Arts And Culture: We Enjoyed A Lavish Staycation In Brissy’s CBD

For the art lover

By Penelope Pelecas | 6th March 2023

Think the perfect staycay doesn’t exist? Think again, because W Brisbane has teamed up with QAGOMA to offer the ultimate travel package in celebration of their latest exhibition ‘Air’ and you don’t want to miss it.

I recently had the pleasure of enjoying this one-of-a-kind experience, and it was exactly what the doctor ordered after a few busy weeks. Even if you’re not quite the art connoisseur, this is the perfect staycation for those looking for an excuse to escape.

Once my husband and I pulled into the W Brisbane valet parking, I knew we were in for a treat – from the light-up ‘W’ out the front to the valet team eagerly awaiting our arrival, and the refreshment waiting for us at the check-in counter.

Once we checked in, we dumped our bags in our room (picture a sleek, contemporary fit-out with eclectic custom furnishings and interiors inspired by our River City) and made our way over to QAGOMA to check out the exhibition – boy oh boy were we impressed. From Mona Hatoum’s large-scale globe to Ron Mueck’s In Bed sculpture, there were plenty of mesmerising artworks to get lost in. However, a stand out for me was the ‘Black Cloud’ installation by renowned Mexican artist Carlos Amorales. Did you know the room is covered in 30,000 individual laser-cut paper butterflies and moths?

After perusing the sights, we headed back to the W for a quick outfit change before heading to Phoenix at Brisbane Quarter for dinner. The modern Chinese fare exceeded our expectations with dishes such as Peking duck pancakes, stir-fry broccolini, wagyu striploin, and lobster tail in black pepper garlic butter sauce with e-fu noodles (it tastes as good as it sounds!). By the end of dinner, we were well and truly full, but we managed to sneak in one last yummy dish: Year of the Rabbit coconut jelly, which was made up of mango pancakes filled with ice-cream and the cutest coconut jelly in the shape of a rabbit – how could we not?

After dinner, we explored Brisbane Quarter a little more (the cherry blossom tree is a must-see) before ending the night at the effortlessly glam Living Room Bar back at W Brisbane.

Before departing the next morning (and after a rare sleep in), we enjoyed a buffet breakfast at Three Blue Ducks – honestly, if you haven’t been before, please do as the views are stunning! I tucked into a Danish or two before loading up on fruit. Good food, spectacular river views, and great company; it was the perfect end to the perfect weekend away.

The W Brisbane x QAGOMA travel package is available until 23 April. Book here.

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