Brisbane

Cheap Brisbane hotels for action-packed city adventures

Our top picks of Brisbane accommodation offer centrality, modern amenities and friendly hospitality for a fraction of the cost compared to some of its international and national rivals.

You’re cruising down the Brisbane river, prosecco in hand, taking in the twinkling lights of high-rise towers. The next morning, you’re spreading creamy avocado over crunchy sourdough toast at a hipster café; come afternoon, the glassy azure waters of tranquil Nobby beach calls to you for a refreshing late-day swim. While this may sound like it would cost an arm and a leg, we’re here to tell you, not to worry because it doesn’t have to!

Contemporary hotels, lively hostels and serviced apartments put you in walking distance of the famous restaurants at Eagle Street Pier (don’t miss the famous sand crab lasagna at Il Centro), and memorable day attractions like the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary are less than 20 minutes away by car from most hotels in the Central Business District. With sophisticated, decked pools, modern interiors and even a gym or sauna thrown-in, you’ll have a hard time believing what’s on offer under the ‘budget’ category in this capital.

A tantalisingly cheap Brisbane hotel near Victoria Bridge

Just a stone’s throw from Victoria Bridge lies Great Southern Hotel Brisbane. All 99 rooms feature contemporary designs in neutral colourways embellished with teak-hued wood. The state-of-the-art fitness centre is positioned to soak up bright sunshine through wide sliding doors and supplies everything from treadmills to bicep weights.

The outdoor pool area, dotted with umbrellas and deck chairs, will have you spending your days drinking Aperol Spritz in the sunshine. If you’re feeling ritzy, plunge into the oval spa bath in the hotel’s Spa Suite while your favourite TV series plays on your personal flat screen. In-house dining at Straits Café lets guests excite their taste buds with modern Australian cuisine without even having to Google nearby options. If you’re after recommendations, try the eggs benny for a protein-packed breakfast or the rosemary lamb cutlets for a succulent dinner.

When it comes to proximity, this hotel is hard to beat. The City Botanic Gardens are just 400 metres away and the performing arts precinct 200 metres. You could be smelling the roses by day and throwing them on stage, shouting encore! by night.

Great Southern Hotel Brisbane

Brisbane
7.6 Good (2210 reviews)

Swap the hotel life for the hostel's social scene

If you’re looking to save on accommodation and are a social butterfly, head to a hostel. This award-winning YHA offers up private double rooms with or without balconies, depending on your preference. At only a 10-minute walk from the famed Suncorp Stadium, footy fans get to skip the taxi fare for stadium beers and after the game, the view from the rooftop pool back at the hostel (yes, it’s a hostel with a pool) lets you experience the Brisbane River at its finest.

You’ll find WiFi access throughout the building, a games room if you’re up for a challenge and a chill-worthy sofa for watching movies on those days where you need some downtime. The plus side to being in a hostel is that friendliness is everywhere you turn. Knowledgeable staff are on hand to show you how to get the most out of the city on a budget, a valuable resource for those looking to stretch their fivers.

If you need a second for self-reflection, balcony rooms offer a quiet outdoor space to sip your go-to brew in peace. There is also an onsite café bistro that lists pub classics like hearty tacos, satisfying chicken wings and delectable jalapeno poppers. Not to be missed are the popular Quiz Nights, Mexican Nights and Friday barbecues. Should you want a change of scene, Black Hide Steak House on nearby Caxton Street plates up world-class steak cuts from premier Australian producer Stanbroke Beef.

Brisbane City YHA

Brisbane
8.2 Very good (1730 reviews)

A cheap Brisbane hotel with traditional frills

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If you’re after all the bells and whistles of a traditional hotel but without the price tag, the ibis Budget Windsor makes the ideal option. Rooms here are dressed in subtle hues of olive and cream, making them a relaxing space for sipping a Queensland-made Cab Sav with your feet up in front of the in-room flat screen. All rooms have the hotel’s decadent signature bedding, and classy en-suites let you carry out your full skincare routine in the lap of luxury.

This reasonably-priced accommodation is a little way out of the city, but is still extremely accessible by car. You can get to Central Station in just 11 minutes or connect to fast public transit links from nearby Windsor Station. This hotel is especially close to the party area of the city, Fortitude Valley, making it a popular choice for celebratory weekends away, birthdays and anniversaries. With buffet breakfasts on offer and helpful staff members for any questions about off-site dining options, you can have a full hotel experience without the hefty bill.

Ibis Budget Windsor Brisbane

Brisbane
7.4(1488 reviews)

A South Bank paradise that's budget friendly

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Ideally located on the ever popular South Bank lies the surprisingly affordable Morgan Suites Southbank. This modern architectural delight has spacious and chic serviced apartments big enough to turn a cartwheel in, and most look out on city or mountain views for bright, inspired mornings.

If you’re looking for a breath of fresh air, just a five-minute walk away are the South Bank Parklands. Take a break from the city’s fast pace in 17.5 hectares of grassy havens scattered with coffee shops and amusements like the Brisbane Wheel. Grab your favourite book or a podcast, a takeaway sandwich from the hotel café, and settle in for a leisurely hour or two in the sunshine.
Beyond the larger-than-average rooms, this apartment hotel also offers a crisp outdoor pool area for late afternoon cool-downs. Sneak in a full body workout at the gym with everything from cardio equipment to AFL balls.

While nearby dining options are plentiful, you needn’t ever actually leave the hotel if parties in your jim-jams are more your thing. The on-site coffee house, Station 16, has fresh sandwiches and snacks on hand whilst Ripe Café serves up heartier, organic options like crepes and a full English. Alternatively, take a post-meal stroll to Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art, a mere five-minute walk away.

Morgan Suites

Brisbane
8.5 Excellent (3924 reviews)

A classy but cheap hotel right on the riverfront

On the centre point of Brisbane’s W-shaped river lies Kangaroo Point, where this state-of-the-art yet affordable hotel makes itself known. A pioneer in interior design, boutique elegance emanates from The Point Brisbane‘s marble foyer to its rooftop bar. Lamberts Bar & Restaurant is run by Head Chef Marcus Turner, whose motto is ‘from the gate (or trawler) to the plate’. The restaurant’s fresh, Australian cuisine changes with the season – past favourites have included sweet potato gnocchi with buttery sage and wild mushrooms – and is complemented by sophisticated cocktails and an opulent wine and beer list. If you’re a gin drinker, the Sir Henrick’s Tonic cocktail should not be missed.

Here you’ll have the freedom to choose from different levels of accommodation to suit your budget. The affordable Queen Guest Room has floor-to-ceiling windows for gazing at the setting sun and capitalising on the hotel’s locale. If you’re willing to go the extra mile, the Altitude Suite sits at celebrity-worthy status: panoramic views of the city skyline sweep around the room’s generous deck, and Bose sound systems create moods to order. In the morning, the in-room Nespresso machine will have a steaming cup of coffee ready to go by the time your complimentary newspaper arrives.

There’s even an office and private outdoor area separate from the main deck should you need a second to yourself. Gym-loving early risers should check out the on-site gym and heated outdoor swimming pool for a bit of cardio before the rest of the world wakes up.

While it’s an easy wander to the other side of the river, the hotel has a complimentary shuttle service to the ferry should you need it. Boats depart from Dockside Wharf every 30 minutes and are a great way to see Brisbane’s most photo-worthy riverside landmarks.

The Point Brisbane Hotel

Top rated
Brisbane
8.9 Excellent (2195 reviews)

High-rise budget accommodation with a touch of luxury

Rising 74 levels into the sky as one of Brisbane’s tallest buildings is the striking Meriton Suites Herschel Street. The standard suite is the most cost effective option and has a well-equipped kitchen so you can dine on home favourites. Stocked with METIS skin and haircare amenities and tuned into Foxtel and high-speed WiFi, these rooms call for homemade pamper sessions in front of your favourite flick. Ladies can even request a GHD hair straightener if you’re getting dolled up for a night out. On the other end of the spectrum, the three-bedroom Southbank-facing Penthouse sleeps six across three rooms, each with an en-suite lined with Bvlgari amenities.

If nights in at the gym are more your scene, the hotel’s top-notch recreational rooms will have you sweating before an unrivalled view of glittering skyscrapers. Work out in the fitness centre, sweat in the sauna, rejuvenate in the Jacuzzi and then take a gentle swim in the indoor lap pool. We like to think of it as a swanky playground for adults. On clear days, the sun-drenched roof terrace makes for a breezy spot to bring your book for a moment of quiet.

Centrally located within Brisbane’s CBD, this architectural focal point is also close to the 16 hectares of green space that make up the Roma Parklands, once an Indigenous meeting place. In a few steps you’ll be on the bank of the Brisbane River. In just a few more are the Queen Street Mall’s boutique shops like Chanel, Carla Zampatti and Alannah Hill for window shopping.

Meriton Suites Herschel Street

Top rated
Brisbane
9.2 Excellent (7706 reviews)

Cheap Brisbane hotel with a sauna and two pools

One block away from the heritage-listed Cathedral of St Stephen and Eagle Street Ferry Terminal, Oaks Charlotte Towers charms passers-by. This 293-room, high-rise landmark features air-conditioned apartments (essential in Brisbane’s balmy weather) with its own kitchenette including a full-size refrigerator, stove top and microwave for budding chefs to test out their culinary skills.

Draped in luxe shades of crisp white and spiced honey, this contemporary venue makes pleasing spaces a staple of your holiday. Not stopping short on luxury, a sauna, gym and two pools might just coax you out of your queen-size bed for a morning sweat session. A sun-trapped terrace invites sky-high dining or a simple, breeze-kissed escape from the city hustle below. Guests with a few extra coins can spring for a room with private balcony for a way to inject a bit of romance into their trip: cue the prosecco.

Oaks Brisbane on Charlotte Suites

Top rated
Brisbane
8.5 Excellent (7065 reviews)

Brisbane hotel with period charm

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If you’re craving a touch of period charm, look no further than the beguiling Adina Apartment Hotel. Complete with bell-armed sofas and smooth cream and chocolate-coloured bedding, this sweet hotel is packed full of character. You’d have no idea it’s so affordable just by looking at it.

These are the sorts of rooms that inspire fantasies of curling up with a historical biography and a chilled, sparkling jug of raspberry cordial. Overlooking the ANZAC Square Memorial Gardens, each room is designed for self-catering with a massive kitchen and dining area.

If you prefer a night off from cooking, tantalising international dishes like sweet bao buns, sticky pork ramen and fragrant Indian curries can be found in the diverse restaurants around Anzac Square. If you’re after a spot of high tea, Room With Roses is only a block away in the Queen Street Mall and is the place to fill up on cucumber sandwiches. Remember, pinkie fingers out everyone. We can live the posh life in Brisbane.

Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane Anzac Square

Top rated
Brisbane
8.9 Excellent (9604 reviews)