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New W Brisbane has distinct Queensland identity

W Brisbane opened recently, marking the re-entry of the playfully luxurious international hotel brand into Australia. Sitting on the banks of the Brisbane River, the hotel design took inspiration from the site with its overarching theme A River Dreaming developed by interior designer Nic Graham and Associates in collaboration with the multidisciplinary design studio Studio Ongarato.

W Brisbane
W Brisbane

“Our first narrative-led hotel was for the W Hong Kong back in 2010. Using narrative at that time was uncommon. It successfully injected greater vibrancy into the brand and rewrote the rulebook for narrative-led hotel design. It offers a world within a world for experience hunters but ultimately it aims to engage, delight and transport,” says Studio Ongarato co-founder Fabio Ongarato.

Reception
Reception

And delight it certainly does, if the Instagram-ometer is anything to go by where the hotel spaces have received saturation coverage of late. “For W Brisbane we looked at the W brand DNA, which is bold, witty and shows a lust for life,” says Fabio.

Bar
Bar

“It’s a visual feast – gone are the beige and bull-nosed interiors of the past; design is at every corner. When it came to approaching W Brisbane, the W DNA was easy to weave in with the free and easy Aussie attitude. We’ve embraced colour, colonial heritage, modernity, ethnic and indigenous roots, a Brisvegas attitude and a sense of humour,” says Nic Graham.

Bar detail
Bar detail

A River Dreaming pays respect to the Dreaming of the Turrbal people, which sees the river as the giver of life. “The river banks and swamps supported many communities, including the early settlers, becoming the source of life and the place of many gatherings. The main idea behind the design was to create a place on the riverbank where gatherings will form, and city stories and legends will be created,” says Nic.

Hallway
Hallway

“The ebbs and flows of the Brisbane River are evident in the curved designed features, namely in the bar and restaurant joinery and even subtly in the ballroom carpet. The river reeds, tidal markers, earthy river banks and the ambient life that it supports, are all evident in the choice of materials and finishes, along with the staircase being lined in reeds and sticks. These earthy, somewhat native and organic features that celebrate the physical location, are in contrast with the W brand story that taps into the heartbeat of the city,” says Nic.

Bedroom
Bedroom

As for his favourite part, Nic cites the pool area. “I’m thrilled with the pool area as we designed a very bold ceiling and pool interior to complement its undercover location – the mix of bold colours and patterns in the public spaces is our signature style,” says Nic.

Pool
The ah-mazing pool

The first five star hotel to open in Brisbane in 20 years, W Brisbane features 312 rooms with views over South Bank and west towards Mount Coot-tha, as well as dining, bar, pool, spa and yoga facilities. The hotel opened in June, with others scheduled to open in Melbourne and Sydney over the next two years.

The wet deck
The wet deck

Book your stay | Fabio Ongarato Design | Nic Graham & Associates

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QT luxury suites come to Bondi

As the Sydney summer reaches its peak (although you wouldn’t know it by the current weather!), QT Hotels & Resorts brings 69 luxury guest suites to our most iconic beach.

The hotel embraces new technology, distinctive art and cutting edge design, while retaining the QT chain’s distinctive sense of quirk and unique design philosophy. With the interiors designed by Nic Graham, and artworks provided by artist Shaun Gladwell, QT Bondi boasts a fresh palette of optic white set against the pop of gelato pastels, with limed timber detailing adding a playful, beachside edge. Adding to the playful vibe is the hospitality attire, created by renowned costume designer Janet Hine.

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“Shaun Gladwell draws extensively on the intense physical energy of the local context, blending kinetic movement with the landscape to evoke a brooding almost calming and still sense of romance,” said QT Hotels & Resorts art curator Amanda Love. “This provides a fascinating juxtaposition against the almost extreme sport experience to be enjoyed, providing a thoughtfully measured perspective that truly connects with the Bondi landscape.”

QT Bondi is part of the Pacific Bondi development, which encompasses residential apartments and a plethora of retail and restaurant offerings with water glimpses. Take some time out to enjoy the Bondi lifestyle experience.