The Sofitel Brisbane is ideally located in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD and directly above Central station, which makes it the perfect choice of hotel if you are travelling by train from the airport. The air-train runs about every 20 minutes to the domestic and international terminals. The average travelling time is about 22 minutes.
If you are in Brisbane for a shopping trip, it’s an easy, eight-minute stroll to the shopping delights of the Queen Street Mall. A 15-minute walk through the city will take you to the lush tropical Botanical Gardens and a short taxi ride across the Brisbane River will have you at Queensland's Performing Arts Centre in next to no time.
A Distinguished Home
It has been 10 years since the Sofitel flung open its doors with a touch of Parisian panache, taking the Brisbane hotel scene to another level.
Well known for its luxurious suites and 5-star service, it is no wonder it is the home away from home for visiting celebrities and dignitaries.
The Sofitel Brisbane is right in the heart of the CBD. Picture: Sofitel Brisbane
Slumber In Luxury
Do you have a special anniversary coming up or are you gearing up to pop the big question? Book a night of opulence in the luxurious Opera Suite and you will certainly earn big brownie points.
Designed to feel like a plush Parisian apartment, this spacious suite oozes French sophistication.
Stepping inside, you enter a spacious lounge/dining area with a soft palette of colours that morph from silver-grey to champagne.
Splashes of mulberry and taupe add contrast, while the dark timber tables and black leather couch add a sleek, sophisticated touch. Two contemporary bespoke chairs accompany the couch and a large, sliver-grey circular day bed sits tucked away around the corner.
The spacious bedroom in the Opera Suite. Picture: Sofitel Brisbane
The spaciousness of the suite extends into the bedroom, which has a comfortable king bed and huge flat-screen TV. A large, ornate mirror and champagne-coloured chaise lounge are lovely focal points.
The dark timber, silver and mulberry shades continue in the over-sized dressing room, which sits next to an impressive chocolate and white-toned bathroom that wouldn’t look out of place on the pages of Vogue magazine.
A large, round, white stone bath and matching his-and-hers basins add a raw, organic feel, while a white-tiled Moroccan feature wall enhances the feeling of openness. Hermes products are just the perfect match with this suite.
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The Club
Book yourself into a Club room or suite and you will receive access to the Executive Club Lounge, with its modern, clean lines and relaxing ambience.
The lounge, which is on the 30th floor, enjoys views across the city and offers free Wi-Fi, breakfast, all-day refreshments, pre-dinner drinks and canapes. You can also retire here after dinner for petite desserts and coffee.
Take advantage of the Club Lounge. Picture: Sofitel Brisbane
Cocktails On Tap
It’s all about the bubbles at the chic Cuvee Lounge.
With an exciting range of vintage and non-vintage Champagne on offer – 20 to be exact – there is no better place to spend the evening, enjoying the uber-stylish setting with plush seating and sexy mood lighting, against a backdrop of twinkling city lights.
The bubbles and ambience of the Cuvee Lounge will make you giddy. Picture: Sofitel Brisbane
Cuisine To Fall In Love With
If you are staying in the best suite, you will surely want to complement it with a dinner for two at the Sofitel’s signature restaurant, Prive 249. This elegant restaurant showcases French-inspired Australian cuisine at its best in a delicious eight-course degustation menu. And the wine list is magnifique!
If you are looking for a dinner that is a little more low-key, head to the open dining restaurant, Thyme 2. Here you have the options of an out-of-this-world buffet or delicious a-la-carte dishes.
Thyme 2 will go above and beyond. Picture: Sofitel Brisbane
I was desperate for a cheeseburger and was disappointed to find there wasn’t one on the menu. But my disappointment didn’t last long. The friendly waitress had a quick word with the chef and came back to let me know the chef would be happy to make me one. How’s that for great service? And the burger – delicious.
Need a little guy time? Head down the escalators to the lower lobby for a cold beer and a quick punt on the ponies at Harlequin Jack Bar and Bistro.
Decadent Treats
Head to Level 3 for some hedonistic pleasures in the form of Stephanie’s Spa. This award-winning spa offers all the usual heavenly massages, facials, pedicure and manicures, but the holy grail of treatments has to be the Opal Rasul Temple experience – an exotic domed steam room with shimmery mosaic tiles.
Here you and your partner will smother each other in detoxifying mud while relaxing in billowy clouds of steam. You will come out of this treatment feeling relaxed and squeaky clean.
Steam away your stress in Stephanie's Spa. Picture: Sofitel Brisbane
What better way to round off your spa treatment than to dive into a delicious high tea in the Cuvee Lounge? The lounge serves high tea each day between 2pm and 4pm. This year’s signature high tea pays homage to the rich intoxicating colour of Marsala (that’s a mulberry shade to us plebs).
Delicate ribbon sandwiches and French pastries are accompanied by picture-perfect French delights of raspberry choux a la creme, cherry cone mousse and pistachio sacher torte. The Elegant high tea starts at $46 a person. I opted for the Magical high tea at $65 a person – it includes a glass of chilled Mumm Champagne.
The verdict
A beautiful, stylish hotel with friendly service. I certainly felt special when I stayed there.
Getting there
Visit your local Flight Centre for more advice and the latest deals on staying at the Sofitel Brisbane. Or call 131 600.
