Offering marshmallow-soft bedding, in-room fitness gear and healthy Mediterranean meals, The Westin Brisbane lavishly fuels inner-city exploration.

As wellness tourism thrives and boutique stays with razor-sharp attention to detail dazzle, I’d begun to overlook our big-chain stalwarts. Ditching been-there-done-that comfort for shiny newness, I became totally fixated on one-bettering my last experience. Checking into The Westin Brisbane in December 2025, my foolish fear of missing out was acutely remedied. A five-star leader since its November 2018 unveiling, it remains one of Australia’s most plush hotels while expediting genuine holistic wellbeing. Let me walk you through my stay at The Westin Brisbane.

Where is The Westin Brisbane?

I tackle Brisbane CBD’s concrete jungle to find The Westin Brisbane situated a few blocks back from the Brisbane River and within walking distance to Queen Street Mall’s shops. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Brisbane Airport and within a sea of city skyrises, so whoever is driving should follow Maps closely to ensure you don’t miss its busy street entrance (like I nearly did). I snap up underground valet parking for $60 per day, and highly recommend it as the concierge team are very speedy and professional.

What is the style and character of The Westin Brisbane?

It’s been almost a decade since The Westin Brisbane opened, but the design by the globally acclaimed Woods Bagot, an architectural company founded in Adelaide, holds strong. Famed for projects spanning a Los Angeles’ LAX Airport portion, Sydney Central Station and Dubai’s Six Senses Residences, the team built a tower that embraces, even morphs into, its surroundings, before dialling up the glamour inside rooms and suites. The lobby is crafted from exposed concrete, stone and glass while timbers and curved finishes soften the urban elegance. What really delights me is the signature scent that drifts throughout the entire hotel, a Westin signature White Tea that blends aloe vera, vanilla and cedar. It’s deliciously fancy-fresh without ever overpowering.

What facilities does The Westin Brisbane have?

There’s no denying it – The Westin Brisbane wins significant points for its swim-up bar. It claims to be the city’s only swim-up bar, in fact. Located on level 2P, Nautilus Pool and Bar is a slick slice of inner-city indulgence with deep city views – think gazing into other skyscraper windows and balconies – and/ submerged pool lounges. I order a perfectly spiced margarita (just the right amount of requested extra heat) to help wash down a serving of fish tacos under a partially covered section of the indoor-outdoor space. It’s a clever design as I dine comfortably, shielded from the day’s sun, before dipping into the heated pool for lashings of sunlight. Fending off that notorious Queensland climate one step further, an ice cream menu offers eight unique varieties spanning Drumsticks, icy poles and Connoisseur. I lean in, slurping mine at one of the swim-up bar seats as my legs kick beneath the water. Bliss.

Right next to the pool is the equally impressive WestinWORKOUT, a hotel gym with a line of treadmills, all the presses, bikes, ergs, gear spanning everything from boxing gloves to yoga mats, refrigerated towels, dry towels and even headphones upon request. I smash out a treadmill sprint in a corner that overlooks Nautilus pool and the serene views push me to sweat it out longer than usual.

There’s also the Westin Club lounge on level 3, and if you’re staying in a Club Room or a Renewal Suite (more on that soon), you get daily complimentary access from 6:30am to 10:30pm. I find a continental breakfast and a couple of additional hot buffet-style dishes until 10:30am each morning, while canapes, wines, beers and charcuterie line the benchtops from 5:00pm until 7:00pm. It’s a lovely perk with ample seating and a few flat-screen TVs, and guests without lounge inclusion can purchase access for $150 per day.

The Westin Brisbane is also home to Heavenly Spa, one of the best Brisbane day spas. Located next door to the lounge on level 3, it’s a beautiful, calming oasis filled with super experienced and passionate spa therapists like Elena who performs my 60-minute Purifying Detox Facial. While the treatment itself is illuminating and filled with just the right number of actives, Elena discusses my skin in-depth and her ingredient and brand knowledge blows my mind.

What are the rooms like at The Westin Brisbane?

My favourite thing about The Westin Brisbane (and it’s a tough call because nothing disappoints) is my room: Westin Renewal Suite number 706. While all 298 rooms and suites extend the minimalistic elegance of the hotel’s lobby, the Westin Renewal Suites feature the brand’s signature ‘Heavenly Bed’ with temperature regulation and peak softness due to a plush-top mattress and gel-infused memory foam. It is the fluffiest hotel bed I’ve experienced in years, and I bat at the quilt while watching TV because it fluffs like microwaved popcorn to almost obstruct my view. A truly privileged first world problem, I know.

Additionally, everything is angled towards ensuring I get quality shut-eye. At my bedside, I find a lavender balm to roll on pulse points, an eye mask, ear plugs and a QR code that links to white noise if the hum of the city proves bothersome (I never hear it once, mind you, even as heavy construction across the road continued through the wee hours). Plus, that gorgeous White Tea scent is found throughout the amenities (body wash, shampoo, conditioner and body cream) so all five senses are ravished.

Two WestinWORKOUT gear lending kits help lull me even further into a state of Zen. Delivered direct to my door upon request, one is a bag containing a yoga mat, Bala balance blocks, Bala resistance bands and Bala weighted bangles, while the other is a large freezer bag-esque box containing two high-tech massage tools. It’s an incredible initiative, offering me a chance to bend and stretch without the awkwardness of a gym floor dotted with strangers.

Other room highlights include a freestanding tub next to a rain showerhead and double white vanity built on beautiful grey marble, a vanity kit complete with a Dyson hair dryer, hair combs, nail care kit, mouth wash and more, a spacious work station fitted with a USB port and power outlet, touch-operated lamp, brown leather cushioned seat and an ergonomically sound table, ultra fluffy white robes and white slippers, and a separate living area with its own flat-screen TV and lounge. Oh, and there’s a separate powder room and toilet because, well, five-star.

What food and drink options are there at The Westin Brisbane?

Another serious drawcard, The Westin Brisbane is where you’ll find the acclaimed fine dining restaurant Settimo from legendary chef Guy Grossi, which is undoubtedly one of the best Italian restaurants in Brisbane. I take the elevator down to level 1 where I’m greeted with adorable tiny orange dots leading me to the restaurant’s doors. It’s playful already and the joy flows inside, especially when I get to talking to Settimo’s sensational restaurant manager, Gianmarco. A master of wine, he perfectly pairs my Tagliarini alle Vongole with a Chianti from the restaurant’s ‘Cellar Selection’, a genius collective that invites guests to sample high-quality, often expensive bottles by the glass. The vibe is warm, and even more so at breakfast the following morning where a daily buffet is served at a rate of $49 per guest. I love a buffet breakfast, and this one excels as peak produce refines traditional offerings like the sauteed mushrooms which blend field and portobello varieties with herbs. My favourite station is the Amalfi corner, stocked with beetroot panzanella and pumpkin and feta salads, sliced tomatoes, bocconcini, loose leaves and obligatory bottles of olive oil. Right behind, in a large fridge, I dress my veg with a selection of cold cuts. When in the Med, I say.

There’s also The Charles, a more casual cafe that doubles as a cocktail bar in the afternoon and evening. It’s located on the ground floor right by the hotel’s check-in counters and opens onto a side alley and Mary Street, so it’s great for people watching at every hour of the day.

In-room dining is also fabulous as it serves me a killer Sambuca-laced tiramisu whipped up in Settimo’s kitchen. I love how there are dedicated health-conscious options, too. An ‘Eat Well Menu’ spans soups, a grilled salmon and a vegetable risotto while a ‘Sleep Well Menu’ (yep, they’re championing sleep again) is centred on crucial vitamins and minerals like folate, magnesium, potassium and serotonin.

The cherries on top are the two Everleigh Bottling Co. bottled cocktails – a negroni and an espresso martini – on the in-room dining menu, the former of which I delight in as a long-time lover of the Melbourne brand (and bar). Very cool, Westin Brisbane.

Does The Westin Brisbane have access for guests with disabilities?

It sure does. The Westin Brisbane offers special features for guests with access needs across its Premium City and Club City View King accessible room types, including roll-in showers, bathroom grab rails and extra space. I also spotted braille etched into each of the buttons inside the lift, and I was told the team could organise a pool hoist at Nautilus upon request. Even better? Settimo is accessible via a wheelchair-friendly elevator from the outside of the hotel, so sashaying in for a post-exploration aperitif is practically seamless.

Is The Westin Brisbane family-friendly?

Families are welcome to lap up The Westin Brisbane, with children offered multiple tailored food menus while the swimming pool’s shaded areas ensure minimal sunscreen reapplication. I even spot youngsters smashing juice and sweets in the Westin Club, but parents should note that kids under the age of 16 aren’t allowed beyond 6pm. The ultimate selling point for families? The Westin King Suite sleeps up to five guests, while other rooms deliver a rollaway bed upon request. Sleeping the full clan will evidently prove as luxurious as going stag.

Details

Best for: Business travellers and couples

Address: 111 Mary St, Brisbane

Price: Rooms start from $322, while the Westin Renewal Suite starts from $626