We all love staying in nice luxurious boutique hotels that know what great service is really all about and how to really pamper you, but they can be few and far between and it has to be said that until recently, Brisbane was not really recognised for its luxury hotels.
OK, there are one or two exceptions, with in general there tends to be an increasing number of good hotels that are members of large groups, but it appears now that pinnacle may have been reached with the opening of the Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane, a stunning luxury, boutique hotel and amazingly, not part of a large chain or hotel group, but privately owned.
I was very fortunate in being able to experience what the recently opened Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane was all about, just this last weekend and although the weather was not overly kind, that did not detract on my becoming aware that this new Brisbane hotel was a revelation and thoroughly enjoying my stay.
The “new” Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane is the successor to the Anthony John Group’s formerly highly successful Emporium Fortitude Valley, which owners Tony and Francine John sold recently, determined to make an even bigger mark on the Brisbane hotel scene, with the 21 floor Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane… and they most certainly have
Even though only recently opened, Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane was named ‘Australia’s Leading Hotel Residences’ for its recently completed Emporium Residences and Emporium Apartments and Emporium Hotels has been named ‘Australia’s Leading Boutique Hotel’ at the 2018 World Travel Awards, marking the fourth consecutive year the brand has received the highly acclaimed accolade, in addition to a plethora of other awards with Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane certainly set to secure many more.
What struck me first is that Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane is a masterpiece of branding, with virtually everything in the hotel, from the massive sign outside [pictured] , through to the door handles and even the holders for the wine glasses in the suites, and much more, replicating the “E” for Emporium, even down to the number plate on the hotel’s very own Maserati Levante…very clever.
Located on Grey Street, Brisbane, in the heart of South Bank, in what has become the hottest new living and entertainment precinct in Brisbane, Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane is located within the AUD$600 million Southpoint precinct of apartments and the hotel, created by the by Anthony John Group, with no doubt about it, Emporium Hotel South Bank elevating the level of style, comfort and service in the boutique hotel industry not only in Brisbane, but throughout Australia.
Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane is made up of 143 very stylish, very well equipped, luxurious and exclusive in style, and I would like to add, clearly lovingly designed, suites, as I was told Francine John chose much of the finishes throughout the hotel…and it shows.
While the Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane’s fine dining restaurant is not yet open, the hotel offers a range of really scrumptious high quality gourmet and premium food and drinks, including on The Terrace [pictured] on Level 21 with panoramic city views, withSouth Bank’s only rooftop bar giving spectacular, panoramic views of the Brisbane River, city and beyond, while also offering an extensive breakfast, savoury and sweet snacks and some stunning cocktails.
The Terrace is clearly leading edge as it features lush landscaping, vertical wall gardens and even an opening roof, latest technology underfloor and bar lighting and massive video screens creating a fabulous atmosphere and effect, with the Terrace quickly becoming the “must be seen at” location of Brisbane.
Belle Époque is located street level on the ground floor and features a little piece of Paris, with delicious French patisserie-style breakfast and bistro lunch options plus an awesome selection of the finest tarts and gateaux.
Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane also offerscomprehensive 24- hour In Suite Dining and not just the standard hotel room service menu of burgers and BLTs, but for example, for breakfast, Spanish Style eggs with beans, chorizo, manchego cheese and sweet peppers, Truffled Eggs Benedict, with free-range eggs, double smoked house ham, truffled hollandaise and sweet potato rosti or of course the more classic Emporium Breakfast, with eggs cooked to your liking, free-range bacon, kangaroo sausage, myrtle roasted mushroom, hash brown, sourdough toast and bush tomato chutney…how are those for really set you up for the day breakfast dishes. By the way, for breakfast there is also a sumptuous buffet in The Terrace on Level 21
For lunch and dinner there is also a selection on the In Suite Dining Menu including White Onion Risotto, with roasted sweet onion, reggiano, clove and bay leaf oil, Seared Gnocchi with Butternut pumpkin, sage and pecorino, or Black Onyx Angus Rump, with dutch cream potato, pearl onion, crispy kale and wattle seed mayo, all available from 11.00am to 11.00pm and from 11.00pm a great selection including a fabulous charcuterie board, with a selection of local cured meats, house pickles and condiments, a gourmet cheese selection, an Emporium salad of fresh Queensland prawns, tomato, watermelon, smoked mozzarella, opal basil and chardonnay emulsion is available, so plenty of quality dishes to choose from.
To obtain a more detailed insight into this high quality, boutique, luxury property, please check out my visit and tour of this amazing property with the owner’s representative Charles Martin, by clicking on the video box below and also looking at the selection of images below.
I am sure you will then begin to experience what I experienced and will want to stay at Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane as soon as possible…and I recommend you do.
In the meantime, and finally, one of the things that really impressed and struck me most about this stunning hotel was the absolutely seamless and incredibly high quality of service guests receive from any and all staff with whom they come into contact. [Two are pictured here.]
They all appeared highly trained, very professional, but more than that, they also appear to have been chosen because they possess that very special “je ne sais quoi”, that indefinable quality that presented itself in Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane as happy smiling staff that could not do too much for all the guests, something that is sadly lacking today in many hotels and restaurants, but something Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane has clearly managed to secure.
I am delighted to have had the opportunity visit and experience this amazing boutique, luxury property and review it for you, our Global Travel Media subscribers and if you are intending to stay in Brisbane yourself or have clients visiting, then the stunning Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane, is the place to stay and be…you will not be disappointed.
A Global Travel Media Hotel Review by John Alwyn-Jones
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