Assessment: Westin Brisbane | Prince of Journey

For the final evening of our time in Queensland, we spent an evening on the Westin Brisbane. I’d acquired the inside track on the property from Rachel of the Prince of Journey group, who had stayed there for a few nights earlier than we arrived, so I had a reasonably good thought of what to anticipate.

We had been approaching the heels of two luxurious stays on the JW Marriott Gold Coast and the W Brisbane, and had been spoiled to this point on our journey to Australia. Neither of the earlier two accommodations had Govt Lounges, so I used to be happy to listen to that the Westin Brisbane options one.

Westin Brisbane – Reserving

I managed to safe an awesome deal on a journey agent charge for my keep. Common money costs for the resort come at a low of $300 (AUD) ($276 CAD) and a excessive of over $700 (AUD) ($645 CAD), with most dates falling between $400–500 (AUD) ($370–470 CAD). 

A redemption with Marriott Bonvoy factors prices 20,000–30,000 factors per evening all year long, which is probably going one of the best guess you probably have factors obtainable in your account. Primarily based on our valuation of Marriott Bonvoy factors at 0.9 cents per level (cpp), you may fairly simply recover from twice the goal worth if the money charge falls on the upper finish of the spectrum.

As is usually the case in Australia, redeeming factors for a keep at a Marriott property tends to have a powerful worth proposition.

Westin Brisbane – Location

The Westin Brisbane is located within the coronary heart of Brisbane’s Central Enterprise District on Mary Road.

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The resort is in very shut proximity to the Brisbane Metropolis Botanic Gardens and the Brisbane River, that are each a few blocks away.

You’re additionally simply steps to the Queen Road Mall and the numerous eating places within the space. 

On the south a part of the river, you’ll discover the Queensland Museum, the Queensland Centre for the Performing Arts, and the Brisbane Conference and Exhibition Centre. You will get there in lower than quarter-hour by foot, or round 10 minutes by transit or automobile. 

The airport is round 40 minutes by transit or round 25 minutes by automobile, relying on site visitors. The closest practice station is simply 10 minutes away by foot, and the closest ferry terminal is North Quay.

Westin Brisbane – Examine-in

We arrived on the resort within the late afternoon after trying out of the W Brisbane. The Westin Brisbane is simple to seek out, and it was an informal stroll up the busy streets of the downtown core.

The primary entrance is simply off of Mary Road, up a small staircase subsequent to the foyer’s bar. 

There’s one other entrance by way of a hallway that’s on the opposite facet of the check-in space. 

The resort was fairly busy after we arrived, attributable to an occasion being held within the convention rooms that night. We had been referred to as as much as the check-in desks after a short wait, which allowed us a while to take inventory of the busy foyer lounge bar, The Charles.

I booked right into a base-level Westin King Room, however managed to “suite-talk” my method right into a Westin King Suite utilizing the chat operate on the Marriott app. 

The check-in course of was fairly casual, however the affiliate rapidly went by way of my Platinum advantages and let me know that we had entry to the Govt Lounge throughout our keep. 

I made my method as much as room to drop my luggage off after which met up with my spouse for a stroll. After we returned to the resort, we seen a powerful disagreeable odour within the room, and we popped again right down to the check-in desks. 

The affiliate apologized and had us moved to the identical room kind on a special ground. There was nonetheless a faint trace of an disagreeable odour within the toilet, which I think had one thing to do with the ground drain, however it wasn’t practically as noticeable as within the different room. 

Ultimately, we determined to stay with the room, as we didn’t really feel like going again down to change rooms once more. 

Westin Brisbane – Westin King Suite

The Westin King Suite is the third highest room kind on the Westin Brisbane, beneath the Renewal Metropolis View Suite and the Premium Renewal CitySuite. The Westin King Suite is definitely bigger than the opposite suites, measuring 60 sq. metres to their 53 sq. metres.

Instantly upon entry, there’s a spacious lobby with a big wardrobe on the left. Contained in the wardrobe is the place you’ll discover the additional bathrobe, and there’s a baggage rack and bench tucked proper in opposition to the wall by the door. 

The room then splits off into two instructions. To the left is the lounge, to the correct is the bed room, and the lavatory is in between the 2.

The lounge incorporates a slate black sofa with a ruby crimson armchair round a glass espresso desk. There’s a giant flat-screen TV perched atop an leisure unit within the nook.

I discovered a boilerplate welcome be aware and a welcome reward bag of baked items once I arrived. 

In between the sitting space and the kitchenette is a stone desk with seating for 3.

The kitchenette takes up the whole wall that backs onto the lavatory. You’ll discover a full-sized fridge stocked with minibar gadgets, a Nespresso espresso maker, and a few grab-and-go goodies subsequent to a sink. 

The cabinets are stocked with plates, cups, glasses, a water kettle, and cutlery, which might come in useful if you happen to ordered meals in. 

On the alternative facet of the suite is the bed room. A snug king mattress sits in opposition to a textured wall, with a bench on the foot of the mattress.

The facet desk to the correct of the mattress has a lamp and an analog Bluetooth clock speaker. USB charging ports and energy retailers are constructed into the wall beside the mattress.

On the wall reverse from the mattress, you’ll discover the suite’s second flat-screen TV mounted above a dresser. A shiny crimson lounge chair and ottoman are parked within the nook of the room, subsequent to a small espresso desk.

The suite didn’t have a lot of a view. It appeared out into the constructing throughout the road, and far of the view was obscured by privateness dots. 

The lavatory is positioned in between the bed room and the lounge. An LED-lit mirror stands above a single sink, and the lavatory is stocked with Molton Brown facilities. 

There’s a walk-in bathe in the back of the lavatory, and a bathroom nestled in near the door.

Total, I discovered that the Westin King Suite had format for households staying within the resort, because the sofa in the lounge turns into a settee mattress. The kitchenette would seemingly come in useful, too, particularly with the full-sized fridge.

As a pair, we thought the room was very spacious, which allowed for me to get up early and get some work in with out disturbing my spouse whereas she slept in. I additionally appreciated that there have been many alternative seating areas all through the room.

Except for the unlucky odour in our first room, and the remnants of the odor in our subsequent room, the Westin King Suite would make for a wholly comfy, if not unremarkable, keep.

Westin Brisbane – Govt Lounge

The Govt Lounge is positioned on the third ground of the Westin Brisbane. Visitors staying in Membership Degree rooms, in addition to visitors with Marriott Platinum, Titanium, or Ambassador Elite standing, take pleasure in complimentary entry to the lounge.

Contained in the lounge, there’s loads of seating for visitors. Throughout the night hors d’oeuvres service and breakfast, the lounge didn’t really feel overly packed, and it was simple for us to discover a quiet spot to speak.

Instantly upon entry, there’s a concierge desk with a workers member within the mornings and evenings to help with any queries. You’ll additionally discover a inventory of newspapers right here within the mornings throughout breakfast service.

In the principle seating space, there are a variety of two- and four-person tables to select from. Preserve a watch out for the tables by the home windows, which look out over the pool and the encompassing buildings.

Alongside the again wall of the lounge, you’ll discover bench seating for 2, however you may simply transfer tables collectively to accommodate a bigger get together.

Breakfast is hosted right here within the morning. We stopped by for a fast chunk earlier than heading to the airport, as we had been trying ahead to trying out the Virgin Australia lounge.

The buffet space is stocked with an affordable choice of cold and warm gadgets. You’ll discover many basic staples, corresponding to scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, baked beans, fried tomatoes, and mushrooms, in addition to a pancake machine with a lot of toppings.

For chilly choices, there are bowls with several types of yogurt, in addition to recent fruit, meats, cheeses, salad, pastries, and breakfast cereal.

For drinks, there’s an automatic espresso maker, a choice of teas, nonetheless water, a few juice dispensers, and a fridge with tender drinks.

The breakfast buffet on the Westin Brisbane was a bit underwhelming in comparison with the providing on the W Brisbane, however it had all the things that you simply’d want to begin the day without work proper. We opted for a lightweight breakfast and saved our appetites for the lounge on the airport.

The hors d’oeuvres service is hosted within the Govt Lounge within the night. We popped by to have a drink and a lightweight meal earlier than heading out to the Brisbane Metropolis Botanic Gardens for a stroll.

Throughout our go to, there have been hen kebabs and a few biscuits obtainable as the recent gadgets. There was additionally a choice of chilly wraps, amuse-bouches, a Thai beef salad, recent greens, cured meats, dried fruits, and nuts obtainable, too.

For dessert, there have been small one-bite truffles on provide.

There have been fairly a couple of forms of wine stocked on the buffet, in addition to a fridge crammed with tender drinks and beer.

The choice was sufficiently big to substitute for a meal, must you be so inclined. The meals jogged my memory of what you would possibly discover in an airport lounge, though it was definitely of a better high quality than what’s present in most airports.

The Govt Lounge on the Westin Brisbane is a pleasant perk to take pleasure in alongside together with your standing or your room kind. It’s significantly better than Govt Lounges in North America, however perhaps not fairly as intensive as what you would possibly discover at accommodations in Asia.

Westin Brisbane – Pool

The Nautilus Pool is marketed as one of many fundamental options on the resort. At one finish of the pool is a swim-up bar, and there are lounge chairs dotted across the pool for lazing round within the solar.

You’ll additionally discover another seating areas close to the pool, together with outsized loungers, wicker chairs, and cabanas.

Near the cabanas is a full-sized chess board. 

Westin Brisbane – Different Amenities

On the bottom ground of the resort is The Charles, a cocktail jazz bar. The seating space spills over from the foyer lounge, and extends all the way in which to face the road. 

A curved backlit bar serves as the principle point of interest at The Charles, and it was definitely very pleasing to the attention with the completely different colored bottles glowing on the cabinets.

An Italian restaurant, Settimo, is ready to open in February 2023.

The spa can also be listed as one of many resort’s fundamental sights. Each time I popped in to take a look, there have been folks within the ready room or utilizing the steam room.

You may guide quite a lot of remedies on the spa, which has its personal separate web site.

The health centre is open across the clock, must you want to get a exercise in at any level all through the day or evening. You’ll discover the doorway on the identical degree because the pool.

Inside, there’s a spread of contemporary train gear, together with treadmills, bikes, elliptical machines, and weights.

Conclusion

The Westin Brisbane is a centrally positioned resort that largely caters to enterprise travellers, however could be a sensible choice for {couples} or households, too. It has nice Marriott Bonvoy redemption charges, particularly when the Govt Lounge advantages and all the resort’s services are thought of.

Our suite was very spacious, and would have made for a cushty keep if we had had extra time in Brisbane. The disagreeable odour in each of our rooms was unlucky, and it took away from our total impression of the resort.

My colleague Rachel didn’t report the identical difficulty together with her room, so I think about we might have simply been unfortunate.  

The Westin Brisbane could be an awesome property to contemplate if you happen to’re searching for a stability of worth and methods to leverage your standing in Brisbane.