{"id":265325,"date":"2024-02-13T08:11:20","date_gmt":"2024-02-13T13:11:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=265325"},"modified":"2025-05-10T00:30:20","modified_gmt":"2025-05-10T04:30:20","slug":"where-to-stay-brisbane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/where-to-stay-brisbane\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to Stay in Brisbane When You Visit"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Brisbane<\/a> is third-largest city in Australia<\/a>. Most travelers visit the city on their way to the Gold Coast<\/a> or as they head up toward Cairns<\/a>. They tend not to stay too long as the city doesn’t really have the allure that other parts of Australia does. <\/p>\n

But Brisbane actually has plenty to see and do and I think people often short change it. <\/p>\n

Home to 2.5 million people, it\u2019s a very outdoorsy place, with lots of parks and even an urban beach. There\u2019s a high quality of life and a hip restaurant scene, and the largest koala sanctuary in the world<\/a> is just outside of town.<\/p>\n

Since it’s not too spread out, you’re never really too far from anything. But it never hurts to pick a neighborhood that fits your travel plans (and your budget). To help you figure out where to stay, here\u2019s my list of the best neighborhoods in Brisbane:<\/p>\n


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Where to Stay in Brisbane for Sightseeing: Inner City\/CBD<\/h3>\n

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\nIf you want to be in the center of it all, stay in the Inner City, known colloquially as the CBD (Central Business District). You\u2019ll find many great attractions here (the Museum of Brisbane, City Botanic Gardens, and Queensland Holocaust Museum), as well as lots of restaurants and cocktail bars. Don\u2019t miss the Brooklyn Standard, a NYC-themed bar with a speakeasy vibe and fantastic live music. If you want to shop, the expansive Queen Street Mall is here as well. <\/p>\n

The CBD is a convenient location if you\u2019re traveling elsewhere in Australia, as it\u2019s home to the main transit center, where all long-distance buses and trains leave from. Plus, it\u2019s located in between South Bank and Fortitude Valley, two other popular neighborhoods, so it\u2019s easy to get to both from here. <\/p>\n

Best places to stay in Inner City\/CBD:<\/strong><\/p>\n

BUDGET<\/strong>: Roamer Brisbane<\/a> \u2013 This upscale hostel across from the main train station features private rooms and dorms painted in warm, welcoming tones and decorated with local artwork. Bunks are pod-style, with individual reading lights, thick mattresses, curtains, outlets, and lockers. There’s also a co-working area, an outdoor cinema terrace, a library, and a fully equipped kitchen. It\u2019s a good option for travelers on a budget looking for a quiet stay. <\/p>\n

MIDRANGE: Royal on the Park<\/a> \u2013 Located directly across from the City Botanic Gardens, this hotel has a stately feel to it with its large rooms, carpet, and dark wood decor. There\u2019s an outdoor swimming pool, a hot tub, a lounge, and a restaurant that serves an expansive breakfast buffet. The generously sized rooms are simply designed, with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in a ton of natural light. Rooms also have ergonomic work desks, USB ports, and espresso machines. <\/p>\n

LUXURY: W Brisbane<\/a> \u2013 There\u2019s no shortage of luxury hotels in this neighborhood, but this five-star hotel takes the cake. Like all W properties, it\u2019s stylishly designed, and this location offers three restaurants and bars, a spa and fitness center, and a pool overlooking the river. The spacious rooms are funky and bright, with fun pops of color, deep bathtubs, rainfall showerheads, Nespresso machines, desks, and 55-inch flat-screen TVs.
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Where to Stay in Brisbane for Food and Culture: South Bank <\/h3>\n

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\nThis beautiful area is just south of the CBD, directly across the Brisbane River. Here you\u2019ll find a stunning inner-city beach, miles of tree-lined walks and parks, fabulous shopping, and plenty of restaurants. There are many great museums too, including the Queensland Cultural Centre (which includes the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art). The famous Wheel of Brisbane (a 60-meter-tall observation wheel) is right along the riverfront too. <\/p>\n

I really enjoy just walking the river promenade or getting something to eat as I people-watch. You often see musicians and outdoor dance classes here and, in the summer, there are usually a lot of events and festivals too. <\/p>\n

Best places to stay in South Bank:<\/strong><\/p>\n

BUDGET<\/strong>: As one of the most expensive areas of town, there aren\u2019t any real budget-friendly accommodations to be found here. You\u2019re better off either staying in West End just to the south or across the river in Inner City. The closest hostel to the area is Somewhere to Stay Backpackers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

MIDRANGE: Novotel Brisbane South Bank<\/a> \u2013 This sleek hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a restaurant serving a delicious breakfast buffet. The spacious rooms have a modern design, with lots of clean, white space and pops of color from the Brisbane-centric photography on the walls. All rooms have comfy beds, a seating area, flat-screen TVs, open-plan bathrooms, and electric kettles.<\/p>\n

LUXURY: Emporium Hotel South Bank<\/a> \u2013 This five-star hotel exudes contemporary elegance, with chic furnishings, plush fabrics, and curated art. Amenities include a luxe infinity pool, a spa, a fitness center, and three restaurants. The large rooms have incredible views and boast luxurious mattresses, Bose sound systems, and marble bathrooms with indulgent showers that have excellent pressure. Many have balconies as well as spa baths.
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Where to Stay in Brisbane for Nightlife: The Valley <\/h3>\n

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\nFortitude Valley, known locally as just “The Valley,” is the place to go to hit the town hard. It attracts a young crowd that comes for the plethora of clubs and bars in the area. If you\u2019re looking for some nightlife that isn\u2019t so wild, head to the formerly industrial Howard Smith Wharves along the river, which have been transformed into a pedestrian boardwalk brimming with some of the city\u2019s best restaurants and bars. Craft beer fans shouldn\u2019t miss Felon\u2019s Brewing Co. If you\u2019re into cocktails, head to Mr. Percival\u2019s overwater bar for excellent drinks with even better views. <\/p>\n

Best places to stay in The Valley:<\/strong><\/p>\n

BUDGET: Bunk Brisbane<\/a> \u2013 This hostel attracts younger travelers, though it\u2019s surprisingly not that social (there\u2019s no bar, and there aren\u2019t many common areas, though there is a bar and pool next door). It\u2019s located in a renovated warehouse, meaning that there are high ceilings and large windows with lots of natural light flooding the entire place. There are both private rooms with en suite bathrooms and dorms (including female-only dorms). All rooms are quite spacious and furnished with wood furniture. The showers have great pressure, and there\u2019s a guest kitchen and laundry facilities too. <\/p>\n

MIDRANGE: The Constance Fortitude Valley<\/a> \u2013 This funky boutique hotel is decorated with colorful street art and murals by artists from around the world. All rooms have a desk, a pod coffee machine, a walk-in shower, blackout curtains, and a minibar; some have spa baths and a private courtyard. There\u2019s a rooftop bar, a caf\u00e9 offering breakfast, a fitness center, and free access to a nearby pool and gym. It’s great value for your money.<\/li>\n

LUXURY: Crystalbrook Vincent<\/a> \u2013 Located on the edge of Fortitude Valley, this sleek five-star property almost feels like a resort. It features an infinity pool with magnificent views, two restaurants, and a fitness center. The spacious rooms are all uniquely designed, with curated artwork and bold accents (like emerald-green couches and brightly colored throw blankets). All rooms have comfy beds, walk-in rainfall showers, plush bathrobes, flat-screen TVs, desks, and blackout blinds, and most even have a couch. The hotel has a strong focus on sustainability, with waste-free bathrooms and upcycled furnishings.
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Where to Stay in Brisbane to Feel like a Local: West End<\/h3>\n

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\nThe hip West End, just south of South Bank, is packed with independent shops, bookstores, craft cocktail bars and breweries, third-wave coffee spots, and great eateries. It\u2019s an especially popular area for brunch; you\u2019ll find lots of Greek restaurants here too, thanks to the thriving Greek community in the area. The alleyways are adorned with beautiful murals, and on the weekends several markets pop up, taking over the streets. This is the best place to stay to soak up local life, but it\u2019s also not far from the attractions of South Bank and Inner City, meaning you can truly have the best of both worlds here. <\/p>\n

Best places to stay in West End:<\/strong><\/p>\n

BUDGET: Somewhere to Stay Backpackers<\/a> \u2013 This hostel offers both affordable private rooms and dorm beds (including female-only dorms). It almost feels like a resort, with an outdoor pool set in a leafy interior courtyard, a veranda with fantastic views over the city, yard games, hammocks to lounge in, and a massive, fully equipped kitchen. The rooms themselves are pretty basic but this is the kind of place where it\u2019s more about common spaces anyway.<\/p>\n

MIDRANGE: Atlas Apartments by CLLIX<\/a> \u2013 This condo hotel offers apartments with a clean, modern, minimalist design. All have floor-to-ceiling windows, fully equipped kitchens, a dining area, walk-in showers, and a balcony or terrace. The property has an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a steam room, a barbecue area, and laundry facilities as well. It’s a wonderful place to stay if you’re traveling as a group or family. <\/p>\n

LUXURY<\/strong>: As more of a residential neighborhood, there aren\u2019t any true luxury hotels here. If you\u2019re looking for something high-end, head to the Emporium Hotel<\/a> in nearby South Bank<\/p>\n

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Brisbane<\/a> is a fun city whose cultural diversity is reflected in its eclectic neighborhoods, each contributing to the city\u2019s identity. When choosing where to stay in Brisbane, don\u2019t fret too much, as it\u2019s pretty small and easy to get around. You\u2019re never too far from anything. As long as you choose from the above neighborhoods (and hotels), you can’t go wrong.<\/p>\n

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