co, fuses Asian flavours with fresh seasonal produce to create dishes such as pork with daikon and sesame, and eggplant with tofu and yuzu. With Art Deco-style décor, the restaurant and adjoining bar mix classic brass archways with a quirky collection of ornaments linked to the building’s past life as a medical centre. Sip on a coffee-infused Negroni as you contemplate the unusual artefacts encased in its ‘Cabinet of Curiosity.’

If you choose a Socialites or Thompson Suite, you’ll even be able to soak in a freestanding bathtub overlooking lush green surroundings, before wrapping up in a lavish robe and heading to bed.

Only a 10-minute drive from the CBD, The Point Brisbane Hotel has sweeping views of Story Bridge, Brisbane River, and the city skyline. Each of the spacious rooms has full-length windows, sleek bathrooms and modern décor in soothing greys and taupes that will help you unwind after a full day of sightseeing. Splash out on an Altitude Suite for a magnificent panorama from your private balcony.

Head up to the 12th-floor rooftop bar, Eagle’s Nest, to watch a glowing sunset with a glass of champagne or cocktail from the extensive menu – think Espresso Martinis or a jug of Pimm’s to share. Equally, you can taste modern Australian fare such as za’atar lamb rump or crisp pork belly at Lamberts, the on-site restaurant.

Jump aboard the cross-river CityHopper ferry to reach Eagle Street Pier or wander across Story Bridge to explore Fortitude Valley, home to Chinatown and some of the city’s premium night spots. If you’re a sports fan, The Gabba Sports Stadium is just a five-minute drive away where you can catch a game of AFL or cricket. Alternatively, work up a sweat yourself at the hotel’s on-site gym with its floor-to-ceiling garden views, or perfect your breaststroke in the heated lap pool.

Set on the doorstep of Brisbane’s entertainment and cultural precinct, Rydges South Bank has it all. That’s including unrivalled views over the South Bank Parklands and the iconic Wheel of Brisbane, across Mount Coot-tha and down to the bustling, bohemian neighbourhood of West End.

Do a spot of evening people-watching with a gin and tonic in hand at the Soleil Pool Bar, which peeks over one of the most lively streets in South Brisbane. By day, soak up the Queensland sun beside the rooftop pool before tucking into a Garden Tea – which offers up sliders and calamari matched with your choice of craft beer, lemonade or Pimm’s.

Head to the Life Fitness Gymnasium with its full-length windows for a dip in the Jacuzzi or sauna – or give your body a work out on the treadmill. Otherwise, hit the streets and explore the riverside on a Brisbane CityCycle rental bike, before popping across Victoria Bridge to give your wallet a work out along Queen Street Mall.

End your day at the award-winning on-site restaurant, Bacchus, home to a range of acclaimed degustation menus that are sure to tempt the foodie in you. How does a five-course menu built around truffle sound? Or skip savoury and jump straight into an indulgent six-course dessert meal where chefs blend flavours like pear with mascarpone and white coffee with chocolate.

On the edge of the South Bank Parklands, Swiss-Belhotel Brisbane offers guests impressive views of the Brisbane River and the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. From your suite’s balcony, you can admire the spectacular changes in the landscape as the city lights reflect across the water below.

Whether you choose a hotel room or a super-sized suite with a kitchenette, the modern and inviting interior is sure to make your stay comfortable and memorable. If wellness is on your mind, the hotel gives you access to an on-site gym fitted with the latest Technogym equipment and an indoor heated pool, so swimming is on the cards at any time of the year. While South Bank offers a plethora of cafés and restaurants to choose from, the on-site Café 63 is one of the city’s most popular locales serving up great coffee and Australian-style cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The café can also arrange in-room dining for guests.

Many of Brisbane’s top sights and experiences are an easy stroll away from the hotel. Catch a musical at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre or get up close and personal with dinosaurs at the Queensland Museum’s Lost Creatures exhibit. For window shoppers, the Queens Plaza and Edward Street are your destinations– home to exclusive boutiques and designer brands such as Tiffany and Louis Vuitton.