I will be visiting Brisbane in January with two others for a family wedding and would welcome your recommendations on central city hotels. We're looking for a 4 star place. A two bedroom apartment would be fine too. We would be happy with either a chain hotel or a boutique place. We would like it to be near decent cafes, restaurants and shops. We won't be doing the tourist thing this time.

Hi mignonette - a quick google on "Brisbane Apartments" offers plenty of choice. The Astor Apartments for example has 2 bedroom apartments for A$170/night (A$160 for 3-6 nights) - http://www.astorapartments.com.au

Have a great trip. Cheers.

How "central" do you need to be?

There's a nice 4 star place called Hillcrest Apartment Hotel which has both hotel rooms and 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, by the river at South Brisbane, right next door to the Southbank area which has heaps of restaurants, plus pretty gardens and a swimming beach, etc. (Although Hillcrest does have its own pool).

It's right across the river from the CBD and right near the river.

The Astor certainly is central, but the location of Hillcrest is prettier.

For details go to www.queenslandholidays.com.au/brisbane and search for Hillcrest Apartments.

Summit Central Apts on Spring Hill is a lovely place within walking distance of many little cafes.

I just thought of somewhere else you might like - sorry, the old brain takes a while to gee up sometimes.

It's the Sebel. It's an apartment hotel that's smack bang in the central business district. So you are right near all the cafes and shops. They have single rooms, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments.

If you wanted to eat inexpensively during the day, there are two shopping centres close by, the Myer Centre and Wintergarden, that have food courts in their lower levels.

I suppose you would describe the ambience of the Sebel as "modern boutique".

You can get further details either from the Queensland Holidays website I mentioned before, or under the Mirvan Hotels website.

The Summit does have nice apartments and some nice cafes close by, but it's a bit of a walk down the hill to the shops.

That'll teach me to preview my reply! Make that Mirvac (with a c) Hotels website. Sorry!

A belated thanks to all of you for your help. I will investigate these options.

Cheers
Mignonette

Hi, mignonette,
when in Brisbane my husband and I always stay at the Royal Albert Hotel,corner Elizabeth and Albert Streets, email address is [email protected].
There is a web site but I appear to have mislaid that. It is opposite the Myers Shopping Centre, and close to many fine restaurants. The deluxe rooms have hobs and microwave, plus washing machine and drier, and very comfortable beds! The windows are double-glazed to cut down the noise, and all are air-conditioned. Our room this trip was $130 Australian.

oops, forgot to add that the Royal Albert is a 4 1/2 star hotel.

double oops! Forgot to add you have the option of Deluxe Hotel rooms, one and two bedroom suites, and apartments. I am not sure of the pricing for the others. You can have either smoking or non-smoking rooms, too. There is 24 hour reception too. (Just reading from the brochure I have in front of me!) Think that is all now.