Review: The W Hotel, Brisbane

Big, bold and brash, the W Brisbane brings unmatched vibes to the sunshine state.

When the W Hotel in Brisbane opened its doors, it brought with it the debaucherous, unabashed flauntiness that dwells within.

We explored its uniqueness and energy to see whether it lives up to the hype.

First impressions

When I step out of the taxi at the W Brisbane , I’m instantaneously stunned by the wow factor of the hotel. The luminescent ‘W’ draws you in initially, but then it’s the bright and colourful arrival area that catches the eye.

W Hotel in Brisbane exterior with 'W' sign — The luminescent ‘W’ draws you in.

Ripe with riparian themes in the design, it starts with a staircase of timber river reeds delivering us to the welcome desk and continues through to the carpet pattern in our room, inspired by the shifting tide patterns of the Brisbane River.

Checked in, we’re shown to the moodily lit elevators, and it’s abundantly clear this is no place for minimalists.

Arrival area of the W Hotel in Brisbane — The staircase of timber river reeds leads to the welcome desk.

The room

The curtains automatically draw back as we enter our Wonderful Room, allowing the sun to pour over its showpiece: a turquoise circular mix bar, topped with a hot pink glass pineapple and an array of mid-sized bottles of booze.

Wonderful Room mix bar at the W Hotel Brisbane — The mixing bar is an eye-catcher.

The room snakes from the entrance, past the bathroom with its ‘10-gallon drum tub’ inspired by the Aussie outback, around the end of a king-size bed and into the curved floor-to-ceiling glass.

Bath in W Brisbane room — Not a bad spot for a bath.

Along one wall, white panels bring a touch of traditional Queenslander home; opposite is a shimmering print with thin glass poles running along it, channelling mangrove reeds. There are mirrors everywhere.

All this ostentatiousness is new to me; it’s my first initiation into the world of W. On one hand, I love it, on the other, I’ve stepped into the unknown and I’m feeling conscious about my outfit choice.

Spectacular King Room in W Brisbane — The views are a killer.

We glam up and continue to the Living Room bar, which backs onto the adjoining shopping complex, Brisbane Quarter, for a pre-dinner cocktail.

EWOW living area at W Hotel Brisbane — If you really want to take it up a notch, the EWOW Suite is available…

Living Room Bar

The Living Room Bar evolves from a serene spot for daytime reading or meetings to a lively night scene to mix and mingle. The soundtrack connects the crowd for you to enjoy good conversation and of course, fab cocktails.

Our drinks come with a side of deliciously sweet and salty popcorn that we couldn’t get enough of.

We then head upstairs to level three where the boys from Byron Bay’s Three Blue Ducks made their Queensland debut .

The Living Room Bar at W Brisbane — The Living Room Bar makes cocktails as quirky as its décor.

Three Blue Ducks

We are graced by spectacular nighttime views over the Brisbane River at Three Blue Ducks. We choose a table by the window with a direct view of QAGOMA lit up on the other side of the river.

The menu is all locally sourced produce showcasing Queensland’s vibrant yet laidback culture with ‘The Ducks’ legendary paddock-to-plate ethos. It changes seasonally, but the quality remains the same no matter when you go.

Three Blue Ducks summer menu at W Brisbane — The Ducks menu changes seasonally to keep the quality of food the best.

We start with freshly shucked oysters and finger lime dressing because oysters are always a good idea. For mains, we shared the gnocchi and the 300g scotch fillet steak with a side of roasted garlic and rosemary potatoes. The food was incredible with service to match.

They also have a ‘Ducklings’ menu for all the little ones you might have. We actually shared the frozen chocolate parfait and fresh raspberries dessert from the Ducklings menu because we were SO full but needed that sweet hit!

Three Blue Ducks summer menu desserts at W Hotel Brisbane — The desserts utilise all the freshest fruit on offer.

Three Blue Ducks is also where the hotel breakfast is on, come morning, and it is easily one of the best hotel breakfasts I’ve ever had. The food was phenomenal and there was so much range to choose from. From spanner crab scramble with papaya to the buffet breakfast option, there is something for everyone.

Poached eggs with avocado on sourdough at Three Blue Ducks in Brisbane — Don’t miss breakfast during your stay! (Image: Nikki To)

The pool

If you like a more relaxed dining option, take the plunge at the psychedelic WET Deck pool and bar on the level four rooftop. The tropical poolside oasis in the heart of the city boasts a resort vibe complete with photo-worthy vistas, bar and pool.

Psychedelic patterns on the roof of WET Deck pool in W Hotel Brisbane — The psychedelic WET Deck pool is a vibe.

The rooftop bar is the ultimate place for vivid sunsets, handcrafted cocktails, light bites and live DJs. Plus, WET Deck hosts lots of fun events so see what’s on when you plan on staying.

WET Deck Terrace bar at W Brisbane — Head to the WET Deck Terrace for a casual dining moment with some delicious cocktails.

Amenities

We make ourselves at home visiting the AWAY Spa and leave having reached new levels of relaxation and pampering.

You can also take it up a notch at the FIT gym which has an abundance of cutting-edge fitness equipment.

The AWAY Spa relax station at W Brisbane — The relaxation station at W Brisbane’s AWAY Spa has some incredible views.

The location

W Brisbane is situated right on the banks of the Brisbane River in the CBD. It is super close to Queen Street Mall, one of the best things to do in Brisbane, and Brisbane City Hall, which is also the home of the Museum of Brisbane.

Just across the river, you’ll find QAGOMA and Queensland Museum in South Bank’s Queensland Cultural Centre.

WET Deck Terrace by day at W Hotel Brisbane — Look out over Brisbane from the WET Deck.

The price

A Wonderful Room costs around $450 per night.

Cocktails at WET Deck in W Brisbane — Head to WET Deck for a cheeky sunset cocktail.

The verdict

Luxury without the stick up its behind, the W is like a hedonistic travel buddy you’d fly to Ibiza with.

Score: 4.5/5

We rated: The fact there’s absolutely nothing else like it in Brisbane and the staff were so bubbly and welcoming.

We’d change: The prices aren’t cheap, but you are paying for uniqueness and an experience like no other.

Where: 81 North Quay, Brisbane, Queensland

Pizza, tacos and chips from WET Deck in W Hotel Brisbane — WET Deck may be casual, but don’t be fooled, the food is still to die for.

City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba , where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) , home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) — Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park . Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards . Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery .

Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery — Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores . Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld ’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World ’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek — Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House , then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

exterior of Husk Distillers — Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland — Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.