W is for Wow
W Brisbane launched in spectacular style this month with a massive All That Glitters is Golden party to welcome the W brand’s re-entry into the Australian market with its first purpose-built hotel. (W Melbourne and W Sydney are both earmarked to open over the next few years.)
Star-studded affair
More than 850 guests attended the star-studded affair including Playing for Keeps‘ star Olympia Valance and model Erin Holland. We were treated to a golden evening of delicious food, Champagne and cocktails. A highlight was a VIP acoustic performance by Brisbane’s own The Veronicas in the exclusive Extreme-WOW suite on Level 33. As the girls themselves said “Two V’s make a W”.
Sky-high views
The party showcased all that W Brisbane has to offer in stunning fashion. Indeed, reflecting its ‘sunshine state of mind’ W Brisbane has 312 guestrooms including 29 suites, two spacious Wow Suites and the aforementioned Extreme Wow Suite on Level 33.
Hello sunshine
I stayed in a ‘Spectacular King River View’ room on the 30th floor, and the views lived up to the name with vistas along the Brisbane River and across to the cultural precinct of Southbank. The eclectic styling is like nothing I have seen before. The wardrobe is styled like a circular cage in the middle of the room, while the mini-bar is a delightful blue cylinder that will have you trying to pull open all the drawers till you find the right one (spoiler alert: try the white handle).
Luxury design
Each W hotel is designed to make a very local experience and W Brisbane is no exception. Nicholas Graham, interior design lead of W Brisbane says the Brisbane design is inspired by the Brisbane River and the ‘River Dreaming’ indigenous story of the serpent coming from the mountains going to the sea.
Quirky elements
Graham brings “an Aussie sense of humour” to life with lots of little design elements including the boomerang-shaped table in the living area and the flora/fauna tongue-in-cheek cushions. The poles in the room (and echoed throughout the hotel) are like reeds in the river, with their various heights reflecting the river’s flooding throughout the years.
Up and AWAY
While the extremely deep bath is highly recommended for a relaxing soak with the Bliss bath amenities, the hotel also has its own spa, AWAY Spa featuring Edwards And Co. hair salon. Head to level three for a smorgasbord of local cuisine at Three Blue Ducks Brisbane, while level four is home to the WET Deck, an impressive pool, bar and lounge area.
Worth quacking about
The morning after ‘the night before’ I enjoy a delicious recovery breakfast at Three Blue Ducks. As Anthony Ingham, Global Brand leader of W Hotels worldwide, who was on hand for the launch said, “W boldly colours outside the lines of luxury”. Well you can colour me happy, because this is the kind of luxury I would gladly come back to. W has well and truly arrived back home in Australia. marriott.com/hotels/travel/bnewh-w-brisbane/
