Courtyard by Marriott Brisbane South Bank

The room and bed were very comfortable, and the cafe downstairs is lovely. It’s also a fantastic spot for easy access to Mater Hospital, and close to South Bank. The place is new and clean. What bothered me was paying extra for a balcony room when there were no chairs or table outside. Without somewhere to sit and enjoy it, the balcony felt like a waste of money. I raised the price difference at checkout, but staff wouldn’t refund it. Disappointing.

The staff are kind and the air conditioning works great, but upkeep and cleaning are well below standard for what you pay. This used to be a great hotel. They’ve also cut out the water bottles in the room, so you have to go outside to get water, which is a pain. The location is a little out of the way, though not by much. It’s the uphill walk back that gets annoying.

We had a wonderful stay, with a nice, clean room and very friendly, helpful staff. The only thing I’d mention is that there were no shower caps or sanitary bags, just the basic towels, shampoo and conditioner. When we asked, the room attendant said they aren’t put in every room but are available on request. I think those are basic necessities.

The old gym was a letdown, with very little equipment and what’s there is antiquated. The restaurant downstairs is a bit odd: it isn’t part of the hotel, so as a Bonvoy member you don’t get the breakfast you might expect at other hotels. Still, this is a lovely little base in Brisbane, ideally placed on SouthBank for getting around. Service was excellent, and my room was suite-sized and great for working.