The Beetson Hotel — Hotel in Brisbane City

I am beyond confused as to how this hotel has been appointed a 5 star rating. Read my experience to see why:

Upon arrival, I was met with an underwhelming, empty, lifeless reception. No one to greet me, no atmosphere, nothing happening. I proceeded to check-in and had to use a phone left at reception to request some assistance (a below par first impression to say the least).

Check-in was again, a plain experience, the receptionist did what was needed but did not, by any means, go beyond that. We were not told any details about the hotel, we were not told about check out and after telling him that we had been travelling for 6 hours, he did not offer to help bring our bags to our room.

The room itself was small, and basic. It was not terrible, but it was nothing special. when I saw that not even a complimentary bottle of water was anywhere to be seen, I was left wondering whether or not I could drink the bathroom tap water.

I went to order room service and saw that there were two options: seafood (which I don't particularly love, personally) and takeaway, greasy food. No other options. A very strange selection. I reluctantly ordered a fish and chips.

It doesn't stop there. After a couple of hours in the room, I noticed the unusual amount of dust gathering on the surfaces, soon I was coughing and realised I was unable to sleep in that particular room. I rang reception to complain without answer. I rang again and had to wait over 35 mins to get a replacement (this was past midnight when I was supposed to be sleeping).

I received no apology from the member of staff that gave me my new keys. I repacked my bags, got dressed again and moved to another room, only to soon find a large cockroach on my bed.

After 20 minutes trying to find a capture the cockroach, I went to sleep, again realising that this room was not much less dusty than the last.

In the morning, I notified reception of each of the listed issues. She did not seem in any way apologetic, instead she tried to deflect blame to me - "did you leave the balcony door open for the cockroach to get in?". After clearly articulating my frustration and disappointment, I was offered a measly 11.80 refund on my fish and chips.

Apparently the two hours of sleep I lost and the last evening / night of my holiday was worth $11.80 - insulting to say the least.

Do not stay here. Save your...

Disappointing Experience – Not Worth the Hype

We recently stayed at the Beetson Hotel and, unfortunately, it didn’t live up to expectations. The hotel is listed as five stars on Google, but when I asked at reception, they clarified it’s actually a four-star property, which better reflects the experience.

The service and attention to detail were lacking. Staff were friendly but felt more like casual pub mates rather than professionals in a high-end hotel. Upon checkout, no one asked how my stay was, so I wasn’t given the chance to provide feedback directly.

The dining experience was underwhelming. My steak wasn’t cooked to the requested medium (apparently the chef can do medium rare or medium well when asked..) cocktails arrived after we had finished eating, breakfast the next day saw eggs were not cooked as requested, and I didn’t receive the bacon I ordered. Additionally, there was no sweetener for coffee, and the “juice” was more like a fruit drink. When I raised the issue about the food issues I was offered a free coffee, but without the sweeteners it was pointless for me.

The room had its own issues, no bottled water was provided, none was available at reception, and there was no staff around to ask for some. The shower door didn’t close either, which presented flood issues.

On top of that, my car was parked under a tree and ended up covered in bird poo, something that could be avoided with better parking arrangements and I was still required to pay for the on street parking.

One important note for future guests, be aware of game nights. We didn’t stay for the rugby, but since the hotel is near the stadium, the streets were flooded with thousands of passersby, and police even closed the road for a while. Later at night, after the game ended, we witnessed two separate brawls within 15 minutes just outside the hotel.

Overall, this hotel isn’t terrible from a room and location perspective, but it falls short of its advertised rating, and with consideration when combined with its advertised “luxury” and high side pricing. With better service and attention to detail, it could justify a higher standard. As it stands, I wouldn’t return...

My recent experience at a corporate event with PA Network at Beetson Brisbane left me incredibly impressed. Under new ownership, the future of this venue looks exceptionally bright, spearheaded by the dynamic leadership of Jason and Fee, who have assembled a strong team with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Their warm, engaging, and thoughtful style of hospitality truly permeated every aspect of the evening. The evening brilliantly showcased the venue's versatility. Upon arrival, we were immediately captivated by the diverse and creative table designs by Gigawatt, perfectly complemented by stunning floral arrangements.

However, the undeniable highlight of the night was the culinary experience. It's rare for PA Network to insist on a chef making an appearance, but this chef's talent warranted it. The team's profound appreciation for his culinary expertise was evident. I often commend excellent food, but Beetson Brisbane surpassed all expectations. Every dish was bursting with flavor, creativity, and meticulous care. As someone with dietary requirements, I was particularly grateful for the extra effort taken to provide me with equally delicious and thoughtful options.

Beetson Brisbane is currently undergoing a rebrand, which will see it closely associated with AFL and NRL, while still honoring its rich history as a distinguished hotel offering unparalleled experiences. Located directly on Caxton Street, guests can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the two main bars or retreat to the quieter spaces at the rear of the building.

Jason, Fee, and their dedicated team left no doubt that Beetson Brisbane is exceptionally well-prepared to deliver top-notch events. Every aspect of our time there was meticulously considered, ensuring a truly outstanding experience, further enhanced by their impeccable and welcoming...