Suite dreams at Spicers Balfour Hotel in Brisbane

Suite dreams are made of this – who am I to disagree*

Bang in the heart of every city are numerous five-star hotels, albeit high rise temples paying homage to joie de vivre, however Helen Flanagan suggests looking on the fringe for something more chic, exciting and exclusively bijoux.

It’s uber cool and exudes relaxed sophistication. Located in fashionable New Farm, Spicers Balfour Hotel is a block from the Brisbane River and 3.1 kilometres from the city centre. Two former classic grand residences have been re-imagined and transformed by one of city’s leading design teams, into the epitome of relaxed sophistication and elegant high-end style.

There’s a distinctly European feel in the nine 18sqm to 27sqm executive king rooms located over two floors, within the main Balfour Hotel building. Features include the finest Italian linen, luxe bathrooms with a big bath and lush Appelles toiletries, state-of-the-art Bose sound system and a Nespresso coffee machine.

Eight new Balfour Simla suites in the sister building reflect the 1940’s Art Deco style, are approximately 43sqm, have a separate sitting area and of course similar luxuries, all synonymous of Spicers 5-star style.

Did I mention the honesty bar? Night caps are only a tippy-toe away. And how about the rooftop bar, with its backdrop of the spectacular Story Bridge, where canapes are served to house guests every evening at six. Or an afternoon delight, with high tea and Veuve Cliquot on the verandah of the Kitchen Restaurant with its arbour of frangipani and pretty shrubs.

If however you’re a morning person, best breakfasts since-I-don’t-know-when, are guaranteed to wake the senses.

Sensational olfactory delights include beetroot and gin-cured gravlax, potato rosti, poached eggs, beetroot vinaigrette, crème fraiche; grilled asparagus, creamed corn, jamon, eggs; smoked barramundi omelette, kipfler potato, pickled shallots and rocket; tomato tart smoked mozzarella, red onion relish, rocket, and vincotto; also eggs benedict served with chardonnay hollandaise on toasted brioche with, says English-born Tony, “the best-ever grilled bacon”.  Brioche French toast, hazelnut, chocolate ganache, sour cherries, and espresso caramel is designed for sweet-toothed sophisticates and you don’t have to be in a celebratory mood to indulge in bubbles, a peach bellini, bloody Mary or kir royal.

When it’s time to act like a local, check out the environs including New Farm Park, theatres, also Fortitude Valley and James Street with their bevy of sassy boutiques and plethora of gourmet and produces stores, also award-winning eateries such as Gerard’s and Cru Bar + Cellar. They never disappoint.

Uptown experiences vary from the Story Bridge Climb, Gallery of Modern Art, Riverlife kayak and rock climbing, South Bank with 17ha of parklands, unsurpassed river views, expansive green lawns, towering ficus trees, colourful gardens and home to a variety of family-friendly experiences and activities including free swimming facilities (yes, there’s a beach), the Wheel of Brisbane, walking tracks, playgrounds, picnic barbecue areas plus stimulating events all year round.

At Eagle Street Pier, a not-to-be-missed fuel stop is Mr & Mrs G’s Riverbar, and for some of the best seats and eats in town, try Matt Moran’s Aria and Stokehouse Q. Meanwhile back at Spicers Balfour, executive chef Will Wallace is behind the burners and plating up wondrous modern Australian fare which has been lauded with a well-deserved ‘hat’ in the latest Queensland Good Food Guide.

Check-out

Spicers Balfour Hotel www.spicersretreats.com  ‎

Phone: 1300 597 540

*Apologies to the Eurythmics  for Sweet Dreams, the inspiration behind the title. The opening stanza sums up the ‘suite-ness’ of Spicers Balfour Hotel:

Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world
And the seven seas,
Everybody’s looking for something.

Feature supplied by: www.wtfmedia.com.au