Fun is guaranteed at an Art Series hotel. So I consider it a privilege to stay at my second in this series, this time at The Johnson in Brisbane.
Last time I looked, Brisbane was like a staid old aunt – a bit frumpy, bland coffee, and a general lack of excitement. So whoa, what has happened here? Brisbane has become cool – that’s what. To be fair, this is no overnight discovery – it has actually been offering a high quality visitors’ experience for a few years. But now that its first Art Series hotel, The Johnson, has opened in Spring Hill, the cool label can definitely be applied.
Spring Hill is adjacent to the CBD and a short five-minute walk from Brisbane’s Central Railway Station. This means, for those who arrive by air, that it’s super easy and inexpensive to catch the airport link train, a much better option than the $40-plus you’ll need for a cab.
It’s a great part of town with lots of cool cafés, restaurants and bars. Your room key at The Johnson comes folded in a handy map, with points of interest, including cafes, markets and galleries, clearly marked.
The Johnson is conveniently located close to many other major points of interest in Brisbane, including King George Square and the Museum of Brisbane. And don’t forget the great service offered free of charge by Brisbane’s City Greeters, the passionate volunteers who offer free guided tours of some truly memorable local attractions.
But back to The Johnson and why it’s such a handy base for your Brisbane getaway. What’s to like? A lot, including ambience, affordability and an amazing pool terrace where you can lounge for hours, soaking up the Queensland sun. But more of that later.
The Art Series hotels started in Melbourne, quickly spread to regional Victoria, and can now be found in Brisbane and Adelaide. They are named after iconic Australian artists whose body of work has contributed to our cultural heritage. Each hotel supports the style and ethos of its eponymous artists. In the case of Michael Johnson, this means bold colours, strong graphic lines and fun, fun, fun.
The Johnson is extremely generous space in spirit, size, and its value adds. My twin studio room is simply enormous – my only regret is that the husband and daughters aren’t here to share the luxury. Hallways, sofas, public areas are also large scale, so a sense of peace prevails, despite the riot of Johnson-esque colour.
And did I mention the pool? Located on the sixth floor, designed by Michael Klim, it’s the icing on the cake for those with the time to kick back after the shopping, sightseeing, wining and dining have palled.
This sapphire blue rectangle with city views and lounges for lolling, makes your city stay into an (almost) beach break. So don’t short-change yourself with just a one or two-night stay – go the full enchilada with a four or five-day midweek break and really enjoy the delights Brisbane has to offer.
The hotel’s restaurant, Tumbling Stone, fronts Boundary and Fortescue Streets. It’s a lively indoors/outdoors space with tumbling vegetation which creates a relaxed vibe, and where you can enjoy modern fusion cuisine and an innovative wine list. Breakfast is also served here. It’s inexpensive, and cheerful staff ensure a great start to your day.
Value adds, as mentioned, are generous – you can use the hotel’s smart car, borrow a blue Lekker bike or collapse into a sofa with a solid wall of art books and magazines to browse.
What more can I say? From as low as $180 per night, this really has to be the most colourful and fun hotel option that Brisbane has to offer.
If you don’t believe me, try it out for yourself.
We’ve even negotiated a special deal including breakfast just for you!
Special rates:
Try the Art Series Summer saver rate
$180 inclusive of breakfast in a Studio Suite Balcony
Valid until 31st March 2017
To redeem this exclusive YourLifeChoices’ rate, please visit thejohnson.com.au and enter YOURLIFE into the promo code section.
If you have any other queries, email reservations_johnson@artserieshotels.com.au
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