Hi Bertie, can recommend the Quay West apartments which are opposite the botanic gardens on the edge of the CBD and feel sure you would very much enjoy the space and quality. While they are 5 star apartments the place is run like a hotel. The service and facilities there are excellent and being opposite the gardens is great with the kids. A suggestion for Christmas day would be to plan an early picnic in the gardens by the river or if its too hot, which it can be, then retreat to the apartment and enjoy the pool. Other than on Christmas day itself everything will be open with the Boxing Day sales. Its our main holiday season so there will be plenty of activities happening around southbank and the river.
If you would prefer a hotel then the Hilton right in the CBD is always where we stay if we are there for less than three days. Excellent service, nice pool and spa, good food abounds. I am sure they would put on an excellent christmas lunch/dinner. The club rooms on the top two floors are absolutly worth the extra if your budget can run to it.
You can check out the Quay West at www.mirvac.com.au Hope you have a great trip.

Quay west sounds good to me. As for things to do. Most restaurants will be open for christmas but the majority of other businesses will be closed. It is illegal for anyone to sell alcohol unless it comes with a meal or is sold to hotel resident (ie you can buy a drink in your hotel).

Would be a great time for a river walk or a trip to the beach but I wouldn't make christmas day plans that revolve around the assumption that anything will be open for business.

Hi bertiebassett,
I am no expert on Brisbane having stayed for just a few nights however I can tell you about the hotel our family stayed at on our last visit in Dec 03.
It was the Albert Park Hotel, it was up a steep hill from the shops etc but we thought it was ok and the restaurant was great.
I am sure there are loads of recomendations from others but for what it's worth this is my one and only experience of Brisbane.

www.albertparkhotel.com.au
Good Luck
Muck

Bertie, if you are in Brisbane at that time of year with littlies, you might also consider Southbank. There's a Rydges hotel there where you could most likely get a good Christmas lunch. Rydges is just one block behind Southbank parklands, which children love.

There's a patrolled man-made lagoon beach with shallow areas for young children, plus lots of lawn for them to play on, as well as playground equipment and barbeques. For the evenings, there are any number of cafes in the area(of every budget) to have a meal.

Also within a block is the Queensland Art Gallery and Museum. These places often have great children's programs during this time (it's school holidays).

From Southbank you can also hop on a Citycat ferry and go up and down the river for a bit of cheap sightseeing.

Southbank is a good place if you don't have a car. There's lots of good stuff within walking distance; but also there's a train line and bus station in the block behind the hotel.

If you preferred to self-cater and just go to a hotel for Christmas lunch, there's an apartment block called "River Plaza" at the end of Southbank which might suit.

Just note that Christmas lunch at hotels is VERY expensive!

Inner city Brisbane is as dead as a doornail most nights and Christmas would be worse! The action is in Fortitide Valley, we found! I'd head for the Marriott Resort on the Gold Coast. Fab lagoon pool, lovely rooms, great restaurant & super place to chill-out!

Sorry should read Fortitude Valley!

Well, there certainly is PLENTY of action in Fortitude Valley, just not the kind you'd look for, for 2 young kids!

I meant restaurants, Daisy. Kids eat too!

Where are you coming from?

Can I also suggest the Marriot at Surfers Paradise (45mins from Brisbane)? We have been a few times, the most recent, last weekend. It is an awsome place, the lagoon is 'deep' c/w fish, the snorkelling is fun and of course there is a great pool with a water slide. It is also only a short walk to Surfers with all that there is to do there. And not too far from the beach. Please remember , it is going to be hot and humid. I personally would not want to be in Brisbane on xmas day. We live 1/2 way between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and often spend the weekend on the coast. Surfers is very touristy but its fun.
http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/gold_coast/502706/index.cfm