traveller Brisbane’s hot hotels and eateries
Slotted underneath the iconic Story Bridge between a cliff and the Brisbane River, the Fantauzzo’s virtues are many – rooftop bar and pool, brilliant views of the CBD and more than 500 works from namesake artist Vincent Fantauzzo – but it’s this brilliant location that ultimately sells the handsome property. The cornerstone of the brand new Howard Smith Wharves development, you could stay
a couple of nights at this Art Series Hotel, hopping between the surrounding cafes, restaurants, brew pubs and bars, and hardly leave the precinct. Not to sell the digs themselves short. This is a beautiful property, its 166 rooms defined by the granite, stone and concrete that mimic the surrounding terrain, but softened with plenty of timber, velvet furniture and of course Fantauzzo’s stunning portraiture. On the ground floor is Polpetta, an approachable Italian-style eatery, while outside are brewpub Felons Brewing Co (5 Boundary Street; felonsbrewingco.com.au), popular burger joint Betty’s Burgers (5 Boundary Street;
Emporium Hotel South Bank 267 Grey Street, South Brisbane emporiumhotels.com.au +61 7 3556 3333 This hugely popular independent boutique hotel reinvigorated its brand last year by moving across the river from Fortitude Valley to brand new digs overlooking the South Bank parklands.
It’s as flash as ever, from the enormous eyepopping ‘E’ that sits outside above the building’s lobby, to the digital displays that adorn its walls, ceilings and lifts – this is not a hotel for the faint of heart. The treatment extends to the rooms with electric blinds, televisions hidden inside ornamental mirrors, marble vanities and wellstocked wine fridges.
The Fantauzzo 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane artserieshotels.com.au +61 7 3515 0700
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bettysburgers.com.au), heaving cocktail bar Mr Percival’s (5 Boundary Street; mrpercivals. com.au) and Arc Dining (5 Boundary Street; arcdining.com.au), one of the city’s best new restaurants.
The hotel is a short stroll to the winsome parklands – a mecca for local families on the weekends – and Brisbane’s buzzy theatre precinct, but you’d do just as well staying in: there’s Signature, the hotel’s star restaurant, with its elevated menu of local produce; Belle Epoque, a winsome cafe; the opulent Piano Bar; and The Terrace, a rooftop bar with breathtaking views across the river towards the city.