Best Hotels With Rooftop Pools in Brisbane for Skyline Swims
Words by
Olivia Bennett
Swimming above the Brisbane skyline changes how you understand this city. I have spent the better part of three years chasing the best hotels with rooftop pools in Brisbane, timing my visits to the subtropical light, and I can tell you that the experience shifts dramatically depending on where you stay and when you dive in. From the high-rise infinity edges in the CBD to the more relaxed resort-style pools in Fortitude Valley and South Brisbane, this city rewards anyone willing to climb a few floors and look out over the river bends, the Story Bridge, and the glass towers catching the late afternoon sun. What follows is my personal directory of the places that actually deliver on the promise of a skyline swim, with the details I wish someone had handed me before my first visit.
1. The Westin Brisbane: Cathedral Views From the 35th Floor
I walked into The Westin Brisbane on a Tuesday afternoon last month, the kind of bright winter day where the air is so clear you can see the Glass House Mountains from the upper floors. The rooftop pool here sits on level 35 at 32 Turbot Street, right in the heart of the CBD, and it is one of the highest hotel pools in the city. The lap pool faces north toward the river, and on that particular afternoon, the light was hitting the Brisbane Cathedral directly across the way, turning the sandstone a deep honey gold. I had the pool to myself for about forty minutes, which is unusual for a Wednesday but not unheard of in the cooler months.
What makes this rooftop pool hotel Brisbane visitors keep returning to is the combination of height and calm. The pool is heated year-round, which matters more than you think when the winter mornings drop to eight or nine degrees. The surrounding deck has loungers that are genuinely comfortable, not the thin plastic kind you find at cheaper hotels. I ordered a flat white from the in-room dining menu and brought it to the edge of the pool deck, which is technically not encouraged but has never been stopped by staff during off-peak hours. The breakfast buffet downstairs is one of the better ones in the city, with a dedicated gluten-free station and fresh juices made to order.
Local Insider Tip: Ask for a room on the 28th floor or higher facing northeast. You will get a sliver of the river and the Story Bridge from your balcony, and the morning light in those rooms is spectacular. Also, the rooftop pool is open to in-house guests only, so book directly through the hotel website rather than third-party sites to guarantee access.
The Westin connects to Brisbane's broader story of urban renewal. The hotel opened in 2022 as part of the broader renewal of the Turbot Street corridor, an area that had been dominated by dated office towers for decades. Staying here puts you within a five-minute walk of the Botanic Gardens and the Eagle Street dining precinct, so you are never far from either the green or the concrete side of Brisbane life.
2. W Brisbane: The Five-Skyline Pool on the Go Between Shadow
W Brisbane sits at 81 North Quay, pressed right up against the botanic gardens end of the city, and its rooftop pool is the one that shows up on every Instagram feed for a reason. I visited on a Saturday in late January, the height of a Brisbane summer, and the pool was packed by 10 a.m. The water is a deep turquoise, the loungers are white with thick cushions, and the view takes in the Go Between Bridge, the river, and the Kang Point cliffs in the distance. It is an infinity pool hotel Brisbane travelers dream about, with the edge dropping off toward the water in a way that makes you feel like you are floating above the city.
The energy here is social and loud, which is either a pro or a con depending on what you want. I went alone and ended up in a conversation with a couple from Melbourne who were on their third visit. They told me the trick is to arrive before 8 a.m. on weekends, when the pool opens and the crowd is still thin. I tried it the following Saturday and had twenty minutes of near solitude before the first group arrived with a portable speaker. The bar adjacent to the pool serves a passionfruit mojito that is overpriced at $24 but tastes exactly like what you want at a rooftop pool in subtropical heat.
Local Insider Tip: The pool deck gets dangerously hot on bare feet by about 11 a.m. in summer. Bring slides or water shoes, or swim early. Also, the hotel's back entrance on Eagle Street connects directly to a walkway that leads to the CityCat terminal, which is the fastest and cheapest way to cross the river to South Brisbane.
W Brisbane opened in 2018 and was part of the wave of luxury hotel development that transformed North Quay from a traffic-choked corridor into a proper hospitality precinct. The building itself is a glass tower that reflects the river on its southern face, and at night the W sign glows pink against the skyline, a beacon you can see from New Farm.
3. Emporium Hotel South Bank: Boutique Infinity Over the Cultural Precinct
Emporium Hotel sits at 263 Grey Street in South Brisbane, right in the heart of the South Bank cultural precinct, and its rooftop pool is smaller than the ones at The Westin or W Brisbane but arguably more intimate. I spent an entire afternoon here in early March, the start of autumn, when the humidity finally breaks and the light turns soft and amber. The infinity pool faces west, which means you get the sunset directly over the river and the Kurilpa Bridge. I watched the sky go from pale blue to deep orange while floating on my back, and it was one of those moments that makes you understand why people pay a premium for a pool view hotel Brisbane has to offer.
The pool area is limited to a small number of guests at a time, which keeps it from feeling like a resort water park. The surrounding deck has daybeds with sheer curtains for privacy, and the cocktail menu includes a lychee and elderflower spritz that I ordered three times over two days. The hotel's restaurant, Exquisite Kitchen, does a breakfast wagyu burger that is absurdly good and costs $28. The rooms are designed with a Art Deco sensibility, all velvet and brass, and the bathrooms have freestanding tubs with a view of the river or the city depending on which side you are on.
Local Insider Tip: The rooftop pool is heated to 28 degrees year-round, which makes it one of the few rooftop pools in Brisbane comfortable enough for a proper swim in winter. Also, the hotel is a two-minute walk from the South Bank bus station, which means you can get to the Gold Coast or the airport without dealing with CBD traffic.
Emporium opened in 2018 and was one of the first boutique luxury hotels in South Bank, an area that had been dominated by large chain hotels and convention centers. Its presence signaled a shift toward a more design-forward, independent hospitality scene in the neighborhood, and it remains one of the few places in South Bank where you can swim with a view of the wheel of Brisbane and the river at the same time.
4. The Point Brisbane: Old-World Elegance With a River-Edge Pool
The Point Brisbane sits at 21 Lytton Road in Kangaroo Point, perched on the cliff directly across the river from the CBD. I visited in late November, just before the summer crowds arrived, and the rooftop pool here felt like a secret. The pool is not an infinity edge, it is a traditional rectangular pool with a view that makes up for the lack of architectural drama. You are looking directly at the city skyline from across the river, with the Story Bridge to your left and the Story Bridge Hotel below you. The perspective from here is the one you see on postcards, and swimming in it feels slightly surreal.
The hotel itself has a more old-world feel than the newer towers in the CBD. The rooms are spacious, the hallways are quiet, and the restaurant, The Summit, does a Sunday seafood buffet that draws a loyal local crowd. I sat at the poolside bar and ordered a glass of Margaret River sauvignon blanc and a salt and pepper squid that was better than it had any right to be at a hotel bar. The pool area is open to guests and is rarely crowded, even on weekends, because the hotel does not market it as aggressively as the bigger chains.
Local Insider Tip: The Kangaroo Point cliffs below the hotel are one of the best sunset-watching spots in Brisbane, and there is a set of stairs at the base of the cliff that leads down to the river walk. Go down there after your swim and walk along the water toward the Story Bridge. You will pass the Story Bridge Hotel, which has a rooftop bar of its own, and the whole stretch is one of the most pleasant walks in the city.
The Point Brisbane has been here since 1971, making it one of the older hotels in the city with a rooftop pool. It was renovated in 2015 and again in 2021, but it retains a sense of permanence and calm that the newer glass towers lack. Staying here connects you to the Kangaroo Point side of the river, which has its own distinct character, more residential, more relaxed, and far less touristy than the CBD.
5. Hyatt Regency Brisbane: CBD Convenience With a Resort Feel
Hyatt Regency Brisbane is at 345 Ann Street, tucked into the northern end of the CBD near Central Station, and its rooftop pool is the most resort-like of any hotel in the city center. I visited in February, the wettest month in Brisbane, and the pool was warm enough that the rain did not bother me at all. The pool area is surrounded by tropical planting, real palms and frangipani, which gives it a Bali-like feel that is rare in the middle of a business district. The pool itself is a generous 25 meters, long enough for actual laps, and the water is kept at a consistent 27 degrees.
The hotel underwent a massive renovation that was completed in 2023, and the rooms are now among the best in the CBD. I stayed in a river-view room on the 18th floor and could see the Story Bridge and the Story Bridge Hotel from my window. The breakfast buffet includes a made-to-order omelet station and a juice bar with cold-pressed options. The pool bar serves a tropical punch that tastes like a pina colada with less sugar, and it is the kind of drink that makes you forget you are in the middle of a workday.
Local Insider Tip: The hotel's rooftop pool is one of the few in Brisbane that allows children, which makes it a solid choice for families. Also, the back entrance on Brunswick Street puts you directly into the Brunswick Street Mall, which is the main drag of Fortitude Valley. Walk five minutes south and you are in the middle of Brisbane's best dining and bar scene.
Hyatt Regency has been in Brisbane since 1984, and its location near Central Station makes it one of the most accessible hotels in the city. The 2023 renovation transformed it from a dated business hotel into a genuine luxury option, and the rooftop pool is the centerpiece of that transformation.
6. Hotel X Brisbane: The Adult-Only Rooftop at Fortitude Valley
Hotel X Brisbane sits at 410 Elizabeth Street in Fortitude Valley, and its rooftop pool is strictly adult-only, which is exactly why I keep going back. I visited on a Sunday afternoon in April, the weather was perfect, about 26 degrees with a light breeze, and the pool area had maybe six other people in it. The pool is long and narrow, designed more for lounging than laps, with submerged benches along the edge where you can sit with a drink in the water. The view is of the Fortitude Valley skyline, which is lower and more varied than the CBD, with church spires and old warehouses mixed in with newer apartment towers.
The hotel is part of the larger X Hotels group, and the design is maximalist in a way that works. The lobby has a 24-karat gold bar, the rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, and the rooftop has a dedicated cocktail bar called the Rooftop Bar that serves a smoked old fashioned I think about more than I should. The crowd is a mix of locals and visitors, and the atmosphere is social without being rowdy. I met a group of nurses from the Royal Brisbane Women's Hospital who told me they come here every Sunday after their shifts, which tells you something about the vibe.
Local Insider Tip: The rooftop pool at Hotel X is one of the few in Brisbane that stays open until midnight. Go at 9 p.m. on a clear night and you will see the city lights reflected in the water with almost no one around. Also, the hotel is a three-minute walk from the Fortitude Valley train station, which runs late-night services on weekends.
Hotel X opened in 2022 and was part of the wave of new hotels that transformed Fortitude Valley from a nightlife district into a genuine hospitality neighborhood. The adult-only policy on the rooftop pool sets it apart from every other hotel in the area and makes it the best choice if you want a swim without the family crowd.
7. Crystalbrook Albion: The Rooftop With a Farm-to-Table Edge
Crystalbrook Albion is at 300 Brunswick Street in Fortitude Valley, and its rooftop pool is part of a larger rooftop space that includes a bar, a garden, and a small urban farm. I visited in September, early spring, when the weather is unpredictable but the light is beautiful, and the pool was nearly empty. The pool is modest in size, maybe 15 meters long, but the setting is unlike anything else in Brisbane. There are raised garden beds growing herbs and vegetables that go directly into the kitchen, and the bar menu changes based on what is being harvested. I had a cocktail made with fresh basil from the rooftop garden and a plate of cured meats from a local producer in the Scenic Rim.
The hotel is part of the Crystalbrook Collection, which is owned by the Crystalbrook family, one of the largest private hospitality groups in Australia. The design is industrial-chic, with exposed concrete, reclaimed timber, and a color palette of charcoal and green. The rooms are compact but well-designed, and the beds are among the most comfortable I have slept in. The rooftop pool is open to guests and to diners at the rooftop bar, which means it can get busy during dinner service but is quiet during the day.
Local Insider Tip: The rooftop garden at Crystalbrook Albion is open for guided tours on Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. You can see the herb beds, the composting system, and the beehives, and the staff will explain how the produce moves from the roof to the kitchen. It is free for hotel guests and one of the most interesting things you can do in Fortitude Valley on a weekday morning.
Crystalbrook Albion opened in 2019 and was part of the broader transformation of Brunswick Street from a strip of nightclubs into a mixed-use hospitality and residential precinct. The rooftop farm concept connects to Brisbane's growing interest in local food systems and sustainability, and it gives the hotel a sense of place that goes beyond the usual luxury hotel formula.
8. Adina Brisbane: The Practical Rooftop With a City View
Adina Brisbane is at 189 Elizabeth Street, right in the middle of the CBD, and its rooftop pool is the most underrated in the city. I visited on a Friday evening in December, the start of the summer social season, and the pool was busy but not overwhelming. The pool is a standard rectangular design, heated to 26 degrees, with a view that takes in the Queen Street Mall and the surrounding office towers. It is not an infinity pool, and it does not have the dramatic edge of the W or the Emporium, but it is clean, well-maintained, and rarely requires waiting for a lounger.
The Adina is an apartment hotel, which means the rooms have kitchenettes and washing machines, making it a practical choice for longer stays. I stayed for a week in December and used the pool every morning before heading out to explore. The hotel does not have a rooftop bar, which is actually a plus because it keeps the pool area quiet and focused on swimming rather than socializing. The nearest dining is on Elizabeth Street itself, which has everything from ramen shops to Italian restaurants within a two-minute walk.
Local Insider Tip: The Adina rooftop pool is one of the few in Brisbane that is accessible to non-guests through a day-pass system. If you are staying elsewhere in the CBD and want a rooftop swim without paying for a luxury hotel room, call the front desk and ask about day passes, which are usually available on weekdays for around $30. Also, the pool faces west, so the late afternoon sun is directly on the water, which is glorious in winter and brutal in summer.
Adina Brisbane opened in 2015 and was part of the apartment-hotel trend that brought more flexible accommodation options to the CBD. It connects to Brisbane's growing population of long-stay visitors, digital nomads, and business travelers who want the comforts of a hotel with the practicality of an apartment.
When to Go and What to Know
Brisbane's subtropical climate means rooftop pools are usable for most of the year, but the experience varies dramatically by season. Winter, June through August, brings daytime temperatures of 18 to 22 degrees and cool mornings, which makes heated pools like those at The Westin and Emporium the most comfortable option. Summer, December through February, brings humidity above 80 percent and afternoon storms that can clear a pool deck in minutes. The best time for a rooftop swim in summer is early morning, between 6 and 8 a.m., before the heat and the crowds arrive.
Most rooftop pools in Brisbane are open only to in-house guests, so you need to be staying at the hotel to access them. The exceptions are Hotel X, which allows bar patrons onto the rooftop, and Adina, which sells day passes on weekdays. Sunscreen is non-negotiable at any time of year. The UV index in Brisbane regularly exceeds 11 in summer, and the reflection off the water and the surrounding glass intensifies the exposure. I have seen more than one visitor get badly burned in a single afternoon at a rooftop pool.
Booking directly through hotel websites often yields better rates and guaranteed pool access, especially during peak periods like the Brisbane Festival in September, Riverfire in October, and the Christmas and New Year period. Weekend rates at the W and The Westin can jump by 40 to 60 percent during these events, so plan accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of a specialty coffee or local tea in Brisbane?
A flat white or long black at a specialty cafe in Brisbane costs between $5.00 and $6.50 AUD as of 2024. Loose-leaf tea at a dedicated tea house runs $6.00 to $9.00 per pot. Hotel lobby cafes and rooftop bars typically charge $7.00 to $9.00 for a flat white, which is a markup you should expect when the view is part of the price.
How many days are needed to see the major tourist attractions in Brisbane without feeling rushed?
Four full days is the minimum for covering the CBD, South Bank, the Story Bridge, Fortitude Valley, New Farm, and a half-day trip to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or the Mount Coot-tha lookout. If you want to include a day trip to the Gold Coast or Moreton Bank, add two more days. Rooftop pool time should be factored in as its own activity, not squeezed into the margins of a packed itinerary.
Is Brisbane expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.
A mid-tier traveler should budget $250 to $350 AUD per day, covering a hotel room in the $180 to $250 range, meals at $60 to $90 per day, local transport at $15 to $25 per day using a Go Card, and activities or incidentals at $30 to $50 per day. Rooftop pool access is included in the hotel rate at most properties, so there is no additional cost for swimming.
What is the standard tipping etiquette or service charge policy at restaurants in Brisbane?
Tipping is not mandatory in Brisbane, and most restaurants include a 10 to 12 percent service charge in the listed price. Leaving an additional 5 to 10 percent for good service at a sit-down restaurant is appreciated but not expected. At rooftop pool bars, rounding up the bill or leaving a dollar or two per drink is common practice.
Are credit cards widely accepted across Brisbane, or is it necessary to carry cash for daily expenses?
Credit and debit cards, including contactless options like Apple Pay and Google Pay, are accepted at virtually every restaurant, cafe, bar, and hotel in Brisbane. Cash is rarely needed, though some market stalls and food trucks at events like the Eat Street Markets may prefer or require it. Carrying $50 to $100 in cash is sufficient for the few situations where cards are not accepted.
Enjoyed this guide? Support the work
