Here's your ticket to the golden age - just check in to this Brisbane hotel

Where: 73 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill, Brisbane

How much: From $265 per night

Back in the 1930s when the specialists' suites that became the Inchcolm were built, patients probably weren't quite so eager to step inside this ornate Neo-Georgian building.

These days, a night at this elegant art-deco-inspired hotel is just what the doctor ordered. The Inchcolm recently joined Ode Hotels, a portfolio of boutique hotels launched by EVT Hotels & Resorts, so we booked in for a check-up.

Located on the upper edge of the CBD, The Inchcolm is close to the heart of the action but not so close that my husband and I can't escape its hustle and bustle. The Queen Street Mall, with its big-name retailers, designer boutiques and dining options, and the Airtrain to the airport, are a few minutes away on foot. Walk a little more and you'll reach the Brisbane River, Botanic Gardens and Museum of Brisbane.

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The elegant Charleston-era ambience makes even the weariest traveller like me feel glamorous, despite the fact it's impossible to sashay through the entrance like a femme fatale while dragging a wheelie bag. Check-in is at the bar with its quirky "cabinet of curiosities" housing everything from a retro Donkey Kong game to the original wrought-iron keys to the front door.

This is a change from the usual reception desk, but the staff keep a lookout for confused new arrivals. Thoughtful additions like free self-service laundry, complimentary continental breakfast and attentive service make the Inchcolm a hit. Pets and families are welcome, but you'll probably have more fun at this hotel if you leave the kids at home.

Heritage rooms housed in the original medical suites have loads of old-world charm and decor to suit, albeit with a contemporary twist.

More modern accommodation is available in an annexe at the rear of the hotel, including loft-style rooms with an upstairs bedroom and living area downstairs like the one we stayed in. We loved the spacious multi-level, light-filled design, but a City View Suite might suit you better if you aren't fond of stairs.

The room housing the Inchcolm Bar doubles as a cocktail lounge and dining venue. Its sophisticated surroundings channel the elegance of Brisbane's 1930s socialite scene, especially on Saturday nights when a jazz musician creates a supper-club vibe. The menu is a chic bistro affair with a dash of European style: think Mooloolaba prawns with garlic butter or Darling Downs steak tartare.

We ordered a la carte and, aside from some chewy gnocchi, our meal was excellent. A Three Martini Dinner menu celebrating the golden age of boozy bistro dining offers yet another reason to book a room and make a night of it. Despite the rather grand decor, the bar is cosy rather than intimidating and small enough (and friendly enough) that singles would feel comfortable dining here alone.

The boutique nature of the hotel means there's little to do in-house except order another martini. However, there's plenty to see nearby, including Brisbane City Hall, which can be explored on a free guided tour. You can also ride Australia's oldest hand-operated lift to the top of the clock tower here. It's a fitting way to spend some time as the heritage-listed City Hall opened in the same year as the building housing the Inchcolm.

Sipping a cucumber rose martini in the bar and taking the ornate metal-meshed lift initially designed to accommodate stretcher patients to your room.

Explore more: odehotels.com/inchcolm

The writer was a guest of the Inchcolm.