Reader Trudy is taking her two kids to Disney on Ice in Brisbane in June and wants to make a weekend of it with a stay at a CBD hotel. What a fabulous idea! I’m a big fan of the staycation and love playing tourist in my own city. Unless you work in there, most of us don’t get into the city very often, so it’s just like a weekend in a new place, but without all the transport costs!
I quite fancy a trip up to BrisVegas myself. I’m a massive fan of Li Cunxin (Mao’s Last Dancer) and would absolutely love to see a performance by the Queensland Ballet while he’s Artistic Director.
If Brisbane’s not really your thing, then check out –
Top 8 kid-friendly city hotels for a winter weekend in Sydney
Top 8 kid-friendly city hotels for a winter weekend in Melbourne
Top 8 kid-friendly city hotels for a summer weekend in Melbourne
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My top tips for choosing your city hotel
- Location – Stay as close as you can afford to the places that you want to visit. There’s always the fun of public transport to get around, but it is lovely to have sights to see right on your doorstep. Staying further out will save you money, but how far are those little legs prepared to walk?
- Bedding configuration – Will your little ones share a bed or do they need a bed each? Many hotel rooms have a maximum occupancy of 3 and those that take 4 will generally do it in 2 double beds (or queen if you’re lucky!). Apartments will cost more, but might be worth it for sleep quality!
- Pool – My kids (7 and 5) could have spent the whole weekend in the pool when we recently had a city hotel stay in Melbourne. It makes them so happy that I think a pool is essential. Click here for all the food, fun and fashion of our city stay.
Beautiful Brisbane with its Story Bridge
The top 8 kid-friendly city hotels
Based on the above criteria these are my top 8 hotel recommendations. They are all centrally located, within either the CBD or South Bank areas. They will all sleep 2 adults and 2 children. And they all have a pool for family splash time!
Central Brisbane
Pricing is based on a weekend stay.
Hotels are listed in order of their Trip Advisor rating.
1. Meriton Serviced Apartments Brisbane on Herschel Street
How perfect that the number 1 hotel in Brisbane according to Trip Advisor is an apartment hotel ideal for families!
This is the hotel you choose for a very special occasion. The dramatic super-high-rise building is one of the tallest buildings in Brisbane, so it provides some spectacular views. This is also the only hotel on the list with an indoor pool – the kids will love that on a cool day.
Being right by the Roma Street transit hub means you can get around town with ease. Being a short walk from South Bank dining precinct and man-made beach is sure to keep the whole family happy.
This hotel is 4.5 star and will cost approximately $310 per night for a high-rise 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment with full kitchen and laundry facilities.
Meriton Serviced Apartments Brisbane on Herschel Street
2. Sofitel Brisbane Central
This well-positioned hotel is only one of two on the list with that true 5 star touch. Lots of velvety lusciousness, and perhaps a little French je ne sais pas! It’s the pool area that does it for me though. A beautiful large pool with plenty of comfy sun lounges.
The location above the central railway station makes it perfect if you’re flying in to Brisbane. Catch the train from the airport and you will be at your hotel in no time. No need to drag your suitcases all over town.
This one will cost about $212 per night for hotel room style accommodation with 2 double beds.
Sofitel Brisbane Central
3. Royal on the Park
This is an older, cosier style of hotel, which prides itself on being family friendly. Its location on the edge of the Botanic Gardens could definitely come in very handy if the kids need to run off some energy or you fancy a picnic in the park. It certainly gives you a lovely green space to enjoy while still being a short walk to all the city sights.
There is a spacious outdoor pool and spa, is 4.5 star and will cost approximately $209 per night for hotel style accommodation with 2 queen beds. Or for about $239 book the bed and breakfast package to get free parking and buffet breakfast for the whole family. The kids will love the pancakes!
Royal on the Park
4. The Sebel Brisbane
This is quite a modern and stylish hotel and the closest one of the 8 to all the shopping pleasures of the Queen Street Mall. This is the one you stay at when you want to be right in the centre of the action, a short walk to any part of the city.
This is a 4.5 star hotel with a lap pool and apartment style accommodation. A one bedroom apartment (double bed plus sofa bed) has a kitchenette, laundry and private balcony and will cost approximately $250 per night.
The Sebel Brisbane
5. Mantra on Edward
This and the Quest below provide spacious family apartments for an affordable price. The pool is heated in winter too! You’re super close to transport and still only a 10 min walk from the Queen Street Mall. The sub-tropical gardens of the Roma Street Parklands are located nearby if you’re hankering after a bit of green.
Note that the Mantra is the marker between the Quest and the Sofitel on the map above.
This hotel is rated 4.5 stars and a two bedroom two bathroom apartment (queen & 2 singles) with full kitchen, laundry and private balcony will cost about $269 per night.
Mantra on Edward
6. Quest Spring Hill
Like the Mantra above, you’re that little bit removed from the centre of the city here for slightly quieter surrounds. It also means you get free parking which can save you quite a bit of money. This hotel has a great sized roof top pool just perfect for kids, and sun lounges, chairs and tables to relax in the sun nearby.
It is 4.5 star rated with apartment style accommodation with full kitchens, laundries and private balconies. A two bedroom apartment (1 queen and 2 singles – can add a rollaway bed) will cost about $265 per night.
Quest Spring Hill
7. Brisbane Marriott Hotel
I love the location of this 5 star hotel, next to the famous Story Bridge. It’s a five minute walk to the Eagle Street pier for City Cat and Ferry services and to many restaurants along the riverfront. And you can catch the free City Hopper ferry from Eagle Street Wharf across to South Bank for more dining options. The Riverwalk itself is a must-do in Brisbane with its dramatic boardwalk jutting into the river.
The pool is part indoor part outdoor with beautiful views to the river. A room will cost approximately $206 per night for hotel style accommodation with 2 double beds.
Brisbane Marriott Hotel
8. Rydges South Bank
There’s so much to offer a visitor to Brisbane in South Bank. The kids will love splashing in the Streets Beach lagoon. And there’s the Wheel of Brisbane, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and the Collective Markets on Saturdays and Sundays. And plenty of dining options. Hop on a CityCat or ferry to see the city from a different angle.
This is a 4.5 star hotel and will cost about $249 per night for hotel style accommodation with 2 double beds. And what a gorgeous pool!
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Rydges South Bank
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Which of the 8 would you choose?
Or is there somewhere that I’ve missed?
