New Pullman Brisbane Airport

[zig]

A few photos of the lounge.

 

[kermatu]

I too was upgraded from basic room (pre-negotiated, reduced rate) to an Exec Room on the 9th floor with a decent view of the runway (southern side) if that's of interest and down to the city in the distance which was good.

I'd say occupancy is such that an exec level upgrade would be close to guaranteed, but suspect the rooms are identical. There were 3 suites on my floor - saw no evidence any were occupied, but that's not conclusive of course. I didn't ask about occupancy or a further upgrade to a suite.

 

[kermatu]

Just stayed another night here. Booked basic room (approx $200) and upgraded to 8th floor, executive deluxe corner room. Ok view but the ibis basically blocks most of it. Good view of control tower though! And down to the city.
Lounge was open but not much there. A few croissants and biscuits, some fruit, plus soft drinks and tea/coffee as described by others upthread.

Canapés in the bar. Quite a few patrons but only 3 or 4 individuals / couples taking part in the Exec service. Wines were good. But I was disappointed in the tasting plate (quite a lot poorer than in my previous stay). Took 30 minutes to arrive too. Others seemed to get theirs within 5. Despite having 6 staff serving in the bar and restaurant, service was slow unless you walked to the bar yourself. Which I guess is ok but for some reason I found a bit poor.

Room service a bit more pricey and somewhat fewer options than previously. But not too bad.

Biggest difference is breakfast for executive members is now a buffet in the restaurant. You cannot order off the card as part of this. Barista coffee $5. Coffee machine ok, and the buffet itself was fine if a little underwhelming. A few cereals and breads, yogurt and muesli, very limited cold meat selection, but decent bacon, scrambled eggs and nice mushrooms. I think you could order other eggs. But I’d have preferred to order their fritters or some avocado.

Hotel seemed to be better patronised but was still nice and quiet. Never waited for the lifts and didn’t hear any corridor noise this time.

 

[kermatu]

Views from and of lounge:

 

[kermatu]

And the very average tasting plate.

 

[zig]

The change in breakfast is disappointing. I enjoyed being able to order off the menu and getting a real coffee at the same time.

 

[kermatu]

The change in breakfast is disappointing. I enjoyed being able to order off the menu and getting a real coffee at the same time.

Agree. I’d forego the lounge for a better breakfast.

 

[kermatu]

Just an addendum to this. When I checked out I was told the total, but not shown an itemised list. I had it emailed to me. My fault but over a month later noticed I'd been charged for dinner ($70) which I did not have. Took a bit of emailing back and forth, but the hotel eventually acknowledged an error and gave me a refund.

I suspect my room service order was made at the same time a family of 3 paid for their meal and my details remained on the system. Guess they ended up with a free meal unless they were honest on checkout.

Anyway, two stays and two problems with the bill. Yes I should have examined it at checkout, and hotel was good enough to reverse over a month later. But despite the convenience I'm less inclined to stay here again.

 

[eric2011]

Just an addendum to this. When I checked out I was told the total, but not shown an itemised list. I had it emailed to me. My fault but over a month later noticed I'd been charged for dinner ($70) which I did not have. Took a bit of emailing back and forth, but the hotel eventually acknowledged an error and gave me a refund.

I suspect my room service order was made at the same time a family of 3 paid for their meal and my details remained on the system. Guess they ended up with a free meal unless they were honest on checkout.

Anyway, two stays and two problems with the bill. Yes I should have examined it at checkout, and hotel was good enough to reverse over a month later. But despite the convenience I'm less inclined to stay here again.

I'm staying in a couple of weeks before my flight to LAX. Will make sure to check my account before I leave the property

 

[kermatu]

I'm staying in a couple of weeks before my flight to LAX. Will make sure to check my account before I leave the property

I normally check and almost never have a problem. Got complacent.
Only other place I frequent that has bill problems is the Melbourne Sofitel. Half a day after checkout I consistently get a new bill for one or two mini-bar items which is painful to then get reversed.

Grateful for a report after your stay. I'd like the hotel to do well but it doesn't seem to be headed in the right direction.

 

[eric2011]

Grateful for a report after your stay. I'd like the hotel to do well but it doesn't seem to be headed in the right direction.

Agree and will do. This is my first time at the Pullman. Travelling with Mrs eric2011 this time hence the need for a room with a king size bed (we are both reasonably large people). Normally I stay next door at the Ibis because I am usually in and out of BNE by myself so the queen bed is sufficient for me. (What is it with these 3-4 star "affordable" hotels these days with only having a queen bed.) aargh

 

[kermatu]

Agree and will do. This is my first time at the Pullman. Travelling with Mrs eric2011 this time hence the need for a room with a king size bed (we are both reasonably large people). Normally I stay next door at the Ibis because I am usually in and out of BNE by myself so the queen bed is sufficient for me. (What is it with these 3-4 star "affordable" hotels these days with only having a queen bed.) aargh

If you happen to have or see the evening canapes food offering I'd be interested to know what it is like. As above, I quite enjoyed my first visit and the tasting plate offered but found the second time the quality had really dropped off. I gave some specific feedback on this and was assured the chef had been made aware and undertaken to improve. Somehow have my doubts...

 

[zig]

This is what I got at the start of the month. The following night (no picture) I asked for a plate with no meat, I was just given cheese. I had to push them to add some olives to the plate.

 

[zig]

View attachment 137479 View attachment 137479

This is what I got at the start of the month. The following night (no picture) I asked for a plate with no meat, I was just given cheese. I had to push them to add some olives to the plate.

Sorry for duplication of photo.

 

[kermatu]

View attachment 137479 View attachment 137479

This is what I got at the start of the month. The following night (no picture) I asked for a plate with no meat, I was just given cheese. I had to push them to add some olives to the plate.

Woeful. Not going to attract repeat custom if this is all you get for evening canapes. I have enjoyed their wines, however.

 

[kermatu]

This was the plate back in January. Better meats, terrine, house made spiced cauliflower.

 

[zig]

This was the plate back in January. Better meats, terrine, house made spiced cauliflower.

Agree. I’m not vegetarian, but asked for a non meat plate to see what the alternative was - just cheese was a sad offering.
My first stay was February and at that time I was able to get house sprits at the bar, but that has also been cut. Beer, wine and soft drinks only.

 

[kermatu]

Agree. I’m not vegetarian, but asked for a non meat plate to see what the alternative was - just cheese was a sad offering.
My first stay was February and at that time I was able to get house sprits at the bar, but that has also been cut. Beer, wine and soft drinks only.

Well, back to the Sofitel for me then!

 

[zig]

Well, back to the Sofitel for me then!

That was my thought as well, particularly as I nibbled my cheese

 

[eric2011]

Well, back to the Sofitel for me then!

Understandable but different locations attracting different type of clients. 99% of people staying at the Pullman are there for the proximity to the airport and for me I would forgo the lounge offerings for this. If I want class and luxuary (and the CL offings) then I would stay in town and the Sofitel.
However, that being said, the price of the exec rooms at the Pullman, you certainly deserve better by the looks of the photos and your reports.
As said, I will be able to make my mind up in a couple of weeks.