StarwoodGuy: Four Points Brisbane

I left the Four Points Perth in an Uber and headed to the airport passing by the old casino which was now flanked by new towers and the train expansion to the airport which is coming in the next few years. The same Qantas Club located up an escalator was still there twenty years later, but I opted for the new Business Lounge first which is always a quieter space. I had a light breakfast before heading up to see the Qantas Club to relive my youth and then boarded the A330 service. The Qantas pods are virtually identical and the meals and service once again exquisite for a domestic flight. My James Bond marathon continued.

Upon arrival in Brisbane I had purchased my ticket in advance for the Airtrain so it was an easy jump onto the train and into town, then a short ten minute walk to the Four Points Brisbane. Again here I had hoped to try the upcoming Sheraton or Westin properties, but both were still under construction, much the same as Perth. The Four Points was in a very central location in the heart of town and only two blocks from the water and the botanic gardens. The room and its modern business efficiency was similar to the property in Perth.
I had not been to Brisbane in years, so I was excited to walk around after dropping my bags. The river is an amazing heart to the city with a beach constructed above the river banks making it seem as though you were staying in a resort right on the water. On one side of the river you have the casino, on the others theatre and restaurants, it is truly an amazing river locale, and reminiscent to me of Vancouver with modern skyscrapers reaching to the water's edge and the nature located there. They proudly advertise that the neighboring Gold Coast will be hosting the Commonwealth games in a little over a month.
The next morning I did a longer walk around and went through the botanic gardens, small in comparison to Sydney, Perth or Melbourne, but in a wonderful location a few blocks from the hotel and again right on the river with mangroves right along the river's edge.
Brisbane is an amazing city. Sometime- and in my case- it is just a gateway to either the sleepier Sunshine Coast to the North of the city or the more lively Gold Coast to the South, but it is definitely worth a visit. The Four Points was inexpensive and again modern and business efficient. Highly recommended.