Emporium Hotel South Bank, Brisbane

Pros

• The Emporium places you in South Brisbane's entertainment district, just a 2-minute walk to South Bank Parklands and the Brisbane River.
• Be prepared to be wowed by the uber sleek aesthetic of the luxury property, right from the exterior's stylized "E" to the digital screens throughout the property, including guest rooms.
• You'll have your pick of dining options with the Italian Firma restaurant, French Belle Époque, the Terrace, and The Reserve Wine Bar with over 3,000 bottles and live jazz.
• Suites are luxurious with ultra plush mattresses, marble-clad en suites with privacy glass that turns opaque with a button touch, and private balconies with many with river views (entry-level options look to the suburbs and hills). 
• The large, infinity-edge rooftop pool is a property highlight. It's heated for year-round fun and offers exceptional views of the Brisbane River and city skyline.
• Unwind on the 21st floor at the Japanese day spa with a service like shiatsu or facial acupoint, then continue the healing in the sauna and steam rooms.

Cons

• Breakfast is an additional cost at $35 per person per day, allowing you the flexibility to explore other local breakfast options nearby.
• The rooftop restaurant offers smaller portions, which encourages you to indulge in the expertly crafted drinks and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.

Authenticity

Design (and married) duo Anthony and Francine John opened Emporium Hotel South Bank in 2018, South Bank's first 5-star property. The hotel is known for its striking design, award-winning suites, and integration of premium hotel and residential living, along with standout amenities like rooftop dining at the Terrace. In 2021, the Emporium Academy launched to train young professionals in hospitality, further cementing the brand's forward-thinking ethos and lasting influence in the industry. The extensive wine list at the in-house wine bar reflects the owners' passion for the drink, and the native-to-Australia frangipani flower motif throughout the property is a nod to the region's tropical environs.

Location

The hotel sits right in Brisbane's lively South Bank precinct, just a block from the river and the parklands, with walking paths, eateries, and the human-made beach and lagoon. Within 15-20 minutes on foot, you can reach the Queensland Cultural Centre—with museums, galleries, and theaters—down the street, or the City Botanic Gardens across the Goodwill Bridge. Conveniently, the South Bank train station is directly across from the hotel entrance, and you can get to the Brisbane Airport in about a 25-minute drive. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

Rooms are elegant in neutral tones and layered textures with plush carpeting, velvet furniture, and chrome and gold details, differing only in size and view (the best views look out over the Brisbane River). Each of the 143 suites comes with cutting-edge tech, too, electronic blinds open to the wall-to-wall view upon entering the room, while a gilt-framed mirror cleverly conceals a 55-inch TV (140 cm) with Bose sound. You can also expect mirrored feature walls, marble-clad bathrooms with double vanities, glass-enclosed showers with dual shower heads, a freestanding soaking tub, Tom Dixon amenities, and thoughtful extras like a pillow and pyjama menu. A wine fridge stocked with Australian and imported bottles adds a final touch. For added space and a night in singing karaoke, book the Frangipani Suite, the Emporium's most luxurious.

Amenities

As a 5-star luxury hotel, there are many perks, including the 75-foot (23 m) infinity rooftop pool with a great view of the South Bank Parklands and the Brisbane River. There's a Japanese-style spa, The Healing Stone, with traditional treatments like ganbanyoku and shiatsu, a heat therapy hub with sauna, steam room, and cold plunge pool, and a gym with free weights and exercise machines that face out toward views of Mount Coot-Tha. Dining options abound. Enjoy Italian dinner at Firma, French fare and high tea, as well as a la carte breakfast (weekdays) and lunch, at Parisian-inspired Belle Époque, an upscale grazing menu with delish cocktails, and breakfast menu (weekends) at rooftop The Terrace, and over 3,000 wines and live jazz (Saturday nights) at The Reserve Wine Bar.

Family-Friendliness

Families are welcome at Emporium Hotel South Bank. Parents will find highchairs, and a couple of kid-friendly menu items at Terrace and a children's high tea option at Belle Époque. Ages six and over are charged as adults, and cots and extra beds are available on request. Babysitting services can be arranged as well. The hotel's River City King/Twin Suite is a good choice for families, with two queen beds or a king and a rollaway bed.