As far as hotels go, The Calile is pretty much a dream come true. Every detail was well-thought of, design and experience intentional. Beautiful interiors? Yes. Impeccable service? Yes. Delicious food? My heart and my tummy says yes. Has a pool? Hell yeah! Spacious room? You bet. And most importantly... has a bathroom that I would like to move into permanently? A big, resounding yes.
Actually, I could probably just make this short and end the review here. I feel like I've said all I needed to say about it. The Calile ticked all the boxes and then some. But I digress. There was a moment after we checked in where mum and I looked at each other and just squealed. Actually sat in bed, arms flailing, grinning ear to ear because we couldn't believe we were in someplace so beautiful. I know grateful is fast becoming a buzzword in Instagram culture these days, but we felt gratitude to our very core.
We checked in to The Calile on a Thursday afternoon - their very first day open for business! I've looked at photos of the hotel prior to the trip and was so impressed not only by the look of the resort, but by their cohesive branding too. It was clear from the start that The Calile - even though they were new to the scene - had a clear idea of who they are and what their brand stands for.
After the initial freakout over how beautiful the room is (a moment that was forever captured by my mother on Instagram), we got changed shortly after because we all know changing into hotel robes and slippers are the best parts of a hotel experience. We found ours hanging in the exposed wardrobe between the bed and bathroom. In lieu of the usual white terrycloth robe you'd come to expect at hotels was a beautiful beige linen robe especially designed for The Calile by Australian label Bassike. This is what I mean when I say that they have put thought into everything they do - the linen robes are light and airy, perfect for the warm weather (Side note - this was my second time back in Australia and OMG I didn't realise it gets that hot) so you can enjoy that hotel robe life without sweltering.
I did a quick room tour on my Instagram stories (it's on my highlights section on my page still under The Calile) and throughout our stay kept gushing about the bathroom. Look, I love a good bathroom, okay? I know we only spend a certain amount of time in them but if it were up to me, I'd do everything in that space. Maybe reply to some emails. I don't know. Something. I was really excited everytime I stepped into that shower. It's just so pretty! Just. Look. At. It!!! The Grown Alchemist toiletries were a nice touch too. It's a brand I really love and so to find them in there just made the whole experience even more luxurious. My only wish is that every room had a bath because I would love to have a bath while surrounded by pretty pink tiles but hey, I heard their suites had baths in them so that's a handy tip for next time!
We haven't even talked about the rest of the hotel yet! The Calile has a pool (not just any pool but the dreamiest pool and pool area I ever did see) and an amphitheatre with the best views of Brisbane. Even the corridors are so visually stunning with their neutral palette and smooth lines.
Mum and I took a walk around and bumped into so many others doing the same, taking photos for Instagram, and admiring the view. It just goes to show how beautiful The Calile really is especially under clear blue skies. It's the kind of place that makes me feel like I'm in LA or Miami - palm trees, clear blue water in the pool, and lounging around under massive umbrellas. It's the perfect place to escape to - whether you're on holiday and visiting Brisbane or even a staycation for a weekend if you're local.
Part of any hotel experience is room service. You know, that glorious moment where you can just pick up a phone and tell them what you'd like to eat and then like magic, you'll eventually hear a knock on your door from someone who is bringing you happiness in a plate. I have this theory that one of the reasons why we find hotels relaxing is because we don't have to do the cooking and dishes after. As much as I love to cook, man it takes up a lot of time. Then there's the cleaning up bit which I find even worse. Anyway, that's not the point.
We ordered room service for breakfast and were told that we were the first ones to do so! It was such a nice way to start the day - we were greeted by the lovely Kim and Monica with huge smiles and a yummy fare. We had salmon bagels with onsen egg (slow cooked soft boiled egg the Japanese way - it's life changing) and an omelette with tea and coffee. So good we had the same thing the next day because we are creatures of habit and if we love something, we love it hard. It was a good morning indeed.
Not to be that person who goes on and on about food, but I need to take a moment to talk about Lobby Bar. Okay, let's be honest, I am that girl who likes to drone on about food. But hear me out - we had one of the best meals of our lives at Lobby Bar. On our last night at The Calile, mum and I went for dinner downstairs. It was the only thing we haven't experienced yet at The Calile, and we wanted to try everything before we left. So we took that short commute down via one elevator ride. The place was busy, humming with conversation and an electric energy (booze?). We were lucky to get one of the last tables and were greeted by Kim and Monica again. We've grown close to them by this stage and we knew a bit about each other (like Monica used to manage Ortolana which is my local cafe here in Auckland) so dining there was kind of like dining at a friends place. Warm, friendly, inviting.
We decided to try a few different things starting with the burrata. Oh that burrata. I'm still dreaming about it now! Came with the freshest salad and miso pesto (I'm pretty sure I tasted those flavours) dressing. We had the Wagyu and frites, the chicken (served cold, delicious, unlike anything we've ever tried before) and topped the meal off with some green tea ice cream and chocolate mousse. Chef Kitak even came out to say hello and assure mum Wagyu is best when it's cooked medium (mum is a well done kinda gal through and through) which was so nice of him to do. It was decadent but light and I was so sad we were going home the next day because I wanted to eat it again!
I heard they were also building another restaurant on site called Hellenika with a menu that's Greek inspired. Not sure when they'll open but hopefully the next time we come around we'll get to try it. For now, though, Lobby Bar is the way to go - I regret not taking more photos during the day but there's always the next trip, right?
On our last day at The Calile, I went for an early morning swim and watched the sun come up (thank you, body clock and time difference). It was so peaceful. Mum was still in the room and I had the pool all to myself. I thought about ways I could - I don't know - delay the inevitable moment that we have to leave the hotel.
They were discreetly installing some seats in the cabanas behind me and it reminded me that there was still a lot more to come at The Calile. Usually on a hotel's opening weekend, you tend to expect a bit more conundrums as they start polishing up products or services or even interactions with customers. We didn't feel any of that there, just a lovely experience in a beautiful, dreamy place, with a wonderfully kind team behind it. If this is the experience now, I can't help but think how amazing the new developments will be. I can't wait to revisit The Calile when that happens but for now, we leave with great memories, an addiction to burrata (there, I said it. Now I can start the recovery journey), and a whole lot of photos to show for it.
Thank you Jeremy, Jackson, Danika, Kim, Monica, and the rest of the team for such an incredible stay and for your hospitality. Miss you already, The Calile. I'm already planning a trip back!
The Calile Hotel
48 James Street
Fortitude Valley
QLD Australia 4006
This post was created in partnership with The Calile Hotel
As far as hotels go, The Calile is pretty much a dream come true. Every detail was well-thought of, design and experience intentional. Beautiful interiors? Yes. Impeccable service? Yes. Delicious food? My heart and my tummy says yes. Has a pool? Hell yeah! Spacious room? You bet. And most importantly... has a bathroom that I would like to move into permanently? A big, resounding yes.
Actually, I could probably just make this short and end the review here. I feel like I've said all I needed to say about it. The Calile ticked all the boxes and then some. But I digress. There was a moment after we checked in where mum and I looked at each other and just squealed. Actually sat in bed, arms flailing, grinning ear to ear because we couldn't believe we were in someplace so beautiful. I know grateful is fast becoming a buzzword in Instagram culture these days, but we felt gratitude to our very core.
We checked in to The Calile on a Thursday afternoon - their very first day open for business! I've looked at photos of the hotel prior to the trip and was so impressed not only by the look of the resort, but by their cohesive branding too. It was clear from the start that The Calile - even though they were new to the scene - had a clear idea of who they are and what their brand stands for.
After the initial freakout over how beautiful the room is (a moment that was forever captured by my mother on Instagram), we got changed shortly after because we all know changing into hotel robes and slippers are the best parts of a hotel experience. We found ours hanging in the exposed wardrobe between the bed and bathroom. In lieu of the usual white terrycloth robe you'd come to expect at hotels was a beautiful beige linen robe especially designed for The Calile by Australian label Bassike. This is what I mean when I say that they have put thought into everything they do - the linen robes are light and airy, perfect for the warm weather (Side note - this was my second time back in Australia and OMG I didn't realise it gets that hot) so you can enjoy that hotel robe life without sweltering.
I did a quick room tour on my Instagram stories (it's on my highlights section on my page still under The Calile) and throughout our stay kept gushing about the bathroom. Look, I love a good bathroom, okay? I know we only spend a certain amount of time in them but if it were up to me, I'd do everything in that space. Maybe reply to some emails. I don't know. Something. I was really excited everytime I stepped into that shower. It's just so pretty! Just. Look. At. It!!! The Grown Alchemist toiletries were a nice touch too. It's a brand I really love and so to find them in there just made the whole experience even more luxurious. My only wish is that every room had a bath because I would love to have a bath while surrounded by pretty pink tiles but hey, I heard their suites had baths in them so that's a handy tip for next time!
We haven't even talked about the rest of the hotel yet! The Calile has a pool (not just any pool but the dreamiest pool and pool area I ever did see) and an amphitheatre with the best views of Brisbane. Even the corridors are so visually stunning with their neutral palette and smooth lines.
Mum and I took a walk around and bumped into so many others doing the same, taking photos for Instagram, and admiring the view. It just goes to show how beautiful The Calile really is especially under clear blue skies. It's the kind of place that makes me feel like I'm in LA or Miami - palm trees, clear blue water in the pool, and lounging around under massive umbrellas. It's the perfect place to escape to - whether you're on holiday and visiting Brisbane or even a staycation for a weekend if you're local.
Part of any hotel experience is room service. You know, that glorious moment where you can just pick up a phone and tell them what you'd like to eat and then like magic, you'll eventually hear a knock on your door from someone who is bringing you happiness in a plate. I have this theory that one of the reasons why we find hotels relaxing is because we don't have to do the cooking and dishes after. As much as I love to cook, man it takes up a lot of time. Then there's the cleaning up bit which I find even worse. Anyway, that's not the point.
We ordered room service for breakfast and were told that we were the first ones to do so! It was such a nice way to start the day - we were greeted by the lovely Kim and Monica with huge smiles and a yummy fare. We had salmon bagels with onsen egg (slow cooked soft boiled egg the Japanese way - it's life changing) and an omelette with tea and coffee. So good we had the same thing the next day because we are creatures of habit and if we love something, we love it hard. It was a good morning indeed.
Not to be that person who goes on and on about food, but I need to take a moment to talk about Lobby Bar. Okay, let's be honest, I am that girl who likes to drone on about food. But hear me out - we had one of the best meals of our lives at Lobby Bar. On our last night at The Calile, mum and I went for dinner downstairs. It was the only thing we haven't experienced yet at The Calile, and we wanted to try everything before we left. So we took that short commute down via one elevator ride. The place was busy, humming with conversation and an electric energy (booze?). We were lucky to get one of the last tables and were greeted by Kim and Monica again. We've grown close to them by this stage and we knew a bit about each other (like Monica used to manage Ortolana which is my local cafe here in Auckland) so dining there was kind of like dining at a friends place. Warm, friendly, inviting.
We decided to try a few different things starting with the burrata. Oh that burrata. I'm still dreaming about it now! Came with the freshest salad and miso pesto (I'm pretty sure I tasted those flavours) dressing. We had the Wagyu and frites, the chicken (served cold, delicious, unlike anything we've ever tried before) and topped the meal off with some green tea ice cream and chocolate mousse. Chef Kitak even came out to say hello and assure mum Wagyu is best when it's cooked medium (mum is a well done kinda gal through and through) which was so nice of him to do. It was decadent but light and I was so sad we were going home the next day because I wanted to eat it again!
I heard they were also building another restaurant on site called Hellenika with a menu that's Greek inspired. Not sure when they'll open but hopefully the next time we come around we'll get to try it. For now, though, Lobby Bar is the way to go - I regret not taking more photos during the day but there's always the next trip, right?
On our last day at The Calile, I went for an early morning swim and watched the sun come up (thank you, body clock and time difference). It was so peaceful. Mum was still in the room and I had the pool all to myself. I thought about ways I could - I don't know - delay the inevitable moment that we have to leave the hotel.
They were discreetly installing some seats in the cabanas behind me and it reminded me that there was still a lot more to come at The Calile. Usually on a hotel's opening weekend, you tend to expect a bit more conundrums as they start polishing up products or services or even interactions with customers. We didn't feel any of that there, just a lovely experience in a beautiful, dreamy place, with a wonderfully kind team behind it. If this is the experience now, I can't help but think how amazing the new developments will be. I can't wait to revisit The Calile when that happens but for now, we leave with great memories, an addiction to burrata (there, I said it. Now I can start the recovery journey), and a whole lot of photos to show for it.
Thank you Jeremy, Jackson, Danika, Kim, Monica, and the rest of the team for such an incredible stay and for your hospitality. Miss you already, The Calile. I'm already planning a trip back!
The Calile Hotel
48 James Street
Fortitude Valley
QLD Australia 4006
This post was created in partnership with The Calile Hotel
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