Brisbane hotels - poor overall?

[markis10]

Ironically Brisbane has had the highest occupancy rates of all the capital cities for hotels since 2000

 

[Sprucegoose]

Ironically Brisbane has had the highest occupancy rates of all the capital cities for hotels since 2000

An unsophisticated market possibly?

 

[haydensydney]

Agreed - Brisbane has cough choices for those wanting a luxury option.

My partner and I just suck it up and get a room at the Oaks Aurora - you can get a Penthouse room which has amazing views etc and its not *that* expensive

Forgot to say that although this is a Oaks property, the views are awesome and the balcony space is great for entertaining! All of <$150 a night with full apartment facilities... not bad.

Oaks Aurora - Brisbane CBD

 

[moa999]

Agree at the comments about Stamford.
Bit tired and over the hill. Recent multi-million dollar refurb consisted of flat screens in the bedroom, a really coughpy 15" in the bathroom and new curtains.
Suites are quite large though.

Recently stayed at Emporium and liked it. Quite funky trying to replicate W style, albeit not quite there. Interestingly have a hidden kitchenette in each room.

Love the Hilton design but the old rooms are really bad.

 

[Mal]

Oaks Aurora - Brisbane CBD

Have stayed at Oaks Charlotte Towers, and it did surprise me (in a positive way). Poor construction (Devine - UGGH!), but tbh a lot more logical and fresher than many hotels. 24 hour reception, kitchen facilities, decent sized bedroom and lounge (although smallish - but useable balcony). For some people - much better than certain "hotels" in Brisbane.

 

[Ewing]

Forgot to say that although this is a Oaks property, the views are awesome and the balcony space is great for entertaining! All of <$150 a night with full apartment facilities... not bad.

Oaks Aurora - Brisbane CBD

And it's close to the Pig 'n' Whistle - one of my usual watering holes when in Brisbane

I haven't actually stayed there - I was going to try it last time I was in a serviced apartment but the room type I wanted was sold out so I went to the "M on Mary" (on Mary St believe it or not). That wasn't bad and the balcony was good. The only complaint was the elevators were very slow (in speed) which was slightly painful when on the top floor (~40) but if that's all there is to complain about then...

The only thing with M on Mary is the invoice you get is from the individual apartment 'owner' who isn't registered for GST - that caused some confusion with our corporate services people who are used to an invoice from a hotel chain.

 

[Mal]

The only thing with M on Mary is the invoice you get is from the individual apartment 'owner' who isn't registered for GST - that caused some confusion with our corporate services people who are used to an invoice from a hotel chain.

That's interesting, but does happen in the "Serviced apartments" market at times. I've seen it at others, and do often do some google searches on the owner to see if I can guess who they are! I know one M on Mary apartment owner who sublets to the "hotel" there - so will have to tell them that.

 

[JohnK]

An unsophisticated market possibly?

I fail to understand this comment. Are you referring to the people or the properties available?

Personally I don't want to throw away my money on an overpriced room for the night. Choice in how to spend money does not determine the level of sophistication. Quite the contrary....

 

[Mal]

An unsophisticated market possibly?

Nope, just a lack of investment... BTW, I do think rates have trended down over the last 12-24 months in BNE. It's not just a hangover from the GFC, but competition to keep them low.

 

[BNE777]

I'd agree with the Stamford being probably the pick. Although it's really a matter of the best of a bad bunch. I find Brisbane hotels sub standard frankly to hotels around the globe. Which is shameful as a Brisbane resident myself.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Shrek and I stayed in a King Suite at the Hilton last week. Room was large with a huge bathroom, walk in robe and decent sized lounge area.

Service was fine, coughtails in the lobby lounge were quite good.
We also liked the traveling Santas on the lifts

 

[straitman]

Shrek and I stayed in a King Suite at the Hilton last week. Room was large with a huge bathroom, walk in robe and decent sized lounge area.

At the risk of sounding inappropriate, did you pay for the suite or was it an upgrade :?:

 

[Ewing]

Shrek and I stayed in a King Suite at the Hilton last week. Room was large with a huge bathroom, walk in robe and decent sized lounge

Oh, when did they renovate?

I haven't stayed there since early last year and it was *very* tired.

 

[markis10]

Oh, when did they renovate?

I haven't stayed there since early last year and it was *very* tired.

April 09 was the completion of the renovation.

 

[Princess Fiona]

At the risk of sounding inappropriate, did you pay for the suite or was it an upgrade :?:

Cheeky! It was a paid upgrade from a King Executive Room. It was a nice start to my 4 stay MVP gold run

 

[straitman]

Cheeky! It was a paid upgrade from a King Executive Room. It was a nice start to my 4 stay MVP gold run

Thanks.

Just trying to keep some perspective on how they are treating people.

 

[Ewing]

April 09 was the completion of the renovation.

Awesome. I must check it out next time I need a hotel in BNE.

Thanks.

 

[Homer]

I also want to add a vote for the refurbished King Suites at the Hilton Brisbane. I’ve stayed there twice in the last few months - both times using those Hilton eStandby upgrades - so while work paid for the Executive Plus room, I paid an extra $124 and upgraded to the suite in order to bring Marge and Lisa with me.

Brisbane is short of great hotels though. The Marriott was good 10 years ago and I’ve stayed at the Stamford, Sofitel, Quay West and Conrad and they are all tired and pretty terrible. The Stamford is actually the worst of that bunch and yet Brisbane people (who’ve either never stayed there or who stayed there once over a drunken bucks/hens/wedding/anniversary event) keep telling me it’s the bees knees.

The Emporium is the best of a bad bunch but its location is often inconvenient, plus they don’t have a loyalty program, nor an executive lounge . So for now the Hilton gets my vote but only if you plum for one of the upgraded rooms. A new round of upgrades to some of the other room categories is apparently programmed for next year.

 

[BVT]

Generally agree with the informed discussion.

For what it is worth, I like Limes Hotel, funky and gritty urban location. The rooms are tight! But, Nespresso machine, wicked brownies and L'Occitane toiletries are all good. The staff are all funky and helpful, IME.

Stayed at the Stamfird last week for two nights. Found it to be good, not outstanding, just good. U2 were there at the same time so the staff were a bit preoccupired/starstuck(?) The level of service, except in the Brasserie was excellent. The Brasserie = overpriced very ordinary food.

BvT

 

[Mal]

April 09 was the completion of the renovation.

Yep, I stayed in an Exec room at the Hilton in Jun 09, and thought it was rather nice (and re-furbished). Lounge is still nice - was there a few weeks ago with an FT/AFF'er in town!