Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane – Hotel Review

Conveniently located on the mighty Brisbane River and just moments from the South Bank Parklands and Streets Beach, Emporium Hotel South Bank puts the best of the city right at your doorstep. Read on for the full review.

This glitzy hotel pulses with life in all the right places. From the moody trattoria dedicated to showcasing regional Italian cuisine to the neon animations in the lift and the palpable buzz of the rooftop bar, there’s a constant sense that you’re in amongst it all. It’s all perfectly balanced by a sun-drenched infinity pool and indulgent wellness spaces – including a traditional coal sauna, ice bath and steam room. It’s really a case of choosing your own adventure.

Where is The Emporium Hotel South Bank?

Adjacent to South Bank train station, which takes you to Brisbane Airport in about half an hour, or 20 minutes by car. The hotel is across the Brisbane River from the CBD, which is a 20-minute walk or 10-minute bus ride. 

What’s near The Emporium Hotel South Bank?

Culture seekers will appreciate the quick 15-minute stroll to the fabulous Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), with its impressive roster of exhibitions, plus the Queensland Centre of Performing Arts and Queensland Museum next door. Also close by is South Bank Parklands and Streets Beach, a gorgeous urban lagoon with river view and a treat for lazing around on hot afternoons.

Room types 

All 143 suites have the same subtle, luxurious touches that elevate this hotel into a high tier of tropically tinged glamour: Bose audio systems, a king Sealy Dynasty bed, an invisible TV hidden in a gilt mirror frame, bronze wet bars and blackout curtains that glide open as you walk through the door. All Vista suites, which peer out to Mount Coot-Tha and the surrounding hinterland, make the most of the riverside location with floor-to-ceiling windows, some with wrap-around balconies.

Exquisite Suites live up to their name, located on the highest levels of the hotel. A grand piano anchors the dining area of the Frangipani Suite, just steps from your very own karaoke room – with the option to close the doors and keep the singalongs contained or open it up and get the whole party involved. The Emporium Suite, spread over a generous 65-square-metres, has its own mini-bar and cocktail making kit in the corner of the bedroom. Nightcap, anyone?

Restaurants and bars 

With an in-room karaoke and bar set-up, you’ve likely had a late night. Start your day with a high tea brunch from 10.30am at Belle Époque, located on the ground floor, then work your way up. Here, the baked goods are all made onsite each morning and range from savoury snacks such as finger sandwiches with fresh salmon to tea-soaked sultana scones for those sweeter cravings. Enjoy your session over craft teas with the option to add a glass of Champagne or sparkling – or push the boat out with an unlimited bubbles package. 

Adjacent to the patisserie is The Reserve Wine Bar. Live jazz beckons you into this beautiful 1920s-style speakeasy on Saturday evenings from 6.30pm and the vibe is cocktail glamour, always. Opting for a wine is a no-brainer but you’ll need a fair bit of time to make your way through the list; there are more than 3000 wines by the bottle, with a strong focus on drops from France, and about 50 wines by the glass.

Upstairs is Firma, an Italian restaurant that opened in 2024 with such a homey neighbourhood charm that makes it feel like it’s been there forever, complete with attentive staff and velvet, lounge-style chairs that invite you to linger. ​​Head chef Alba Rizzo draws on her Italian roots to craft a menu that brings a fresh, modern flair to regional Italian cuisine. Start with the Crocchè Napoletane – golden-fried potato parcels topped with provola, parsley and a punchy garlic mayo – before moving onto the cacio e pepe risotto, where rich, cheesy notes are lifted with mandarin oil and a hint of dill. Can’t decide? The set menu is always a good idea. 

On level 21 is The Terrace, a Palm Springs-style bright, white diner with near bird’s-eye Brissie views and an Asian fusion menu that spotlights some of the region’s best produce such as Mooloolaba King Prawn Sliders. It’s clearly the place to be: on weekends, 20-somethings queue out the door, cloying for entry.

Helicopter package

Take your stay to the next-level with an unforgettable helicopter experience to one of Queensland’s most beloved destinations: its glittering coastline. ​​The Emporium team handles all the logistics, from a private chauffeur to and from the Elite Helicopters Brisbane landing strip to securing your reservation, so all you need to do is choose your destination and itinerary – and remember what time to assemble in the lobby. 

Venture off the mainland to North Stradbroke Island, where a gourmet grazing hamper awaits on the banks of the water or opt for a full-day adventure at Moreton Island. On the latter adventure, you’ll snorkel alongside tuskfish at the Tangalooma Wrecks before drying off for a scenic quad bike ride and leisurely lunch.

If you prefer the hinterland to the sea, you can make the journey to the award-winning restaurant at Spicers Peak Lodge nestled on a secluded mountaintop in Maryvale. The crisp air is usually a few degrees cooler than the city, so the neatly folded woollen blankets on the back of your chair will likely come in handy. Settle in for a four-course lunch starring local and native ingredients that change with the season, all served with sweeping views of the surrounding ranges and tranquil pool. 

Travel for work

All rooms have a chic leather office chair and lamp at the end of the mahogany console, as well as fast and free wi-fi.

Spa and gym  

The infinity pool offers what must be one of the best pool views in Brisbane, looking directly out onto the river with the city beyond. Add table service and sunloungers (plus three cabanas), an expansive traditional coal sauna, steam room and a zebra-tiled ice bath (that feels more like a mini plunge pool) and it’s very easy to spend a full day here. The gym is well equipped with the checklist machines and also boasts the same incredible views. Level 21 also hosts The Healing Stone, a Japanese-themed day spa offering massages and a ganbanyoku, a hot stone sauna.

What you need to know

The bar heats up in the afternoon: if you’re keen for sundowner, the pool offers a generous menu of snacks and cocktails with its own waiter. The pool is only accessible to guests (you’ll know you’re there when you hear the excellent chillhouse soundtrack).

SEE ALSO: The Best Hotels in Brisbane City (For Every Type of Traveller)