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From the suburban Brisbane street, Spicers Balfour Hotel evokes a tinge of mystery with its modern, bold design sprouting a distinctly Queenslander-style wraparound verandah. Swathed in moody indigo hues that shimmer beneath the lights by night, one can’t help but wonder what’s inside.
Originally a Queenslander house built in 1901, a three-year long overhaul transformed the building into a suave yet welcoming boutique hotel far from its airy timber origins. The newest addition to the luxury Spicers brand, it’s the only inner-city residence, yet still captures the same intimate escape. Stepping into the lobby and wandering upstairs to reception, the blues that captured me were met by chirpy purple tones, a sparkly chandelier suspended over the counter.
Although the feel is now more European than Queenslander, a few telltale signs hint at its 110-year heritage. A replica of the original front door leads onto the verandah, original mouldings and trims feature in the common area along with revamped exposed beams overhead, and leadlights have been switched around to create an interesting mix combined with the dramatic furnishings.
Standing at the reception counter, a wooden chessboard over to my left caught my attention, perched in the common lounge area by a congregation of velvety chairs, sidelined by a tall, dark bookcase offering anything from fiction to art history reads. My host, friendly and without the stiff smile, then showed me to my room down the dimmed hallway lined with colourful artworks by leading Australian artists.
Rooftop bar
After a poke around my room – comfortable yet stylish – to the sound of the smooth jazz radio beats left on for my arrival, I ditched my bags and head upstairs having arrived in perfect time for canapés at the rooftop bar, served daily between six and seven o'clock.
From cocktails to cognacs, liqueurs, beers, wines, port and vintage champagnes, the high-end class of the hotel is represented in the bar list. But there are plenty of options still priced at the same you’d find anywhere down the road in hip and happening New Farm. Whilst the small outdoor bar area would have been tempting if there were stars, I instead found refuge from the drizzly weather inside by the bi-fold windows.
Looking over and between the local tin rooftops and sturdy Jacaranda trees, the Story Bridge dominated the night skyline in front of the city, its peaks lit in lines of blue lights. Whether it was the view or the smooth latin beats that soon switched into jazz – amplified by the wondrous and free Friday night feel – my crisp drop of sauvignon blanc glided down ever-so-smoothly.
The rooms
After heading out and about until nearly midnight, returning to a warm towel rack was the deal-breaker that landed me in a hot bubble bath. Of the nine rooms, four have baths and deep ones at that, which are spread across the room types. The four Executive Rooms on the central level are great for short stays, whilst the one-off Terrace Suite boasts a well-sized private slice of the verandah overlooking the front garden.
On the bottom level, as well as a small room with some exercise equipment for guests, the Courtyard Rooms offer a little extra breathing space with a small courtyard lined by green bamboo plants. Bold and sleek inside, unique furniture pieces complete the style whilst laptop workstations come in surprisingly handy. And the LCD TV provided perfect Will and Kate royal wedding replay screening.
Local grooves
Located on the cusp of the city, in trendy New Farm, here you reap the benefits of being close to the city but without the sounds of traffic whirring below. Walk out the front and turn right, pace 300 metres, and you’ll discover a grassy cliff-top park with one of Brisbane’s quietest and nicest views down over the winding Brisbane River, through the Story Bridge and to the city. Otherwise turn left, pace 100m, and find yourself standing on Brunswick Street amongst the plethora of quality cafes, restaurants and bars. Try restaurants Ortiga, Dell’Ugo or Anise.
Room packages are inclusive of continental and à la carte breakfast, which can be enjoyed inside or out on the verandah speckled with rays. Also open to the public by reservation, chef Tyson Buchanan offers a great selection to start the day – from exotic jams and granola to French toast brioche and eggs how you like.
Asking the host for her opinion, I went with her favourite, Eggs Benedict, to accompany my cappuccino and freshly made pear, pineapple and ginger juice. Upon placing my reservation, Spicers Balfour confirmed any special dietary requirements, so my breakfast came perfectly on gluten-free bread as well.
With a flick of the paper and a gaze over the quiet street, it was time to pack my bags and say goodbye. This special spot may be more European than Queenslander these days, but the homely feel still lingers.
Hearty breakfasts
Room packages are inclusive of continental and à la carte breakfast, which can be enjoyed inside or out on the verandah speckled with rays. Also open to the public by reservation, chef Tyson Buchanan offers a great selection to start the day – from exotic jams and granola to French toast brioche and eggs how you like.
Asking the host for her opinion, I went with her favourite, Eggs Benedict, to accompany my cappuccino and freshly made pear, pineapple and ginger juice. Upon placing my reservation, Spicers Balfour confirmed any special dietary requirements, so my breakfast came perfectly on gluten-free bread as well.
With a flick of the paper and a gaze over the quiet street, it was time to pack my bags and say goodbye. This special spot may be more European than Queenslander these days, but the homely feel still lingers.
Guest book peek
There are no ‘good’s or even ‘great’s scribbled in here, it’s more like ‘wonderful’, ‘amazing’ and ‘fabulous’, as well as ‘homely’ and ‘welcoming’.
Every traveller knows a good book is an essential packing item – your key to surviving those dragged out stopovers, the perfect way to steal some quiet ‘me’ time and the most transportable source of research for your destination. Problem is, in some places it just doesn’t seem fitting to whip out your trusty earmarked friend and absorb yourself in the pages. Here’s a list of Brisbane’s best book cafes, where reading is the norm and bookshelves grace the walls for further browsing.
Riverbend Books & Teahouse Bulimba, 193 Oxford Street
For a teahouse and a bookstore, you’ll be surprised to hear it’s also BYO wine at Riverbend. Perched on the front deck of a lovely renovated ‘Queenslander’ style house, the atmosphere is relaxed and chatty. Fronting onto Oxford Street, Bulimba’s main strip of shops and cafes, the leafy trees provide a shield of privacy so you can sip your brew and have a casual bite to eat before wandering inside to browse the shelves. The menu features breakfast, lunch and dinner options, including a chicken, orange and macadamia nut salad with rocket and blue cheese dressing. Check the website to see if you’re around in time for an event, with writers, illustrators, chefs and others regularly dropping by. Open: 7.30am-5pm daily (bookshop open a bit later). Dinner available Thursday to Saturday, bookings highly recommended.
Clarence Corner Bookshop and Café Woolloongabba, 596 Stanley Street
Tucked away in a beautiful late-19th century building, Clarence Corner boasts an array of new and old books in all subjects and genres, including some out-of-print editions. A short walk from Southbank and the Goodwill Bridge, not many tourists would even know it exists. While the breakfast menu isn’t overly varied – banana bread, homemade vanilla bean granola and a variety of toppings on toast – the milk is organic and the breads good quality (sourdough and gluten free available), with a decent range of herbal teas. Depending on what day you drop by, you may catch a movie, musician or the clairvoyant who does readings on site. Open: 6.30am-2.30pm daily (breakfast ‘til 1.30pm).
Café Bouquiniste New Farm, 121 Merthyr Road
This café is small and cosy, but packed with cuteness. Bouquiniste is French for bookseller, but you’ll find art, cards and other random bits here as well – from pretty smelly soaps to vintage French postcards and even rubber stamps. The space is relaxed and inviting with an artsy and decorative interior and a few quirky, old-fashioned furniture pieces. It’s only small – tiny actually – but the shelves boast some interesting books to peek your nose into, and if you like what you see, buy. On the menu, choose from toasted sandwiches and savoury tarts, as well as some breakfast items, or else have some cake and sweets with a coffee, all at good prices. Open: 8am-5.30pm daily.
Coaldrake’s Bookshop Fortitude Valley, 1000 Ann Street
With an impressive range of books on offer, there’s also a pretty good range on the menu, including hearty breakfasts like the Big Brekky featuring scrambled eggs, tamarind chutney, Turkish toast, ham, grilled tomato and avocado. Opening out onto the pavement, Coaldrake’s is positioned in a corner of the Emporium complex. Over ten years old, it’s known for its outstanding range of literature, history, travel and children’s books, but houses a range of genres. A second store recently opened at The Barracks, 61 Petrie Terrace, between Roma Street and Paddington. Open: 7am-5pm Mon-Fri; 7.30am-5pm Sat; 7.30am-4pm Sun.
Chess. Coffee. Chocolate. You’ll find it all at Café Checocho. Come by on the right night and you could be graced with some live jazz, blues or gypsy music too! Located in West End, the same chilled out vibe that infiltrates the suburb pulses here. There’s a treasure trove of second-hand books to purchase or read at your table, or else you could simply read the story collaged under your elbows. From images to photographs, each table is smothered in cut-outs depicting a different theme. And if you don’t play chess, there are plenty of other board games to choose from to play into the night. Both warm and cosy during winter, the gelato cabinet will keep you cool in summer. The menu offers a good selection, including pizzas, pastas, salads, burgers and risotto. Monday is raw food night. Open: Mon & Tues 11am-10pm; Wed & Thurs 7am-10pm; Fri & Sat 7am-11pm; Sun 7am-10pm.
Black Cat Books & Café Paddington, 179 Latrobe Terrace
Once the site of Mary Ryan's Paddington, this cafe now stands proudly independent and with a new name. The helpful and knowledgeable staff make finding the right book a breeze amongst a collection that’s varied. You’d be forgiven for walking out without seeing the café, but follow the smell of coffee downstairs and you’ll no doubt be impressed. There’s plenty of seating inside that looks out over the leafy yard, but if you’d rather be amongst the greens the multi-tiered decks that lead down to the gazebo are even better. The menu features ready-made treats like paninis, filo pastries, enchiladas, and sandwich rolls. For the sweet tooths, there’s also cake, biscuits, banana bread and fruit toast. Open: 9am-4pm Mon-Fri; 9am-5pm weekends.
Avid Reader West End, 193 Boundary Street
A local favourite, Avid Reader boasts a great team of staff who can point you in the right direction – they’re often writers themselves. With a large selection of books in all genres, there’s also an interesting assortment of nick-nacks, goodies and CDs to tempt you. Wander to the back of the store to find the little café nestled in the corner with walls dotted in artworks. Here you can fill up on toasted Turkish bread sandwiches, crisp salads with halloumi cheese, savoury tarts, soups, and mouth-watering gluten-free cakes and cupcakes. Breakfast muesli, fruit toast and smoothies feature too. Enquire at the counter or online to find out when the next in-store event is – you might catch a book launch or signing. Open: 8.30am-4pm daily.
Visit the Brisbane TOURIST BOARD
Perched around the corner from Brunswick Street Mall in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley - overrun with partygoers by night and crammed with markets by day on weekends - Limes Rooftop Bar offers a chic escape from the chaos on the ground.
A fully open-air affair, there's a certain vibe that only stars can provide. With delectable cocktails and bites to eat on the menu, the events calendar is just as exciting.
Every Tuesday catch a movie screening under the stars. On Thursdays chill out to some Jazz, with free entry. Drop by on Fridays for knock off drinks, with bar specials and live acoustics followed by DJs. For more specials and a chilled out vibe, come back on Lazy Sundays. See the full lists of eventshere.
With the bar and all events open to both hotel guests and the public, many locals even confess they didn't even know about the Limes Rooftop Bar. Most however declare they'll probably come back.
Limes Hotel even offer a special rate for Limes Rooftop Bar guests at the end of the night - avoid the cab lines and steal a super special overnight rate of $99 for any available remaining rooms.
Constance Street 142, Brisbane, Australia
Contact tel: 0738529000, fax: 0738529099, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Stepping into the Emporium Hotel, in Brisbane’s trendy Fortitude Valley, scenes from the infamous James Bond flicks come flashing back. It’s bold. It’s slick. It’s fancy. It oozes a smooth, sexy, mysterious vibe, from the front door to the cocktail bar and through to the luxurious studio suites. Touting a scheme of eye-grabbing reds, blacks and silvers throughout, up close one can see the designs are beautifully detailed.
Recently recognised for not only outstanding design and facilities, but exceptional guest service and attentive hospitality all round, the five-star Emporium Hotel is not a stranger to industry acclaim. For the third year running, it was awarded Best Boutique Hotel at the 2011 national HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence, which recognises leading hotels across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
It’s the finishing touches that many hotels miss, which makes the Emporium Hotel so worthy of standing out from the crowd. From an immaculate, guest-friendly fit out to full-service concierge services and modern, high-tech facilities, the city-cusp location, top-notch dining options and lengthy pillow menu are just bonuses.
Other features: rooftop pool, sauna, gym, conference centre, function rooms, business facilities, valet parking, 24-hour reception, disabled access.
The rooms
Each of the 102 deluxe studio suites is custom designed, both comfortable and stylish. There are five different room types – some with Brisbane city skyline views – as well as rooms specifically designed for those requiring disabled access. Nearly half of the rooms boast spa baths, whilst the Deluxe Corner Suite features two rooms across a generous 76-square metre floor space. All rooms are fitted with a marble kitchenette and stainless steel appliances, laundry facilities, and state of the art entertainment and technology, including a 106cm plasma TV, Foxtel and wireless internet. Interconnecting rooms are also available upon request.
The cocktail bar
The Emporium Hotel’s cocktail bar is a hit with Brisbane locals and travellers alike. Decked out with a collection of locally made, custom-designed pieces and antiques from exotic locations, the setting is ambient and classy. By day, drop by for a coffee and a sweet treat, then by night, be sure to try one of the many cocktails (though choosing can certainly be hard). Thursday through to Saturday night, a live jazz band gets its groove on for the crowd of stylish women and men.
Packages
The Emporium Hotel offers an impressive range of packages dubbed ‘Emporium Experiences’ that are well worth considering. For a birthday, business or romance, there’s a package to suit just about every occasion, whether its bubbly, roses or the morning newspaper that gets you excited.
Local grooves
Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley is trendy and crisp, home to many boutiques, op-shops, top-notch restaurants, weekend markets, cool cafes, trendy bars, bopping clubs, and great arts and live-music venues. The Emporium Hotel is also situated within its own classy precint, The Emporium, which means a range of dining, bars and cafes, as well as a few boutiques and a bookshop are literally right on the doorstep.
Ann Street 1000, Fortitude Valley, Australia
Contact tel: +61 (0)7 3253 6999 OR 1300 883 611, fax: +61 (0)7 3253 6966, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Services spa, swimming pool, fitness equipment, parking, hotel restaurant, hotel bar, creche/listening service, room service, business services, internet access, wheelchair accessible, concierge, air-conditioning
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