62 Friends in High Places

FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES

Our publisher Clare E. Urwin and friends enjoy a stay in the new penthouse at the Emporium South Bank.

IT WAS AN OFFER I couldn’t refuse. Go and stay in the new Parklands Suite at the Emporium South Bank, Brisbane.

Take your husband Bryan, and some friends, and let us know what you think …

Weren’t we lucky? Our home away from home for the night would be in one of the largest luxury hotel penthouses in Australia.

Living on the Gold Coast, we all frequently visit Brisbane whether for business or pleasure.

It’s a great road and continually being improved, so outside of the rush hour it’s an easy trip there and back.

Therefore, the opportunity of actually staying in a hotel in our capital city doesn’t happen very often.

Or, perhaps it’s not even thought about, especially prior to COVID?

After our visit, Bryan and I, and our mates, are going to make it happen far more often.

The Emporium’s Parklands Suite is massive.

Occupying a large chunk of the 21st floor, the penthouse is also sky high in style, elegance and sheer class.

Inside, the 786 square metres are divided into four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room, three separate dining areas, two lounge rooms and an executive study.

Outside, there is a huge wraparound terrace, complete with outdoor dining facilities, sunbeds and, of course, your own 15 metre infinity pool with its Italian mosaic pearl pool tiles. The views are absolutely stunning.

North East facing, you overlook the Brisbane River, the CBD, South Bank, West End and far beyond.

Between us, we had lots of recent and upcoming ‘occasions’ to celebrate during our stay together in the Parklands Suite.

There was an 85th and 70th birthday, as well as a 50th and 48th wedding anniversary, but as we don’t normally‘need’ a reason to get together anyway, we all looked forward to experiencing our 24 hours of indulgent luxury.

When Julie, our lovely ‘ambassador’ met us on arrival and ushered us into the Belle Époque for a luscious high tea, complete with never ending flutes of Mumm, we knew we were going to enjoy it.

With the layout of the bedrooms in the penthouse, the usual guests are parents and very fortunate children.

Julie remarked that having a group of friends staying there, with similar (well almost) ages, would be a refreshing and interesting change.

Of course, all the bedrooms are spacious, and all have beautifully appointed high-end finishes, but the Master suite is spectacular.

There is a huge bedroom with a walk-in his and hers wardrobe and, in keeping with five-star luxury, the ensuite includes double sinks, double deluxe rain showers, a stand alone tub, and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Brisbane River. >>

Everyone. Everyday.

S o a k u p t h e a t m o s p h e r e a n d e n j o y t h e C l u b s p e a c e f u l s u r r o u n d i n g s a n d e x c e p t i o n a l s e r v i c e .

Dining

Beauty

C h a m p i o n s H a i r B e a u t y a n d D a y S p a : 5 B e a u t y t h e r a p y r o o m s 1 4 H a i r s t y l i n g s t a t i o n s 3 N a i l s t a t i o n s S p r a y t a n n i n g V i c h y s h o w e r

W i t h i t s 5 - S t a r f a c i l i t i e s a n d c o n s i s t e n t r a n k i n g s a s o n e o f A u s t r a l i a ’ s t o p t e n r e s o r t c o u r s e s , L i n k s H o p e I s l a n d G o l f C o u r s e i s t h e u l t i m a t e d e s t i n a t i o n f o r c o r p o r a t e a n d s o c i a l g o l f .

Golf

H a v e y o u r n e x t b i g e v e n t w i t h L i n k s H o p e I s l a n d ! O u r c o n f e r e n c e a n d e v e n t r o o m s p r o v i d e a n e l e g a n t y e t f u n c t i o n a l s e t t i n g f o r f u n c t i o n s o f a l l k i n d s a n d s i z e s .

Functions

C h o o s e a m e m b e r s h i p t h a t c a t e r s t o y o u r l i f e s t y l e a n d m a k e L i n k s H o p e I s l a n d G o l f C o u r s e y o u r h o m e c l u b !

Membership

7 D a y 5 D a y T w i l i g h t N e x t G e n a n d m o r e !

The question was – and would be with a group of friends – who would have the Master suite?

Kindly, (they are real mates) the Master suite was allocated to us and to be honest, Bryan and I didn’t really need much persuading.

Actually, the Parklands Suite is so large and has so many different living areas; the idea of a group of friends of any age taking the space for a few nights is a good one.

There is plenty of room for people to do ‘their own thing’ and separate for the odd hour.

The latest wireless technology installed throughout the penthouse also ensures the different tastes of music, television, and streaming services are all seamlessly catered for.

And there is the kitchen.

Perhaps one of the group is a Gordon Ramsay or a Nigella Lawson follower and if that was the case, they would be in seventh heaven.

It’s a state-of-the-art full-sized chef’s kitchen with a custom island, Sub Zero fridge, butler’s pantry and appliances by Gaggenau.

Even the cool Nespresso machine had a wow factor.

Cooking wasn’t any of our forte, so we ate in Emporium’s elegant Signature restaurant for dinner on the Wednesday evening.

That was a wonderful experience too.

Focusing on local boutique produce, the menu was relatively short while the wine list was suitably and interestingly long.

Our meals were perfectly balanced, delicious and memorable.

The Emporium’s iconic Terrace is Brisbane’s premier open-air rooftop bar so any stay at the hotel must include a visit there.

With a bespoke retractable ceiling and operable glass roof, you have unrivalled views across the city.

The night-lights of Brisbane are especially spectacular … no wonder it’s so popular with locals and guests.

We had to have a nightcap there of course, followed by a shortcut across to our Penthouse for sleep.

Well, Bryan and I did anyway.

The rest of our group played cards till the small hours helped by some cleansing complimentary refreshments from the Vintec fridges in the suite.

Honestly, this generation of retirees are incorrigible.

The next morning, we were all served a fabulous breakfast in the suite, however before that there was some vigorous laps of the pool taken by some and lazing in bed preferred by others.

I personally enjoyed watching the traffic jam building on the Victoria bridge caused by all those poor people having to go to work on a beautiful sunny Brisbane Thursday …

Because our time was limited, unfortunately we couldn’t take advantage of all the facilities and services that are freely available when you book into the Parkland Suite.

For instance, you have complimentary return airport limo transfers, your own private entry and lift, the use of the hotel’s Maserati town car, a baby grand piano, access to a personal chef for all food requirements and if you wish, a yoga teacher can be easily organised too.

Then there are the eye-catching fresh flower arrangements to enjoy.

Noticeable as soon as you walk into the suite, they are absolutely stunning.

When you stay at the Emporium South Bank there is an atmosphere of relaxed sophistication teamed with efficient service.

This is certainly exemplified by its staff.

Nothing was too much trouble for any of them, in the restaurants and the bars, and from the concierges to the housekeepers.

Of course, we were especially spoilt being in the Parklands Suite but it was obvious throughout the entire hotel.

And it makes such a difference.

Regrettably, we did have to check out after our 24 hours of luxurious indulgence, however, to extend our stay a little we went up to the Terrace for one last farewell cocktail.

Why not? We didn’t want to leave.

To put it simply, all of us had high expectations before our visit … our stay certainly exceeded them.