Make yourself at home at this establishment, with striking art at every turn.
THE BACKSTORY
Opened in July 2021, Brisbane's Crystalbrook Vincent - previously the Fantauzzo - is a five-star hotel energetically decorated with hundreds of artworks by the popular photorealist painter, Vincent Fantauzzo, who also happens to be the husband of actor Asher Keddie. I'm wary of hotel chains with philosophies - as I would be of philosophers selling hotel rooms - but Crystalbrook's credo of environmentally conscious "responsible luxury" means that I have a lovely, comfortable room with a spectacular view across the Brisbane River, and I don't have to spend the first 10 minutes struggling to figure out how to turn off the television.
THE SETTING
The Crystalbrook Vincent has one of Brisbane's best locations, on the banks of the Brisbane River under-looking the grand, cantilevered Story Bridge that connects Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point. The hotel entrance is just a few steps from the waterside restaurants and bars of the unfeasibly buzzy Howard Smith Wharves. It would be the ideal spot to enjoy a romantic weekend break: you wouldn't even have to leave the wharves - but, if you wanted to see more of Brisbane, there's the free CityHopper ferry service at your doorstep.
THE STYLE
Fantauzzo is predominantly a portraitist and some of the hotel's public areas act as portrait galleries. Subjects include the late actor Heath Ledger and former prime minister Julia Gillard. If the rubble of the hotel were to survive an apocalypse, archaeologists could use the Fantauzzo collection to re-create popular culture in about the year 2010 - although they might end up awarding undue prominence to Asher Keddie. Fantauzzo tends to paint people looking directly at him. After walking through the hotel lobby and along the corridor to my room, I feel as though I have made eye contact with dozens of famous people, many of them Fantauzzo's wife.
THE ROOMS
I have a river room with a river view, kimonos in the closet and street-art-influenced prints on the walls. There's a well-stocked minibar and a great Morphy Richards kettle, which I would like to have stolen. The bed envelopes me and the view is invigorating. It's a bit noisy at night, though.
THE FOOD
Breakfast is served at Mews restaurant. I choose the lamb cutlet rather than mushrooms with "frolicking goats curd" (because what kind of a monster would separate a frolicking goat from its curd?). The cutlet is a mouthful of wonder. Meals are available from 12pm at the Fiume Rooftop Bar. I ordered an "inside out burger" for lunch, assuming it must be an open sandwich. I was surprised when it turned out to be a cheeseburger with the cheese inside the burger, but perhaps everyone knows that except me. The food and drink at Fiume are fine, but the rooftop infinity pool and the views to the riverbend are the reasons to stay for the afternoon.
THE ACTION
Drinking under bridges is often frowned upon, but there is a thriving nightlife scene at Howard Smith Wharves. If you tire of Fiume (why?) you might try Mr Percival's overwater bar. The vast Felons Brewing Co complex offers riverside drinking and dining, but I don't think much of the beers. Popular restaurants on the wharves include Greca and Ciao Papi.
UNFORGETTABLE
The arches of the Story Bridge frame the view from Fiume perfectly, as if that were the reason why they were built.
Mark Dapin was a guest of Crystalbrook Vincent.