Crystalbrook Vincent – Hotel Review

Brisbane isn’t exactly known for its views. You’ll wonder why when admiring the scenery from the infinity pool of Crystalbrook Vincent, a hotel that puts sustainability firmly at the forefront. Read on for the full review.

The former Art Series hotel, which still proudly hosts almost 500 prints of Vincent Fantauzzo’s work in guest rooms, hallways and common areas, doesn’t do minimalism. There are velvet chairs in jewel green tones, rich colour in the many hyper-real portrait prints and even a puzzle-piece exterior that glints reflections of the surrounding industrial Howard Street Wharves. This hotel has personality and, thanks to clever, eco-friendly selections spanning recycled coat hangers and TerraCycle-bound coffee pods, it’s got heart, too.

Where is Crystalbrook Vincent? 

Practically within spitting distance of Brisbane’s Story Bridge, in the Howard Smith Wharves precinct just east of the CBD. It’s about six minutes by car to the centre of the city and about 20 minutes’ drive from Brisbane Airport. 

What’s near Crystalbrook Vincent?

The hotel is technically part of Howard Smith Wharves, a sprawling riverside dining district that deftly weaves its industrial past into its interiors. That means guests are within strolling distance of everything from spritz-spruiking bars to an umbrella-canopy-fronted gelateria, all with blue-ribbon views of the Brisbane River.  Fortitude Valley, the city’s coffee-drinking, boutique-trawling hub, is also less than 15 minutes away by foot.

Room types 

Outlooks vary at Crystalbrook Vincent, with some rooms facing those up-close bridge and river scenes and others looking directly onto the ferned nature wall that fringes the exterior. Inside, there’s a Nespresso machine with recyclable pods, toothbrushes fashioned from cornstarch and cotton bathrobes on recycled paper coathangers. The neutral toned bathrooms (earthy grey, sand and cream) offer a respite from pops of colour on the walls of the hotel. For art lovers there are coffee-table art books sprinkled around and splashy soft furnishings.

Restaurants and bars 

If the Howard Wharves Precinct feels too far to go for a feed (NB: it’s not), there are two on-site eateries. Fiume Rooftop Bar (fiume means river in Italian) is a buzzy spot on the terrace that takes in those incredible river views . The inventive menu leans Italian. Ever had a burger with guanciale and fig relish? 

At Mews, menus are locally- led and sourced, specifically from south-east Queensland. Diners could find anything from Sunshine Coast zucchini flowers to Gold Coast yellowfin tuna on their plates, paired with a selection of sustainable, small-batch producers from around Australia.

Travel for work

There are three event spaces on-site, each with their own alfresco area for vitamin D breaks. In addition to all the tick-box AV equipment, catering and art curators (yes, really) can be organised on request.

Pool and gym

Prepare to be perpetually photographing the rooftop pool, a heated retreat set close to the grandeur of the Story Bridge. There’s a small gathering of sun loungers at its edges, too. For a harder form of exercise, there’s a moody, respectably sized black-walled gym.

Sustainability

Adhering to a holistic “responsible luxury” approach, produce can only be sourced within three hours of the property and the team makes a conscious effort to reduce waste by using the entire ingredient. Ingredients from First Nations producers are used where possible. 

What you need to know

The hotel keeps a troupe of cute Lekker bikes on hand for complimentary two-wheeled jaunts around town.

SEE ALSO: The Best Hotels in Brisbane City (For Every Type of Traveller)