Spicers Balfour Hotel, Brisbane

Pros

• You'll find yourself in the leafy New Farm suburb, conveniently located near the Brisbane River and the city center.
• The hotel offers a unique blend of history and style, with accommodations in a beautifully converted 1910 Queenslander-style country house and a 1940s Art Deco building.
• Stylish rooms feature king or queen-sized beds with Italian linens, Nespresso machines, and Bose sound systems.
• The rooftop bar provides a scenic spot to watch the sunset over Story Bridge, and the on-site restaurant serves creative Vietnamese-inspired dishes with an emphasis on local and sustainable producers.

Cons

• This is a small, boutique-style property, and it lacks some amenities of a larger hotel, like a pool or spa.
• Reception isn't staffed around the clock, but you'll get a keycode to come and go after hours.
• There's no elevator for upper-story accommodations, but two ground-floor rooms are fully accessible.

Authenticity

Spicers Balfour Hotel combines history and modernity to create a stylish boutique escape in the leafy Brisbane suburbs. A converted 1910 Queenslander forms the core of the property, with characteristic wide verandas surrounded by tropical gardens. More suites are housed in a neighboring Art Deco building, with interiors and fittings that echo the vintage style. The hotel's on-site restaurant sources sustainable seafood, ethically-produced meat, and locally-grown produce for its Vietnamese-inspired menu, and the hidden rooftop bar is a popular spot with locals for its craft cocktails and glittering city views.

Location

Nestled in the vibrant suburb of New Farm, Spicers Balfour Hotel has a relaxed, neighborhood feel while being within easy reach of Brisbane's city center. A 5-minute stroll takes you to the Brisbane River and the Howard Smith Wharves ferry terminal, where you can cruise over to the CBD in under 20 minutes or take an elevator to the floating "riverwalk." A 10-minute walk in the other direction leads to the stylish James Street precinct, home to some of the city's best shopping and dining. Brisbane Airport is a 20-minute drive, and the property has limited parking on-site (staff can help you find further street parking nearby).

Rooms & Bathrooms

You'll find 17 units split across the property's two buildings. Executive rooms in the main Queenslander have a calm palette of dark blues and creams, while the eight Balfour suites in the Simla building feature an airier, Art Deco aesthetic. All are equipped with king or queen-sized beds with Italian linens, Nespresso machines, and Bose sound systems, and the spacious Balfour suites include separate sitting areas. Bathrooms are luxurious, with rain-style showers, heated towel rails, and locally-made toiletries; some also include deep soaking tubs. The hotel also offers two dedicated accessible rooms on the ground floor.

Amenities

This is a smaller, boutique property, and you won't find amenities like a spa or pool, though the buzzy rooftop bar offers dazzling views of the city and the Story Bridge and is the perfect spot to start your evening with a cocktail in hand. The Balfour Kitchen serves modern Vietnamese cuisine with an emphasis on sustainability and seasonality. Guests can enjoy breakfast (and a monthly high tea event) on the airy veranda or in the frangipani-filled courtyard. There's also a cozy library in the main house, where you can grab a book and some plush seating for a quiet escape.

Family-Friendliness

Spicers Balfour Hotel welcomes children in its Balfour Suites, though the property is more geared toward adults and business travelers, and no extra beds or cots can be added to the rooms.