CBD High Rise River CityWalk FreeParking Wi-Fi

You know what? I’ll be honest – the name “CBD High Rise River CityWalk FreeParking Wi-Fi” sounds like someone just threw a bunch of search terms together, but don’t let that put you off. This place actually sits in a pretty sweet spot on North Quay, right where you can see the Brisbane River doing its thing. I mean, it’s not going to win any architecture awards, but when you’re on one of the higher floors, you get these glimpses of the water between the other buildings that make you remember why Brisbane’s actually kind of beautiful.

The free parking thing is legit – and honestly, that’s worth mentioning because finding a spot in the CBD usually costs you an arm and a leg. The building itself feels like it was probably built in the 90s, sort of that standard high-rise apartment block style, but they’ve done a decent job keeping it clean. The lobby’s nothing fancy, but the staff actually seem to know what they’re doing. Check-in was quick when I was there, though I’d imagine it gets busier during school holidays when all the families descend on Brisbane. The Wi-Fi works fine – I was streaming Netflix without any drama, which is more than I can say for some places that charge twice as much.

Here’s the thing about the location though – you’re literally a few minutes’ walk from the Wheel of Brisbane (yeah, that giant ferris wheel thing), and the markets at South Bank are just across the Victoria Bridge. Sometimes you’ll hear a bit of noise from the river traffic or the occasional party boat, but it’s not the kind of thing that’ll keep you awake unless you’re a really light sleeper. The rooms are… well, they’re three-star rooms. Clean, functional, with that slightly dated but comfortable feel. The air conditioning works properly, which during a Brisbane summer is basically all that matters. What I really appreciated was having actual counter space in the bathroom – sounds silly, but when you’re trying to get ready in the morning, it makes a difference. The beds are decent enough, and there’s usually a good breeze if you crack the window. You’re close enough to Eagle Street Pier that you can wander over for dinner without needing a taxi, but far enough from the Queen Street Mall chaos that you’re not dealing with crowds of teenagers every time you step outside. For the price point, especially with parking included, it’s actually pretty solid for Brisbane CBD.