The Westin Brisbane: A five-star hotel devoted to your wellbeing

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?

the Nautilus Pool and Bar at The Westin Brisbane — The idyllic The Westin Brisbane is within walking distance to Queen Street Mall.

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?

inside The Westin Renewal Suite Lounge — The Renewal Suite Lounge dials up the glamour.

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?

a couple relaxing at Nautilus swim-up pool bar, The Westin Brisbane — Nautilus is Brisbane’s only swim-up pool bar.

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?

a suite with a balcony at The Westin Brisbane — Settle into sophisticated indulgence.

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?

a spread of food on the table at The Westin Brisbane — Dine on health-conscious options.

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

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.