Stunning new five-star hotels are popping up in Perth with a number of big hotel chains, stamping their mark with their finest accommodation offerings. Take a look inside these beautiful properties.
Crown Towers
Two helicopters simultaneously touch down on the helipad to unload a glamorous bridal party, as a matte-black Bentley and red Maserati pull into the driveway. It could be Las Vegas but it’s riverside Perth.
Staff swoop in to collect luggage so guests can check in hands-free at the Crystal Club on the 15th floor. Like my corner suite, this private lounge has panoramic views across the serenely still Swan River and city skyline, perfectly positioned for sunset. Complimentary breakfast, evening drinks and canapés enhance your stay (for an extra $200 per couple), if you’re not choosing to dine at Rockpool, Nobu or Bistro Guillaume.
Crown Towers houses several other bars and restaurants, live music venues, a theatre, a spa offering La Prairie treatments and wellness facilities, and a sprawling resort area of lagoon pools. Hire one of the cabanas surrounding a circular infinity pool including access to The Enclave’s indoor living room and a dedicated host.
Stay: from $369 per night
Visit: crownperth.com
Como The Treasury
In the historic heart of the city, Como has taken over the former treasury and post office buildings. The complex is indeed a treasure, with the restoration revealing a Victorian-era facade, grand columns, cantilevered balconies and copper-trimmed roofs. The local owners wanted to give these state buildings back to the people of Perth, which explains the 11 entrances that allow easy access to the many bars and restaurants, as well as the Como Shambhala Urban Escape spa.
Post, where all Perth’s mail used to be franked, serves healthy, Italian cuisine. Afternoon tea is held in the Cape Arid Rooms, which exhibit a lovely collection of watercolour artworks. Among the exceptional dinner options is Long Chim, by Michelin-starred David Thompson, and Wildflower. The latter is like a glass box installed on the rooftop, with a menu that changes according to the six Indigenous seasons, a reflection of head chef Matthew Sartori’s passion for native ingredients.
The underground Pooles Temple is the spot to head for live jazz, martinis and oysters. Wine Merchant is next to a bookstore, so you browse the shelves with a glass of wine, while the casual Beer Corner offers 18 craft beers on tap.
There’s so much to see and do that tours of the property are offered for guests, but none of these features outshine the accommodation and architecture. Como’s 48 unusually large rooms average 70 square metres and are furnished with custom-made beds, walk-in wardrobes, entertainment areas and salubrious marble bathrooms with heated floors, window-side baths and huge showers.
Stay: from $595 per night
Visit: comohotels.com
Ritz-Carlton
The only Ritz-Carlton in Australia is at Elizabeth Quay, where the city meets the Swan River. Creative efforts have been made to reflect its West Australian home, from native plants to the art in the lobby incorporating 10,000 pieces of sandstone from the Kimberley. It also boasts the world’s biggest WA wine list – a showcase of the best of the Margaret River, Swan Valley and Great Southern regions.
Indoor-outdoor bar Songbird names its cocktails after Aussie wildlife, such as the pink gin-based Galah. As the sky transitions to night, the fire pit is lit to create a warm ambience for enjoying share plates of tasty regional dishes. Hearth Restaurant offers fine dining where local cuisine is prepared on an open grill, drawing flavour from the smoke and fire.
The most popular location is the heated infinity pool, which overlooks the quay. The spa’s pools with massage jets can be used by all guests, with or without a treatment.
The spacious, elegant rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows to maximise the water views and huge bathrooms with dimmable lights, deep bathtubs, rainshowers and Asprey amenities. The 277-square-metre Ritz-Carlton Suite with balcony is priced at $8888 per night – a truly ritzy experience.
Stay: from $412 per night
Visit: ritzcarlton.com
QT
This lively, Australian-owned hotel is the most centrally located in the CBD. The rooftop bar is popular with locals for its twinkly view of the city at night, changing cocktail list and attention to detail; even the ice is sourced from a company that makes it ultra-clear. Award-winning Italian eatery Santini Grill also attracts rave reviews from restaurant critics, who rate its focus on fresh local produce. Other QT highlights include the dreamy king beds, free on-demand movies, black marble bathrooms with Kevin Murphy toiletries and freestanding baths.
The Rock Star package includes a bottle of Cristal champagne, allocated VIP section in the bar and breakfast in bed with recovery cocktails. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, Floor’d is a unique concept where you can book out a whole floor to throw a party in the corridor.
Touchless check-in (optional) is available via your phone at the 24-hour reception.
Stay: From $270 per night
Visit: qthotels.com
What’s new
• The city’s newest build is Doubletree Hilton, which offers uninterrupted views across Elizabeth Quay. The bar on the 18th floor is the highest in Perth.
• Vibe Hotel Subiaco, the first full-service hotel in this inner-city village, opened in October 2020 unveiling a rooftop pool, Storehouse restaurant and bar, gym, and modern rooms that can be transformed into three-bedroom suites.
•Warders Hotel in Fremantle is a boutique conversion of convict-built cottages where prison warders lived from the 1850s.
Take me there
Fly: There are direct flights to Perth from Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. One-way fares from Sydney start at $169 on Jetstar; from Melbourne it’s $235 on Virgin and from Canberra it’s $434 on Qantas.
Explore more: westernaustralia.com
