24 Mar Capri by Fraser Review
You don’t so much see Capri by Fraser as smell it before you get there. The distinct smell of flowers and essential oils.
Having said that this 7+ months pregnant person almost walked straight into oncoming traffic while taking in this hotel on the corner of Mary and Elizabeth Street, Brisbane.
The vertical gardens are impressive but not as impressive as the Asana by Pete Evans stamp on the restaurant and cafe adjoining the hotel.
Check in is swift but dodging the Thai Airways staff that are checking in is a little slower. I grab The Australian, The Financial Review and The Courier-Mail and in the absence of anyone offering, I tow my own carry-on to the lift and up to the 14th floor.
The room is quiet, the bed is soft, the toiletries Malin +Gotz, the tea T2 and the coffee nespresso. Tick.
Free in-room wifi has me updating my Macbook air and iphone 6+ after two weeks of no ADSL at our new capricorn coast location.
After a quick check of the entertainment channel and a reasonable amount of procrastination and debate in my head as to whether I should nap or shop I head downstairs and straight into Asana for afternoon tea.
If you don’t like Paleo you probably won’t like Pete’s collaboration with Fraser. I didn’t mind it. Coffee had great flavour and crema (thanks Barista Lyn for that advice) but it’s luke-warm.
I was expecting earthy lumps of brown sugar when I asked for sweetener but CSL white sugar packets arrive. Then again, Pete probably doesn’t even have sugar at his place. He is friends with Sarah Wilson of the ‘I quit sugar fame’ after all.
After a couple of hours of labour inducing strolling up and down the mall I head back for dinner.
At first I’m tempted with the Gnocci but I only like mushrooms in very small, hidden doses. I go instead for the pan fried salmon and it is cooked well done for my pregnant belly’s safety.
The best part of the meal, it has to be said, is the mango cheesecake with mango sorbet and a crushed nut base. It was divine. The sneaky glass of french rose was pretty good too.
Looking forward to breakfast, after a cup of tea and a packet of M&M’s from the mini bar I turn in.
I’m awake early enough to make it down to the indoor heated pool. Which is lucky because at 8.40am the emergency evacuation systems fires up to tell the building that they are investigating an alarm. It scares me into finishing my ablutions and putting on a bra and clean undies in case we have to evacuate the building.
Luckily everyone is spared my scary morning face. We don’t have to evacuate and I make it to the aqua enclosed enclave where I swim a few laps.
I don’t make it down to breakfast however and I have to make do with a museli bar in the cab on the way to the obstetrician.
Not to worry, I’ll be back.
Capri by Fraser is a little haven of peace, tranquility and luxury that I will be back to enjoy.
THE FACTS
Cost: $209 A special rate from booking.com
Wifi: Free in your room and down in the lobby
Parking: available for around $40
Darkness of room: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Toiletries: 10/10
Bed & Linen: 10/10
Stay again? Absolutely