Brisbane: Spicers Balfour

One of the striking attractions of a Balfour room is the crafty architecture which raises the ceiling to provide a feeling of light and space. Large, thick curtains and Italian linen is modern, yet sophisticated.

Dark timbers and tiles provide a rich feel. After all, why take time out in your own city if there’s not something regal about it? It’s an old place – and contrasting styles of old and new interior design give the place a sophisticated, yet charming edge.

With only nine rooms, the executive rooms are akin to a hotel room. Three others have a small private courtyard, and one has a terrace overlooking the small garden.

It’s not surprising that some might see fit to pay for a night out of home – no cleaning, no bed to make, no worries, luxury toiletries and cosy surrounds to do a whole lot of very little.

The Food

This must be one of the only restaurants in town which chooses Saturday night as its night off. But it makes sense when the majority of traffic through here is the business crowd.

Still, the restaurant is always open for breakfast.

And with someone like Peter van Lunn calling the kitchen shots, it’s worth being a little adventurous – to think outside the flavours of that bacon-and-egg square.

Try slow cooked pork belly with bubble and squeak, a poached egg, and apple and fennel chutney; buttermilk banana bread with pineapple marshmallow, toasted coconut, lime syrup and cocoa jelly; or smoked salmon with twice cooked leek and goat’s cheese soufflé, watercress and lemon crème fraiche. You don’t have to speak French to be able to eat it.

The Activities

If doof doof music, mohawks or two-for-one drinks are your thing, the Balfour probably isn’t for you.

On weekends, the suits are replaced with polo shirts for a weekend of sophistication. It almost sounds awkward, given that the venue is a matter of blocks away from the live music scene of Fortitude Valley.

It is, however, also blocks away from the arts scene of the Judith Wright Centre, within a short drive of QPAC and the museum, or close enough to the city, yet without the 3am echo of street cleaners which can be a drawback of city apartment living.

Here, you can see the city from the elegant rooftop bar. It’s beyond the Story Bridge which is in clear view. If there’s one drawback, however, it’s that there are not the facilities of a larger hotel – no pool, spa, gym or tennis court, and limited parking.

The Weekend

Most people who stay in the city will have plans, whether it be shopping, theatre, or eating out.

After a few canapés at 5pm on the rooftop bar, a couple of drinks and a glimpse of the beautiful city view, be warned that the plans might not seem like such a great idea.

There are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby to get your groove on, but the “honour system” bar is an enticing drawcard to return to the comfort of the modernised Queenslander.

Good news is that Spicers is looking to repeat the Balfour dose, having bought a property just two doors down.

• Simon Holt was guest of Spicers Balfour.

• View other great Queensland escapes.