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.

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 of Vasse 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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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