Families Magazine – Editor, Janine and her family stayed as guests at the Novotel Brisbane South Bank, Brisbane in November 2020 & December 2021. We booked ourselves in for December 2023 too! 🙂
If you are heading into Brisbane and looking for a very well located and affordable hotel suitable for families right in the heart of South Bank and walking distance to all the family friendly offerings of the Brisbane CBD, then check out the Novotel Hotel at South Bank. With large rooms, an onsite restaurant serving breakfast and dinner as well as in-room dining, why not add a Novotel, South Bank ‘staycation’ to your bucket list.
Want to make some memories with your kids? Here is what you need to know!
Where is the Novotel in South Bank?
Located on Cordelia Street, directly across from Musgrave Park, the Novotel hotel is a short 11 minute walk to the heart of South Bank.
The Brisbane CBD is a 25-minute walk away across the Victoria Bridge and the hotel is connected to Brisbane’s transport network (trains, buses and ferries) so you can explore even further afield if you want to look around our beautiful city!
Address: 38 Cordelia Street, South Brisbane, 4101 Brisbane
Tel: (07) 3295 4100
Web: Visit the hotel website here.
Why is this a solid choice as a family hotel in Brisbane?
There are so many reason to love the Novotel, (and I am going to tell you about them all!) but it starts with the gorgeous rooms! We stayed in an interconnected room on Floor 9, as shown above! My room had a sitting room as well as a bedroom and my bedroom door led through to the kids room and we both had amazing views of Musgrave Park.
In the bright, welcoming rooms, we had flat-screen TVs as well as free wifi.
Get Out with Kids Tip: Wifi is complimentary to members of their (free to join) loyalty program – ALL – Accor Live Limitless.
In addition to soundproof windows, desks, and tea and coffee making facilities, we loved the little extra touches for the kids. Polka dot quilt covers were a lovely addition to make the rooms fun.
You can find a room to suit your family composition here.
It took the kids exactly 2 point 3 seconds to find the room service menu that catered specifically to them with things like Freddo Frogs and is available 24/7. They also found the information that told them about the pool toys (more about that later!)
Family friendly – its like a resort!
After we investigated the rooms, we took full advantage of the rest of the hotels offerings. Master 13 actually said, *I love it here, its like a resort!*
So what is there for families to enjoy at the hotel?
Swimming pool
On the first floor you will find the gym (Full disclosure: I 100% did NOT go anywhere near that – LOL) and the 20 metre outdoor swimming pool. The pool is heated, so you can enjoy it year round. When I asked the kids what their favourite part of the whole stay was they said the ‘night swimming’ in the hotel pool – you can swim until 10pm each night! What a fab way to wear them out!
At one point the General Manager even popped out with Zooper Doopers for the kids! Awww….
Ride on cars
Check this out!!! These are totally FREE to use if you are staying at the hotel! You just need to put down a $250 refundable deposit at reception. We took them across the road to Musgrave Park. This was the second most fun things the kids said that they enjoyed!
Kids cooking classes
As part of your family stay, you can choose to participate in a kids cooking class. Our kids made yummy white chocolate chip cookies.
Take a ball to the park
The hotel has a selection of balls that you can take the the park. Just remember to bring them back!
Picnic in the park
Want to enjoy a picnic at South Bank but forgot to pack one? Fret none, the hotel can pack you a picnic for your family to take to enjoy as the kids swim at South Bank.
Restaurant – Spice Central Kitchen & Bar
Our stay included breakfast – and we are SO glad it did!
The hotels restaurant, Spice Central offers a fresh, seasonal menu and a breakfast buffet that (in my opinion) is up there with some of the best. During Covid times, it is an a la carte menu. You order from a menu with multiple options. With a range of delicious hot and cold options, including things like bacon and eggs, croissants and fruit and yoghurt, the breakfast buffet is pretty darn good.
I’m not going to lie, part of the reason we go on holidays is to eat!! We also had dinner at Spice Central. The boys had lamb shank, Miss 9 had gnocchi and I had salmon. I would love to show you photos of that, but it was sooo good, that we ate it all before I remembered I was supposed to be writing about it! Sorry!
Spice Central is ideal for families, with high chairs and a range of menu items to suit even the fussiest of eaters.
*Please note that Spice Central’s menus are seasonal and are subject to change.
There are loads of other places to eat in South Bank that are kid friendly.
Brisbane attractions near the Novotel, South Bank
This hotel is ideally located near the following Brisbane attractions suitable for families:
South Bank
- Queensland Museum
- GOMA
- Sciencentre
- State Library
- QPAC
- Riverside Green Playground
- Streets Beach
We’ve written a detailed article about 21 fun things to do in South Bank with kids here.
Brisbane City
- City Hall & Clock Tower
- Museum of Brisbane
- Brisbane Botanical Gardens and Playground
- QUT Gardens Theatre
- Fairy Lights at Goodwill Bridge
- Roma Street Parklands & much more
Read all about the Christmas activities happening in Brisbane City for families here.
Read all about Christmas activities happening at South Bank for families here.
WIN A 1 Night Stay at Novotel South Bank This Christmas
Novotel Brisbane South Bank
This is a great choice for families looking to stay at a gorgeous, family friendly hotel right in South Bank. The rooms are large, modern and clean and we love the interconnected doors! The staff are super friendly and the location is ideal for exploring South Bank and the city.
When doing your research on the best hotel for families in Brisbane, I guarantee you this hotel will come up over and over again! It is a fantastic place to stay to create some wonderful memories with your family!
If you stay, let us know your thoughts too!
If you are looking for things to do over the school break, check out these school holiday activities in Brisbane, outlining all the best things to do with kids over the break. Book your stay here.
Great review! I think ill be telling the family to stay here when they visit
Great review I am definitely considering now that a staycation is what my family needs. Exploring our own city and staying in the heart of it would be an experience.
Family friendly places are great for everyone. This Grandma is looking forward to staying somewhere like this with my kid and Grandkids !
Amazing Review Sounds like the Perfect place to enjoy a staycation with the family and to enjoy everything Novel has to offer. Also to enjoy the city also
Sounds like an amazing staycation!
It would be great to spend a night at the Novotel in Brisbane. Looks so relaxing but still full of activities the kids will love.
Great review! Definitely have to visit with my 3 kids