Sunny 1b in heart of South Bris

So I stumbled across this one-bedroom apartment called Sunny 1b right in the thick of South Brisbane, and honestly? It totally exceeded my expectations. The address might sound a bit generic – 1002/18 Merivale Street – but you’re literally a stone’s throw from the Cultural Centre and that whole riverside precinct. I mean, you can walk to GOMA in about eight minutes, which is pretty sweet if you’re into that scene.

What struck me first was how bright the place actually is (the name isn’t just marketing fluff). The apartment sits high enough that you get decent natural light without feeling like you’re living in a fishbowl. The building itself is one of those modern high-rises that’s sprouted up around South Bank – nothing too fancy, but solid and well-maintained. Check-in was surprisingly smooth through the key lockbox system, though I’d recommend confirming the exact process beforehand because the building entrance can be a bit tricky to navigate if you’re arriving after dark with luggage.

The space itself feels bigger than your typical hotel room, which makes sense since it’s an actual apartment. Kitchen’s got everything you need if you want to grab groceries from the Woolworths down on Grey Street – and trust me, eating out every meal in Brisbane adds up fast. The bed was comfortable enough that I didn’t wake up with that hotel-bed backache, and the air conditioning works well (crucial during those sticky Brisbane summers). One thing that really impressed me was how quiet it stays at night, considering you’re right in the heart of everything. Sure, you’ll hear the occasional bus or late-night revelers on weekends, but it’s nothing like staying right on the main drag.

Location-wise, this is where the place really shines. You’re walking distance to South Bank Parklands, the wheel, all those restaurants along the river – but you’re also close enough to the city that crossing the Victoria Bridge takes maybe fifteen minutes on foot. The train station at South Brisbane is right there too, which is handy if you’re planning day trips or heading to the airport. Parking can be a bit of a nightmare in this area (welcome to inner Brisbane), but there are paid spots in the building if you’re driving.

The whole setup feels more like staying at a friend’s place than a hotel, which some people love and others might find a bit impersonal. There’s no concierge or room service, obviously, but the 8.8 rating makes sense when you factor in the value and location. For the price point, you’re getting a lot more space and local authenticity than you’d find in the big chain hotels across the river. Just don’t expect daily housekeeping or those little bottles of shampoo – this is proper apartment living, which honestly feels refreshing after too many cookie-cutter hotel stays.