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A spectacular new standard in exquisite boutique luxury accommodation and award-winning service. 143 luxuriously appointed suites feature all the comforts you could ask for, while an abundance of premium food and beverage options will leave you spoilt for choice. On level 21 you will find a spectacular, 23m infinity edge pool and bar with magnificent views over South Bank Parklands, the Brisbane River, to the city and beyond. The coveted north easterly aspect will allow comfort and enjoyment morning to night, all year round. We look forward to welcoming you.
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The Emporium Hotel South Bank garners praise for its luxurious amenities, like the rooftop pool, and well-equipped rooms that boast comfort and panoramic views, as mentioned by numerous travelers. Guests are charmed by the hotel's opulent atmosphere and chic decor, with the prime location offering easy access to local attractions.
While the hotel's cleanliness and service are generally celebrated, some reviewers have pointed out occasional lapses. Furthermore, the value of the stay may feel inconsistent due to service hiccups and unexpected fees.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Luxurious
Rooms
Spacious
Value
Inconsistent
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Opulent
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We had two exquisite stays in the Emporium this year. We got a fantastic deal with continental breakfast included. Our room was so big ,clean and comfortable. The breakfast was so tasty with the option to add in a cooked breakfast for a very reasonable rate. The pool area is fabulous with day beds and sun loungers. Lovely for an afternoon drink also. The terrace bar is great with really attentive staff. We checked out and returned after five days and were so warmly greeted by the reception staff and a little gift and note was left in our room welcoming us back. I can’t wait to return to The Emporium.
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Book on their official website for the best deals
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Emporium Hotels, Other at Emporium Hotel South Bank
Responded 31 Dec 2024
Dear sammyandpaul, Thank you for submitting your wonderful 5 star review of our hotel. I am so glad to read that you enjoyed your stay here with us at Emporium and that our staff were able to make your stay memorable. We look forward to welcoming you back for another exquisite stay. Best regards, Bec Needs Front Office Manager
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On this occasion had a late (Midnight) checkin. Service/checkin was exceptional - acutely aware of our needs (quick snack and sleep after a long haul flight) our attendant arranged room service (and our choice of pillow from the pillow menu - pretentious yes we are!). That service experience typifies the service experience we receive when staying/dining at Emporium. Beyond the checkin/great service:
Rooms are clean and of a generous size (if you are planning on spending any length of time in your room, recommend those over looking the river/city - worth the extra $$ for the room). With a very generous and well appointed bathroom, complete with premium toiletries its very easy to relax and unwind. Housekeeping always of a high standard. The pool is always clean and offers great views of the city with fresh towels and bottled water readily available.
Located in easy walking distance to CBD, South Bank Parklands, River Cat (ferry) and train, Emporium makes it an ideal location to stay to see the city of Brisbane.
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Date of stay: January 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Emporium Hotels, Other at Emporium Hotel South Bank
Responded 13 Feb 2023
Dear stevenjB29XF, Thank you for taking the time to submit such a detailed 5 star review. I am so pleased to read that you have enjoyed your stay with us here at Emporium! It is also wonderful to read that your midnight check-in was of an exceptional standard, I will pass your kind feedback onto our overnight team. I will also pass your feedback onto our housekeeping team, thank you again. We look forward to welcoming you back to the hotel again soon! Best regards, Bec Needs Front Office Manager
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The whole process and service was amazing and I could not fault it at all. Bobby was an amazing concierge and couldn't be more helpful. He was always bright and cheery and remembered me from last visit. Nothing was an inconvenience to him. Definitely 5-star service. Nelson was also exceptional when Bobby was unavailable. Chris and Peter, our drivers were also very friendly and accommodating.
I was so looking forward to showing my son the Terrace restaurant for breakfast and it was disappointing to find out it had been moved to signature restaurant. The atmosphere did not compare at all. The terrace has stunning views of the the city and the latter has views of the city streets. The food was average and it is terrible to be served avocado out of a tube rather than fresh. The fruit wasn't all fresh. It was such a letdown compared to my previous visit.
The in-suite dining food was good, but not luxury that we would have hoped for being in the up market suite we paid for.
I stayed at the resort a short while ago and I found it to be quite opulent with service and facilities, this time it lacked the lustre. I was so excited to bring my son and show him the luxury of the resort, but he was disappointed. The first thing we saw was stairs were dirty, with leaves on them and lots of dirt etc.
We could not fault the service and the opulence of the Aston Martin. That in itself may have me return, but the rest was a letdown.
The air-conditioned didn't feel true to what the reading was and took a long time to cool down with the doors closed. We found the room a little dirty and tired. For the luxury that we were paying for, it was a little disappointing. We were constantly reminded there was now a $5 service fee for every time we requested something be brought to our room. I found this is to be extremely disappointing for the Exquisite Suite
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Date of stay: June 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Emporium Hotels, Other at Emporium Hotel South Bank
Responded 11 Jul 2024
Dear 602deannel, We are incredibly grateful for your wonderful review! Thank you for sharing your experience at our hotel and for mentioning our staff. It brings us immense joy to know that our team left a positive impression on your stay. Your kind words inspire us to continue delivering exceptional service to all our valued guests. I will pass your kind feedback onto Bobby! I wanted to reach out and extend my apologies regarding your food and beverage experience, it is disappointing to read that we fell short of your expectations. I would love the opportunity to discuss further, I can be contacted on 07 3556 3311 or via email at rebecca.needs@emporiumhotels.com.au. I look forward to speaking to you and hope to welcome you back soon. We look forward to welcoming you back for another exquisite stay. Best regards, Bec Needs Front Office Manager
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The hotel itself is undeniably beautiful, and the location is fantastic—ideal for a weekend getaway. The staff are generally lovely and welcoming, which initially created a positive impression. Unfortunately, the overall experience was marred by serious service issues, particularly with Room Service and the Restaurant.
The Room Service was consistently problematic. Items were either missing or incorrect, drinks arrived warm, and the food was often cold. This became a recurring frustration throughout our stay. Equally disappointing was the Restaurant service. We waited a shocking 20 minutes for a second bottle of wine, priced at $150, which arrived far too late for us so we canceled it.
Housekeeping also left much to be desired. Despite several requests, the bath wasn’t cleaned for three days, and basic tasks like wiping down tables and vacuuming the floor were neglected. This level of carelessness is unacceptable, especially for a hotel of this calibre.
To top it all off, the fire alarm went off at 2am on a Saturday. While everyone was evacuated, there was no staff member present to conduct a roll call, direct guests, or provide any sort of update. We were left standing outside in confusion for an hour and a half, only to be allowed back into our rooms without any explanation or apology. This lack of communication during what could have been a serious incident was deeply unsettling and unprofessional.
In summary, while the hotel’s aesthetic and location are wonderful, the service issues were numerous and significant. It’s a shame, as we were hoping for a relaxing weekend, but these problems really put a damper on the experience. I love the hotel, but given the circumstances, I’m not sure I’d return.
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Date of stay: October 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Emporium Hotels, Other at Emporium Hotel South Bank
Responded 10 Oct 2024
Dear EuroChik, Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. I wanted to reach out and extend my apologies, it is disappointing to read that we fell short of your expectations. I will ensure your feedback is passed onto our Executive Housekeeper and Food and Beverage Operations Manager. I wanted to personally reach out and extend apologies for the inconvenience caused by the fire evacuation during your stay. This action was taken in response to a genuine emergency, as confirmed by the Queensland Fire Service. Your safety is our highest priority, and we followed their guidance to ensure everyone’s well-being. We welcome the opportunity to discuss further, I can be contacted on 07 3556 3311 or via email at rebecca.needs@emporiumhotels.com.au. I look forward to speaking to you and hope to welcome you back soon. Best regards, Bec Needs Front Office Manager
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Seeing all the 5 star reviews I was so excited for this trip. However, it turned out to be a disaster. I wanted to leave before the first night and i've never felt that way before. We really shouldn't have ignored the 1-2 star reviews online - don't be like us!
Immediate impression was that the place was just tacky and dirty. Don't be simply wowed by all the red, chrome and screen in the elevator. The finishing in the rooms are terrible (some things are falling apart!), the layout is strange and the room itself was not clean. I didn't feel a sense of comfort at all at this hotel which is not ideal after a long day of being out and about. Also, we both thought that it looked like the sort of place to have hidden cameras somewhere among all the reflective surfaces ... and lo and behold, I find an unsettling review online about someone finding a hidden camera in their bathroom.... I had a look around but who really knows... Another thing about the room, the TV is terrible to watch. I understand the "mirror tv" probably seems really cool to many people but it's a gimmick. you can't see whats on the tv unless all the lights are off and curtains closed. I also found it a bit noisy as I was trying to get to sleep (can hear through the front door). Numerous issues with the check-in process too which was very frustrating and concerning.
The rooftop bar - the boys need to be wiping down tables properly and doing things other than standing around trying to be like mannequins. The glasses were dirty and sticky. The tables and chairs cheap.
The sauna and cold plunge area - how well is this maintained? The cold plunge had so much floating sediment / mysterious fluids, it was not very inviting.
Staff - I think there is an element of being under-trained or poor management, but some (not ALL) of the people also lack the core skills needed to be in a "high end" customer service role, even verging into being plain rude. It's like the "employee at a designer handbag store" effect, but at a (apparently) 5 star hotel - they forget that customers are paying the equivalence of 2/3 of their weekly wage for one night. They really need to step it up but at the end of the day they probably just don't care (saw some employee reviews).
So, was there anything that was good? The air con worked.
You might like this hotel if you're... - older, wanting to relive a 'casino in the 90's' memory (because this place literally reeks of tacky and fake glitz/glamour) or you're from a country town without hotels; or - a young couple who are having their first ever hotel stay. but seriously, in either case, save your money and go to a bigger brand hotel for less money.
For us, emporium was a huge let down and I hope that more high-end hotel brands will come to Brisbane or renovate (as, in my opinion, there aren't many luxury 5-star options in comparison to other major cities).
By the end, i was so so excited to be going home.
Sincerely hope this helps someone!
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Date of stay: August 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Emporium Hotels, Other at Emporium Hotel South Bank
Responded 10 Oct 2024
Dear honestr455, Thank you for staying with us and for taking the time to share your feedback. I wanted to reach out and extend my apologies, it is disappointing to read that we fell short of your expectations. We were unable to locate your reservation on our system to further investigate. We welcome the opportunity to discuss further if you are able to kindly reach out to us directly on 07 3556 3311 or via email at rebecca.needs@emporiumhotels.com.au. I look forward to speaking to you further and would love the opportunity to turn your experience around. Kind regards, Bec Needs Front Office Manager
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We enjoyed the hotel and found the staff very hospitable and helpful. Spacious rooms with good views and comfy beds. The Signature Restaurant was good for dinner if a little slow. Breakfast at the hotel was disappointing with not enough really healthy options - a breakfast buffet would be a preferable option at this level. A few things we'd recommend: Provide a cotton blanket as the room was hot and the AC did not get down to the lower temperature. The hotel only provided synthetic blankets which were also too warm to sleep under. Fix the AC system. Definitely purchase lots more umbrellas as these ran out and Brisbane can get very wet. The gym area did not have any exercise mats or fit balls and the steam room was not operational. Overall, it's a good hotel and with the above improvements can be really outstanding.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Emporium Hotels, Other at Emporium Hotel South Bank
Responded 9 Jan 2024
Dear Taniad930, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your review with us! We truly appreciate your feedback and are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your stay at our hotel. Thank you for also extending your kind comments regarding our staff, they will be pleased to read this. I wanted to also thank you for some great feedback! I will distribute this to our teams for discussion. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for another exquisite stay. Best regards, Bec Needs Front Office Manager
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The hotel and room is modern, luxurious and fun. The location is great. The front desk and concierge staff are excellent, and the room service meal from the Italian restaurant was delicious. But the constant need to ask for clean towels and for our room to be made up was not consistent with the 5-star rating of the hotel. We stayed five nights. The first day we had to ask three times for our room to be made up. The second day, we had to leave our room late afternoon after being out walking all day so housekeeping could clean it when they finally turned up (off for another walk late afternoon when we really just wanted to rest our legs). The third day, our room was not made up at all despite only having the "do not disturb" turned on for about an hour during lunchtime. We requested our room be made up while we went out for dinner, and obviously there were no housekeeping staff because some poor maintenance guy got sent to do it (see photo of turned down bed!), who we had to call back again to empty two days of garbage. He didn't usually do this job so he just thought all he needed to do was give us fresh towels. Not his fault at all but reflective of the poor housekeeping management. Despite leaving the room for hours at a time each day, it became a matter of us having to again leave the room when housekeeping decided to turn up, not our room being made up while we were out. It didn't make for a relaxing stay and the difference was blatantly obvious at our next hotel stay on the trip on the Gold Coast, where there actually was five-star service. For the cost of the room it was disappointing. I had also taken to clearing other people's dirty glasses from the sunbed tables at the pool, just so I wasn't surrounded by dirty dishes, while the pool attendant ignored the mess and focused on selling drinks to people by the pool who didn't want them. You're welcome. The hotel is lovely but some of the service elements would make me question staying again.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Emporium Hotels, Other at Emporium Hotel South Bank
Responded 26 Aug 2024
Dear LMari187, Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your feedback. I wanted to reach out and extend my apologies, it is disappointing to read that we fell short of your expectations. I would love the opportunity to discuss further, I can be contacted on 07 3556 3311 or via email at rebecca.needs@emporiumhotels.com.au. Our Guest Relations Manager has also attempted to reach out to you for further discussion. I look forward to speaking to you and hope to welcome you back soon. Kind regards, Bec Needs Front Office Manager
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We had friends coming from Canada and we decided we would spend 2 nights at The Emporium Hotel to celebrate our wedding anniversary and watch the New Years Eve fireworks to make it special. We were not disappointed. From the moment we made the booking the service we received was exceptional. A special thank you to Nathan Rees from conceirge who ensured our whole experience was exceptional from the moment we arrived. We were greeted with chocolate strawberries and champagne to celebrate our anniversary, he organised for our car to be cleaned (which I might add was one of the best cleans we have ever had of the car) nothing was too hard for him or anybody from the team. Nathan organised for the Maserati to take us to our anniversary dinner and collect us after, thanks to Gerry the driver, it was a fun memorable evening. All the staff were exceptional, friendly and extremely helpful. We loved the views from the pool, The Terrace Restaurant at breakfast and the River View King Suite was the perfect location to see the fireworks! We had cocktails in the piano bar and listened to the live jazz which was very relaxing and the cocktails were amazing. The hotel is located in the best location, we were able to stroll to the city and up to GOMA. The Emporium Hotel would have to be one of the best stays we have ever had. Oh and there may have been lots of photos taken in the fun elevators. 😊 and also thanks to Jimmy for organising the Pandas on the concierge arrival screen for our Canadian guests. We always try to do something nice for our anniversary and I would have to say this would be the best one yet out of 32 years. Thank you for making it so memorable Nathan! 💕
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Date of stay: November 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Emporium Hotels, Other at Emporium Hotel South Bank
Responded 8 Jan 2023
Dear LeonieMcLeod, Thank you for taking the time to submit such a wonderful 5 star review and happy new year! I hope you enjoyed your wedding anniversary celebrations and New Years Eve fireworks. Thank you for providing such kind feedback for our team, particularly Nathan, Gerry & Jimmy from our concierge team! I will pass this onto our team, I am sure they will be pleased to read this. We look forward to welcoming you back for your next stay in Australia! We wish you safe travels home to Canada. Best regards, Bec Needs Front Office Manager
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The Emporium was everything I wanted it to be. The staff a very friendly and attentive and from all over the world so no issue with language. I watched one young lady pour a glass of champagne and she did it perfectly, didn’t touch the glass, didn’t drip and faced the label to the customer. Perfection in the little details!! The room was lovely even though it was the standard room. There are mirrors everywhere so you must like your own reflection 😝 and a lot of lights everywhere at night which only reflect of the mirrors. Cocktails were excellent with minimal waiting. I enjoyed my prawn salad very much and breaky was just enough, beautifully cooked and the eggs were fresh and freerange. Overall a wonderful stay Ps, the lifts were fun!!
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Date of stay: January 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Pool is small and windy but lovely
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Emporium Hotels, Other at Emporium Hotel South Bank
Responded 18 Jan 2023
Dear honeyf450, Thank you for taking the time submit a wonderful 5 star review! I am so pleased to read that you enjoyed your stay and had the opportunity to enjoy some cocktails in our outlets! I will pass your kind feedback onto our teams, I am sure they will be pleased to read this! We look forward to welcoming you back again soon. Best regards, Bec Needs Front Office Manager
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We stayed in a poolside cabana suite for 2 nights which was luxurious, clean and spacious. The view from the rooftop and the pool area was fantastic. The rooftop bar was also great.
The room was not ready when I arrived at 3:45pm and was kept waiting another 15 mins which is not acceptable for a 5 star hotel and the room rate of $800 a night. I had not been there previously and wasn't sure how to get to the room once exiting the lift on level 21, no instructions or assistance were given (you need to enter externally through the pool area). I had to ask a porter who who seemed annoyed I was asking. Room service was also slow especially cocktail delivery.
We had the do not disturb light on for the duration of our stay and had turndown staff try to enter our room on the first evening, then housekeeping and turndown staff the next day.
The pool area was understandably popular and we weren't able to get a sunbed just prior to lunchtime so I would go earlier in the day.
Whilst the room, bar and pool were lovely, I wouldn't return based on the service.
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Emporium Hotels, Other at Emporium Hotel South Bank
Responded 24 Jul 2023
Dear Aria9093, Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your feedback and for choosing to stay with us at Emporium Hotel. I am pleased to read that you enjoyed our level 21 facilities! I wanted to reach out and extend my apologies, it is disappointing to read that we fell short of your expectations. I would love the opportunity to discuss further, I can be contacted on 07 3556 3311 or via email at rebecca.needs@emporiumhotels.com.au. I look forward to speaking to you and hope to welcome you back soon. Best regards, Bec Needs Front Office Manager
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To be honest it depends on the kind of people at the pool. The cabana suites are right next to the pool. So if there's a chance you'd hear them if the people in the pool were rowdy. In saying that the emporiums employees are usually Fantastic so if there was a problem, like too much noise, depending on the time I'm sure they'd tell the pool patrons to keep it down if they needed to
There are more places to choose from in the Brisbane area.
PRICE RANGE
$411 - $642 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
AustraliaQueenslandBrisbane RegionBrisbane
NUMBER OF ROOMS
143
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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