Emporium Hotel South Bank

“A touch of luxury at Southbank”

My wife and I have reached the age where jumping on a plane has no real attraction and we are just looking for somewhere we can relax and be pampered close to home. That’s where the Emporium comes in as it is only a train ride with a station close by. We have stayed there before but this time it wa… more

My wife and I have reached the age where jumping on a plane has no real attraction and we are just looking for somewhere we can relax and be pampered close to home. That’s where the Emporium comes in as it is only a train ride with a station close by. We have stayed there before but this time it was to celebrate a birthday which was recognised by the hotel. Mami, who checked us in was professional and friendly. She is a real asset to the hotel as was Josh at concierge. Thank you to both of them. We had a lovely room overlooking the CBD and river and all the amenities we needed. It was lovely to just relax there watching the world go by. With Belle Epoque cafe downstairs there is excellent coffee ( and food ) available on site with great staff to look after your needs. The views from the rooftop terrace bar are fabulous - a great place to socialise over a coffee or something stronger. Spoil yourself at Firma, the Italian restaurant. After being pampered so much, we have already booked in later in the year.

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“Well located design hotel with amazing rooms, let down by a lack of attention to detail.”

Here's the thing, if you have a fabulously will designed hotel in the best bit of Brisbane but you keep missing the details that make a high end hotel it shows.... Location is great, just one block from the Southbank Parklands (which are really cool). The design is quirky and yet well thoughtout (t… more

Here's the thing, if you have a fabulously will designed hotel in the best bit of Brisbane but you keep missing the details that make a high end hotel it shows.... Location is great, just one block from the Southbank Parklands (which are really cool). The design is quirky and yet well thoughtout (the pool towels and water stored in an elongated signature E). Rooms are well sized with good facilities and easy to navigate systems, views over the river are great. Sadly the faults standout against this backdrop. The rooftop pool is amazing, the overflowing bins full of wet towels and dirty plates and glasses not cleared long after guests have left (much to the delight of the crows) not so. The gym is good, same great views, but again the overflowing bins and half hearted cleaning (here's a tip, don't shout at your ineffective cleaner in front of a guest and expect her to do the job properly (she still didn't), instead show her what your want so it's actually done). The guest services app is good and quickly responded to, but maybe tell guests if they don't pick a room service time slot then their room won't get serviced even if you illuminate the 'Please Service Room' light. The bar on the 21st floor is good, but I need to order at the bar? And I don't get a bar snack? Really? And please, turn the lights down........ Overall a good place that could be great if it got the details right.

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“Hide n Seek with the lifts”

3.5 star is right as location is very good if you're watching the play at QPAC hence the hotel does not need to try hard. Yet the staff are all very pleasant. We booked a suite room cost ~AU 1.8K a night. Room is large with a nice bar counter. Though the room is old and dated, the view is excellen… more

3.5 star is right as location is very good if you're watching the play at QPAC hence the hotel does not need to try hard. Yet the staff are all very pleasant. We booked a suite room cost ~AU 1.8K a night. Room is large with a nice bar counter. Though the room is old and dated, the view is excellent. Bed is not so comfortable as it sinks on the head rest area. Pillows were bad for my husband as he couldn't sleep. Good their water dispenser has hot and cold water. We were given 1902 which is directly outside the lift. It was noisy middle of the night with super loud drunk Aussies returning. Gym opens at 5am and gym is rather sad and small. It doesn't feel like a 5 star hotel when you enter it, more like a service apartment. Lifts were AWFUL! You can never know which one is open. Once you enter the lift, it looks "clever" and cute but I really hope they can relook at how to help people find the lift that reaches them instead of playing hide and seek. They have top floor bar. Very "cool" feeling but food selection is poor. Had the sashimi plate that doesn't look fresh. Even the Kimbap looks weird. I'm sure they can do better on the food. But if you only have 1 night to catch the play, this is a good hotel to stopover but probably not necessary to have a suite room or any rooms that is directly outside the lift.

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