You Can Bank On The Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane

Adina’s marquee Brisbane property is the best part of both a modern unfussy hotel and a heritage-listed property.

The Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane in the 1920s former Queensland Government Savings Bank has great bones. Solid walls, an atrium with enormous high ceilings and a historic wooden staircase with wrought iron balustrades.

Whenever those concerned that the repurposing of these heritage masterpieces into fine hotels is destroying the utility and heritage voice their fears, they should cast their eyes over the rather delicate and restrained way TFE Hotels have brought this building back to life.

So careful was the restoration completed in 2018 that the Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane is in excellent shape today.

Location

City or river is the age-old question for Brisbane visitors. Well, on the top floors, Adina Brisbane serves up both. The hotel is right on the corner of George and Elizabeth Streets opposite the casino and the Queens Garden Square.

A block from the Queen St Mall and easy access to most of the business towers in the CBD, the hotel is ideal for a city break. The gardens across the road give the George St-facing rooms a welcome and refreshing verdant vista.

the Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane Exterior — The Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane building has great bones.

Style and character

The careful restoration presents the original heavy wooden doors (this was a bank after all) which open to reveal a lobby of elegant beauty.

Gorgeous high ceilings and chequerboard black-white tiles evoke all the glory of the roaring 20s and the enormous wrought iron windows that reach to the lofted ceilings give not just natural light but an additional oversized sense of grandeur for what is in reality not a massive space.

Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane lobby — Gorgeous high ceilings and chequerboard black-white tiles evoke all the glory of the roaring 20s.

The highlights of the lobby are the dusty pastel hand-painted de Gournay panoramic wallpaper artworks. These verdant landscapes along with the careful restoration of the ornate ceiling roses, Tiffany duck egg blue walls and duotone geometric tiling lift the lobby ambience to a somewhat magical milieu.

The Art Deco styling is found throughout the public spaces; the carpet is geometric bronze and black and opposite the lifts on all levels are full-length mirrors.

The compact heated pool is enclosed on all sides by the hotel building to give a sense of being confined when in fact it is open to the elements. But look up and enjoy the Joan Miro-esque Oogie Boogie mobile artwork.

Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane Pool — Enjoy the Joan Miro-esque Oogie Boogie mobile artwork above the pool.

Facilities

The Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane has a pool, gym, 24-hour front desk and onsite parking with direct access to the hotel.

Rooms

There are 220 rooms, all with a kitchenette. The rooms vary from studios, one- to three-bedroom apartments and suites across three room categories: standard, premier and balcony. The top floors naturally have the best views of the river and South Bank.

The rooms in the original structure (not the top five floors which have been added) benefit from the high ceilings and even the studio’s floor plan is carefully designed to maximise space – a chaise lounge and table and two chairs from which to work or eat are on hand.

The room palette embraces a rich British racing green and turquoise soft furnishing. White subway tiles in the bathroom are contrasted with black floor tiles and Ink & Water toiletries.

Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane room — The rooms vary from studios, one- to three-bedroom apartments and suites across three room categories: standard, premier and balcony.

Food and drink

There are three outlets within the hotel, each for a different occasion.

The highlight is Donna Chang , tucked into the Elizabeth St side of the lobby. The Cantonese-inspired restaurant has reportedly the best dumplings in the city and a Kung Pao Chicken the envy of some of the best Cantonese eateries in the country.

People dining at Donna Chang in Brisbane — Donna Chang is a highlight.

For coffee and a quick breakfast, the St Marks Road Co. is set in a small nook on the George St side of the lobby.

And in the basement, the Boom Boom Room is a Japanese bar and restaurant with a plethora of Japanese whisky, sake and beer.

The Boom Boom Room in Brisbane — Enjoy Japanese whisky at the Boom Boom Room.

Accessibility

Accessible rooms are available in the studio and one-bedroom apartment categories. The accessible one-bedroom apartments have an interjoining door to a studio next door and therefore can be converted into a two-bedroom apartment for travelling carers or family.

Is Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane family-friendly?

Yep – the Adina brand is synonymous with space, multi-room apartments, kitchenettes and laundries. All are highly appreciated by families on the move.

Details

Best for: Business travellers, long-stay travellers and couples.

Address: 171 George St, Brisbane QLD 4000

Phone: +61 7 3155 1000

Cost: Rates start from $321 per night.

This new, family-friendly Hamilton Island resort embraces life in the slow lane.

White sand beaches, gentle waves and getting on ‘island time’ have always made Hamilton Island the first spot that comes to mind when thinking of Queensland’s Whitsundays. Always a place to recharge and relax, modern wellness travel here means so much more than a spa treatment or green juice. And a new kind of tropical island stay has now arrived on Hamilton Island.

pool at The Sundays Hamilton Island — Learn to slow down and rejuvinate. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

The Sundays reimagines laid-back luxury, combining boutique, beachfront accommodation with an encouragement to slow down and appreciate life’s simple pleasures so every day feels like Sunday.

Laid-back luxury

The Sundays is nestled into the picturesque gardens on the northern end of Catseye Beach. Despite a feeling of being away from it all, the resort is a conveniently short walk from Hamilton Island’s main resort centre and restaurants, so guests can have the best of both worlds.

This new boutique stay is all about savouring the now. From complimentary sunrise yoga to moonlight movies for kids and a daily sundae ritual by the beachside pool, it makes a compelling case for doing less, better.

Even the architecture is designed to harmonise with the surrounding tropical landscape, pairing soft curves with a grounded coastal style that shows off the panoramic Coral Sea views and adds to the hotel’s calm aesthetic.

Plus, with direct flights to Hamilton Island from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in under two and a half hours, as well as complimentary hotel transfers from the airport or marina, getting here is as easy as the vacation itself.

balcony view from room at The Sundays — Enjoy fantastic views from your balcony or terrace. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

Perfectly designed rooms with amazing views

Every small detail has been considered in the creation of the 59 guest rooms and suites, from in-room amenities by LEIF to walls adorned with custom artworks by First Nations andHungarian artist Tiarna Herczeg. There’s even a signature in-room scent by The Raconteur.

Designed by Hamilton Island’s own designer, Carrie Williams, the result is relaxed Australian style using natural textures and soft hues to lull guests into a mellow state. This soothing palette runs throughout the resort, from its sun lounges to the shaded cabanas.

Every room and suite has been built with a balcony or terrace, perfectly framing postcard-perfect views of the surrounding reef and lush greenery.

inside a room at The Sundays — Stylish rooms feature natural, soothing tones. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

Excellent activities and amenities

Each day has been planned with a relaxed structure, so guests can get involved in as much or as little as they wish.

Greet each day with morning yoga, pilates and island walks. Recharge with daily (and deliciously complimentary) sundaes by the pool. Wind down with moonlight movies twice a week and take advantage of family-focused features.

Guests have complimentary access to a range of water sports – from stand-up paddle boards to catamarans – so they can get their blood pumping before relaxing by the resort pool.

Or take a few extra steps to set up for a day on the sand without any crowds at the exclusive, guest-only beach. Settle in with a poolside aperitif for a front-row view of the stunning Catseye Bay.

aerial shot of The Sundays pool and catseye beach — Find picturesque Catseye Beach on your doorstep. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Delectable dining

What is rejuvenation if not a hearty choice of fresh, delectable dishes? That’s what guests will discover at The Sundays’s onsite restaurant, Catseye Pool Club .

Open all day for hotel guests and lunch and dinner for island diners, this relaxed yet elevated menu was created by acclaimed culinary duo, Josh and Julie Niland. It celebrates that community feeling of mealtimes while championing seasonal Australian produce.

“The vision behind [Catseye Pool Club] reflects so much of what I value – bringing people together to create memories in beautiful surroundings,” explains Josh.

table spread including a lobster dish from Catseye Pool Club, The Sundays — Enjoy classic Aussie meals with a twist at Catseye Pool Club. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Based on elevated versions of classic Aussie family dinners, expect refined simplicity. Think roasted Sun Farms Sommerlad chicken with sides like chicken fat roast potatoes, gravy and tomato and grilled bread salad, or barbecued line-caught Bowen coral trout with garlic saltbush and Warrigal greens.

A day spent by the pool can be complemented by a dedicated poolside menu, featuring wood-fired souvas. Don’t want to leave the room? Kick back and soak in the views with tasty treats delivered straight to your door, whether you’re after a full breakfast or late night snack.

view from catseye pool club at The Sundays hamilton island — Enjoy dinner and a view. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Exploring the island

While daily life at The Sundays is very much about the art of staying still, guests who seek more can explore the island with ease.

Take a day trip to the striking Whitehaven Beach, or see the iconic Heart Reef from above on a helicopter tour. Pop over to Hamilton Island’s championship golf course for a hit, or explore over 12 kilometres of the island’s stunning nature and wildlife. Later, slow the pace back down with a visit to Spa wumurdaylin .

Looking for more tasty treats? Visit one of the island’s restaurants – there are more than 20 to choose from.

Hikers on passage peak hike on hamilton island — Take on the beautiful hikes of Hamilton Island. (Image: Nick Leary)

Book your stay at The Sundays through hamiltonisland.com.au.

You can bank on the Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane