Capri by Fraser review, Brisbane: Weekend away

Daniel Scott May 15 2015 at 2:00 PM

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Our rating

4 out of 5

THE PLACE

Capri by Fraser, Brisbane

THE LOCATION  

A few blocks from Queen Street Mall in Brisbane's CBD, on the corner of Albert and Mary streets. The ground floor was once Folio bookshop and this is reflected in the backdrop to reception; rows of books poking from the wall. 

THE SPACE

Given that the hotel occupies a former corner office block, spatial design specialists Ministry of Design have done wonders with Capri by Fraser but haven't entirely avoided a boxy, corporate feel to the rooms.

Reception is a small, light and welcoming space adjacent to the Asana restaurant and café, facing Albert Street.  Asana helps the hotel create a bright, busy impression and will draw local and visiting Pete Evans fans for its Paleo-inspired food.

The hotel's design concept is to bring the rainforest to inner city Brisbane, with a vertical garden wall, a cloistered indoor pool, downstairs, at the core of the building, bamboo effects on indoor facades and art installations.  The refreshing décor underlines the Capri by Fraser's holistic wellbeing theme for people on the go.

There are 239 suites altogether, the majority spacious studios. Higher floors have river and/or city views and the more expansive One Bedroom Executive rooms are on lower levels. My small daughter and I share one of the latter, its only windows looking down onto the hotel pool, and though practical and commodious, it feels slightly hemmed-in.  For an extra $50 guests can book a Capri Club room, with access to a lounge serving breakfast and evening drinks and canapés.

A "Spin and Play" games room and laundry area is a great idea and includes a table football table and Xbox and the gym has an impressive array of new equipment. The indoor heated pool also looks inviting and there are his and hers changing areas, each with sauna and steam room.

THE KIT

Capri by Fraser is aimed at the e-generation so if there is a queue at reception, worry not, simply check-in on your Ipad, and, if you're seeking local knowledge contact the e-concierge.  Wi-fi is free and fast and e-printing is available.  In the rooms, push-buttons electronically control the curtains and there are touch lights on either side of the bed.  There is an Electrolux washer/dryer and Nespresso machine in each kitchenette, and rooms have flatscreen smart TVs, although both of ours have technological problems. Other room features include clever pop-up make-up mirrors in desks and Malin and Goetz bathroom amenities. 

COMFORT

All rooms are attractively furnished, with splashes of colour amid the cool hues and polished surfaces. They feature integrated living, sleeping and kitchen areas and king-sized beds that are both capacious and snug.  The well-conceived design extends to an ergonomic desk and Herman Miller office chair. 

FOOD  

Asana restaurant at Capri by Fraser is celeb chef Pete Evans's second hotel venture and while some dishes, like the lemongrass wild prawn skewers don't yet wow, the food is the most exciting part of the package.

Breakfast at Asana is a tour-de-force from Executive Chef Josh Harris and team, as beautiful a buffet offering as I have seen in any hotel.  It's not merely colourful,  small jars of chia seed pudding flavoured with berries, coconut or spirulina are tasty and healthful.  The made-to-order baked eggs with chorizo and a kale topping, also make a pleasant change from shrivelled hotel breakfasts presented in metal troughs.

After the stellar breakfast, everything on the Asian/Middle Eastern accented menu is available for lunch or dinner and impressively, in room.  Among the hits are the sweet potato fries, tuna tartare with nori and kim chi, and the nasi goreng with cauliflower rice. 

"We want to exceed people's expectations with the food," Paleo devotee Evans tells me, while visiting to monitor Asana's progress, "it's delicious, well sourced and beautifully presented and it's a wellness offering from us too."

STEPPING OUT

For those with shopping in mind, Queen Street Mall is an amble up Albert Street and other mid-town attractions like the Botanic gardens are close too. Brisbane's riverside and Eagle Street Pier's bars and restaurants are less than ten minutes away.  But it's fifteen minutes, with bags, from the nearest station, Central, if you are arriving from the airport by train.

THE VERDICT 

Pete Evans' food is the star of this new, centrally-located Brissie pub, which suffers a little from a corporate feel but has great staff and attention to detail.

ESSENTIALS

Capri by Fraser's special introductory rate of $179 (Friday-Sunday) or $199 (Monday-Thursday) is available to June 30th. See www.capribyfraser.com or phone 1800 110 800