Location: As the name suggests, this five-star hotel is slap-bang in the middle of Brissy, and connected to Central Station. If you take the Airtrain from the airport you'll be in the lobby in just under 25 minutes.
Check-in experience: I arrived on a Thursday night and the in-house Cuvee Lounge Bar and lobby were heaving with various members of the world cricketing fraternity in town for an Australia v New Zealand test match at the Gabba. Sir Richard Hadlee was at brekkie the next morning.
What's in the neighbourhood? There's a lot within walking distance and that train station will get you most other places. Within coo-ee are Eagle Street Pier, the city centre, the fantastic Gallery of Modern Art, Suncorp Stadium, South Bank, the Convention Centre, and the most interesting part of Brisbane, Fortitude Valley.
My room: A spacious Luxury Club Room on the 26th floor which gave me access to the Sofitel Club Lounge on Level 30 where you can enjoy breakfast and evening cocktails and canapes. The breakfast is pretty incredible - there was even a honeycomb dripping freshly made honey. My room was elegantly furnished, with a comfortable lounge chair, desk, black and white photos of Paris street scenes; and small entertainment system for your MP3 player.
