Hotel review: Punthill Brisbane

So I’ll cut to the chase. Here’s everything you need to know about a stay at Punthill Brisbane.

First impressions

The location

Situated in Spring Hill, you’re only two kilometres away from the heart of the CBD and a five minute walk from Central Station. Astor Terrace is relatively quiet one so you’re unlikely to have any concerns with street noise (it was actually the chirping birds that woke me – not so urban!)

Just next door is the Diamant Hotel, as road tested by lastminute lovely Erin. So popping next door to O Bar and Restaurant for breakfast/lunch/dinner/cocktails is an easy option.

If you want to venture slightly further, The Valley (that’s Fortitude Valley to non-locals) and its food and bar scene is close by.

The Apartment

Retiring back to a spacious room where creature comforts are taken care of at the end of a day at the office is a business travel deal-breaker and Punthill delivers the goods.

• The decor – Clean, fresh and modern with quirky touches including a bird motif throughout the room and the entire property.

• The bed – A king bed when you’re travelling solo is pure luxury. The chocolates on the bedside tables are a nice touch.

• The kitchen – Small but well equipped with a spacious fridge, stove top, microwave and dishwasher. Love the inclusion of items beyond the usual saucepan, frypan, toaster and kettle such as a grater and bread knife (boring yet practical!)

• The bathroom – On the small side, especially for an apartment, but more than fine for the solo traveller. Big ticks for the quality lighting (it’s the little things) and quality shower. While it might not be Monet, the artwork courtesy of Brisbane Central State School gives a nice burst of colour.

• The workspace – If duty calls, a simple desk set-up makes work easy (or can double as a spot for meals). Wi-fi access is available.

• The balcony – The view might not be magnificent but the option to let in some fresh air with a private balcony is always appreciated.

• Bikes – Need some wheels? Rock up to your meeting in style.

• Pool – The unheated outdoor pool would be welcome for a quick dip in summer (not so much mid-July!). There’s also a BBQ area to take advantage of.

• Gym – An outdoor gym is always a winner for me (case in point here). It’s pretty basic – one treadmill, one bike, a few weights and balance balls – but all you need assuming you can nab a machine. My only gripe was the opening hours: the 7am open time makes it tough to squeeze in a session before early meetings.

The staff

I can’t fault the staff who are friendly, approachable and helpful throughout my two night stay. Love the little touches like the weather forecast in reception.

Do you go for a hotel room or apartment when you travel for work?