Wish you were here: James Street, Fortitude Valley Brisbane
Affectionately called Brisvegas or Brissie, these days the sunny city is every bit as hip as Melbourne and Sydney. Case in point: James Street in Fortitude Valley.
With a main street covered in lush tropical greens, winding laneways lined with restaurants, fashion and homewares boutiques and bars, it's tranquil and vibrant in equal measure - the perfect destination for a weekend getaway.
Just a hour’s drive from the Gold Coast or one-and-a-half-hour flight from Sydney, when roaming this precinct you’d be forgiven for thinking you were on the streets of Beverley Hills.
The best bit? It’s a very family friend destination too. Located only minutes from the downtown area (but miles away from downtown-ness), you can definitely entertain the children here too. However, I do suggest making some mum-and-dad-only time on one of the evenings and checking out a restaurant and bar (or two) sans the little ones.
The best places to stay, eat, and visit on James Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
Stay: The Calile Hotel
A mecca for drinking, dining, and designer shops, I fell head over heels for the pastel-hued, The Calile Hotel. With a gorgeous rooftop pool, luxe spa, fancy pants Greek restaurant and fab shop in the lobby, think Miami meets Mexico resort-style glamour.
Girl wears Willow Swim Sophia swimsuit in Peachy Gingham, $69
From peaches to pistachios, each room is decked out in sorbet shades with accents of brass and wood to add a sophisticated edge.
Children are very welcome, too, and babysitting can be arranged with a day’s notice at $35 per hour with three-hour minimum. The hotel can also provide cots and DVDs.
Shop: Explore the entire precinct
With zigzagging laneways lined with fabulous shops, I suggest just pounding the pavement and exploring every nook and cranny.
A fashion mecca as well as homeware haven, you can expect to find Gorman, Aje, Zimmermann, Scanlan & Theodore, Bec & Bridge, Dion Lee, Venroy, Assembly Label, Jardan, Dinosaur Designs, West Elm and so much more.
Eat: Hellenika at The Calile Hotel
Fancy sipping on spritzes and eating saganaki by the pool? While it’s not a far commute from your room, you just can’t go past a dinner booking at Hellenika. If the restaurant doesn't have you at hello thanks to the poolside location, you are sure to be bowled over by the delicious Greek food and selection of wines.
Try, well, everything. The kolokithia zucchini chips, the Kalamata olive-topped taramasalata, the grilled saganaki, the veal dolmades, the baked lamb shoulder and the chicken souvlakia. Do you feel transported to the Greek Islands yet?
Pack: Swimmers, sunnies and a hat
A weekend getaway wouldn’t been complete with a dip in the water. So be sure to pack your swimmers, sunnies and hat so you recline under the striped umbrellas beside The Calile Hotel’s very Instagrammable rooftop pool. And don't forget swimmers for your little one like our Willow Swim Sophia swimsuit in Peachy Gingham, $69 (as worn on girl below).
