Best New Business Hotel (Australia)
This batch of business-friendly hotels – the majority in once five-star-starved Brisbane – brings a glimmer of glamour and fun to corporate overnighters. From rooftop pools and on-trend health offerings to fresh ideas around event planning, they’re doing business in bright new ways. And all offer a fine balance between our competing needs of work, rest and play so they’re not just places to stay but also hotels to enjoy.
The Calile Hotel, Brisbane hotel.qantas.com.au/calilebrisbane
This 175-room resort-style hotel in Fortitude Valley combines cityedge convenience with a James Street location buzzing with plenty of off-duty entertainment. Breezy event spaces include the 500-person Grand Room and the Amphitheatre overlooking the pool. The look and feel Accommodation ranges from smart studios to suites, decked out with oak, brass and marble finishes. Airy corridors flow to The Calile’s 27-metre pool – lined with day beds and cabanas – Greek restaurant and roof terraces. The crowd The work-life balance brigade.
The wow factor A rockstar pool deck with private cabanas.
W Brisbane hotel.qantas.com.au/wbrisbane
W’s North Quay location bridges the divide between the capital’s corporate and cultural hubs. The brand’s distinctive boldness is on show in the 312 guestrooms, three restaurants and bars and nine function spaces, where events are customised down to music and bespoke scent.
The look and feel Hotel or nightclub? You decide. The W’s high-tone, zebra-striped public spaces nail the Brisvegas vibe; rooms, accessed from neon-lit corridors, are subtler affairs with neutral palettes, swirling carpets and lofty river outlooks. The crowd Trendsetting tech and startup teams.
The wow factor Instagramfriendly interiors at every turn.
Emporium Hotel South Bank, Brisbane
hotel.qantas.com.au/emporium
The riverside Emporium Hotel South Bank applies itself equally well to industry and recreation. Its tech-ready boardrooms and
function areas come with their own events team and on-call concierge. After hours, the rooftop pool and bar capture glittering city views. The look and feel The 143 rooms feature luxe interiors of bronze, gilt and silk-lined wardrobe doors – the pick of them have river views. Public spaces are glitzy and brash and far from the corporate norm. The crowd The bold and the beautiful.
The wow factor There’s a Maserati for VIP transfers.
The Westin Brisbane
hotel.qantas.com.au/ westinbrisbane
The Westin’s 299 rooms and suites are tailored to the working classes, with high-spec technology, clublounge perks, a 24-hour gym and Heavenly Spa. Event demands, whether ballroom or breakout, are handled in five-star style.
The look and feel Room interiors play it safe in neutrals and greys, with on-trend furnishings, fine linens and floor-to-ceiling windows. The crowd Health-conscious high-flyers.
The wow factor Brisbane’s only swim-up bar.
QT Perth hotel.qantas.com.au/qtperth
QT’s 18-storey Perth chapter typically attracts nonconformist corporates who value personality over tick-a-box facilities. Events are well handled, too, with seven spaces suitable for small gatherings or 180-seat conferences.
The look and feel Decorated with jewel-coloured textiles, custom wallpaper and monochrome marble bathrooms, QT’s 184 rooms have a retro feel. Coffee machines and Bang & Olufsen sound personalise the experience. The crowd Free-thinking free marketeers.
The wow factor Rooftop at QT bar for the views.