Brisbane: A Progressive City in a Health-Conscious Nation

Amidst a global surge in natural living, Australia stands recognized as a progressive nation. It offers a wealth of options for embracing a natural lifestyle, from organic foods and cosmetics to outdoor leisure pursuits. Within this health-conscious powerhouse, Brisbane is the city that its residents consistently point to as offering the most opportunities to pursue a healthy life.

Text by MAKIGUCHI June

A City Welcoming to Runners and Cyclists

On June 5th, to commemorate Global Running Day, an event was held in Brisbane. The recently opened Westin Brisbane invited 50 participants from the local community, in addition to hotel guests and Marriott Bonvoy members, to join a fun run. A 5km route was explored alongside the hotel's Run Concierge.

Running the course truly reveals how runner-friendly Brisbane is. Starting from The Westin Brisbane, located centrally in the city, the route meanders towards the Brisbane River before following its well-maintained, expansive promenade. Runners pass by people relaxing on the lawns, enjoying the sun-dappled water, and proceed through the City Botanic Gardens before returning to the hotel.

Though the run began at 7 AM on a weekday, the streets were not crowded. Brisbane's compact urban design makes accessing the picturesque riverbanks easy from anywhere. This allows for casual, daily exercise within the city. Cycling is also popular, with well-maintained courses offering pleasant rides. It's likely this ease of access and quality of routes that leads health-conscious runners and cyclists alike to describe Brisbane as 'easy to live in.'

Of course, running events are also a fixture. The 'Brisbane Trail Ultra Marathon' (held July 6-7, 2019) offers 30km, 60km, and 110km courses, while 'The Sunday Mail Bridge to Brisbane' (held August 25, 2019) includes 5km and 10km runs, making it accessible for beginners.

For cyclists, the 'Brisbane To Gold Coast Cycle Challenge 2019' on September 15th, covering 100km from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, is also a compelling event. Entries for this fun ride, affectionately known as 'B2GC,' close on August 20th, so interested participants should check quickly.

A free route guide for cyclists, 'Riding in Brisbane,' is also available.

It's not just the courses that appeal to health-conscious individuals; the city is also brimming with healthy food options, utilizing abundant fresh and delicious ingredients, in line with Australia's organic leadership. Reflecting Australia's vibrant farmers' market culture, the 'Brisbane City Markets' are held in the city center, offering fresh produce, exotic fruits, processed goods made with fresh herbs and organic ingredients, and lifestyle items. Naturally, international cuisine and juices are also available. These markets take place every Wednesday at Reddacliff Place (8 AM-6 PM) near Victoria Bridge and every Thursday at Cathedral Square (8 AM-2:30 PM), drawing large crowds of locals.

The Westin Brisbane's chef is a regular at the markets.

The Westin Brisbane's chef is a regular at the markets.

Supermarkets also feature a wide selection of Australian produce. You can find quality ingredients essential for healthy eating, such as olive oils, salts in charming containers, peanut butters, and granolas. 'The Standard Market Company' at 'Gasworks Plaza' is particularly noteworthy for its stylishly designed, high-quality products, making it a worthwhile visit.

Furthermore, like other Australian cities, Brisbane boasts a vibrant coffee culture. It's a common lifestyle to cycle or run to a favorite cafe and relax with a perfectly brewed cup.

A local influencer, who introduced me to this way of life, recommended 'Campos' in Newstead. She enthusiastically declared it the best for both coffee and food. Her praise was well-founded; the flat white I had was perfectly balanced between milk and coffee, arguably the best I've ever tasted.

The food was equally impressive, with excellent flavor, generous portions, and fresh ingredients. The carrot cake is also exquisite, so consider taking some away if you're short on time.

Speaking of delicious food, wine is indispensable, and Australia is, of course, a world-renowned wine-producing country. Even in Queensland, small quantities of high-quality wine are produced.

Local wines rarely found outside the state

Kooroomba, located in the Scenic Rim region about an hour's drive from Brisbane, is a highly regarded winery that has been producing wine with integrity using grapes from its own vineyards since the 1800s.

The attached restaurant offers locally sourced cuisine and refined dishes incorporating fragrant lavender from the on-site lavender farm, all paired with the winery's signature wines.

While the white and rosé wines are appealing, I particularly recommend the Shiraz red and the Port. The Shiraz is elegantly smooth, not overly spicy, with a subtle character that complements meals but is also deeply satisfying on its own. The Port is a superb drop, offering a honey-like sweetness, vanilla notes, and a refreshing fruitiness in perfect balance. Both were delicious enough to bring a smile with the first sip. As this winery is small, its wines are rarely seen in Japan, so be sure to sample and purchase them at the cellar door if you find them.

The lavender farm cultivates several varieties, including French and Italian, allowing guests to enjoy the blooms almost year-round. The shop sells aroma goods and salts that highlight lavender's properties. Items promoting restful sleep and relaxation, such as candles and sachets, are also noteworthy.

The ability to be active, enjoy delicious food made with fresh ingredients, and sleep well—these are easily achievable in Brisbane. It's no wonder the city is beloved by those who prioritize health.

A Hotel Supporting the MOVE WELL, EAT WELL, SLEEP WELL Lifestyle

In fact, The Westin Brisbane is the perfect hotel for travelers seeking to experience a healthy lifestyle in Brisbane. The Westin brand is renowned for its Wellness concept, which centers around six pillars: MOVE WELL, EAT WELL, SLEEP WELL, FEEL WELL, WORK WELL, and PLAY WELL, offering guests a healthy and fulfilling hotel experience.

Notably, as a global hotel brand, Westin was an early pioneer in recognizing the connection between health and sleep, developing its signature 'Heavenly Bed' system. This meticulously coordinated bedding, comprising the mattress, linens, and pillows, offers a blissful sleep experience akin to being in heaven, attracting a loyal following. Furthermore, each guest room provides a lavender balm by the bedside, embodying the 'SLEEP WELL' philosophy of promoting restful sleep.

Through these pioneering wellness-focused services, Westin has evolved into a unique and appealing hotel. It also offers healthy menu options for sports enthusiasts and health-conscious guests. Following the fun run held on Global Running Day, June 5th, guests were treated to the hotel's signature 'EAT WELL' breakfast, featuring fresh, local ingredients.

Westin Hotels & Resorts worldwide, including in Brisbane, employ over 225 Run Concierges. The hotels provide Run Westin Maps, encouraging guests to explore their surroundings on foot, and support runners of all levels. For guests traveling light, rental services for training apparel and sneakers are also available.

Dyson hairdryers are a welcome amenity for sports enthusiasts who find themselves needing more frequent showers.

An extension of the 'MOVE WELL' concept is the announcement of partnerships with major marathons in the Asia Pacific region, including the highly regarded Melbourne Marathon and Shanghai International Marathon, in conjunction with the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. Participants are recruited from among Marriott Bonvoy members, who can join for free.

As a pioneer in promoting wellness within the hospitality industry, Westin supports guests in maintaining an active lifestyle while traveling, just as they would at home. For guests training for marathons, the hotel offers stays that facilitate their training routines, providing nutritious meals made with fresh local ingredients, and ensuring optimal rest and recovery—a truly MOVE WELL, EAT WELL, SLEEP WELL experience.

Mike Fulkerson, Vice President, Brand & Marketing, Asia Pacific at Marriott International, shared his insights:

"We recognize that running is becoming a major sport in the Asia Pacific region, with many of our guests participating in world-class marathons. The Westin brand offers a comprehensive Run Westin program across all 225 hotels in 40 countries and territories. Furthermore, in the Asia Pacific region, as part of our ongoing partnerships with top-tier marathons, we provide special services for runners before and after their races."

The Westin Brisbane is also an official partner of the aforementioned 'Brisbane Trail Ultra Marathon' and 'The Sunday Mail Bridge to Brisbane.'

Like participants in other marathons, guests can join training sessions at all Westin Hotels & Resorts in the Asia Pacific region. They can also participate in pre-race events and running clinics led by Run Concierges, Westin Workouts, TRX training to strengthen the core using suspension gear, and EAT WELL programs, not just on race day but also in the lead-up (separate entry is required for marathon participation). Of course, all these programs are open to all health-conscious members, including runners and cyclists not participating in races.

Brisbane is a city where you can achieve Move Well, Eat Well, and Sleep Well. At The Westin, you can explore the local charm through effective exercise, balanced nutrition, and quality sleep. Whether staying for business or leisure, consider maintaining your dedicated lifestyle while enjoying the city from a different perspective through running or cycling.

About the Marathons for Which Westin Serves as Official Partner
● Melbourne Marathonhttp://www.melbournemarathon.jp/
The Melbourne Marathon (held October 13, 2019) is Australia's largest marathon event.
Westin is the exclusive hotel partner for the first time this year. The Westin Melbourne offers a 10-week intensive training program leading up to the race, as well as special packages and benefits for guests staying during the marathon period.

● Shanghai International Marathonhttp://www.shmarathon.com/home.dhtml
The Shanghai International Marathon (held November 17, 2019) is China's most popular marathon. For the second consecutive year, Westin is participating as an official sponsor. The Westin Bund Center Shanghai is located just a few minutes' walk from the marathon start line and offers an 'EAT WELL' breakfast concept to ensure participants can enjoy a nutritious meal even in the early hours before the race. Local team members from Shanghai's #runWestin provide breakfast service and limousine transfers to the hotel from guests' residences.