Hotel review: The Calile, Brisbane
- September 22, 2023
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Fresh from being named No.12 best hotel in the World, The Calile not only looks cools but strips the unnecessities and puts you in amongst the elements with soft pastel pinks and a chilled Negroni, reports Harmeet Sehgal
My first impression is someone brought the Mediterranean to Brisbane. With bent over arches, half-moons and super soft pastel is what you’d encounter at a resort in sun-drenched Ibiza, but The Calile makes no excuses of bringing the same vibes smack in the middle of Brisbane. The architect needs to take a bow for bringing this eccentric vision to life.
Location
A part of the trendy precinct at James Street in Fortitude Valley, The Calile is surrounded by high-end stores and boutiques where the well-heeled of Brisbane can be seen indulging in retail therapy. Attentive bell staff welcome me to the hotel and swiftly take possession of my luggage as I make my way to check-in. The lobby is busy and humming with patrons at the adjoining Lobby Bar, basking in the natural light reflecting from the rose-pink pasted walls and smoothed concrete columns.
Front-desk staff clad in relaxed linen are attentive and the welcome is warm and enthusiastic. I decide to make my way to the Lobby bar and be a part of the liveliness enjoying the famous Calile Spritz before making my way up to my room.
Accommodation
Closed, congested hallways are a thing of the past at The Calile where open air hallways and corridors allow for plenty of fresh breeze making it a welcome walk to the room and a continuation to the resort feel. As I enter my king size pool facing room, motion is detected triggering the blind to scroll up instantly filling the room with bright sunlight of the afternoon revealing the minimalist sophistication of the room.
The well-rounded granite tabletops, the matt coated brass tapware and the bare wood texture of the furniture perfectly complement each other. As a creative professional, it fits my ergonomics perfectly. I step out to the balcony to reveal breathtaking view of the pool complex below fit for a perfect sunny afternoon.
The 28-meter pool dotted with bottle green cabanas are reminiscent of numerous lazy sunny poolside afternoons spent in Miami.
Poolside
Cabanas are exclusively for use by hotel guests only and can be made available by registering with the pool attendant. During busy times, a max 3-hour Cabana use policy applies. Hotel guests can order drinks and snacks from The Calile’s signature restaurant Hellenika which is located at poolside.
The Calile’s king-size bedroom is well equipped for the most discerning of travellers.
Crisp linen robes, fluffy towels, luxury bathroom amenities, a Dyson hairdryer, and luxury Grown Alchemist toiletries are all a part of the luxury trimmings in the room. Tucked away discreetly is an ironing-board and iron on the sidewall of the wardrobe.
The mini bar is well stocked with local delights. Spoil yourself by pre-ordering a Calile cocktail cube.
Unique to The Calile, the cocktail cube is a perfect way to reward yourself with a refreshing Negroni that arrives ready with an ice-bucket, glasses and garnish and is waiting in the room as you check-in. A perfectly chilled concoction to enjoy while stretching out on the daybed.
The Calile is a part of one of Brisbane’s most popular and tempting dining precincts with top gastronomic outlets like SK Steak & Oyster and Sushi Room. In-house dining includes poolside dining Hellenika and The Lobby Bar.
Highly recommended for breakfast at The Lobby Bar is the Lobby Bar breakfast – a hearty omelette with kasundi, parmesan, bacon, mushrooms and garden leaves. A perfect start to the day.
The Lobby Bar
An evening at the Lobby bar is quite an eventful affair with in-house guests and diners enjoying good food, wine and company. The vibrancy of the venue is infectious and its a great place to meet and share a laugh while enjoy the bar’s tantalising cocktails. I put the bartender to test and ask him for a perfect Manhattan and the result is just that – perfect.
Living at The Calile is as invigorating as it is refreshing. It’s casually relaxed yet sharp and gets you amongst it’s surrounds while enjoying top quality service and hospitality delivered in iconic Calile style.
My rating: 5 star
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