From a seductive rooftop cabana suite and extraordinary vintage wines to award-winning French dining and a dazzling infinity pool, Emporium Hotel South Bank is redefining Brisbane luxury.
There are luxury hotels you stay in to explore a destination, and then there are hotels so spectacular, so entertaining and so beautifully conceived that leaving almost seems unnecessary. Brisbane’s Emporium Hotel South Bank is firmly in the second category. This is Australian luxury to lose yourself in.
This family owned, 143-suite hotel is an extraordinary celebration of design, indulgence, technology and hospitality. With a stunning rooftop infinity pool, exceptional restaurants, remarkable wine collection and striking interiors, Emporium offers a luxury experience that feels entirely its own.
Perhaps most impressively, it demonstrates just how sophisticated Brisbane’s luxury hotel scene has become. There’s a confidence and playfulness here that is refreshing, particularly compared with some of the more traditional five-star hotels in Sydney and Melbourne.
Rooms & Suites: 9/10
The Poolside Cabana Suite: Possibly Australia’s Sexiest Hotel Room
The Poolside Cabana Suite is unquestionably one of the most seductive hotel rooms I’ve experienced in Australia. Positioned high above Brisbane with direct access to the spectacular rooftop pool precinct, it combines the privacy of a luxury suite with the atmosphere of an exclusive resort.
The views across Brisbane are breathtaking, but the interiors are equally impressive. Mirrored surfaces, luxurious furnishings, a magnificent bed and a striking bronze bar create a glamorous, intimate environment.
The bar itself is a genuine design feature, with seating, cocktail-making facilities and a dedicated wine fridge. It’s difficult to imagine a more appealing setting for an intimate evening overlooking the city.
The bathroom is another highlight, with its indulgent two-person spa experience, expansive marble finishes and spectacular outlook. Everything feels designed for romance, relaxation and a little extravagance.
Beyond its visual appeal, the suite offers exceptional comfort and clever technology. The mirrored television, Bose sound system and beautifully integrated amenities reinforce the feeling that no detail has been overlooked.
Throughout the hotel, the technology is genuinely entertaining. Mesmerising digital video installations greet guests on arrival in the driveway, while the lifts feature captivating moving imagery that transforms an ordinary journey between floors into an experience.
These imaginative touches distinguish Emporium from so many conventional luxury hotels. This is a property that understands the importance of surprise. For couples looking for an unforgettable escape, the Poolside Cabana Suite alone is worth travelling for.
Food & Beverage: 10/10 The food and beverage at this hotel is outstanding.
FIRMA Italian: Exceptional Dining and Tableside Theatre
One of Emporium’s greatest strengths is its dining, and FIRMA Italian is a compelling reason to book a stay. Led by Head Chef Alba Rizzo, the restaurant celebrates authentic Italian cooking through thoughtfully sourced ingredients, handmade pasta, regional flavours and a carefully curated wine list.
The menu combines familiar Italian favourites with more contemporary interpretations. Our shared entrées were an excellent introduction, followed by a wonderfully crisp witlof salad featuring candied walnuts. The steak was particularly memorable: an exceptionally generous portion, beautifully cooked and full of flavour. The lamb cutlets were another highlight.
But the moment that stayed with me was dessert. FIRMA’s signature Tiramisu al Tavolo is assembled at the table, turning one of Italy’s most familiar desserts into an engaging culinary performance -which I actually took part in. The layers of coffee, delicate cream and chocolate come together in front of guests, producing a dessert with a super light, not overly sweet but almost cloud like texture. It was one of my favourite desserts of 2026.
The restaurant’s exceptional wine offering elevates the experience further, with both interesting wines by the glass and carefully selected bottles that reward exploration.
The Reserve Wine Bar: An Extraordinary Wine Collection
Emporium’s wine offering is out of this world, and The Reserve Wine Bar deserves special recognition. Its associated cellar brings together more than 3,000 wines by the bottle, including rare vintages, mature wines and highly sought-after international labels. More than 50 wines are available by the glass, making this an unusually exciting destination for serious wine enthusiasts – I loved it. Even reading the wine list was a pleasure.
The collection includes wines accumulated and curated over more than three decades, with selections spanning iconic producers and lesser-known estates. What makes The Reserve especially appealing is the chance to experience prestigious and aged wines without necessarily committing to an entire bottle.
The surroundings are equally sophisticated, with dramatic interiors and an atmosphere that encourages lingering. For anyone who loves wine, The Reserve could justify a visit to Emporium Hotel entirely on its own.
Belle Époque: Brisbane’s Award-Winning Parisian Café
On the ground floor, Belle Époque , named after Perrier Jouet champagne offers an entirely different experience. Inspired by the elegance of Parisian café culture, this beautiful venue specialises in French-style pastries, refined breakfasts, brunches and elaborate high teas. The plant filled interiors with a glistening chandalier are as gorgeous as the cakes. Managed by Sara, the attention to detail is excellent. This is a venue where guests are truly looked after. High Tea is hugely popular with
Its reputation is supported by impressive industry recognition. At the 2026 Restaurant & Catering Australia Hostplus Awards for Excellence, Belle Époque won Best Café Dining in South East Queensland and the Gold Award for Casual Dining of the Year in Queensland.
The beautifully displayed pastries, sophisticated interiors and authentic European atmosphere make it a delightful place to begin the day. It is another example of Emporium’s ability to create individual dining destinations rather than simply provide conventional hotel restaurants.
The Terrace: Cocktails, Sashimi and Spectacular Views
Twenty-one floors above South Bank, The Terrace is one of Brisbane’s most impressive rooftop bars. The interiors are white, with fresh flowers and expansive city views, sophisticated cocktails and an energetic yet polished atmosphere, it is a destination in its own right.
The sashimi is a particular highlight as are the oysters. Beautifully presented, exceptionally fresh seafood is an ideal accompaniment to a glass of Champagne or a chilled white wine while watching Brisbane unfold below.
The Terrace manages that difficult balance between glamorous destination bar and relaxed luxury hotel retreat. There is something particularly appealing about spending an entire afternoon here, chatting to guests from all over the world, transitioning effortlessly from a swim to cocktails and exceptional food without leaving the building.
Service: 8/10
Emporium’s service reflects the confident, contemporary personality of the property. Unlike some luxury hotels where service can feel overly formal or scripted, Emporium offers a more relaxed approach to five-star hospitality.
The atmosphere is polished without being intimidating, and the extensive range of dining, drinking and leisure experiences encourages guests to explore different parts of the property throughout their stay.
The rooftop pool, restaurants and bars each have their own distinct personality, giving the hotel the energy of several excellent hospitality venues brought together under one roof.
There is a refreshing sense of individuality about Emporium, and its approach to hospitality contributes significantly to a stay.
Location: 9/10
Emporium occupies an accessible position in Brisbane’s South Bank precinct, one of the city’s most appealing lifestyle and cultural destinations. Situated on Grey Street, the hotel is within walking distance of South Bank’s restaurants, galleries, theatres, parklands and riverside attractions.
The Queensland Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art and Queensland Performing Arts Centre are all easily accessible, as are the beautiful walking paths along the Brisbane River.
The hotel is also conveniently positioned for exploring the CBD, with pedestrian bridges connecting South Bank to the city centre. Yet one of Emporium’s greatest strengths is that its location almost becomes secondary to the hotel itself.
There is so much to see, eat, drink and experience within the property that guests can happily spend an entire weekend without going anywhere else.
Wellness & Rooftop Pool: 7.5/10
Emporium’s wellness offering is appealing for travellers who want to balance indulgence with an active lifestyle and not have to leave the hotel.
Located on level 21, the wellness facilities include a compact gym, traditional dry sauna, steam room and dedicated cold plunge pool.
The cold plunge is maintained at approximately 12 degrees, with striking black and white tiles, allowing guests to move between hot and cold exposure. It’s an excellent addition, particularly as contrast bathing becomes an increasingly important feature of wellness facilities.
Although the gym is relatively small, it provides the essentials for maintaining a fitness routine while travelling, complemented by impressive elevated views.
The hotel’s magnificent 23-metre infinity-edge swimming pool is unquestionably one of its greatest attractions. Heated year-round to approximately 28 degrees, it offers extraordinary panoramic views across the Brisbane River, parklands and city skyline.
It is exceptionally photogenic, particularly as the afternoon light changes and Brisbane begins to sparkle after dark. Comfortable loungers, lush greenery and attentive poolside hospitality create an atmosphere reminiscent of a glamorous international resort.
For guests staying in the Poolside Cabana Suites, having this extraordinary facility almost on the doorstep is particularly appealing. The Healing Stone Day Spa offers an additional wellness dimension, including Japanese-inspired hot-stone treatments.
The combined facilities make it entirely possible to enjoy a relaxed wellness morning before moving on to the hotel’s exceptional dining and rooftop hospitality.
What makes Emporium Hotel South Bank so exceptional is the sheer variety of experiences available beneath one roof. Guests can wake up in a spectacular suite, exercise overlooking Brisbane, enjoy a sauna and cold plunge, swim in a rooftop infinity pool, indulge in award-winning French pastries, savour Italian cuisine and explore a remarkable international wine collection.
There are glamorous bars, intimate spaces, entertaining technological details and endless opportunities to enjoy the city skyline from different perspectives. And people – there are lots of guests, restauarants are busy and the whole hotel has a great vibe.
Perhaps most importantly, the property has a distinctive personality. It feels independent, imaginative and confident, with a willingness to embrace glamour and fun.
For romantic weekends, special occasions, wine enthusiasts or discerning travellers seeking something genuinely different, Emporium Hotel South Bank is an outstanding choice.
This is not simply a hotel in Brisbane. It is one of Brisbane’s most exciting luxury destinations. And once you’ve checked in, you may find very little reason to check out.
Emporium Hotel Brisbane, What Renae Says:
Who should Stay here: Couples, families and business travellers, but ultimately the best part about this hotel os there is no need to leave.
Who shouldn’t Stay Here: I cannot imaging not loving it here.
Location: On Brisbane’s South bank with breathtaking river view.
Best culinary delight: Super hard to call it as so many culinary delights here are a exceptional. The sushimi platter, the tiramisu, the patisseries at Belle Epoque are all a must.
The Highlight: Champagne overlooking the view either by the pool or at the roof top bar – wow.
The lowlight: The only thing that let down the stay was the quality of room service breakfast, but the rest of the food more than made up for it.
Insider Knowledge: .The sushimi platter on the rooftop bar with a glass of champagne overlooking the city is a highlight of any Brisbane stay. Don’t bother leaving the hotel – nothing comes close in the surrounds in terms of quality. Plus the hotel will deliver your favourite wines to your home.
