In this guide · 6 sections
Staying in Fortitude Valley or the adjacent Spring Hill puts you closest to Brisbane's gay scene on Wickham Street. The CBD is a short distance from the Valley and has more hotel options at different price points.
Fortitude Valley
Fortitude Valley has boutique hotels and serviced apartments. You'll be right in the middle of Brisbane's nightlife. The Valley is also a food and coffee spot during the day, so you get both. Just know that on Friday and Saturday nights, it gets loud. Light sleepers might want to think about whether being close to the bars is worth the noise.
Spring Hill and New Farm
Spring Hill is just south of the Valley. New Farm is to the east, across the river. These inner suburbs have guesthouses and boutique hotels with a more residential feel. New Farm has a gay-friendly reputation and a good cafe and restaurant culture on Brunswick Street East. Staying here means you're a bit further from Wickham Street, but in a quieter neighborhood.
CBD hotels
Brisbane's CBD has hotels from budget to luxury. The city center is a short train ride from Fortitude Valley, or a 20-minute walk. If you have mixed plans, a CBD base is flexible and the Valley is easy to reach.
Cost
Brisbane hotels are generally cheaper than Sydney and about the same as Melbourne. The city fills up during Brisbane Pride in September and the Formula 1 event. Book ahead for Pride week.
The hotels
- Gambaro Hotel Brisbane — This new hotel is five minutes' drive from Brisbane city center. It's a luxury stay with high-end dining.
Rooms have custom bedding, air-conditioning, and private bathrooms. TVs, fridges, and coffee makers are in every room. Most also have a balcony.
Reception is open 24 hours. Staff can help with tickets, laundry, luggage, and room service.
- Holiday Inn Express — Built in 2017, each room here has modern décor, plenty of USB ports, and amazing blackout blinds—so set your alarm! There are tea/coffee making facilities, a mini fridge, ironing facilities, a hairdryer, and illuminated and full-length mirrors. Each room also has a 40-inch LCD TV and its own wireless access point for quick internet.
There's an onsite restaurant with 24-hour items available.
- Meriton Suites Herschel Street — This five-star hotel has secure onsite parking. It's in Brisbane CBD, steps from the Brisbane River, Gallery of Modern Art, and Queen Street Mall.
The spacious, smoke-free suites go from studio to three-bedroom. Penthouse suites are on the 74th floor. All have a full kitchen (or kitchenette), laundry facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi, and large flat-screen TVs with Foxtel in the living and sleeping areas.
- Oakwood Hotel & Apartment — Between Brisbane’s central business district and Fortitude Valley, Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Brisbane has short and long-stay accommodation for leisure and business travelers.
Self-contained, fully furnished studio, one, and two-bedroom apartments are available. All have city or river views, and either a kitchenette or full kitchen. The en suite bathroom has a shower/tub combination. You get air conditioning and free Wi-Fi.
- The Park Hotel Brisbane — This four-star hotel has stylish rooms with designer interiors, an outdoor swimming pool, and views over Roma Street Parkland and Spring Hill.
Guest rooms have free Wi-Fi, LCD televisions, work desks, and air conditioning. Each room also has a minibar and tea/coffee making facilities. Suites include separate living areas.
The hotel has a business center.
- Best location: Fortitude Valley for immediate access to the scene; New Farm for a quieter, gay-friendly residential alternative.
- Pride booking: Book ahead for September. The festival increases demand significantly.
- Airport: Airtrain from Brisbane Airport to CBD or Fortitude Valley, about 20 minutes.
Practical notes
For the full Brisbane picture, see the Gay Brisbane Guide.
