Brisbane is one of Australia’s oldest cities. This modern metropolis is home to a number of cultural institutions. You can spend hours exploring the Queensland Museum or the Gallery of Modern Art, all located in the cultural hub of South Bank.
If you are looking to escape the city but don’t want to travel too far, there are a number of places to reconnect with nature. Visit Mt. Coot-tha for breathtaking panoramic views of the city, or to take a stroll through the Brisbane Botanic Gardens.
After spending a lovely weekend in the heart of Brisbane, courtesy of Ovolo Hotels, here is our list of the best places to eat, drink and stay.
Stay
We spent an exceptional weekend at the Ovolo Inchcolm. This heritage listed building is home to an upscale, five-star boutique hotel that you will never want to check out of. Seriously, we can’t stress how incredible our weekend was!
The Ovolo Incholm features an art deco style that draws elements from eras all the way back to the 1920s. The elegant and unusual artwork, bespoke carpets, and unique artefacts make the ornate, boutique rooms look and feel luxurious.
There are a variety of rooms available from medium to extra-large rooms, a two-story loft, and a range of lavish suites.
Included in the lavish rooms are free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, free minibar (can you believe?!), as well as a complimentary continental breakfast the next morning. In addition to this, some rooms include an iPad, an Alexa virtual assistant, and a Nespresso machine. With all these amenities and inclusions, why would you ever need to leave?
Another advantage of the Ovolo Inchcolm is the perfect night’s sleep you will have during your stay. If you do manage to peel yourself out of the luxuriously comfortable bed the next morning, you are greeted downstairs in the quirky and beautifully designed dining room with a delicious breakfast. Fresh orange juice, muesli, and delicious coffee are just some of the things on offer for your complimentary breakfast.
The 1920s influence is seen throughout this boutique hotel, from the beautiful bar that doubles as a check-in desk, to the delightfully luxurious sitting area where you can kick back and enjoy a signature cocktail, or two.
Eat
The Ovolo Inchcolm has its own signature restaurant. Salon de Co has incorporated the influence of the roaring ’20s and crazy ‘40s into their design of an artistic and gourmet setting and menu.
It is the perfect place to meet with friends and family to indulge in gourmet food and wine. Their revolutionary menu has been curated by Anthony Hales, the head of the kitchen team at Salon de Co. Hales has travelled all over the globe. He uses the multicultural influences he has picked up along the way throughout his inventive and exquisite dishes. Salon de Co draws particular inspirations from the gastronomic culture of Korea and Japan.
We were treated to an extraordinary meal at Salon de Co during our stay at the Ovolo Inchcolm.
We began our meal with the daily bread and condiment, a seemingly simple sounding starter. However, from our first bite, we knew we were in for an amazing meal. When the bread is so impressive, you know the rest of the meal will knock it out of the park.
We sampled a wide range of small dishes that were so flavoursome and delicious. One of our favourites was an artichoke dish that had been kept overnight in mineral-rich vegetable soil. The artichokes were then washed and pan-fried to create flavours you didn’t know were possible.
Our meal was also accompanied by a beautiful 2013 Pinot Noir, recommended by the Ovolo’s expert staff.
Salon de Co has a stellar reputation. The restaurant won Best Fine Dining Restaurant 2017 from Restaurant and Caterers, and Chef of the Month from Expert Fresh. Anthony Hale was also a finalist in Appetite of Excellence.
Drink
During your stay, be sure to treat yourself in Ovolo Inchcolm’s 1920s-style bar. At the Salon de Co bar, you’ll find an array of whiskeys and signature cocktails, as well as your usual wines and beers.
We tried a variety of specialty cocktails while we enjoyed the complimentary happy hour. Each of the delicious drinks we tried was distinctly different and were a new flavour experience. A small sweet treat accompanied our martini based cocktails that perfectly complemented the flavours of the drink.
If you’re looking for the perfect place to get a drink in Brisbane, then look no further than the Salon de Co bar.
The Ovolo Inchcolm is the perfect destination for a luxurious and relaxing holiday in the beautiful city of Brisbane. We know we’ll be back!
This article has been created in collaboration with Ovolo Hotels
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