Hotel
The Calile Hotel
A resort-style design hotel on James Street by architects Richards and Spence, with a resort-style pool deck, day spa and Hellenika restaurant.
Crystalbrook Vincent
A five-star hotel at Howard Smith Wharves beneath the Story Bridge, with 166 rooms and suites, river views, Vincent Fantauzzo artworks and the Fiume rooftop bar.
At a glance
- Type
- Five-star art hotel
- Area
- Brisbane City (Howard Smith Wharves), Brisbane, Australia
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Hotel class
- 5-star
- Official site
- crystalbrookcollection.com
Good to know
- Rooftop pool and bar (Fiume)
- Mews restaurant
- River views
- One- and two-bedroom suites
- EarthCheck certified
Why we recommend it
Crystalbrook Vincent is the hotel at Howard Smith Wharves, the heritage-listed riverside precinct directly beneath the northern end of the Story Bridge. It describes itself as a five-star hotel and has 166 contemporary rooms and suites, including one- and two-bedroom options, many with views over the Brisbane River.
The hotel takes its name and much of its character from the Australian artist Vincent Fantauzzo. More than 500 of his prints and over 180 original artworks are displayed throughout the building, and the overall design is bold and contemporary. It belongs to the Crystalbrook Collection, which runs its hotels under a philosophy it calls responsible luxury; the Vincent is an EarthCheck Certified Partner and offers a Footprint Free Stays option for guests who want to reduce the environmental impact of their visit.
The hotel's food and drink sit within the wider precinct. Fiume is the rooftop bar, with a rooftop pool, and Mews serves laneway-style share plates. Beyond the hotel's own venues, guests are steps from the rest of Howard Smith Wharves, which includes Greca, Stanley, Felons Brewing Co. and several other bars and restaurants, so there is no shortage of choice for dinner.
The setting is the main reason to stay. The wharves were built from 1934 to 1942 as Depression-era relief work alongside the bridge, and the site's cliffs, air-raid shelters and river frontage give it a distinctive atmosphere, and the precinct was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1997. The Story Bridge Adventure Climb is based in the same precinct, so a dawn or twilight climb is an easy addition to a stay, and the precinct's ferry terminal links to the river network.
The hotel suits couples, food lovers and travellers who want to be close to both the river and the CBD. It is about a 20-minute drive from Brisbane Airport and within walking distance of the CBD, Eagle Street Pier and Kangaroo Point. The hotel's website has a dedicated parking page, and enquiries can be made through its online form; confirm check-in times when you book. Booking a river-view room is worthwhile given the location beneath the bridge.
Crystalbrook Vincent FAQs
Where is Crystalbrook Vincent?
At Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City, beneath the Story Bridge.
How many rooms does it have?
166 rooms and suites, including one- and two-bedroom options.
Is there a pool?
Yes. There is a rooftop pool at Fiume, the rooftop bar.
Why is it called Vincent?
After the Australian artist Vincent Fantauzzo, whose prints and original artworks are displayed throughout the hotel.
What restaurants are there?
Fiume rooftop bar and Mews, with many more venues in the Howard Smith Wharves precinct.
Is the hotel sustainable?
It is an EarthCheck Certified Partner and offers Footprint Free Stays.
How far is the airport?
About a 20-minute drive.
What is within walking distance?
The CBD, Eagle Street Pier and Kangaroo Point, as well as the Story Bridge Adventure Climb in the same precinct.