A bright red, glitzy entrance is just the thing to wake a weary traveller. The Emporium Hotel, in Fortitude Valley, makes an impact on entrance with a beautiful blown-glass chandelier, made by an artist from the nearby North Coast Hinterland. Just a few blocks from the upmarket shopping precinct of James St, The Emporium has all the hallmarks of a five-star boutique hotel.
On the roof-top level, there’s a stunning, heated pool, with a spectacular cityscape view, along with a gym. The generous King suites are large enough to swing a clowder of cats in, or host a meal for two. In-room dining is fresh, delicious and generous.
We chose a smoked salmon salad and each morning were treated to fresh tropical fruits and poached eggs done to perfection on sourdough. Special touches say it all, like the luxurious Molton Brown soaps and shampoo, the pillow menu, the Nespresso machines and an extensive mini bar with excellent wine choices.
The Emporium opened in 2007 and was Brisbane’s first luxury boutique hotel. It was built in conjunction with a residential and retail precinct, making the area feel like a small, upmarket village.
If you feel like nipping out for a meal instead of dining in, you can choose from a number of excellent eateries within the compound, we tried excellent sushi at The Sushi 79 and delicious dumplings at Goyza Bar Ann. Saiko Teppanyaki is another option for fresh Japanese fare.
The hotel offers 102 luxury guest suites, from a generous-sized Queen, the huge King, the Emporium suite with Queensland-style balcony, to the largest two-room Corner Suite that would make a good choice for families.
The cocktail bar on the ground floor serves top-notch cocktails, we tried an in-house Margarita made to perfection with fresh limes and Patron. Also in the ground level is the Belle Epoque Patisserie for pastries and coffee if you don't have time for a sit down breakfast.
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Advertise with NZME.If you feel like a little pampering but can’t make it out the door, the In-Suite Spa Menu offers a range of massages and treatments, including a couple’s massage.
We’re not the only ones who think this hotel is top class, it’s won a swag of awards, including the Leading Boutique Hotel Award in 2016 and was named one of the world’s best new hotels by Conde Nast Traveler’s Hot List.
• 1000 Ann St, Fortitude Valley. Visit Emporiumhotels.com.au
