Hotel Review
Art-hotel at Howard Smith Wharves, beneath the Story Bridge
From
$350
/night
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The Fantauzzo is unlike anything else in Brisbane , or most of Australia, frankly. An art-hotel built into the heritage-listed Howard Smith Wharves beneath the Story Bridge, with over 500 original works by Vincent Fantauzzo throughout. The location is extraordinary: river-level dining at Felons Brewing and Mr. Percival's, sandstone cliffs rising behind you, the Story Bridge overhead. Rooms are spacious and well-designed. The trade-off is isolation , you're not walkable to the CBD or South Bank without a steep climb, and getting back at night requires a taxi or a determined uphill walk.
Entry rooms start at a generous 45sqm , bigger than most Brisbane luxury competitors. All rooms feature original Fantauzzo artworks, some with large-scale portrait murals. Bathrooms include freestanding bathtubs (a rarity in Brisbane hotels). River-view rooms face the Brisbane River and Kangaroo Point cliffs; cliff-view rooms look up at the sandstone face and Story Bridge. The art-hotel aesthetic means every room has personality , you won't find a generic beige box here.
Room Type | Size | From | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
Fantauzzo Room Most Popular | 45 sqm | $350 | Couples, art lovers |
River View Room | 45 sqm | $420 | River views, balcony |
Fantauzzo Suite | 70 sqm | $600 | Space, living area |
Penthouse | 110 sqm | $900 | Special occasions, panoramic views |
Howard Smith Wharves sits on the river at the base of the Story Bridge cliffs. The precinct was redeveloped from derelict heritage wharves in 2018 and includes restaurants, bars, and green space. It's beautiful and unique. The downside: you're at river level, and the CBD is 60 metres above you. Access is via a steep road, a lift to New Farm, or a taxi. The Valley is a 15-minute walk up the hill. South Bank is a $15 taxi. This is not a walkable-to-everything hotel.
Heated infinity pool with river and cliff views , genuinely special. Gym is compact but adequate. Day spa with treatment rooms. The wharves precinct is your extended amenity: Felons Brewing for craft beer, Mr. Percival's for waterside drinks, multiple restaurants, and riverside lawn space. Free heritage walking tours are worth doing.
On-site dining at the hotel restaurant serves contemporary Australian. But the real draw is Howard Smith Wharves itself: Felons Brewing (craft beer, wood-fired pizza), Mr. Percival's (waterside cocktails), Greca (Greek), ARC Dining (fine dining), and Stanley (modern Chinese). You could eat here for three days without repeating. For wider Brisbane dining, you'll need to leave the wharves.
Service is warm and personal , the Art Series hotel approach is more relaxed than Sofitel or Hilton formality. Staff are genuinely knowledgeable about the artworks and happy to give impromptu tours. Concierge helps with taxi logistics (important given the access situation). The personal touch works better here than corporate polish would.
At $350-500/night, The Fantauzzo is premium-priced for a non-branded hotel. The value case: 45sqm rooms (larger than The Calile's 32sqm entry), genuine art-gallery experience, unique location, pool. You're paying for something you literally can't get elsewhere. If art and location matter, it's good value. If you just need a bed near your meetings, Sofitel or Hilton deliver more practical value.