Bright quirky look for new Brisbane hotel

The irritating, ever present glow of the hotel digital clock has been banished from Urban, the latest accommodation brand to launch in Brisbane in October.

Gone too, are the cuddly teddy bears favoured by some hotels as in-room decor, replaced by Cheetah who rather than a large cat is a small, cheeky monkey who will feature as the hotel’s mascot.

The digital clock? It’s been superseded by a classic analogue clock radio.

The design brief for the $10million renovation to create Urban, currently known as Terraces on Wickham, situated on Wickham Terrace with 360 degree views of the city, was for a quirky, bright, modern look that offered 4.5 star quality and style mixed with an easy going Australian style.

Guest comment cards offer choices ranging from ‘shocker’ to ‘okey dokey’ and ‘off the Richter’, the bathrobes are tagged ‘tie me up tightly’ and co-ordinate with ‘slow down slippers’, there’s a ‘moo card’ on the mini-bar, known as Little Fridge, telling guests how to obtain fresh milk.

Beds are equipped with the brand’s specially designed mattress, the ‘Urban Snorer’, there’s premium Aveda bathroom amenities, cordless phone, LCD TV with Foxtel and pay-per-view movies and quality linen and toweling.

Business clients are catered for with a work desk and ergonomic chair provided together with WiFi and ADSL broadband Internet access.

Urban Brisbane is part of Accor Hospitality, the European leader in hotels and tourism.
For further information call (07) 3831 6177 or visit www.urbanbrisbane.com.au

New luxury hotel planned for Brisbane, Australia

The Westin Brisbane Empire Square Hotel and Residences will open in 2012, offering a prime location in the state capital of Queensland.

Adding depth to its rapidly expanding portfolio in Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc has announced an agreement with Metacap Empire Square Pty Ltd to open a new-build Westin hotel and residences in Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, Australia.

The Westin Brisbane Empire Square will offer 306 rooms and a sophisticated, refreshing atmosphere in a convenient downtown location.

The new Westin hotel will share a 66-story tower with The Residences at The Westin Brisbane Empire Square – the first internationally branded residential development in Australia.
Both the hotel and residences will open in early 2012, marking the return of the Westin brand to this dynamic Australian city.

The Westin Brisbane Empire Square will offer a prime location on Elizabeth Street, close to Central Station, the Convention and Exhibition Center and Brisbane's Treasury Casino. The hotel and residences will be part of a premier mixed-use development comprised of the hotel, residences and grade A commercial office space.

The third largest city in Australia and most populous city of Queensland, Brisbane (which is my hometwon, I'm proud to say) is a modern, cosmopolitan city offering an appealing blend of historic buildings, beautiful landscapes and waterways. Popular attractions include the Botanic Gardens, King George Square and Queen Street Mall – the entertainment hub of Brisbane.
The Westin Brisbane Empire Square will be the brand’s third hotel to open in Australia, joining the Westins in Sydney and Melbourne.

The Residences at The Westin Brisbane Empire Square will include 98 luxury apartments and six penthouses overlooking South Bank on one side, and the city and ocean on the other. The units will occupy more than 47,000 square feet of residential space from the 47th to the 62nd floor. Residents will enjoy all the benefits of ownership in this premier development, including access to hotel services and certain hotel facilities.