As a major Australian hub, Brisbane has a classy set of luxury hotels to cater for its international visitors. Downtown accommodation in the city tends to be upscale but there are excellent mid-range, family options in the nearby suburbs.

The central business district is the location of choice for most visitors and features luxury four and five-star hotels. The Hilton Brisbane is one of the city's premium hotels, with its central location and the biggest hotel atrium in Australia. Equally appealing is the Brisbane Marriott, which offers five-star comfort and river views.

Plenty of mid-range options also exist in the city centre for those on a tighter budget, including the Ibis Brisbane and the Mercure Brisbane. These three-star facilities are perfect for couples and groups looking for a centrally located hotel with comfortable rooms and standard facilities.

South Bank also has a nice choice of hotels for those who prefer a more relaxing pace than that of the city centre. The hotels here are mid-range to upmarket, with Rydges South Bank being a popular choice. This four-star hotel is perfect for families or business travellers who need to access the adjacent Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Alternatively, visitors can stay in pretty Spring Hill, which has cheaper hotels and apartment-style accommodation for long-term visitors. Accessible by a short ferry ride from the city centre are Kangaroo Point and Portside, both of which offer great views of the city skyline and have a number of hotel choices.

An up-and-coming district with a great set of boutique hotels is Hamilton, just 10 minutes to the north of the city. This is also a suitable base for those with early or late flights at the city's international airport. If you want to stay even closer to Brisbane International Airport, the Best Western Airport Hacienda Motel is a good choice, while Quality and Comfort inns are also on hand.

Popular among the young trendy set is Fortitude Valley, a hub of upbeat cafés, bars and budget accommodation. Although this part of the city largely attracts the backpacker crowd, it has some nice mid-range options too. Nearby Chinatown is a great spot for dining out but not for accommodation.

The city has so many activities and attractions to keep visitors occupied you may find you don't use the facilities on offer at your hotel. It is for this reason that many choose to save on Brisbane's big name hotels and opt for a quaint inn or bed and breakfast in the suburbs instead. One thing you will want to insist on, however, is air conditioning as the summer months see temperatures soar.