In a few words: Great location, excellent conference/meeting facilities, some room improvements needed
Dates of Stay: 2-4 August 2016
Will We Return: Probably
Value for money: Good
ROOM
Check-in: 2pm
Check-out: 10am
Room Type: Superior room. This was on the top (11th) floor.
Rate: $179 per night
Breakfast: Our room did not come standard with breakfast, but you can pre-purchase at the time of check-in which is cheaper than buying on the morning at $28.00 for a hot buffet. If you are lucky, you may receive 2-for-1 tickets for the breakfast which then makes it quite good value for two people.
Facilities
Tea and Coffee: Yes. There were also sachets of hot chocolate which is not often given in hotels/resorts.
Biscuits: Yes
Milk: Yes
Mini Bar: Yes
Clock Radio: Yes
Fan: No
CD Player: No
TV: 42″ LCD
TV Channels: Standard + Foxtel
Air-conditioning: Yes
Internal or External Noise: With the balcony doors closed, the room still receives some road noise but nothing extraordinary. With the doors open, you can hear all the road noise going past.
Work Desk: Yes
Powerpoints: There was only a double pack at the desk that could be used, so if you have a laptop, phone, portable hard drive, camera, etc. you will need to swap them over.
Iron and Ironing Board: Yes
Bath robes and slippers: Yes. We found one of ours on the floor inside the cupboard, while the other was hung and tied properly.
Lounge: 1 x Double Seater with coffee table
Dining: No dining table
Wifi: Wifi is available in the rooms (free or paid, depending on your room and inclusions)
Services directory: Yes
Ventilation: Good
Smoking: All rooms are non-smoking
Bed
General comfort: Very good
Pillow comfort: Good
Squeaky: No
Bathroom
Size: Small
Cleanliness: Clean
Space to put own toiletries: Minimal bench space. There are some cubby holes underneath the bench
Tissues: Yes
Quality of complimentary toiletries: Very good
Shower temperature: Perfect
Shower power: Good, but the shower head was of a specific decision so that it shot out straight and hard, not so soft and round like other showers, but given our comment below about leaking, there probably isn’t any other showerhead option they could go with.
Shower size: Quite small, larger people may have difficulty and find it awkward
Water stays in shower: No. The shower leaked every time we used it, and we had to leave a bathmat curled up on the edge just to try to soak it up and then ring it out multiple times. We resorted to showering with the door opened inwards about 5cm just to try and stop the water going out, but given the already very narrow width of the shower, this was very awkward. The leaking is obviously an issue because the timber at the base of the vanity in the bathroom was very damp and swollen, which indicates it has been happening for a while.
INTERNET ACCESS
Availability: All rooms can access Wifi
Functionality: No issues at all
Cost: Our room received 500MB free each day for up to two devices
ROOM SERVICE
Room service available: 24-hours a day
Food options: There is a variety of options, from light meals to full restaurant mains, drinks and desserts. Vegetarians are catered for, though not with many options.
Cost: Cost varies from about $12 to $40. We thought overall it was a rather expensive room service menu.
Surcharge: $5 per delivery
THE HOTEL
Size: Set over 11 floors, there are four types of rooms to choose from, each with different levels of inclusions and varying views of Brisbane city, Roma Street parklands, mountains and suburbs nearby. We stayed on Level 11, and enjoyed views over the parklands and the mountains, with some river and city views. Level 11 also contains the gym (smallish size, basic equipment, no views), and the pool, which gives great views.
Proximity to Town: Very close, without being so close that you feel swallowed up in it
Easy to find: Yes
RESORT FACILITIES
Reception: 24-hour
Tour Desk: Yes
Concierge: No
Currency Exchange: No
Safety Deposit Box: No
Guest Laundry: Yes, charges apply
Meeting Rooms: Yes
Conference Rooms: Yes
Business copying/faxing: Yes, charges apply
Check-in
Queues: None
Time Taken: 5 minutes
Accuracy: Spot on
Politeness: Smiles all round
Newspaper offered: No
Credit card pre-auth required: Yes
Car Parking
Availability: Yes. There is a 2.2m height limit
Cost: Self-parking is $20 per night. Valet is $30 per night. Parking on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is complimentary. If staying mid-week, check your room deal when you book, as it may include free parking like ours.
Undercover: Yes, all parks are undercover
Secure: Yes. You will need a pass to get in and out
Quantity: Plenty
Size of Spaces: Normal
Proximity to reception: Not far to walk to the lifts
Staff
Friendliness: Very friendly
Responsiveness to complaints: Nil complaints
Helpfulness: Helpful
Cleaners: Friendly
Presentation
Presentation of the hotel is very nice, with a modern look which extends through the lobby and waiting areas up into the cafe/dining areas, and out to the conference/meeting room areas. There was plenty of seating in the lobby, as well as a mobile device charging station which is a handy and welcome option for travellers. There are two lifts to service guests.
Fitness Activities
Swimming Pool: Yes
Tennis Court: No
Gym: Yes. It is small in size, with basic facilities that are just enough for short stays. Our main concern was the obvious water leakages there and the fact that the floor is rotten in the corner by the treadmill, where someone could perhaps put their foot through it. Water was sitting in puddles on the window ledges. This was reported upon our departure and we hope it will be rectified.
Sauna: No
SUITABILITY
Given its proximity to the city, it is perfect for business travellers or couples who want time in the city with access to the river, restaurants, southbank, Mount Cootha, etc. It is not so much a family-friendly hotel in our opinion. If you’re travelling through in a group, there are plenty of meetings rooms and separate meeting areas. We would suggest it is best for couples and business professionals.
LOCATION
Nearby Attractions: If you feel like a walk, it will take you about 10 minutes to get to the Mall, and only a minute or so across the road to the Roma Street parklands.
OUR RATING
4 out of 5. It is a nice hotel, with some good facilities, but there are some improvements needed, not just for wants sake but for safety’s sake.