Local Escapes

13 Of The Best Hotels In Brisbane For 2024

By Ranyhyn Laine – who always has time to go to breakfast, no matter how busy she is.

With a subtropical winter, proximity to incredible beaches, and plenty to eat and drink, Brisbane/Meanjin is a perfect spot to plan a vacay (or staycay, even). From Euro-inspired retreats to rooms with epic views, we here at Urban List have slept in every bed in town (hotel bed—get your mind out of the gutter) to bring you this list of the the best hotels Brisbane has to offer.

Whether you want extreme luxury with a side of room service, Instagrammable surrounds or location, location, location, there's a perfect hotel in Brisbane for you, from one end of town to the other—although, if you want to feel like you're at home, we've also rounded up Brisbane's coolest Airbnbs. But for us, it's all about a mini bar and those fluffy bathrobes, which you'll find plenty of below.

The Best Hotels In Brisbane In 2024 

48 James Street, Fortitude Valley The Calile Hotel

Image Credit: The Calile Hotel | Booking.com

So dripping in pastel cool that we’d happily just move in, The Calile Hotel only opened on the Valley’s James Street at the end of 2018, but has already made quite the name for itself—in fact, it was awarded the title of the 12th best hotel in world on The World’s 50 Best Hotels List in 2023. Imagine being able to say you stayed at one of the world’s best hotels, right here in little old Brisbane? 

We’re guessing the gorgeous bathrooms in every designer suite here had something to do with the win, but it could also have been the eye-catching brutalist architecture, iconic outdoor pool, luxe day spa and onsite restaurant, Hellenika. Let’s be honest, it was the whole package, and you need to experience it for yourself.

267 Grey Street, South Brisbane Emporium Hotel

Image Credit: Emporium Hotel | Booking.com

Out-of-towners looking to live it up for a few days, look no further than the Parisienne decadence of South Brisbane’s Emporium Hotel, which as it so happens, was just named number two in the 2024 Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards for the Best of the Best Hotels in Australia—the only Brisbane hotel to make the top 10.

Inside, you’ll find 143-suites of French-chic comfort, including cloud-like beds, Bose sound systems, double vanity ensuites and Molton Brown amenities. Collectively, they’re the closest thing you’ll find to Paris in Queensland, minus the hefty transit time. Farewell time venturing through South Bank’s entertainment precinct, chowing down on croissants at onsite patisserie, Belle Epoque or knocking back a bottle of champagne upon South Brisbane’s only rooftop bar. 

458 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley Hotel X

Image Credit: Hotel X | Website

Location, location, location—if you're looking for a hotel that will give you easy access to the Valley's nightlife, Howard Smith Wharves and is just a hop, skip and a jump to the city (you could almost walk there), Brisbane's Hotel X is where to book. That's not the only thing they've got going for them—they've also got one of the most glamorous rooftop pools in the city, an incredible French restaurant to hit for dinner (read up on Bisou Bisou here), an epic weekly run club that ends with a rooftop pool dip AND their rooms are uber stylish to boot. And we haven't even mentioned the boujee mini bar or the pillow menu yet. 

200 Creek Street, Spring Hill Amora Brisbane

Image Credit: Amora Brisbane | Supplied

This reimagined hotel Spring Hill has been given a $30 million transformation, with Amora Brisbane taking over the site with 296 guest rooms across 14 lavish floors. The latest addition to the Amora Group portfolio, which also includes six properties across Australia and Thailand, Amora Brisbane is perfectly placed for business and leisure, just a hop away from the CBD. 

The top two floors of the hotel are dedicated to luxurious premier rooms and spacious one-bedroom suites, which come complete with their own kitchenette, free minibar, living area and balcony overlooking the city. The botanically-themed onsite restaurant, Dapl stars native ingredients and modern Australian flavours in an elegant setting, and we recommend you indulge in a post-dinner nightcap at the luxe Lobby Bar. All guests can take advantage of the rooftop pool, fitness studio and sauna, lobby bar and on-site restaurant. 

135 James Street, New Farm Miss Midgley's

Image Credit: Miss Midgley's | Supplied

Having taken over one of Brisbane’s oldest heritage homes and transformed it into a stunning boutique hotel, Miss Midgley’s is perfect for longer stays. Made up of several different individual apartments, each one with its own unique charm, it may just have you ditching your plans to explore the city to enjoy the hotel surroundings instead—the sun-soaked pool in particular. Although, being in walking distance to James Street, Brisbane’s ultra cool shopping and dining district, is a pretty good perk. Book yourself into their Drawing RoomLocker Room or Refectory suites for an incredible stay. 

5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City Crystalbrook Vincent

Image Credit: Crystalbrook Vincent | Booking.com

Brisbane’s newest (for now) and, might we add, most sustainable hotel, Crystalbrook Vincent resides directly under the Story Bridge within strolling distance of the bars and restaurants of Howard Smith Wharf—if you can drag yourself away from the hotel’s own Italian eatery and rooftop bar.

Formerly The Fantauzzo, the art-inspired hotel is completely single-use plastic-free, has waste-free bathrooms and features items made using recycled material throughout the Brisbane hotel. Oh, and there's the spectacular views of the river and the CBD of course, we can't not mention that.

81 N Quay, Brisbane City W Brisbane

Image Credit: W Brisbane | Booking.com

Yes, it’s true—Brisbane finally has its own W Hotel, and it’s just as flash and fun-loving as you’d expect. Perched on the edge of the river at the bottom of Ann Street with some pretty top-notch views of South Bank, W Brisbane's ostentatious rooms range from ‘Spectacular’ to ‘Wow’, with bonus mod cons like Bluetooth speakers and GHD hairdryers. If the cocktail mixing set in your room doesn’t give you an idea of the W’s usual hedonism loving guests, the psychedelic WET Deck and pool bar just might. 

111 Mary Street, Brisbane City The Westin

Image Credit: The Westin | Supplied

While all of The Westin’s facilities are seriously luxe, the number one reason to book into this city hotel in Brisbane is its 300-square-metre swimming pool, which comes complete with a swim-up bar. From here, you can perch shoulder-deep in the turquoise waters, sipping on a frostie while taking in some pretty breathtaking city views. But if you need more reasons to check-in, there’s also the ocean to paddock dining on offer down at Eden’s Table—just remember to wait an hour before you swim.

73 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill The Inchcolm By Ovolo

Image Credit: The Inchcolm By Ovolo | Booking.com

The Inchcolm By Ovolo on Wickham Terrace is the best hotel in Brisbane to book if you’re trying to impress a significant other. Situated in a heritage-listed building that’s been given an eclectic but sophisticated rock star makeover, the boutique hotel is perfect for date night, and with a sumptuous in-house restaurant and bar downstairs, you won’t need to leave until it’s time to (unwillingly) check out. 

33/1000 Ann St, Fortitude Valley Ovolo The Valley

Image Credit: Ovolo The Valley | Booking,com

We have a soft spot for any hotel offering freebies, so take a seat and brace yourself as we give you the low-down on Ovolo The Valley’s perks. When you book directly through Ovolo for your next Brisbane hotel stay, you’ll receive free breakfast, happy hour drinks, daily snacks, in-room mini bar, self-serve laundry, 24-hour gym access and super-speed Wi-Fi. Did we mention they’re all free?

Stop rubbing your eyes, this is 100 percent legit and freebies aside, Ovolo’s rooms are spot-on with their playful spin to totally compliment the Fortitude Valley suburb in which it lives. Plus, you can check out the new vegetarian menu at ZA ZA TA downstairs while you're there. 

27/35 Turbot Street, Brisbane City Hotel Indigo

Image Credit: Hotel Indigo | Supplied

Only Australia’s second Hotel Indigo, this new Brisbane hotel is an achingly hip boutique stay which encompasses 212 rooms, a Japanese restaurant, Izakaya Publico, and even a speakeasy bar, dubbed 1603. Enter via the giant red doors on Burnett Lane to find murals painted by local artists adorning the hotel corridors, while the rooms themselves have faintly retro vibes, with deep blue feature walls, industrial lighting, pop-out desks and sleek tiled bathrooms. The standard queen rooms are sizeable, but there’s also the option of one bedroom suites for those in need of somewhere to lounge.

33 Burnett Lane, Brisbane City Hyatt Regency Brisbane

Image Credit: Hyatt Regency | Booking.com

Planning to test the limits of your suitcase by overfilling it after a bout of city shopping? No need to strain your arms carting it all back to your accom—Hyatt Regency Brisbane is located right there in Queen Street Mall. Even better, you can celebrate your wardrobe finds with a sunset drink by the rooftop swimming pool, before retreating back to your luxe room to gaze upon your purchases.

14-20 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley The Constance

Image Credit: The Constance | Booking.com

Ideally located for anyone keen on spending most of their night away out on the town, The Constance is just on the very edge of Fortitude Valley's vibing nightlife precinct, and ties right in to the area with street art adorning every inch of the Brisbane hotel. You don't even have to go far from your room to find a good cocktial—Dirty Sultan rooftop bar is right upstairs, with roofside lounges and Turkish delight cocktails awaiting you. If you need a reason to head back to your room before sunrise, book one of the King With Spa suites and soak your future hangover away.

Image credit: The Calile Hotel | Facebook 

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