This article is produced by National Geographic Traveler (United Kingdom).
Until recently, Perth seemed to exist in its own bubble — some 2,000 miles west of Sydney and one of the world’s most isolated cities, Western Australia’s capital seemed largely indifferent to the rest of the country. Over the past decade, however, untold millions have been spent on honing the city’s reputation as Australia’s understated hotspot, accompanied by an unprecedented hotel boom that has seen 45 new properties open their doors to guests. Position yourself in glitzy downtown or boho Fremantle for access to the city’s sought-after neighbourhoods, from hip Leederville to grungy Northbridge and beachy Cottesloe.
Best for: Skyline views
Hundreds of shards of broken pottery adorn the lobby of the world’s 100th Ritz-Carlton hotel, which opened in 2019. The ceramic pieces, which have been turned into an art installation, were recovered during excavations to create Elizabeth Quay. The waterfront area frames the Swan River and offers a new perspective on land that once served as a pre-colonial Aboriginal gathering place. Today, it’s lit up in a myriad of neon colours, making for enchanting evening strolls. Take in the views from the hotel’s 18-storey rooftop Songbird Bar & Lounge, Hearth Lounge and floodlit pool overlooking the quay. Rooms: from A$529 (£275).
Best for: Heritage
True story: A ghost hunter was hired to rid these historic terraced houses, once home to guards from nearby Fremantle Prison, of any remaining ghosts. Don’t let that put you off, though: the boutique rooms – in duck blue or dusty pink – feel more peaceful than ever. They combine restored wooden planks with plush bedding and copper pipes that form linear sculptures along thick limestone walls, which date back to 1851. You won’t have to incur the wrath of any remaining ghost guards by pilfering the contents of the minibar or breakfast pastries – it’s all free – while a bustling Asian dumpling cellar downstairs will deliver you to your cocoon at the tap of a QR code. Next door is Fremantle Markets, selling everything from fashion to local produce. Rooms: from A$299 (£155).
Best for: quokka spotting
If grinning marsupials aren’t enough to get you to Rottnest Island, perhaps this luxurious getaway will. The visionaries behind the first-ever luxury property to open on the quokka-dotted nature reserve took 13 years to achieve their goal, overcoming obstacles including a 12-mile ocean channel and a global pandemic before Samphire could fit its A$30 million (£15.8 million) worth of bone-colored elegance into the Rottnest landscape. Named after a native succulent, the ocean-view resort is a 30-minute ferry ride from the mainland and has 80 rooms set around two lagoon pools. With a myriad of beachside drinking and dining options in minimalist, understated settings, it’s almost too easy not to explore the rest of the island, with guided walks, e-bikes and a Wadjemup Aboriginal tour available. Rooms: from A$249 (£129).
Best for: Cool couples
Cockatoo wallpaper? Check. Snakeskin lifts? Check. A touch of black? Check. Personality oozes from every surface at QT Perth, creating an atmosphere that’s opulent, grown-up and seductive. Nods to Western Australia are everywhere: in the guestrooms, metallic artwork nods to the local mining industry, native wildlife adorns the wallpaper and jewel tones in luxurious fabrics inspired by the diamonds found in the north. QT’s 18th-floor rooftop bar is decked out in the colours of the state’s Kimberley region. Reds and turquoises — reminiscent of the rocks and the ocean — contrast with the surrounding skyscrapers, so close you could almost reach out and touch them. On the first floor is Santini Grill, one of the city’s best Italian restaurants. Rooms: from A$314 (£163).
Best for: flashpackers
The floor-to-ceiling windows at this chic retreat might make you forget you’re in a hostel. The private rooms occupy a floor-and-a-half of a skyscraper in central Perth and feature high ceilings, black steel bed frames, pine planks and vinyl floorboards. Each room also has air conditioning and a private bathroom. The polished concrete communal areas include a cinema screen with plush patio chairs, a café serving basic breakfasts and a gaming hub with an old-fashioned Pac-Man table. Rooms: from A$129 (£67).
Best for: Affordable chic
If fashion, architecture and design books are your thing, you might never leave Tribe. Big, shiny hardbacks are stacked in the quirky café-bar-lounge, which is dotted with cheeky statement furniture – plush, plush chairs, an electric-blue sofa that resembles pillowy clam lips, shiny gold accents and neon strips. It’s also great value – omitting a minibar, concierge and doorman results in meagre rates. Rooms are compact, with smart design touches and floor-to-ceiling windows. Rooms: from A$179 (£93).
Best for: neighborhood atmosphere
Six friends thought they were contestants on a reality TV renovation competition when they took over this seaside pub, conveniently located on the eclectic South Fremantle cafe strip. They each took on the task of decorating a guest room. As a result, no two are the same. Some have four-poster beds, others have period fireplaces or curiosities from the owners’ homes. The Elephant Suite is particularly sought-after for its giant mural of cuddling pachyderms, painted by local artist Anya Brock. With light streaming through sash windows and stylish décor, it has a homely feel, a feeling that carries over to the downstairs bar. The pub is a meeting place for a colourful cast of regulars, including musicians, traders and artists. Rooms: from A$155 (£81).
Best for: luxury wellness
Red cedar saunas are attached to the three rooms that make up this adults-only retreat tucked away in Perth’s Swan Valley wine region. Fittingly, the recently opened freestanding Wine Barrel room resembles a giant wooden vat, coupled with a barrel-shaped sauna. The lofty space and countryside views are contrasted by a range of clever features, including automated blinds. An outdoor hot tub, private golf cart and nearby spa with flotation pod complete the experience. Rooms: from A$445 (£231).
Best for: Design enthusiasts
Playfulness is key at Alex, with a record player here, a velvet loveseat there and designer knickknacks galore. The boutique haven is as artisanal as its founders, the original owners of Fremantle’s world-famous Little Creatures brewery. The six-storey building — housed in the Perth Cultural Centre — is perfectly placed for exploring the Art Gallery of Western Australia, WA Museum Boola Bardip and the State Theatre Centre of WA. Inside, a focus on communal zones, from the arty mezzanine to the skyline-hugging rooftop, gives guests reason to linger. The minimalist rooms are small but fun: double-glazed, glass-encased showers look out boldly onto the world outside (electric modesty curtains optional). Perks include Alex’s adjoining restaurant, Shadow Wine Bar, and noon check-out. Rooms: from A$270 (£140).
Best for: subtle elegance
Its location at Point Zero – the city’s focal point, from which all distances to Perth are measured – is an element of this five-star hotel’s story that’s almost forgotten the moment you step inside. Built in the 1890s to house the State Treasury Buildings and the original General Post Office, the current iteration brings a palpable sense of refined luxury to the city centre. The hotel has 48 voluminous guest rooms – no two are the same – four top-notch restaurants, an indoor pool overlooking historic rooftops, a day spa, a private library and, on the public floor, a collection of boutiques ranging from florist to tailor to chocolatier. For understated wow factor, there’s no better place. Rooms: from A$895 (£465).
Published in the September 2024 issue of National Geographic Traveler (United Kingdom).
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