Brisbane - Australia 2004 - page 238

3 Where to Stay
IN THE CITY CENTER
VERY EXPENSIVE
Stamford Plaza Brisbane The Stamford is one of Brisbane's most
beautiful hotels; its marble lobby is dotted with brocade chairs and sofas, enor-
mous still-life oils, gilt mirrors, and palms. It's also one of the few city hotels to
have river views from every room—especially stunning at night from the south-
ern rooms when the Story Bridge lights up. The plush rooms are not enormous,
but all fit a king-size bed or two twins. What must be the biggest bathrooms in
Brisbane sport small TVs. A riverside boardwalk leads from the hotel to the
Eagle Street Pier restaurants, and the Brisbane City Gardens abut the hotel. In
an historic sandstone building adjacent to the hotel is one of Brisbane's grand-
est fine-dining restaurants, Siggi's, which also boasts a wine bar where you can
puff on cigars with your cognac.
Edward and Margaret sts. (adjacent to the Brisbane City Gardens), Brisbane, QLD 4000. & 1800/773 700
in Australia, or 07/3221 1999. Fax [phone]. www.stamford.com.au. 252 units. A$415 (US$270) double;
A$630-A$3,080 (US$410-US$2,002) suite. Extra person A$38 (US$25). Children under 12 stay free in par-
ent's room with existing bedding. Ask about packages. AE, DC, MC, V. Free valet parking. Train: Central, then
taxi or walk 6 blocks. Bus: Downtown Loop. Ferry: Edward St. Amenities: 3 restaurants; 3 bars; smallish out-
door heated lap pool and sun deck; health club; Jacuzzi; sauna; bike rental; concierge; tour desk; car-rental
desk; business center; salon; 24-hr. room service; in-room massage; babysitting; same-day dry cleaning; 24-
hr. butler service; nonsmoking rooms. In room: A/C, TV/VCR w/pay movies, dataport, minibar, coffeemaker, hair
dryer, iron.
EXPENSIVE
Mercure Hotel Brisbane Sweeping views of the Brisbane River come
with many rooms at this bright 14-story hotel (given four stars by AAA) across
the water from South Bank. A A$3 million (US$1.9 million) refurbishment of
all rooms in late 2002 has given them a fresh, contemporary look in red and
cream. The four suites have river views, and the standard rooms are comfortable
and unassuming. Rooms without water views have nice city views. Roma Street
Transit Centre, Queen Street Mall, South Bank Parklands, and the Queensland
Cultural Centre are a short walk away.
85-87 North Quay (between Ann and Turbot sts.), Brisbane, QLD 4000. & 1300/65 6565 in Australia, or
800/221-4542 in the U.S. and Canada, 020/8283 4500 in the U.K., 0800/44 4422 in New Zealand, or 07/3236
3300. Fax [phone]. www.mercurebrisbane.com.au. 194 units. A$137-A$226 (US$89-US$147) double;
A$207-A$266 (US$135-US$173) studio suite; A$237-A$296 (US$154-US$192) executive suite. Extra per-
son A$36 (US$23). Children under 16 stay free in parent's room with existing bedding. Ask about packages.
AE, DC, MC, V. Parking A$10 (US$6.50) per day. Airport shuttle. Train: Roma St. Bus: Downtown Loop. Ferry:
North Quay (CityCat and CityFerry). Amenities: Restaurant; bar; outdoor heated pool; access to nearby
health club; car-rental desk; concierge; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms.
Inroom:A/C, TV w/pay movies, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
MODERATE
Hotel Ibis Brisbane What you get is what you pay for at this three-star sis-
ter property to the Mercure, around the corner (see above). In this case, it is basi-
cally a room, with few amenities you might expect in a large hotel. But if you
don't mind doing without river views, porters, pool, or other small luxuries, this
could be the place for you. Rebuilt inside an office building in 1998, the hotel
has rooms furnished in a contemporary decor with sizable work desks and small
but smart bathrooms.
27-35 Turbot St. (between North Quay and George St.), Brisbane, QLD 4000. & 1300/65 6565 in Australia,
or 800/221-4542 in the U.S. and Canada, 020/8283 4500 in the U.K., 0800/44 4422 in New Zealand, or