Welcome to Hotel Addict, a monthly column where I check into Australia’s best hotels, exploring not just the rooms, but the stories, service and settings that make each stay unforgettable and worth adding to your wishlist.
As the car pulls up to COMO The Treasury , I can’t help but be hit with a wave of nostalgia. Nestled in the heart of the CBD and housed in the old State Buildings, the grand Victorian-era facade faces a charming church that immediately draws my eye. Returning to the city where I was born and staying in what’s widely regarded as Perth’s finest hotel feels like a lovely full-circle moment.
The late architect Kerry Hill sensitively transformed the historic buildings into a modern luxury hotel, preserving the heritage architecture. The result is a subtle dialogue between old and new.
The grand Victorian-era facade.
Rather than a typical front desk queue, check-in is a more relaxed, greeting-focused affair. I’m ushered to a plush sofa and offered a warm towel infused with subtle essential oils and a glass ofVasse Felix bubbles. A vibrant floral arrangement showcasing Western Australian natives adds a burst of colour and local character to the space. The tone is welcoming, steering the ambience away from the formal, sometimes stuffy, check-in procedures found at many high-end hotels. I’ve arrived before the 3pm check-in time, yet the staff apologise profusely. I’m still in my room by 2pm.
I’m guided through the moodily lit hallways before arriving at a Heritage Balcony Room, unlocked with a solid brass charm bound in leather. At 70 square meters with soaring ceilings, the space immediately strikes me as larger than many suites I’ve stayed in. Easily one of the biggest rooms I’ve experienced in a CBD, I find myself secretly waiting for the staff member to leave so I can explore like an excited child.
The hotel's design is a subtle dialogue between old and new.
Floral arrangements using Western Australian natives enliven common spaces.
Light and bright, the room is swathed in calming neutral tones. Not one, but two balconies overlook the church, the sun streaming in as if blessing the room itself. It’s at this point I realise it’s where my parents were married. The bathroom is temple-like in scale and stillness, featuring travertine stone, light oak wood and bronze accents. A freestanding bath takes centre stage while a double vanity and plenty of storage offer functionality without disrupting the clean aesthetic.
I’m told no two rooms or suites are the same, and that they’re regularly updated to keep them fresh – sometimes as few as six out of the 48 accommodations are available to guests.
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The Heritage Balcony Room faces St George's Cathedral. (Image: Rachael Thompson)
The bathroom is minimalist yet luxe. (Image: Rachael Thompson)
Rooms are impeccably maintained to remain inviting and comfortable.
The only thing that could pull me away from the room is the two-hour facial I’ve booked at the onsite spa, COMO Shambhala Spa. The drawcard of this treatment is the use of RATIONALE skincare – a product I already know I love. The treatment combines hydroxy acids, antioxidants, micro‑circulatory massage, LED therapy and masks. It’s deeply relaxing and includes a head, arm and foot massage. Afterwards, my skin looks and feels delightfully plump as I sit down for a cup of ginger, lime and honey tea paired with a nut biscuit. I would have loved to have spent some time by the pool afterwards but unfortunately it was closed due to upgrades outside of the hotel’s control.
COMO Shambhala Spa offers a range of treatments from facials to massages.
The luxe swimming pool is ordinarily open to guests.
I slink into my robe – the antithesis of those rough, awkwardly-lengthened ones – enjoying the room, which features a seating area and a table with two chairs. If it weren’t a warm spring day, I’d light the fireplace. The mini-bar is stocked with WA treats: Vasse Felix wine, local spirits and complimentary shortbread, which I inhale.
For dinner, I head down to Post, which occupies the beautifully repurposed historic postal hall – a reminder that the hotel embodies the city’s past and present. I start with oysters, Fremantle octopus and burrata with stone fruit, but the main dish – saffron tagliolini with zucchini and pecorino – steals the show. I wouldn’t call this restaurant a must-try, but it’s worth a visit if you’re unable to get to Wildflower or don’t want to venture far. Devouring a large dollop of tiramisu while soaking in a bath infused with aromatic salts, however, is a must.
Post occupies the beautifully repurposed historic postal hall.
The turndown service feels more considered than any other I’ve experienced. On my bedside table sit two items adorned with flora and fauna artworks by Western Australian artist, Philippa Nikulinsky: a bookmark and a card detailing the Noongar season we’re in (Kambarang) along with suggestions for things to do in Perth the following day. I give the bed and pillows a 10/10 comfort rating.
For the ultimate indulgence, order the tiramisu to your room.
Post serves contemporary Italian cuisine.
The newspaper I requested the day before arrives the next morning in a leather carrier hung on the room’s door handle, which I take to Post for breakfast. The juice of the day is beetroot, and this is followed by a plate of fresh fruit, house-baked pastries and a nut seed toast with avocado, tomato, cucumber, lime and a side of mushrooms. It’s a refreshingly tasty end to my stay and further highlights that this hotel invests in quality.
As a child, Perth felt ordinary. Returning as an adult and staying in one of my new favourite hotels that abuts my parents’ wedding venue has made me fall for it anew.
Details
Best for: Design-savvy travellers and couples
Starting rate: From $895 per night
Address: 1 Cathedral Ave, Perth WA 6000
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.
Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.
From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.
Why Silversea?
Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.
Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.
Take a dip in the pool deck.
1. Koolama Bay
Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.
Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.
Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.
2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt
Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.
Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.
Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)
3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)
Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.
The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.
Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)
4. Horizontal Falls
Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.
With each tidal shift,the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley ’s most mesmerising natural wonders.
Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)
5. Montgomery Reef
As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.
The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel,turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.
Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.
Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.
6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter
Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.
One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions, guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.
Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.
See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)
7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art
The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant
Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.
Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.
Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)
