Spoiler alert: W Brisbane is arguably Australia’s coolest new hotel. If you like to discover things on your own, you may not want to read on and instead visit W Brisbane for yourself.
The first stage of Shayher Group’s billion-dollar Brisbane Quarter development, W Brisbane, part of Marriott International today re-enters Australia’s hotel market.
Well known for its outlandish, bold attitude, Brisbane’s new W Hotel is no different. The new hotel delivers an intoxicating mix of fast-paced urban style and modern design all with a decidedly cheeky Aussie point of view.
W Brisbane boasts 312 guestrooms including 32 lux suites all featuring river views and the latest in technology and entertainment.
The rooms prominently feature a white wall inspired by VJ wall panels found on traditional ‘Queenslander’ homes; a cheeky nod to Australiana throughout and a 10-gallon drum ‘outback bath experience’.
The ‘Penultimate Extreme Wow Suite’ (the brand’s modern interpretation of the traditional presidential suite) on Level 33 showcases a limitless panoramic vista from the river to the mountains and beyond.
Guests can also take a piece of their stay home from W The Store by Becker Minty, stocked with a treasure chest of hidden gems and collections including handbags, artwork, home decor and fine jewellery.
“Normal gets you nowhere”
According to Bruce Ryde, Vice-President for Luxury Brands and Brand Marketing, Marriott International Asia-Pacific, Brisbane’s rapid growth, as well as the city’s coming of age was the reason for W to establish it’s first Australian hotel.
“Brisbane is a dream destination – year-round sun and an outdoor lifestyle – it’s quickly evolving into one of the world’s greatest cities which is why W is kicking off the brand’s return to Australia here in the Sunshine State,”.
“Brisbane’s bustling riverbank is a hotspot for travellers who can’t wait to explore this dynamic city and South East Queensland, a perfect match for W Hotels’ bold design and playful, contemporary approach to luxury,” said Bruce.
Australian interior design agency, Nic Graham & Associates worked on W Brisbane’s internal design and custom furnishings.
The hotel brings to life the theme of “A River Dreaming,” an ode to its prime locale on the banks of the iconic Brisbane River and the visual connection to Brisbane’s famed arts precinct.
Modern manifestations of Brisbane’s river, which has in recent years become the buzzing epicentre of the city’s social scene, are featured prominently throughout the hotel, weaving in influences from Australia’s indigenous roots and colonial heritage.
“There’s nothing quite like Australia, a diverse country that is not only famous for its natural wonders but also for its celebration of diversity and multiculturalism,” said Victor Clavell, Area Vice President, Luxury, Asia Pacific Excluding China, Marriott International.
“Touted as Australia’s new capital of cool with its edgy urban spaces and burgeoning passions for music, fashion and design, Brisbane is an ideal destination for the W brand.”
A Magnetic Welcome
From the moment of arrival, guests are greeted by the hotel’s sensory environment. A staircase of timber river reeds leads guests to the futuristic Welcome Desk and the Living Room (the W brand’s take on the traditional hotel lobby).
Earth tones, sedimentary layers, frayed edges and raw beauty associated with the Australian outback start from the arrival entrance and continue throughout the hotel’s public spaces. These organic formations draw out bold and colourful artwork from celebrated Australian artists including John Nicholson, Lucas Grogan and Reko Rennie.
The hotel’s Living Room shows off pools of colour throughout intricately designed rugs while complementing walls echo the flora and fauna of Brisbane’s sub-tropical environment.
Benchtops and bar fronts are enhanced with forms inspired by curvilinear shapes and nearby water-worn clifftops. Blade grass border the expansive open space to immerse guests in an innovative interpretation of nature.
Plate to Pool
W Brisbane showcases three distinct dining venues. Three Blue Ducks, W Brisbane’s signature restaurant and a first for Queensland, mixes Brisbane’s vibrant yet laidback culture with The Ducks legendary paddock to plate ethos. Guests can expect a fresh and seasonal menu, infusing home-grown inspiration into every dish.
Living Room Bar evolves from a serene daytime lounge to a glam cocktail bar by night where guests can savour sips from the Liquid Curator who will be mixing up an array of handcrafted cocktails every night of the week.
Guests can make a splash poolside at the WET® Deck rooftop bar as they soak up the heat on stylish sun lounges. Day or night, guests can revel in Queensland’s supreme riverside views with curated cocktails, Champagne, live DJs and Aussie barbeque fare.
“W Brisbane is the first of its kind in Australia,” said Haldon Philp, General Manager, W Brisbane.
“From the Whatever/Whenever service that drives the W brand, delivering whatever our guests want, whenever they want it, to event programming centred around Design, Music, Fashion and Fuel (the brand’s unique take on fitness) to coveted partnerships such as Three Blue Ducks, now is the time for a hotel of this calibre to come to Brisbane as the city enjoys its coming of age,” said Haldon.
A 24-hour in room dining service will provide a menu featuring the best of W Hotel’s restaurants and bars and customised in-room offerings.
Events
At W Brisbane, 1,100 square metres of event space set the stage for meetings and events. The 595-square-meter Great Room captivates on a grand scale as the sprawling venue celebrates the serpentine shape of the river and its ripple effect throughout the design.
The ceiling sparkles with 260 twinkling lights reminiscent of a clear Queensland outback starry night. Cutting edge statement lighting and four-metre LED wall panels will help guests showcase presentations and displays.
Additional meeting rooms include the versatile Studios and Strategy Room that showcase river views and floor to ceiling windows and private balconies.
AWAY® Spa
W Hotel features a new day spa known as AWAY® Spa, which features a sublime treatment menu of Sodashi™ and Skeyndor™ facials and massages in addition to perfectly pampering beauty treatments.
AWAY offers an escape from the outside world with vitality pools, relaxation pods, ‘His and Hers’ salt inhalation chambers and aromatherapy steam rooms to enhance the spa experience.
AWAY Spa will be home to a new salon known as Edwards And Co. which make their Brisbane debut. The hotel also features a state-of-the-art FIT gym complete with Technogym® equipment and resident Personal Trainers.
Guestrooms
312 guestrooms, 29 ‘exceptional suites’, two ‘Wow Suites’ and the ‘penultimate Extreme Wow Suite’ on Level 33 make up W Brisbane’s total guestroom offering.
Each W guestroom features a plush W bathrobe, Bliss® bath amenities and famed W bed surrounded with the latest in technology and entertainment. From a 55 inch LED TV to the Bowers & Wilkins Bluetooth speaker, guests can chill out to the freshest new tunes before stirring things up with the W Mixbar.
W Hotel is now open and accepting reservations through their website www.wbrisbane.com.
Meanwhile, the Brisbane Quarter’s retail component is also nearing completion with Italian restaurant Persone by Gambaro and Heritij flagship Indian restaurant confirmed as signature restaurants. NYC Bagel Deli, Sandwich Chefs, The Simple Life Cafe are also confirmed as food and cafe tenants.
The Emporium Barber and bespoke mens garment label Wil Valor have signed on as the first retail tenancies of the shopping complex.
