Riverside Hotel Southbank

Look, I’ve stayed at a lot of places around Brisbane over the years, and the Riverside Hotel Southbank sits in this interesting sweet spot where it’s not trying to be the flashiest joint in town, but honestly? That works in its favor. The moment you walk in, there’s this sort of relaxed professionalism that immediately puts you at ease – you know what I mean? It’s like they’ve figured out that being a solid 4-star doesn’t mean you need to pretend you’re the Ritz.

The location is actually pretty brilliant if you think about it. Montague Road might not sound glamorous, but you’re literally a quick walk to the South Bank Parklands and that whole Cultural Centre precinct. I mean, you can grab coffee at one of those trendy spots along Grey Street, then wander over to GOMA or catch a show at QPAC without dealing with the nightmare of parking in the city. Speaking of parking – they’ve got it sorted, which is honestly half the battle in Brisbane these days. The rooms themselves are what I’d call “comfortable without being stuffy.” The beds are actually decent (I’m picky about mattresses), and there’s enough space to spread out your stuff without feeling like you’re living in a shoebox. The bathrooms are clean and modern – nothing fancy, but the water pressure is solid and the towels don’t feel like sandpaper.

What really got me was the staff’s genuine local knowledge. When I asked about getting to West End for dinner, the front desk guy didn’t just point me toward the tourist traps – he mentioned this little Vietnamese place on Hardgrave Road that I never would’ve found otherwise. That’s the kind of insider stuff that makes a difference. The hotel gets busy during festival season (Queensland Music Festival, Brisbane Festival – you know how it is), but even then, it doesn’t feel chaotic. They seem to handle the crowds pretty well, though I’d definitely book ahead if you’re planning to visit during any major South Bank events. The river views from some rooms are lovely, especially at sunset when the city lights start reflecting on the water, but honestly, even the street-facing rooms are fine because Montague Road isn’t as hectic as some of the main drags. You’ll hear the occasional truck, but it’s not the kind of noise that keeps you up at night. For the price point – and considering you’re getting that South Bank proximity without the premium you’d pay for somewhere right on the Parklands – it’s a pretty solid choice. It’s not going to blow your mind, but sometimes that’s exactly what you want: a place that does the basics really well and doesn’t overcomplicate things.