Staying in Fortitude Valley or the adjacent Spring Hill area puts you closest to Brisbane's gay scene on Wickham Street. The CBD is a very short distance from the Valley and provides a broader range of hotel options at different price points.

Fortitude Valley

Fortitude Valley has boutique hotel and serviced apartment options that place you in the middle of Brisbane's nightlife district. The Valley is also a food and coffee destination during the day, so staying here gives you access to both. It is worth noting that the Valley is a significant nightlife area with noise on Friday and Saturday nights — light sleepers should consider whether a Valley hotel's proximity to bars is a practical trade-off for them.

Spring Hill and New Farm

Spring Hill, immediately south of the Valley, and New Farm, to the east across the river, are inner suburbs with guesthouse and boutique hotel options that offer more residential character. New Farm has a notably gay-friendly reputation as a residential suburb and a strong cafe and restaurant culture on Brunswick Street East. Staying in New Farm is slightly further from Wickham Street but in a more pleasant and quiet neighbourhood.

CBD hotels

Brisbane's CBD has a full range of accommodation from budget to luxury. The city centre is a short train ride from Fortitude Valley or a 20-minute walk. For visitors with mixed plans, a CBD base is flexible and the Valley is easy to reach.

Cost

Brisbane accommodation is generally cheaper than Sydney and broadly comparable to Melbourne. The city fills during Brisbane Pride in September and the Formula 1 event if that falls in your travel window. Book ahead for Pride week.

The hotels

    • Gambaro Hotel Brisbane — A new build just five minutes drive from Brisbane city centre, Gambaro Hotel Brisbane offers a luxury stay with an array of facilities and high-end dining options. The custom-designed rooms provide luxury bedding and air-conditioning as well as private bathrooms. TVs, fridges and coffee making facilities feature in every room whilst most also include a balcony. Reception is open twenty-four hours a day and staff can assist with ticket booking, laundry, luggage storage and room service. New
    • Holiday Inn Express — Built in 2017, each room offers stylish modern décor plenty of USB ports and amazing blackout blinds so don’t forget to set your alarm! There are tea/coffee making facilities, a mini fridge, ironing facilities, a hairdryer and illuminated and full-length mirrors. Each room also features a 40-inch LCD TV and its own wireless access point meaning quick and seamless internet access for all your Netflix needs. We offer an onsite restaurant with 24 hour items available however if as we are located
    • Meriton Suites Herschel Street — Offering five-star accommodations with secure on site parking, the Meriton Suites Herschel Street are centrally located in Brisbane CBD, steps from the Brisbane River, Gallery of Modern Art, and Queen Street Mall. The spacious, smoke-free suites range in size from studio to three-bedroom, with impressive penthouse suites on the 74th floor. All offer a full kitchen (or kitchenette), laundry facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi, and large flat-screen televisions with Foxtel in the living and sleepin
    • Oakwood Hotel & Apartment — Situated between Brisbane’s central business district and Fortitude Valley, Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Brisbane offers both short and long stay accommodation which caters to leisure and business travellers. Self-contained, fully furnished studio, one and two bedroom apartments are available. All apartments feature views of the city or river, and either a kitchenette or fully equipped kitchen. The en suite bathroom has a shower/tub combination. Conveniences include air conditioning, free Wi-Fi
    • The Park Hotel Brisbane — The four-star The Park Hotel Brisbane Hotel Brisbane offers stylish rooms with designer interiors, an outdoor swimming pool and views over the Roma Street Parkland and Spring Hill. Guest rooms are all provided with free Wi-Fi, LCD televisions, work desks and air conditioning. Also available in each room is a minibar as well as tea/coffee making facilities. Suites additionally include separate living areas. The The Park Hotel Brisbane Hotel offers such services and facilities as a business

    Practical notes

    • Best location: Fortitude Valley for immediate access to the scene; New Farm for a quieter, gay-friendly residential alternative.
    • Pride booking: Book ahead for September. The festival increases demand significantly.
    • Airport: Airtrain from Brisbane Airport to CBD or Fortitude Valley, about 20 minutes.

For the full Brisbane picture, see the Gay Brisbane Guide.