- Perth tourism industry has recovered to above 2018 levels
- One hotel is a restoration of a heritage-listed building
- Complimentary sparkling water is also offered on tap in a hotel below
Perth’s hospitality scene has seen significant levels of renewal and revitalisation of late, with new hotels also cropping up across Western Australia.
World-famous hotel chains have seen brand new interiors fitted, with some of Western Australia’s oldest buildings brought back to life as some of the most luxurious hotels around town.
According to Tourism Research Australia’s data, 2022 was the year tourists returned to Western Australia in droves.
In its five-year trend figures, 2022 saw 30,516,000 visitors, above 2018 figures of 30,494,000 visitors.
Figures also showed that visitors to WA also spent a billion dollars more than 2018 levels, with 2022 seeing $12.25 billion spent in the state, whereas 2018 only saw tourists spend $11 billion in Western Australia.
From Hilton to harbour’s, take a look at some of Perth’s most Insta-worthy.
Warders Hotel: The former prison guard home turned luxury hotel
Not only is Warders Hotel incredibly Instragrammable itself, but it is also next door to one of Western Australia’s most famous weekend markets: The Fremantle Markets, or Freo Markets as some call it, home to (in some cases literal) melting pot of flavours, food, fresh fruit and vegetables, and other knick knacks.
The entire locale of Fremantle an incredible place for taking beautiful pictures, but if absolutely nothing else, and that is admittedly quite difficult in Freo, then Warders has complimentary sparkling water on tap in each room!
Formerly the quarters of Fremantle prison guarders, also known as warders, the national heritage-listed building is situated practically smack bang in the middle of Fremantle, amongst all the cultural delights the harbour city has to offer.
The original entry borders the Fremantle markets, with the reception a beautifully warm room, with Jarrah adorning the walls to the ceiling. The reception desk itself contrasts the walls, a brilliant, rich, austral dream marble slab, elevating the space and a subtle cue, hinting towards the luxury nature of the hotel.
Warders Hotel is also home to two beautifully designed places to eat and drink: Gimlet, and Emily Taylor, with the latter having won awards for lighting design.
The hotel is nothing short of exquisite in its clever reuse of the heritage site and the restoration thereof.
With a feel much like that of the French navy, the cabin-esque interiors of the hotel are elevated with a slightly warm royal blue, not a heritage colour but one that was taken from paint samples of the existing window frames.
It plays on the maritime feeling that has been introduced throughout and gives the sense of being at sea.
The hotel was designed by Matthew Crawford Architects, the original article was written by Reinette Roux, with photography by Dion Robeson.
Perth’s Hilton Hotel reimagined
The Parmelia Hilton Hotel in Perth opened its doors in the 1960s, with owners Hawaiian looking to reimagine the iconic Perth hotel late in 2017.
Taking on a very contemporary feel, the hotel redesign not only created beautiful, Instagrammable places throughout the hotel, but architects also ensured the hotel had a greater engagement with the city’s urban fabric via increased permeability and additional connections to surrounding locations.
Parmelia Hilton not only connects Mill Street and St Georges Terrace, it also connects to a previously unknown rear laneway, which is now home to the Hawaiian offices and a community coffee shop. Direct connections have also been made to Brookfield Place and surrounding office towers where many of the hotel’s guests do business.
The hotel entrance has been designed to offer respite on entry and typical hotel features have been softened; reception is positioned to one side to create a less intimidating arrival, for example. Visitors are presented with a place to pause and catch their breath, where a comfortable seating area with lowered ceilings invites guests to sit and admire the local artwork inspired by the bold landscape of Western Australia.
The hotel theme includes cool tones that reflect the coastal landscape, with the blue hue of the reception desk glowing as light from a series of bronze pendants cascades onto its surface and an additional strip light highlights it from below.
This clever use of lighting provides a wayfinder for visitors, as light has not only been used to create ambience but also to reduce the need for physical signage.
The hotel redesign was by COX Architects, the original article was written by Millie Gillespie, with photography by Ryan North & Robert Frith.
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These stories were originally published in The Architect magazine, an official publication of the Australian Institute of Architects. It has been edited for republication by The Property Tribune.
The Property Tribune thanks the Australian Institute of Architects for the opportunity to republish the work, and shine a light on Australian architecture.
