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Art Series - The Johnson

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Art Series - The Johnson - Selected hotel in Brisbane, Australia

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Hotel Details

Location

Art Series - The Johnson · Brisbane, Australia

Key Highlights

  • Rooftop Pool: The stunning 50-meter infinity lap pool on the fifth floor, designed by Olympian Michael Klim, is a major draw, offering city views and a spacious sun deck with loungers and cabanas.
  • Exceptional Service: The attentive, friendly, and helpful staff, including a highly commended housekeeping team, contributes significantly to positive guest experiences.

Expert Review: Art Series - The Johnson

The Art Series - The Johnson, a Michelin Key Selected property in Brisbane, Australia, consistently receives high praise from guests for its unique art-inspired design, comfortable accommodations, and exceptional service. It stands out as a stylish and well-regarded hotel in the Spring Hill precinct.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Johnson Brisbane - Art Series generally garners an "exceptional" to "wonderful" consensus, reflected in an overall rating of 9.1 on platforms like Agoda. Guests are thoroughly impressed with their stays, frequently praising the attentive staff, lovely rooms, and excellent service. The hotel is often described as a quality place to stay, offering a blend of luxury and affordability.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several standout features of The Johnson:

  • Art-Centric Design: The hotel is a vibrant tribute to abstract artist Michael Johnson, with his works adorning walls throughout the property, complemented by art books in rooms and even mini canvases and paints for guests.
  • Rooftop Pool: The stunning 50-meter infinity lap pool on the fifth floor, designed by Olympian Michael Klim, is a major draw, offering city views and a spacious sun deck with loungers and cabanas.
  • Exceptional Service: The attentive, friendly, and helpful staff, including a highly commended housekeeping team, contributes significantly to positive guest experiences.
  • Spacious and Well-Appointed Rooms: Guests appreciate the generous size and stylish decoration of the rooms, many of which include kitchenettes.
  • Facilities: The hotel boasts a well-equipped fitness center and offers amenities like free Wi-Fi and Lekker bicycles for hire.

3. Room Quality

Rooms at The Johnson are consistently described as lovely, spacious, and beautifully styled. They are well-appointed and feature Art Series Signature beds by AH Beard, often noted for their exceptional comfort, though some guests find them to be on the softer side. The design is smart and modern, with a neutral scheme brought to life by Michael Johnson's vibrant artworks.

Many accommodations are studio or apartment-style and include fully equipped kitchenettes with microwaves, dishwashers, coffee/tea makers, cookware, and utensils, as well as Nespresso coffee machines. Bathrooms are modern and stylish, some featuring two sinks, designer toiletries, and bathrobes. While some suites offer balconies, views can vary, with some overlooking car parks. Cleanliness in rooms and common areas receives a high rating of 9.4.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's on-site restaurant, Tumbling Stone, is named after one of Michael Johnson's famous works and provides a high-quality dining experience. It's described as an affordable and cozy restaurant with a lively, plant-filled atrium. Tumbling Stone offers an à la carte breakfast menu (not a buffet) featuring dishes like smashed avocado with feta and poached eggs, or ricotta hotcakes. For lunch and dinner, the menu focuses on produce-forward shared dishes, including options like pork belly and lamb rump, along with more casual fare such as burgers and salads. The restaurant is also known for its high-quality coffee, classic cocktails, and friendly staff. While Tumbling Stone is well-regarded, some guests note a limited number of other immediate dining options in the surrounding area, requiring a walk towards the CBD for more choices.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Johnson is a consistent highlight, with guests frequently commending the attentive, friendly, and accommodating staff. The reception staff are noted for being welcoming and helpful, ensuring a smooth check-in experience. Housekeeping is also highly praised for its friendliness and attention to detail. Guests have reported positive experiences, such as prompt room changes when issues arose.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Johnson is situated in Spring Hill, a heritage inner-city suburb of Brisbane, offering a convenient base for exploring the city. It provides easy access to Brisbane's Central Business District (CBD), which is a short distance away. Key attractions within walking distance include Roma Street Parkland (570-800 meters) and Brisbane Central Station (less than 0.6 miles). The vibrant Fortitude Valley, known for its nightlife and boutiques, is a short stroll or quick drive away, and Queen Street Mall for shopping is a 16-minute walk. The hotel also benefits from a bus stop directly outside, including the free Spring Hill Loop service. Brisbane Airport is approximately a 15-minute drive from the hotel. However, some reviews suggest that the immediate vicinity of the hotel in Spring Hill can feel somewhat isolated, with fewer direct entertainment or dining options compared to other parts of Brisbane.

7. Value & Pricing

The Johnson is considered to offer excellent value for money, reflected in a 9.1 rating for value. Guests appreciate that the hotel offers quality and comfort without excessively high rates. While the average price of $180 per room is slightly above Brisbane's city-wide average of $156, it is still seen as exceptional value for an Art Series hotel. As of late January 2026, nightly rates for a two-adult stay start from approximately AU$179.00. It's noted that pricing has increased since 2022, with rooms previously available for around $150/night now typically ranging from $200-$250/night. Additional costs include self-parking at AUD 30.00 per night (limited availability) and a damage deposit of AUD 100-200 upon arrival. A 1.4% credit card surcharge also applies.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring criticisms include:

  • Room Views: Some guests have noted that their balconies offered less-than-ideal views, sometimes overlooking car parks.
  • Immediate Neighborhood: The hotel's immediate location in Spring Hill, while close to major attractions, can feel a bit isolated and may lack a vibrant array of direct dining or entertainment options, requiring a walk or short trip to the CBD or Fortitude Valley.
  • Bed Comfort Preferences: A few guests found the beds to be too soft or the feather pillows unsuitable for their personal preference.
  • In-Room Entertainment: The television offerings are basic (free-to-view channels only) and lack casting facilities.
  • Outdated Information: Some found in-room hotel information to be lacking or linked to an outdated QR code.
  • Maintenance Issues: Isolated reports mentioned stained floors or pest sightings, although overall cleanliness is highly rated.
  • Parking: Limited on-site parking is available for an additional fee.
  • Art Tours: One review suggested the guided art tours could be improved with a self-guided option, as guides sometimes read from notes.

Sources

  1. agoda.com
  2. agoda.com
  3. agoda.com
  4. theaureview.com
  5. mustdobrisbane.com
  6. qantas.com
  7. booking.com
  8. expedia.com.au
  9. wotif.com
  10. luxuryescapes.com
  11. expedia.com
  12. thetraveltemple.com.au
  13. bestrestaurants.com.au
  14. mantrahotels.com
  15. queensland.com
  16. com-hotel.info

Points to Consider

  • While largely positive, some recurring criticisms include:
  • Outdated Information: Some found in-room hotel information to be lacking or linked to an outdated QR code.
  • Maintenance Issues: Isolated reports mentioned stained floors or pest sightings, although overall cleanliness is highly rated.

Google Reviews

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4.4

789 reviews

Recent Guest Reviews

mike k

2 weeks ago

We stayed for nine nights as a couple. On arrival, our first room had a noticeable sewage smell (which we later saw mentioned in previous reviews), so we requested a change before unpacking. The second room had a faulty air conditioner, so we were moved again. We remained in the third room for the rest of our stay, however there was still an ongoing sewage smell that required maintenance. For this...

Response from the owner

Dear Mike,<br><br>Thank you for your review. I am sorry to hear about your experience with your rooms. Your feedback is important to us and will be passed along so that we can continue to improve on o...

Julie Richman

Local Guidea month ago

We stayed in Spring Hill for the last night of my nephews holiday and absolutely loved it. From the moment we checked in, the amenities were beautiful, the room and facilities were outstanding. Clean and beautifully appointed. The extra service and little touches made the stay so much more enjoyable. The rooms are spacious and very functional. I wish we could have stayed longer. Loved every...

Response from the owner

Dear Julie, <br><br>Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re absolutely delighted to hear how much you enjoyed your stay at Spring Hill. It’s lovely to know that the amenities, spacious room...

Alvin

Local Guide3 months ago

My overall experience with the hotel was positive. However, I do have mixed feelings and I only spent one night there. I read other reviews and I was really concerned about staying here but I had a good time and the staff was friendly, especially Jerome. He was amazing. The pool was nice and the gym was one I could actually get a good workout in unlike most hotel gyms. The rooms were also so spac...

Diana Vega

Local Guide2 months ago

The experience was outstanding from the reception to the size and states of the apartments. I really enjoyed it. The option to paint your own canvas was a nice shop. Apartments well equipped and high quality amenities. The pool was also very nice! And there is gym if needed.

Response from the owner

Dear Diana,<br><br>Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful feedback with us.<br><br>We are delighted to hear that your experience was outstanding, from your reception experience to the size and...

Simar kaur

Local Guidea month ago

The room was nice and fine it was quite spacious. I didn’t get time to take photos because we only went there for one night as our flight got canceled so we were just stay overnight to catch the early morning flight. The service was ok, i just felt that they should at least give a complimentary water bottles because we landed and we came in like late evening and along with kids, we then had to g...

Response from the owner

Hi Simar,<br><br>Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us.<br><br>We’re glad to hear that you found the room spacious and comfortable, and we understand how challenging it can be t...

Ollie Reid

Local Guide2 months ago

Stayed here for 2 nights on Christmas day. I must say the place honestly surpassed my expectations. Staff at check in were lovely and indeed throughout the stay. Nothing was too much trouble. The room was clean comfortable and spacious with a balcony. The 50m pool was a nice addition too. Highly recommended and would definitely stay again.

Response from the owner

Dear Ollie, <br><br>Thank you very much for your lovely review. We’re delighted to hear that your stay over Christmas exceeded your expectations and that our team made you feel welcome from check-in a...

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