Meriton Suites Adelaide Street, Brisbane

Look, I’ve stayed at my fair share of Brisbane hotels, and Meriton Suites on Adelaide Street genuinely surprised me – in the best way possible. You know how some places look impressive online but feel sort of soulless when you actually walk in? This isn’t one of those. The lobby has this understated elegance that doesn’t scream “look at me” but still makes you feel like you’re somewhere special. What really got me was the apartment-style setup – I mean, you’re getting a proper kitchen, separate living area, and honestly, more space than you’d expect for the CBD. The staff at check-in were refreshingly normal too, not overly rehearsed but actually helpful when I asked about parking (which, by the way, is secure but fills up quickly during events at the Convention Centre).

The location is where this place really shines, though most people don’t realize it until they’re there. You’re literally a two-minute walk from Central Station – and I’m talking about the actual walking time, not that inflated “convenient walking distance” nonsense. King George Square is right there, which means you can catch pretty much any bus or train without the usual CBD navigation headaches. What I loved was being able to walk to Eagle Street Pier for dinner without dealing with traffic, and the Queen Street Mall is close enough that you don’t need to plan a whole expedition just to grab something. The view from the upper floors is actually pretty spectacular too – you get this nice mix of the river and city skyline, especially if you’re facing northeast.

Here’s what I’d tell anyone considering this place: it’s genuinely five-star without being pretentious about it. The apartments are modern and well-maintained (the shower pressure is excellent, which matters more than people admit), and there’s something refreshing about having your own space instead of just a hotel room. The pool area on the rooftop is decent for a quick swim, though it gets busy around sunset when everyone wants those city views. One small thing – the air conditioning can be a bit noisy at night if you’re sensitive to that sort of thing, but honestly, it’s a minor trade-off for everything else you’re getting. The 8.4 rating makes sense when you factor in the location, the space, and the fact that you’re not paying resort prices for what feels like a proper Brisbane experience. It’s the kind of place where you can actually live normally for a few days instead of just surviving in a tiny room.