As soon as I told a friend I was planning a trip to Brisbane, the first thing she asked me was, “Are you staying at The Calile?”
At that point I wasn’t, but after a quick Google and Instagram search I made it my mission to call The Calile home for at least two nights during my stay.
Last year, the hotel was named the best in Oceania – and 12th best in the world – on the first-ever edition of the World’s 50 Best Hotels.
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Designed with nods to 1960 Palm Springs architecture, the Calile is a pastel dream, complete with a palm-tree-lined pool and on-theme bedrooms.
The location
You’ll find The Calile (pronounced Kal-Isle) on the James Street precinct in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. I wouldn’t call myself a Brisbane expert at all, but the first thing that came to mind when we approached the area was trendy.
James Street is lined with chic boutiques and cool bars that set the tone for the kind of stay you’ll have at The Calile.
Fancy a quick drink in the area or need a new designer outfit? They’re a stone’s throw away.
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Brisbane’s bustling Ann Street is just a short walk, and getting to the Story Bridge and up-and-coming Howard Smith Wharves riverfront takes just 15 minutes on foot. And it only takes about 20 minutes to get to Brisbane Airport by car.
The hotel
There’s a reason why so many people post about their Calile stay on Instagram — aesthetically it’s very pleasing, but in a chic, minimalist way. It’s a self-proclaimed “urban resort” that saves its best features for those lucky enough to stay as guests.
Its crown jewel is the ‘gram-worthy pool, which is lined with palm trees and cabanas that play up its tropical oasis feel.
When you’re there, it’s easy to forget you’re in the heart of Brisbane and surrounded by industrial buildings, even though there are only seven floors. Interestingly, for the privacy of other guests you’re actually not allowed to take photographs at the pool.
No luxury hotel would be complete without an in-house day spa and gym, and The Calile’s facilities (Forme Fitness for the gym, KAILO Wellness Medispa for all your ‘treat yourself’ needs) look top-notch. (Confession: I packed my activewear but it never left my suitcase.)
The entrance is surrounded by cool, Aussie designer boutiques that share the same aesthetic and vibe as the hotel, with their clean lines and minimalist storefronts — think brands like Venroy, Bec & Bridge and Dion Lee.
The Calile’s green initiatives are also worth a mention. These include a cute canvas tote bag in the room that you can use during your stay and water carafes that you can fill at water stations near the lifts. The rooms will also save energy by closing the blinds and turning off the lights and air-con while you’re out.
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The room
We stayed in the Poolside room, which means we had a lovely balcony that overlooked the pool. Colour-wise, it was pink pastel perfection, and a quick browse on the website reveals the City and Urban rooms have similar floor plans but are washed in green and blue respectively.
The room has all the usual amenities you’d expect, like a king-size bed (complete with pillow menu), an in-room bar and even a dining area.
It’s hard to explain the feeling I got when I walked into the room for the first time. You know how there are hotel rooms that take your breath away when you enter, and then gradually lose their shine?
Walking into this room was the opposite. I wasn’t overwhelmed by the room, but the more I took it in — the arch silhouettes, the oak cabinetry, the marble tiles — the more I liked it and appreciated how every design element complemented the others. It’s understated elegance and very well thought-out, from the gold accents to the light, linen robes that are perfect for Brisbane’s climate.
One thing that struck me about our room was there was no bath. I’m not a huge bath person but I do like to treat myself to one whenever I stay at a nice hotel. There are a few suites in The Calile with bathtubs but most guests will have to make do with the shower — and to be honest, I was obsessed with it.
The gold tapware feels super luxe and the water pressure is amazing. And the marble bench and pink tiles are so pretty you’ll want to spend more time in a hotel bathroom than you thought possible.
Drinking and dining
The Calile is home to several restaurants and bars that are definitely worth visiting if you have the time.
Greek restaurant Hellenika was one of my best meals in recent history — my only regret was going to a buffet earlier in the day so I didn’t have as much room as I’d like.
Hellenika also services the pool, so if you’re lounging around and craving a treat you’ll have access to a more elevated poolside feed, like zucchini chips.
The Lobby Bar is great for casual drinks before a night out, or breakfast and coffee during the day. The breakfast options are limited but the selection is varied enough to suit most tastes. And like most things at The Calile, the Lobby Bar is so darn good looking.
I can only imagine how many people get coffee here just for the ‘gram — marble tabletops do make for a pretty cappuccino backdrop.
Other dining options include a sushi room, a steak and oyster bar, and countless restaurants on Ada Lane just downstairs.
The verdict
If you’re after the anti-Brisvegas hotel, The Calile is what you want. There’s just enough to keep you occupied if you don’t want to venture far, and it’s the perfect place to come home to after a busy day — it really does feel like a sanctuary. And the rates are reasonable if you’re happy to forgo a poolside view.
The hotel also offers a ‘Friends of Calile’ program, which allows members to book direct and unlock exclusive offers and benefits.
The writer was a guest of The Calile Hotel Brisbane.