Brisbane has a handful of five-star hotels, but few that genuinely stand out. When looking for a premium city base that matched Brisbane's growing energy as a destination — modern, central and with real personality — the W was the clear choice.

W Brisbane opened in 2018, the first five-star hotel to open in the city in twenty years. Part of Marriott Bonvoy's W Hotels collection, it occupies a striking curved building at 300 George Street in the CBD — and the decor makes an immediate statement: modern, youthful, with a distinct streak of funky that runs from the lobby all the way down the corridors to each of its 312 rooms.

Arrival & Check-In

Having driven from Noosa and with a car rental return to deal with — the Avis city drop-off is just a couple of blocks from the hotel — we decided to drop the bags at the hotel first. Upon arrival at the W, we were immediately greeted by the bellhop, who opened the car door, welcomed us warmly, took the bags, and sent us off with bottles of water in hand. The reassurance that everything would be in the room on our return was immediate and delivered without fuss.

There was no queue at the front desk on our return, and we were seen straight away. We arrived optimistically before the standard check-in time — at 11:30am — and were still given room access, thanks to the early check-in benefit extended to our clients booking on a Marriott Luminous rate. The bags had been delivered seamlessly.

By mid-afternoon the front desk had queues building — peak check-in time is worth being aware of if you're arriving without an early check-in benefit. The ceiling installation above the desk is one of the hotel's most striking architectural moments: hundreds of cylindrical elements suspended in formation, creating a dramatic overhead canopy that gives the check-in experience a genuine sense of occasion.

The Room

Our room, one of 312 across the hotel (including 32 suites), was on the 5th floor. Four lifts serve the building, meaning little to no waiting time from lobby to room. At 42sqm it is a generous size — comfortably accommodating all luggage with room to move freely.

The W's signature design language continues without interruption from the public areas right through to the guestrooms. Entry is an experience in itself: as you open the door, the curtains sweep open and music plays — an entirely unnecessary touch that is absolutely the right call. The standalone bathtub anchors the room, and the circular W Mix Bar comes stocked with everything you could reasonably need, alongside the W Hotels' well-known in-room amenities.

The bed — king-sized, medium-firm — is consistent with the standard across all W Hotels properties, and delivered genuinely undisturbed sleep. There is no pillow menu, but the Whatever/Whenever team is on hand to attend to any request, no matter how specific. On either side of the bed: tables with both plug sockets and USB ports, and complimentary bottled water. To the right, a touchscreen control panel manages the blinds, lighting and room mood settings — covering everything from bright and reading to blackout and night light — a modern feature that felt considered rather than gimmicky.

A slim oval-shaped desk with a comfortable chair and accessible plug sockets completes the practical side of the room. The Nespresso station — a Breville machine with a full pod and tea selection hidden in the drawer below — is a thoughtful touch. The W-branded stationery and the circular slatted timber wardrobe (complete with W robes and slippers) add personality to what could otherwise be a standard hotel fit-out.

The Hallway

Even the walk to and from the room felt like an experience. The hallways at the W Brisbane are spacious and decorative, but the standout feature is the lighting system used for room numbers. Approaching a room, the number glows yellow; once you have walked past it, it changes to pink. It is a small detail, but a clever one — extending the hotel's distinctive personality right through to the quieter back-of-house spaces.

The WET Deck (Pool)

Located on Level 4, the WET Deck is easily one of the hotel's strongest features. The 24/7 heated 20-metre pool offers panoramic views across the Brisbane River and South Bank, with the city skyline stretching towards Mt. Coot-Tha beyond. The mosaic pool floor, which mimics the shadows of palm fronds, and the bold black-and-white zigzag ceiling and columns give the space a resort-in-the-city feel that is entirely convincing.

The stylish sun loungers are the perfect spot for a morning coffee or a midday cocktail, and complimentary sunscreen is provided poolside — a small but appreciated detail. The 24/7 access is not merely a marketing claim — we took a late-night dip and were not alone in doing so. It is a feature of all W Hotels, and Brisbane's version delivers it well. The outdoor terrace area, with its fairy-lit canopy and the W sculpture, is particularly atmospheric as the sun goes down.

Bars

The hotel has two distinct drinking spaces. The WET Deck bar, at Level 4, is where the best sunset sessions happen — an indoor-outdoor space serving handcrafted cocktails and gourmet bites. When a DJ plays on Thursday to Saturday nights, the vibe is electric: it transitions from a daytime sun-and-refreshments spot into a moody, stylish cocktail lounge with a genuine atmosphere as the evening sets in.

The second bar, the Living Room Bar, sits at the centre of the hotel and has a distinctly different energy — warmer, more intimate, more suited to a quiet drink than a late-night session. We visited before an early departure: having come from a brilliant local winery, the need was firmly for mocktails rather than cocktails ahead of a nine-hour Cathay Pacific flight on to Hong Kong. The staff were in excellent spirits and made it a genuinely good send-off.

FIT Gym & AWAY Spa

The FIT gym entrance is worth seeking out for the wallpaper alone — a vivid, floor-to-ceiling illustrated parrot print that sits behind the signature gold FIT plaque. The gym itself is open 24/7, well equipped, and consistent with the standard you would expect from a W Hotels property. For those seeking something more restorative, the AWAY Spa is available on-site and offers a full treatment menu.

Location

The W sits at 300 George Street, directly in the heart of Brisbane CBD. It is one of the most walkable hotel locations in the city — within easy reach of South Bank, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Botanic Gardens and the riverside precinct. Brisbane International Airport is approximately 7.6 miles away. For a first visit to Brisbane, staying central and on foot is the right call, and the W's position makes that effortless.