Best 5-Star Hotels in Queensland

Queen Street Mall was the chosen location for Hyatt’s inaugural Brisbane property, opening its doors in early 2021. A 20-metre heated infinity-edge rooftop pool surrounded by a swish pool bar sets this hotel apart. Guests are accommodated across 292 bedrooms with either city or river views, robes and slippers, and room service on request. There’s a Tesla charging point on site, valet parking and a gym. The popular Lennons Restaurant and Bar cooks up comfort food using seasonal low carbon footprint ingredients, as well as the sought-after Wonder Pies by Ray Capaldi, and a list of Australian wines to accompany your meal.

This 175-bedroom urban lifestyle resort may be every bit the modern hotel, but it contains plenty of nods to midcentury style. Book a cabana beside the 88-foot pool (which has a glitzy US feel) for dinner or daytime sunbathing, champagne in hand. And request one of the ‘pink’ rooms for a view of this terrace – all of the bedrooms come with Bluetooth speakers, minibars and blackout drapes, with interconnecting and accessible spaces available. Tuck into some moussaka or mezze at The Calile’s Greek eatery, Hellenika, then finish your night with cocktails in the Lobby Bar.

A sanctuary of luxury, this hotel is decadent, different and just a little bit wild. Its quirky architecture makes its mark on the Fortitude Valley skyline. While inside you’ll find facilities including a chic French bistro (Bisou Bisou), a Mediterranean rooftop bar and restaurant (Iris), a pool bar, a gym, around-the-clock concierge and room service, a secretarial service for business travellers and nanny hire for parents who want to party (or rest). The cutting-edge design incorporates bold art and avant-garde lighting with a striking monochrome palette. Bedrooms are equipped with tablet control systems, double-headed showers and minibars.

Despite the fact that it was established more than three decades ago, the Sheraton Mirage remains the epitome of luxury and the ocean facing rooms are difficult to beat with their huge picture windows and balconies that offer uninterrupted views. In fact, the hotel boasts some of the largest and most comfortable guest rooms in the area and there are 25 different configurations to choose from. For the best that money can buy, guests should make sure they select one of the 18 private villas, which often play host to visiting celebrities. In addition to first rate rooms, guests are also treated to a range of very luxurious amenities and the Oasis Pool is the perfect place to unwind. With 250 sun loungers to choose from guests never have to worry about fighting for their place in the sun.

This luxurious resort is the perfect place for golfing fanatics to stay as it comes complete with its very own 27-hole golf course. The enchanting sands of Surfers Paradise Beach are also just a short stroll away, while guests are provided with stunning views of the beach from the picture windows and balconies of their spacious double guest room. The RACV Royal Pines Resort 5.0 boasts more than three hundred rooms to choose from and in addition to a large and lovely swimming pool guests are invited to make full use of the tennis courts, fitness centre and other perfectly maintained amenities.

Imperial Hotel Gold Coast offers a luxury hotel experience, with an exclusive waterfront setting, award-winning restaurants and lavish accommodation. Boasting all the style and opulence of a classic Roman villa, eaah of the 200 rooms and suites within this grand hotel are dramatically decorated with rich tapestries and mosaics, while the huge beds are waiting to receive guests at the end of a busy day. Guests can enjoy diverse dining experiences including fine dining, high-tea and buffet breakfasts at a choice of award-winning restaurants. Leisure facilties include The Beauty Room, a fitness and wellness centre, a private marina, along with the first water salon cabana experience in Australia. Meeting and event spaces are also available for business or guests hosting a special event.

The brightly coloured retro colour scheme helps to set the hotel apart from many of the subtler luxury options and people who are young at heart are sure to love unwinding here. The whole establishment boasts a ‘50s beachside vibe from the lobby to the cute and charming coffee shop on the ground floor. Each of the guest rooms features the same charming pop art theme with big and brightly coloured posters on the wall and furnishings in yellow, pink and red. While style plays a key role, luxury certainly has not been overlooked and there are plenty of great spots for guests to relax such beside the huge outdoor pool and in the spa.

The Darling at The Star Gold Coast has 56 luxurious suites from 70 to 328msq with stylish décor and incredible views from the Penthouse Suites. Guests can enjoy a selection of delicious dishes from the comfort of their own rooms thanks to the on-demand in-room dining. This hotel features a shimmering pool for guests to enjoy and the fully equipped Azure Spa & Fitness facilities which features six treatment rooms including an exclusive outdoor cabana and 24-hour gymnasium access. There is a wide range of eateries on site which serve flavours from all over the world from Japanese specialities at Kiyomi to Italian delicacies at Cucina Vivo. The Darling at The Star is also home to an exciting casino which is open all day every day and has a whole host of games to play and win. The hotel makes for the perfect location to host any occasion in one of its chic event spaces which can hold up to 2,300 persons.

Based on the River’s edge of Brisbane’s Central Business District (CBD), the Marriott Bonvoy stands tall and thin, not entirely dissimilar to a New York-style hotel, and offers easy access to river walks and all the bars and restaurants that congregate accordingly by the water. As well as a swimming pool, dry sauna and gym, the hotel offers a ‘Rare and Exceptional Cellar List’ which includes Jeroboams and Methuselahs of champagne. Watch out for afternoon teas on Friday and Saturday, a frivolous but enjoyable way to while away your afternoon. 

Smack bang in the middle of Brisbane’s busy CBD (central business district) Amora is a recently renovated upmarket hotel which appeals to business travellers, couples and families alike. Light and spacious with little clutter to detract from its pure design, it has 296 guest rooms of which the top, fourteenth floor offer balcony suites. The Dapl restaurant offers hearty but refined modern Australian cuisine and is a must-try for any guest.

Standing proud on the edge of Brisbane’s central business district (CBD) and the city’s twisting, eponymous river, The W cuts a slick sail against the rest of its neighbouring corporate buildings. Inside, the W is vibrant, snazzy and energetic, with a design unashamedly inspired by pop art sensibilities. Rooms range from ‘Wonderful’, ‘Marvelous’ and ‘Fantastic’ to suites which up the ante from‘Wow’ to ‘Extreme wow’ – all of which easily describe a typical stay here.

Set on the banks of the gently flowing Nerang River, this elegant hotel provides guests with a warm welcome and plenty of class. The northern end of Surfers Paradise Beach is just a few steps away, while a number of other impressive attractions are also within easy reach. The style of the hotel boasts a marriage of wood and cast iron, while the rooms are decorated in soft tones and feature huge marble bathrooms. Dining in one of the two chic onsite restaurants is an experience that should not be missed and diners are treated to stunning coastal views as they work their way through the extensive menu.