Not To Be Dramatic, But This Mother-Daughter Staycation Wins Mother’s Day
Instant brownie points
By Kiri Johnston | 30th April 2026I’ll be honest, I’m usually a last-minute Mother’s Day person. Flowers, a pair of pyjamas, fish ‘n chips on the coast somewhere, it’s generally pretty chill. But after doing a mother-daughter staycation at Emporium Hotel South Bank with my mum, I’m not sure I can go back to that.
Switch up from the usual
My mum lives on the Gold Coast and I’m in Brisbane, so we often take turns hosting at each other’s places. We make the most of a sleepover with takeaway or dinners out. We work together, so it’s always a good time to catch up and hang out while having a break from work talk.
It’s easy and laidback. We’ll get ready together, share wardrobes, try on a few outfits each before settling on something simple (jeans and a blazer), pour a vino, and catch up on life, or talk about the most random sh*t. We always end up having a laugh, and I mean… a lot. I’m talking the kind of laughing where you go silent for a second because you almost can’t breathe. IYKYK.
We definitely have our moments where we drive each other mad. We’re too similar, but also complete opposites at the same time. But we get over it quickly, laugh it off, and move on. So this Mother’s Day, instead of doing our usual dinner-and-sleepover routine, we decided to turn it up a notch and book in a proper staycation.
Checking in and switching off
We checked into the five-star boutique hotel, Emporium South Bank, on a Wednesday night. We handed the keys over to the valet, and within two minutes, we’d clocked out of work mode and into hotel mode.
There’s something about arriving at a hotel, even one in your own city, that instantly puts you at ease. The lobby has that polished, luxury feel, and the team at reception are super helpful. Everything runs smoothly, the check-in process is quick and easy, and it really sets the tone for the rest of the stay.
The room and getting ready together
When we got to our room, the River City Twin Suite, we both had the same reaction: “Okay, this is really nice.” The room is spacious, modern, and comfortable, and almost a little too easy to slip into. It features soft tones throughout, gold touches that add to the luxury, mirrors that make the space feel open, and a view over the river that adds that extra wow factor.
We unpacked a bit and went straight into getting ready, which is always part of the experience for us. Outfits everywhere, trying things on, swapping pieces, redoing hair and makeup. It’s always a bit chaotic, but it’s one of the best parts. This time, it was the same routine, just in a better setting.
High tea at Belle Époque
We started the overnight experience with high tea at Belle Époque, home to artfully crafted pastries and famed high teas. It’s the perfect way to ease into the afternoon. We slipped down the lift and next door into the elevated French patisserie-style café. If you know us, you know we both love a high tea.
Then came the tiers. A mix of savoury bites and sweets, all freshly made, beautifully presented, and most importantly, delicious. We had the usual favourites: crust-free sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, quiches, and decadent desserts. Paired with a glass of bubbles and a pot of herbal tea, it made for an easy-going afternoon treat. The space is intimate and relaxed, and the best part is that it feels like you’re in a Parisian café, which happens to be both mine and my mum’s favourite city.
Sunset drinks at The Terrace
As the sun started to drop, we headed up to The Terrace for drinks. The view is the first thing you notice, right across the Brisbane River and the city, but it’s the overall feel that makes you want to stay longer than planned. It’s relaxed but still feels super elevated (literally). We ordered a round of French martinis, found a spot on the balcony, and settled in to watch the sunset. Not a bad hump day treat if you ask us.
A quick dinner at FIRMA
Dinner at FIRMA worked perfectly as a pre-show option, if you’re hitting up the theatre while in town. The space is warm and inviting, and the menu is elevated Italian done really well. It’s simply good food in a refined setting, and Italian is always a favourite of ours.
We shared a few dishes, including focaccia, caprese, and bruschetta… bellissimo. Had a glass of rosé, then we were off on our way to the next part of the night.
A night out, just steps away
After dinner, we made our way up the street to QPAC to see MJ The Musical. It’s a 10-minute walk, or less if you walk fast like us.
I grew up with Mum blasting Michael Jackson in the car and around the house, blaring at full volume, so I didn’t really have a choice but to get around it. Sitting there at the show, we couldn’t help but get into it. Moving and grooving, just vibing the live action, it was absolutely sensational. I think Mum enjoyed herself a little too much, as did I.
Slow mornings, done properly
After having a glorious all-night snooze in the big, comfy hotel beds that feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud. We rolled out of our almost-impossible-to-get-out-of beds and headed upstairs to The Terrace for breakfast on level 21.
We had above-average coffee and a proper, filling breakfast, which was divine, as we usually don’t have time for that. I went for avo toast (typical) while mum had eggs Benedict (also v typical).
After brekky, we popped over to the pool to check out the view. It’s a definite highlight of the hotel. You could easily spend the whole day here, dipping in and out of the pool, lying on the sun beds with a book, ordering a cheeky cocktail, or two.
Unfortunately for us, work was calling, so it was a quick visit before heading back to reality. Next time, we’ll stay longer, ideally for a sunset swim.
Why I’d recommend this for Mother’s Day
The hotel itself was great, but what stood out the most was the overall experience. Everything is seamless, from the moment you check in to the moment you leave. Nothing feels like a hassle, and that five-star experience comes through in every detail.
More than that, it was the time. Time to hang out properly, catch up, and just enjoy being together. Because mother-daughter time is like no other.
Which is why, coming into Mother’s Day, if you haven’t already made plans, this feels like a really easy option.
Yes, you can book a high tea. Emporium is offering Mother’s Day experiences across Belle Époque, FIRMA, The Reserve Wine Bar, and the lobby, so you’re spoilt for choice. But if you can turn it into an overnight stay, I would. We went in thinking it was a nice idea, and left thinking we need to do this more often.
