Miss Midgley’s – Refectory

Look, I’ve walked past Miss Midgley’s on James Street probably a hundred times over the years, and honestly? I always wondered what it was like inside that beautiful old building. When I finally booked a stay there last month, I wasn’t disappointed – though I’ll admit, calling it a “refectory” had me scratching my head at first. Turns out it’s got this lovely dining hall vibe that actually makes perfect sense once you’re there.

The thing about New Farm is that it’s got this perfect sweet spot going on – you’re close enough to the city that you can walk to the Powerhouse or catch a CityCat from the terminal (which is maybe a seven-minute stroll), but James Street itself has this village-y feel that’s hard to find in Brisbane anymore. Miss Midgley’s sits right in the thick of it, and you know what? The rooms actually face away from the main street noise, which I wasn’t expecting. I mean, James Street can get pretty lively on weekends with all the cafes and that farmers market, but inside you’d never know it. The building’s got these gorgeous high ceilings and original features – definitely feels like they put some real thought into preserving the character instead of just gutting it and starting over like so many places do.

What really got me was the attention to detail in the rooms. The beds are seriously comfortable (I’m picky about mattresses), and they’ve got this great mix of vintage touches and modern stuff that actually works. The bathroom had one of those rainfall showers that doesn’t make you feel like you’re standing under a sad trickle, which – let’s be honest – is rarer than it should be. Parking was surprisingly easy too, which anyone who’s tried to find a spot in New Farm on a Saturday will appreciate. The staff seem to genuinely know the area, not just the touristy bits. When I asked about a good coffee spot that wasn’t packed with weekend crowds, they pointed me toward this little place on Merthyr Road that I’d never heard of – and it was perfect. That 9.2 rating makes total sense when you experience the whole package. It’s not trying too hard to be boutique-y or trendy, it just does everything well without any fuss. If you’re looking for somewhere that feels like Brisbane but doesn’t feel like a chain hotel, this is your spot.