A testament to the Fitzgibbons family’s indisputable passion for this hotel; ever-growing, ever-changing, but always unwavering warmth & welcome.
1800’s - Where it all began
1863
The Land
Charles Baker buys the land The Glen Hotel sits on today and building commences.
1865
The First Beer
Baker’s Hotel opens and the first beers are poured, making it amongst the oldest, continuously trading licensed premises in Queensland.
1875
The Cobb & Co.
Cobb & Co. coaches stop daily at the newly named “The Eight Mile Plains Hotel” on their Brisbane to Southport route. Passengers enjoy hot meals and cold ale from the Hotel as fresh horses are harnessed.
1900’s – The Glen
1927
The Glen
With the undulating countryside reminding them of their hometown, Scottish sisters Mary-Jane McCamey and Emma O’Sullivan take over the Hotel, changing its name to “The Glen.”
1960
The Family
After years of watching their parents transform establishments throughout Queensland, siblings Brian, Vince and Imelda Fitzgibbons buy the rundown Hotel with plans to bring it back to life. Brian’s son, also named Brian, aged eight, accompanies his dad to the Hotel for the nightly lockup.
1963
The First Makeover
Brian & Elaine Fitzgibbons and their nine children move into the Hotel as extensive renovations start. A new drive-in bottle service, front bar, and cabaret room are added to the Hotel, creating a hub of dinner dances, cabarets, and discos.
1964
The Entertainment
The Hotel is an icon in Brisbane during this time with The Rumblin’ Tum disco, Richard Swift and the “Glenaires” on cabaret night and performances from Johnny O’Keeffe, Kamahl, Billy Thorpe, Daddy Cool and the Deltones.
1986
The Brothers
Brian and Greg Fitzgibbons buy the Hotel, keeping it in the family.
1988
The Cookhouse
Renovations are complete just in time for Expo 88 opening in Brisbane. The Hotel opens a new bar, “The Cookhouse Restaurant” and builds three outdoor rotundas along Bulimba Creek.
1993
The First Award
The Glen Hotel are awarded ‘Best Bar Presentation & Service’ at the State and National Hotel Awards for Excellence.
1994
The Pokies
A brand new gaming room with 20 new machines and new conference rooms open.
2000’s – The Development
2003
The Deck
The Deck opens, providing expansive timber decking overlooking Bulimba creek and the gardens, with a new kids’ playground to complete the picture.
2004
The Fundraising
The inaugural Go Pink Day lunch in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation is held.
2009
The Best Functions
We are awarded ‘Best Functions Operation/Facility’ at the Queensland Hotels Association Awards for Excellence.
2010’s – Where we are today
2010
50 Years
The Fitzgibbons family celebrates 50 years of continuous ownership at The Glen.
2014
The Glen Hotel & Suites
In time for the G20 summit in Brisbane, The Glen Suites opens, offering 4.5 star hotel rooms becoming a preferred accommodation provider for G20 support services.
2015
The Best New Accommodation
The Glen Hotel & Suites are awarded ‘Best New Accommodation Hotel/Resort’ at the Queensland Hotels Association Awards for Excellence.
2015
The End of an Era
Co-Owner Greg retires, but the Fitzgibbons name happily continues at the heart of The Glen Hotel as Brian and his family retain ownership.
2016
Charles Baker Donuts & Coffee
Charles Baker Donuts & Coffee opens, named as an ode to the original owner of The Glen.
2017
Alphonsus Pizza
New additions arrive all the way from Naples, Italy – twin wood-fired pizza ovens. Named after Brian’s grandfather, Alphonsus Pizza is born.
2018
Lily
Eager to create an intimate sanctuary within the heart of the Hotel, it’s only fitting that the new restaurant be named Lily, after Brian’s garden-loving grandmother and Phons’ wife.
2018
The Sustainable Initiative
The Glen is proud to be one of the first hotel’s to eliminate plastic straws and reduce the use of straws altogether.
2019
The Hotel of the Year
The Glen Hotel & Suites is awarded Best Casual Dining and the Judges award for Best Overall Hotel in Queensland at the Queensland Hotel Association Awards for Excellence.
2021
The Olympics
The Glen Hotel & Suites hosts Australian teams for their training and team immersion before leaving for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, just days before Brisbane is announced as the host city of the 2032 Olympics.
