CHECKING IN Hotel X, Brisbane

We take the guesswork out of local travel with our tips on where to stay, eat, drink and play. This month, GT heads to Queensland.

- FIONA DONNELLY

STAY

Looking for dramatic, upscale digs in the lively and diverse inner-city Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley? Hotel X ticks all the boxes. During the day, the 164-room hotel’s textured façade makes a bold architectural statement, towering above edgy Brunswick Street. After dark, it’s even more theatrical, with the exterior acting as a canvas for an eye-catching LED light display. Rooms, in contrast, are restful. White diaphanous drapes filter city views, while blockout blinds mean you can visit Iris, the swish rooftop bar upstairs, without worrying about too early a start. These urban-style sanctuaries are relatively compact (book a corner room, if possible), accessed via moodily lit corridors. Interiors are sharp and feature a muted colour palette of white and charcoal, with pops of dark magenta and tons of tricky design detailing. There are angular plasterwork cutaways, and large commissioned photographic works by Justin Nicholas. In the bathroom, Karl Lagerfeld toiletries include a travel pack with lip balm and hand cream, plus a cache of lotions. Hotel X is in the IHG family and thoughtfulness continues with extras like a Lavazza coffee maker, GHD hair straightener and a minibar that goes beyond the brief. Successful excess? So very Fortitude Valley. hotelx.com.au

Quick look

Where

458 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, Qld

Facilities

Prices from $206 per night for a standard room

Pool Yes Rooftop Bar Yes

Restaurant Yes

Gym Yes