First impressions are critical when you arrive at a hotel and the impact the Pullman Brisbane Airport hotel makes is arousing – literally. But not as you’re thinking right now! On entering the calm lobby adjacent to the busy airport, you soon detect a subtle, soothing aroma that fills the senses. It’s called ‘Arousing’ – a warm, sensual and alluring scent blending sandalwood, amber, cardamom and saffron that the hotel diffuses into the air at reception to welcome guests.
It works a treat – multi-sensory marketing at its best. Even the most harried traveller would calm down when they arrive in this space. And isn’t that what an airport hotel should be – a restful, soothing haven severed from the busyness of air travel?
Sadly, my stay in this luxe, peaceful sanctuary is short but still very rewarding – I dare not say arousing (lol). I am at the Pullman Brisbane Airport to test their $185 ‘Day Stay and Refresh Package’ that provides day use of a room for up to eight hours from 9-5pm, use of the gym, pool and business centre and free Wi-Fi.
It’s an excellent concept, also available at other hotels around Australia, and allows anyone on the go to enjoy a few hours of respite in a deluxe space where they can reset, relax, replenish and rejuvenate. Day use guests might be travellers before or after they fly, or in between flights, or like me – getting off a cruise ship at Brisbane’s International Cruise Terminal near the airport in the morning with some time to kill before an afternoon flight back home. Or it could be anyone from anywhere – leisure or business guests, a couple or solos – seeking to live it up for the day somewhere sumptuous – with an enticing aroma!
About the Hotel
Opened in late 2017 and just a 10-min undercover walk from the Domestic Terminal, the Pullman Brisbane Airport is the only five-star hotel in the Brisbane Airport precinct. There’s an Ibis next door and a Novotel near the International Terminal. The architecturally designed Pullman Brisbane Airport offers a luxury, de-stressing escape with 132 deluxe rooms, a restaurant and bar, resort-type pool, gym and meeting facilities.
The hotel is not only for air travellers. It’s also an ideal base for close access to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, the Eagle Farm and Doomben Racecourses and nearby industrial and business areas, and it’s a quick train ride or drive from the Brisbane CBD and close to motorways leading to the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.
Complementing the ‘arousing’ scent in the lobby is striking artwork by Sydney artist Kristie Stenning who tailor made an eye-catching painting for the lobby called ‘Elissa’, which is derived from the ancient Greek word meaning ‘wanderer’. The warm, golden palette reflects the Queensland climate. An elegant and intimate bar entices nearby with a beautiful dining room beyond, which all overlook a sensational, resort-like pool, fringed by beckoning daybeds, lush greenery and an excellent 20m lap annexe for more serious swimmers (many hotel pools are freeform in shape and don’t allow for practical laps so this design here is inspired, pleasing everybody).
There’s a compact but perfectly adequate gym in the basement although phone reception there is sketchy but that meant my workout was focused and free from distraction. Maybe it’s that way on purpose!
The lifts are snazzy not only because they hug the exterior of the 10-storey hotel with sweeping views over the airport and surrounds but because of the salaciously sounding, female lift voice – a refreshing change from the cold, robotic tones you often hear. And the rooms and restaurant are brilliant – but more on that below.…
The hotel was also voted the best airport hotel in Australia/South Pacific in 2019, 2022 and 2023 and the sixth best airport hotel in the world in 2022 at the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards – the ‘Oscars’ of aviation. Notable credentials!
The Rooms
I was assigned a Superior King room – a luxe and expansive room with vistas over the airport and city and a super comfortable featherbed for my 193cm frame. Free cold spring water in the fridge was a welcome touch as were lots and lots of coffee and tea sachets and milk (instead of the measly two or so many hotels provide). And the drenching rainshower was fantastic. The hotel has 112 of these rooms. An extra 12 Deluxe Executive rooms, six Junior Suites and two Executive Suites come with access to the top floor Executive Club Lounge.
The Dining
I enjoyed a fabulous lunch at the hotel’s sumptuous and cleverly named Apron Restaurant which focuses on bespoke produce sourced mainly from the ‘apron’ of south-east QLD, including nearby micro-farms and small suppliers. Executive Chef Marco Lodigiani and Senior Sous Chef Sara Lee both introduced themselves and I feasted on mouth-watering macadamia-crumbed Humpty Doo barramundi ($48) and spiced cauliflower ($22) as well as airy views across the pool terrace. An in-house sommelier has collated a list of wines to accompany each dish as well. It was obvious Restaurant Manager Sudan Bir Bajracharya has perfected the art of warm, attentive and intuitive service, which made my speed lunch that much more enjoyable.
You can dine a la carte or there’s a set menu for $68 (two courses) or $85 (three courses) There’s a full vegan menu also.
Frequent Traveller
ALL – Accor Live Limitless – is Accor’s free loyalty program which allows you to earn and redeem points for stays and receive exclusive discounts and other benefits.
Meetings and Conferences
Adjacent to the hotel is the Brisbane Airport Conference Centre which offers a ballroom, seven conference rooms, four boardrooms and open-air terrace.
Hot Tips
Maximise your day stay by spending as much of the day here is possible. Enjoy it all – do a bit of work and enjoy some down time at the pool and bar and ensure you indulge in lunch – the food and service are sensational. Request a higher floor if possible for the great views. But don’t forget to leave at least 10 mins for the walk back to the terminal. Shuttles etc are available to the terminal if needed. Onsite parking is avail for $40 a day.
Bottom line – I thoroughly enjoyed my few hours here between my cruise ship and flight home. I could have just waited in transit for half the day, scrolling, bored, uncomfortable and buying over-priced airport coffee but here I could have my own space for the day, stretch, work out, swim, shower, unwind, nap and indulge in one of the best lunches I’ve ever had. And the service from everyone was impeccable. What a treat!
* The day use package is priced at $185 per room (check for latest rates).
The Details
ADDRESS: 2 Dryandra Rd, Brisbane Airport, 4008
PHONE: + 61 7 3188 7300
EMAIL: h9559@accor.com
WEBSITE: www.pullmanba.com.au
Disclaimer: The writer, Andrew Mevissen, stayed as a guest of Accor – Pullman Brisbane Airport.
