Emporium Hotel South Bank is a five-star boutique property at 267 Grey Street in Brisbane’s cultural precinct. It earned the top spot in the 2026 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Hotels for Australia and the South Pacific, according to Travel Weekly Australia. This guide covers the hotel’s dress code, ownership, dining, and verified guest data so you can decide whether it fits your trip.

Last checked: 2026-07-01

Property type: 5-star boutique hotel · Total suites: 143 · Nearest landmark: South Bank Parklands (1,312 ft) · Styling vibe: Luxe and stylish (Michelin Guide)

Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane: Complete Guide & Review

How we researched this

Last checked: June 2025.

Sources reviewed: official property website, Tripadvisor listing, Booking.com listing, OpenTable restaurant profiles, Michelin Guide, CDI Lawyers construction documentation, Travel Weekly Australia, Concrete Playground, Audley Travel, Brisbane Travel Guide, The Hotel Collections.

No on-site visit or staff interview was conducted. Nightly price ranges were not independently verified.

Snapshot: Key facts about Emporium Hotel South Bank

Snapshot facts: Emporium Hotel South Bank

Attribute	Detail
Property type	5-star boutique hotel
Total suites	143
Nearest landmark	South Bank Parklands (1,312 ft)
Styling vibe	Luxe and stylish (Michelin Guide)

What is the Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane?

Emporium Hotel South Bank is a five-star boutique hotel located at 267 Grey Street, South Brisbane, directly in the South Bank cultural precinct. It opened in 2018 as the second outpost of the Emporium brand, which launched in 2007 with the original Emporium Hotel Fortitude Valley — Queensland’s first luxury boutique hotel, per the general manager in an interview with Adventures All Around. The property includes 143 suites, a heated rooftop pool with cabanas, a full-service spa, multiple dining venues, and a 24-hour gym. Audley Travel describes it as within walking distance of the Brisbane Exhibition Centre, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), and the South Bank Parklands. The pattern: the hotel competes directly with other Brisbane luxury properties like W Brisbane and The Calile, but its boutique orientation and award trajectory — #1 in Australia and South Pacific per the 2026 Tripadvisor Best of the Best — distinguish it in the segment.

What is the dress code for Emporium South Bank?

The hotel does not enforce a strict formal dress code across all public areas, but smart casual attire is recommended in the restaurant and bar venues — particularly at The Terrace rooftop restaurant and Belle Epoque. OpenTable reviews for The Terrace describe the ambience as “energetic,” and the venue’s retractable glass roof and open-air balcony align with a polished-casual expectation. Multiple review snippets indicate that shorts and thongs (flip-flops) are not typical in the main dining areas during evening service, though the rooftop pool deck permits swimwear. The bottom line: pack a collared shirt or dress for dinner at The Terrace or Belle Epoque; daytime poolside wear is relaxed.

Who owns the Emporium Hotel?

Emporium Hotel South Bank is owned and developed by the Anthony John Group, a Brisbane-based property and hospitality firm. CDI Lawyers, which prepared construction documentation for the hotel, reported the firm’s involvement in a statement congratulating the group on the 2026 Tripadvisor award. The Anthony John Group also operates Emporium Hotel Fortitude Valley, the brand’s original 2007 property at 1000 Ann Street, and is involved in broader mixed-use developments across the city. General Manager Charles Martin has publicly noted that the South Bank property was conceived as a higher-density, design-forward successor to the Valley original.

Emporium Hotel South Bank: Detailed specifications

Category	Detail
Address	267 Grey Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101
Classification	5-star boutique hotel
Year opened	2018 (original Fortitude Valley hotel opened 2007)
Number of suites	143
Ownership group	Anthony John Group
Notable award	Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best 2026 — 1st Australia & South Pacific, 21st World
Rooftop dining	The Terrace (OpenTable: 4.6/5)
High tea venue	Belle Epoque (OpenTable: 4.4/5)
Nearest transit	South Bank Station (adjacent)

Does Emporium South Bank have a breakfast buffet?

Belle Epoque operates as the primary breakfast venue at Emporium Hotel South Bank. OpenTable reviews for Belle Epoque mention a “Native High Tea” as a signature offering, and general guest feedback on Tripadvisor references a la carte breakfast options with an emphasis on local ingredients. The Terrace also serves breakfast from 6:30 am on weekends per its OpenTable posted hours. For travelers wanting a dedicated buffet setup, properties such as the W Brisbane or the Sofitel Brisbane Central are referenced in cross-source review patterns.

Where do celebrities stay in Brisbane?

Emporium Hotel South Bank has been cited as a frequent choice for visiting celebrities and high-profile travellers in Brisbane. Multiple editorial sources — including The Hotel Collections and Concrete Playground — note the property’s design-forward aesthetic, penthouse suites, and elevated privacy as features attractive to public figures. The 2026 Tripadvisor Best of the Best ranking also correlates with a global profile: ranking 21st worldwide places the hotel alongside internationally recognised luxury properties. Audley Travel’s accommodation description adds that “from location to views and attention to detail, Emporium South Bank leaves their guests completely satisfied,” which aligns with the service expectations of high-net-worth travellers.

“The best view in Brisbane.” — Charles Martin, General Manager, Emporium Hotel South Bank (Adventures All Around)

What hotel has the best buffet breakfast?

Based on guest review data, Emporium Hotel South Bank is better known for a la carte breakfast and high tea than a dedicated buffet. If buffet breakfast is the deciding factor, properties such as the W Brisbane or the Sofitel Brisbane Central are more consistently associated with extensive buffet setups in verified review data. For guests prioritising a la carte quality and venue atmosphere, Emporium’s Belle Epoque (rated 4.4/5 on OpenTable) and The Terrace (4.6/5) offer strong alternatives.

Can I go to the casino wearing shorts?

Emporium Hotel South Bank does not have an on-site casino; the nearest casino is The Star Brisbane, located approximately 1.5 km (0.9 miles) away in the city centre. The hotel’s dress code policies apply only to its own venues. OpenTable and Tripadvisor data indicate that The Terrace and Belle Epoque expect smart casual attire during dinner service, but there are no written prohibitions on shorts during daytime hours.

What are Emporium Hotel South Bank prices?

Nightly rates at Emporium Hotel South Bank vary by season, room category, and booking window. The property is consistently positioned in the luxury band of Brisbane accommodation. Without verified current pricing from official channels, specific figures cannot be stated. The trade-off: readers in the research stage should use the hotel’s direct booking site or a platform like Booking.com to compare live rates against competitors like The Calile and W Brisbane.

What do Emporium Hotel South Bank reviews say?

Tripadvisor sub-ratings from 1,374 reviews give the following breakdown: Location 5.0, Rooms 4.9, Cleanliness 4.9, Sleep Quality 4.9, Service 4.8, Value 4.7. Positive reviews consistently praise the rooftop pool, staff professionalism, and river views. Minor criticisms include limited gym equipment and energetic noise levels at The Terrace during peak hours. OpenTable data confirms The Terrace’s noise level as “energetic” — a detail for guests seeking a quieter dinner environment. The pattern: the hotel scores highest on tangible, asset-based metrics (location, rooms, cleanliness) and slightly lower on value, which is consistent with luxury positioning in a competitive market.

What needs verifying

Tripadvisor lists the overall guest rating as 4.8/5 from 1,374 reviews, with the hotel ranking #1 of 163 Brisbane hotels. The location sub-rating is 5.0/5, with South Bank Parklands 1,312 ft (400 m) away. OpenTable diners rate The Terrace rooftop venue 4.6/5 overall (Food 4.5, Service 4.6, Ambience 4.6, Value 4.4). These data points come from user-generated review platforms and should be cross-checked with the official property site for the most current information.

Pros and cons at a glance

• Pros: Tripadvisor #1 ranking in Brisbane (4.8/5), 5.0 location score, 143 suites with luxury finishes, rooftop pool and bar with retractable roof, Michelin Guide recommended, Anthony John Group ownership ensures consistent quality.
• Cons: Limited gym equipment noted by some guests, energetic noise levels at The Terrace, value rating of 4.7/5 is the lowest sub-score, no on-site casino or extensive event space data published.

Best for segments: who should choose Emporium Hotel South Bank

• Luxury travelers: 5-star boutique classification, Michelin Guide recommended, 2026 Tripadvisor Best of the Best — aligns with high-spend expectations.
• Couples: Brisbane Travel Guide frames the hotel as “ideal for romantic escapes,” citing the rooftop pool and spa.
• Business travelers: Audley Travel highlights proximity to Brisbane Exhibition Centre and QPAC. Room sub-rating of 4.9 suggests consistent work-friendly quality.
• Foodies: The Terrace (4.6/5) and Belle Epoque (4.4/5) provide two distinct dining experiences, including the Native High Tea.

Pricing band: what to expect

Emporium Hotel South Bank operates in the upper echelon of Brisbane’s accommodation market. While exact nightly rates fluctuate, the hotel’s consistent 5-star designation, 143-suite boutique scale, and central South Bank location place its typical pricing alongside other luxury options such as the W Brisbane and The Calile. Booking through the official Emporium Hotels website may include package upgrades. The catch: without dynamic rate data, guests should cross-reference multiple platforms to ensure competitive pricing.

Location and getting there

Emporium Hotel South Bank sits at 267 Grey Street, at the corner of Tribune and Grey Street, in the South Bank precinct. South Bank Station is adjacent, providing direct train access to Brisbane Airport (approximately 20 minutes). The hotel is 1,312 ft (400 m) from South Bank Parklands, within walking distance of the Queensland Art Gallery, QPAC, and the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. OpenTable lists the address for The Terrace as “267 Grey Street, South Bank (corner of Tribune and Grey Street),” confirming the exact street corner. Parking: the hotel does not prominently advertise on-site parking; guests often use the South Bank public parking complex or the nearby Brisbane Convention Centre car park.

Alternatives in the set

Property	Number of suites	Location	Unique selling point
Emporium Hotel South Bank	143	South Bank precinct, 267 Grey Street	Tripadvisor #1 in Australia & South Pacific 2026
Emporium Hotel Fortitude Valley	Not verified from inputs	1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley	Original 2007 boutique hotel, Queensland’s first luxury boutique property

Our pick: who should book Emporium Hotel South Bank

For luxury travelers and couples seeking a design-forward boutique experience with verified guest satisfaction (4.8/5 overall, 5.0 location score), Emporium Hotel South Bank is a compelling choice. The 2026 Tripadvisor Best of the Best ranking — 1st in Australia and South Pacific, 21st globally — provides independent validation of the property’s service and facilities. For food-focused guests, the combination of The Terrace (4.6/5 OpenTable) and Belle Epoque (4.4/5) offers two strong dining options without leaving the building. Business travellers will appreciate the Exhibition Centre proximity and consistent room quality ratings. The trade-off: if an extensive gym or lower ambient noise at dinner is essential, alternatives like the W Brisbane may be worth comparing. But for a South Bank-centric stay where boutique scale and award pedigree align, Emporium Hotel South Bank delivers the strongest data-backed case in Brisbane’s luxury segment.

Related reading: Best Brisbane CBD Hotels for Every Traveler (2026 Guide) · Hotels Brisbane: CBD, Airport & Valley Guide 2026

Frequently asked questions

Does Emporium South Bank have a breakfast buffet?

Belle Epoque serves a la carte breakfast and a Native High Tea. The Terrace offers breakfast from 6:30 am on weekends per OpenTable posted hours. The hotel does not list a standard buffet setup in current verified sources.

Where do celebrities stay in Brisbane?

Editorial sources including The Hotel Collections and Concrete Playground identify Emporium Hotel South Bank as a preferred choice for high-profile visitors, supported by its boutique scale, penthouse suites, and 2026 Tripadvisor world ranking of 21st.

What hotel has the best buffet breakfast?

For buffet breakfast, W Brisbane and Sofitel Brisbane Central are referenced in cross-source review patterns. Emporium Hotel South Bank focuses on a la carte dining at Belle Epoque and The Terrace.

Can I go to the casino wearing shorts?

Emporium Hotel South Bank has no on-site casino. The Star Brisbane is 1.5 km away. The hotel’s dining venues ask for smart casual during dinner; daytime shorts are accepted.

What are Emporium Hotel South Bank prices?

Nightly rates are in the luxury band. Verified current pricing is not available from inputs; guests should compare live rates on the official site and Booking.com.

What do Emporium Hotel South Bank reviews say?

Tripadvisor sub-ratings: Location 5.0, Rooms 4.9, Cleanliness 4.9, Sleep 4.9, Service 4.8, Value 4.7. Positive feedback highlights the rooftop pool and staff; limited gym equipment and Terrace noise are noted downsides.

This article references data from Tripadvisor, OpenTable, Travel Weekly Australia, Concrete Playground, Audley Travel, CDI Lawyers, Adventures All Around, The Hotel Collections, Brisbane Travel Guide, and the official Emporium Hotels website. All ratings and rankings current as of June 2025.