Fortitude Valley’s Hotel X Is The Spot
Sip, sleep, staycay
Picture this: it’s one of those gorgeous clear winter days that we adore in Brisbane. The temp is perfect and there’s not a cloud in the sky.
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My hubby and I arrived at the uber-chic Hotel X in Fortitude Valley – conveniently parking our car onsite and whizzed through their quick and easy check-in. We decided to drop our bags and head straight to the hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant, Iris, to make the most of the glorious day before we headed out to a family celebration. Perched high above bustling Brunswick Street, Iris offers breathtaking views of the valley, the city skyline, and the iconic Story Bridge. It was the perfect setting to kickstart our mini staycay.
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Iris Rooftop is one of my favourite places in Brisbane for drinks. I love the bar and the view and every time I’ve been there the crowd has been friendly and fun. It’s worth noting that Iris is another impressive offering from the Ghanem Group portfolio, known for popular venues Byblos, Blackbird Bar & Grill, and Donna Chang. My hubby’s first time here, he was impressed with the rooftop pool area and the outstanding views of the valley. The Spanish menu at Iris offers plenty of options with various tapas plates and larger dishes. We tucked into the PATATAS BRAVAS Sliced potatoes, baked + fried with pecorino, paprika, spicy sauce + saffron aioli, CHULETA DE CERDO Char-grilled pork cutlet w red pepper jam + rainbow chard braised in cider and BARRAMUNDI DE HINOJO CONFITADO Infinity Blue barramundi w confit fennel, mussels + saffron cream. Each dish was beautifully presented and tasty. As we had a busy afternoon planned, and not a lot of time to dine, it was so good not to have to venture out to find something decent to eat.
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Getting into staycay mode, I ordered a French Martini on ice and it was prepared exactly how I liked it. Sipping our drinks and taking in the view, we agreed that we could see ourselves back at Iris Rooftop later in the evening.
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Now, getting ready for our family event, we spent time getting to know our room – a fabulous King Junior Suite. The suite featured a spacious living/dining room and a balcony overlooking Brunswick Street. The bathroom was also well appointed with plenty of room for two people to get ready for a night out and full-size Karl Lagerfeld toiletries – a very stylish touch. Featuring smart room technology – motorised curtains, wifi, TV casting, a room service tablet, and smart lighting – it’s these touches that bring the X factor to Hotel X. I’m no tech geek but I admit that sometimes I don’t feel like talking to anyone, so simply placing an order on a tablet is right up my alley.
A delicious welcome treat awaited us also – a divine Basque Cheesecake from award-winning Agnes Bakery – effortlessly devoured by hubby.
Later that evening, returning from our event, we headed to the rooftop for a nightcap at Iris. The place was pumping and the crowd was fun. Knowing we could easily wander back to our room afterward was such a bonus. Honestly, if I can eat, party, and sleep all in one place, it’s a big tick for me.
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Smart lights out, the bed was simply bliss, and although situated in The Valley we heard nothing from the street below.
Breakfast at Bisou Bisou the next morning was a lovely start to the day! This French-inspired restaurant is located on the lobby level and offers a superb breakfast menu. The open kitchen lets you watch the chefs in action, and it’s clear they have a passion for serving great food. They whip up delicious items like Croques Monsieur and Madame, and loaded croissants like The Florentine (sautéed mushroom, caramelized onion, and spinach with Comte cheese). And of course, my hubby’s favourite was Le Grande. Read, Big Brekky. Having such a convenient breakfast option right there was the perfect way to round off our stay.
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Staying at Hotel X is easy. And I’m all for easy. Park the car, stay put, or explore. Eat, drink, and party on the premises, or venture into the restaurants and bars of James Street and The Valley. Hotel X offers all the options and convenience. And at the risk of sounding cliched, (Hotel) X does mark the spot for good food and top-notch service (and a mean French Martini).
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