Spicers Balfour Hotel

Spicers Balfour Hotel is a traditional Queenslander converted into a sublime guesthouse/boutique hotel tucked away in a New Farm street and that is in a class of its own as far as Brisbane accommodation is concerned.

Over two levels there are nine exclusive guest suites furnished individually with a mix of vintage and designer décor, complemented with Italian bed linen, a Bose sound system, Nespresso machine and luxuriant toiletries.

While there is a charming little cache of bars, cafes and restaurants around the corner the guest amenities are designed to discourage venturing out, from the nightly drinks and canapés in the intimate upper level bar with its quintessential Brisbane skyscape of rusty 19th century cottage roofs and a back drop of the Story Bridge, to gourmet breakfast or a three course chef's dinner on the wrap around verandahs, in-house and a Spa treatment and massage.

When not in their rooms guests can relax in the cosy elegant library lounge with its stellar collection of books and magazines and help themselves to a drink from the bar, which operates on an honesty system.

As well, guests and outsiders with a reservation can dine in the top notch in-house restaurant The Balfour Kitchen which is open for breakfast, high tea and dinner on the verandah, inside or in the frangipani-scented courtyard.

Meanwhile nearby bars and reastaurants worth a visit include the art deco Gerties Bar, cosy Euro-style brasserie The Continental Cafe and Brisbane's best French patiiserie/boulangerie Chouquette.

And just up the road, the iconic New Farm Cinemas show current films from a retro setting and at yesteryear prices.

Need to know: There is off-street complimentary parking for guests to the rear of Spicers Balfour Hotel.