Annexe Apartments

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Annexe Apartments on Walden Lane, I wasn’t expecting much. The street’s pretty quiet, tucked away in this sort of residential pocket between Herston and Bowen Hills that most tourists never really see. But you know what? That actually ended up being one of its biggest selling points.

The thing about this place is that it sits right in this sweet spot where you’re close enough to everything but far enough away from the chaos. I mean, you’re literally a five-minute walk to the Royal Brisbane Hospital (which sounds weird to mention, but honestly, if you’re visiting someone there, this location is gold). The apartments themselves are pretty solid – I’d say the 4-star rating is fair, maybe even a bit conservative. The rooms are bigger than what you’d get at most city hotels, and there’s actually proper kitchen facilities, not just those sad little coffee makers. The 7.9 rating makes sense too – it’s not luxury, but it’s reliable and comfortable.

What really got me was how local it feels. In the mornings, you’ll hear the Brisbane trains rumbling by – not loud enough to wake you up, but just enough to remind you that you’re in a real neighborhood. There’s this little café about two blocks down toward Bowen Hills that the staff mentioned (and they were right – great flat whites), and if you walk the other direction toward Herston, you hit some decent takeaway spots that actually stay open late. Parking was surprisingly easy – they’ve got spaces, and street parking isn’t the nightmare you’d expect this close to the city.

The check-in was refreshingly straightforward, no fancy lobby theatrics, just practical and friendly. I actually appreciated that they knew the area well enough to give real directions, not just “it’s nearby” nonsense. One thing I noticed – and this might matter if you’re picky about these things – the building’s got that slightly older Brisbane apartment vibe, which means solid construction but maybe not the most modern finishes. The air conditioning works great though, which in Brisbane summer is honestly all that matters. The whole setup just feels like you’re staying somewhere that locals might actually live, rather than some sterile hotel bubble. If you’re the type who wants to feel like you’re experiencing Brisbane rather than just visiting it, this place delivers on that without trying too hard.