ibis Brisbane

Rooms and decor

This is the boutique that used to wear a budget-chain badge. After the rebrand, the roughly 212 rooms lean into a retro look — deep navy walls and artwork by Queensland artists give each corner something worth photographing. Every room has air-con, a work desk, premium bedding, and an en-suite. The point of staying here is character: it no longer feels like an interchangeable chain room, and that's exactly why we'd send a couple or a design-minded traveler this way. Guests consistently note the rooms feel quieter and more considered than the price tier usually delivers.

Food and amenities

Two of the best reasons to book are downstairs. Izakaya Publico is a proper Japanese restaurant, and 1603 is a speakeasy-style bar that's a genuinely good spot for an evening drink without stepping outside. Round that out with 24-hour room service, a buffet breakfast, a gym, and a 24-hour reception desk, and the day-to-day basics are covered. Real guests land it at about 8.9/10 across 204 reviews — strong for a 4-star in this bracket.

Location and getting there

The hotel is at 27–35 Turbot Street, on the western edge of the CBD. It's about a 6–7 minute walk to Queen Street Mall and roughly 250 metres to the Brisbane Quarter dining and bar precinct, so you're close to the action without paying for a room right on the mall. For the airport, the Airtrain runs from Central and Roma Street stations, and Brisbane Airport sits roughly 14–22 km out depending on the route.

Things to know before booking

The big one: this property was rebranded by IHG as Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre. It's the same building and address — not a closure — but some booking sites still show both names, so match the 27–35 Turbot Street address before you pay to avoid booking a different listing. Two smaller catches: it's on the western edge of the CBD, a few minutes farther from the shopping core than mall-front hotels, and parking is an extra paid add-on rather than included.

Our take

ibis Brisbane — now Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre — is for couples and travelers who'd take design and a story over a uniform chain room. With a real izakaya, a speakeasy bar, and an 8.9 guest score steps from the city's best shopping, it punches above its 4-star label. Just book the right name and confirm the Turbot Street address, and you've got one of the more distinctive central stays in Brisbane.