Amora Hotel Brisbane general manager Rob Unson brings a wealth of experience to his role, with a career spanning 30 years in the hospitality industry. Photos: Rama Gaind.
“People will forget what you said. They will forget what you did. But they will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou
An eloquent description by the American memoirist, poet and civil rights activist, and one that aptly enunciates reflections about my two-day sojourn in Queensland’s capital. It was a long-standing intention, undertaken a fortnight after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred had left a trail of destruction in its wake. Luckily, Amora Hotel Brisbane was undamaged as a result of this natural disaster.
The Creek Street site was familiar, but from check-in to departure, this stay was an unprecedented experience, giving way to luxury reimagined! No wonder, since Amora Brisbane (formerly Novotel Brisbane) had undergone a $30 million comprehensive rebranding and refurbishment in 2024.
Further compelling insight came with the revelation of ownership, uncovering an engrossing history of the Thai family-owned Amora Hotels & Resorts, which operates seven high-quality hotels in Australia and Thailand.
While not entirely new, Amora is expanding its presence in Australia, where it owns four hotels: Amora Hotel Brisbane, Amora Hotel Riverwalk Melbourne, Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney, and the recently acquired Hilton Adelaide, which marked a significant milestone in the company’s business expansion strategy.
Second-generation owner and director Earp Siriphatrawan said the Amora Brisbane was “certainly a feather in our cap and we couldn’t be happier about the full potential of the property in the years to come. Hilton acquisition aligns with our vision of establishing a strong presence in key Australian cities while delivering world-class hospitality experiences.
Settle into sleek, contemporary comfort at the Amora Hotel Brisbane in Creek Street.
“As a company, we are looking to cement our footprint as a five-star hospitality group in Australia and Thailand, and we will achieve that by expanding in key cities in the Asia Pacific and in developing South-East Asian destinations. Our goal is to have 12 hotels in the region within the next five years.”
In Thailand, Amora Group’s flagship property is Amora Beach Resort Phuket. The two others are Amora Neoluxe Hotel Bangkok and Amora Hotel Chiang Mai.
Earp is dedicated to continuing the Amora legacy in memory of his late father, businessman and entrepreneur Dr Tanapun Siriphatrawan, a self-made man of humble origin, who named his hotels ‘’Amora’’ as a homage to his wife, Amornrat, a testament to his love.
It’s fair to say true hospitality is a delicate balance of warmth, form, reciprocal cordiality and mutual sophisticated encounters delivered with flair. The hotel’s interior has pleasantly simple configurations, clean lines and a focus on functionality.
A top priority for general manager Rob Unson is a commitment to delivering exceptional customer-centric hospitality and superior service.
“The market’s response has been very strong and we continue to establish the Amora as a dominant five-star business and leisure hotel in Brisbane,” Rob said at a welcome meeting. “It’s heartening to see the brand strengthen its reputation across the country.
Amora Hotel Brisbane director of sales and marketing Nikki Travis and executive chef Ranjeet Singh at the Dapl Restaurant.
“We are constantly looking at where we are going in comparison to hotels around us. It is not enough to just position a property as five-star luxury. We are focusing on our strengths, reshaping our teams and service delivery, engaging with inhouse guests and providing warm and personal service.”
Amora Brisbane features 296 rooms across 14 floors, an elevated outdoor swimming pool and deck, a fitness studio and a sauna. It delivers on comfortable accommodation, personalised service and delectable dining experiences. If you stay in a premier room, then the mini-bar contents are free – and replenished daily!
Investing in people and products is a clear obligation for director of sales and marketing Nikki Travis, who believes that being genuine is of the essence.
“Listening and engaging with guests, to interact with warmth, that’s the consistent daily passion for success … it’s the journey, where there’s an end goal and we’re open to growth,” Nikki said.
“We provide an innovative approach to meet the evolving needs of today’s travellers seeking more mindful and meaningful experiences that bring value.”
The richness and diversity of modern Australian cuisine using the best locally sourced produce and ingredients is showcased with creative flair by executive chef Ranjeet Singh at the Dapl Restaurant.
Ranjeet, who has a master’s in hotel management, “cooks from the heart” and loves interacting with people. Every dish he made was a treat. Delectable, flavourful, scrumptious: from the free-range duck breast to the lemon thyme chicken breast and the avocado mushy on toast for breakfast.
The hotel, a short stroll from the Central Railway Station, the Queen Street Mall, Treasury Casino and Suncorp Stadium, is a retreat of relaxation and pampering. This stay was a much-needed getaway … so, it does matter where you stay!
