Wonil Hotel Perth offers laid-back riverside living

Perched on the banks of Perth’s Swan River, the Wonil Hotel Perth pairs contemporary rooms and sweeping waterfront views with a sense of purpose that sets it apart.

In a rare model for the hospitality world, Wonil Hotel Perth operates as a not-for-profit hotel, directing 100% of its net revenue toward medical and scientific research across Western Australia’s five major universities. So while guests enjoy the calm of riverside living, their stay also quietly contributes to the future of science, innovation and health in Australia. And it’s a refreshing stand-out in Perth’s hotel scene.

Location

an aerial view of Swan River, Perth — The peaceful riverside hotel is set on the banks of the Swan River.

Wonil Hotel Perth is located in the inner-city suburb of Crawley, a peaceful riverside locale about 10 minutes from Perth’s CBD. It’s positioned steps from Matilda Bay Reserve, where walking trails hug the shoreline and black swans glide along the water. From here, it’s a short drive or bike ride to Kings Park, Elizabeth Quay and the city’s arts and culture precincts. Though close to the action, the setting feels removed – quiet, leafy and surrounded by nature.

Style and character

the reception area at Wonil Hotel Perth — The floor-to-ceiling windows offer a picturesque view of Matilda Bay.

Named after the Noongar word for peppermint tree, of which there are many shading the riverbanks outside, Wonil Hotel Perth is the first Australian property in Accor’s Handwritten Collection. The overall style is minimal without being sterile – warm wood finishes, tactile furnishings and clever lighting create a relaxed, understated space that melts into its natural surroundings.

The lobby is stunning, spacious and filled with inviting leather couches, well-stocked bookshelves and Indigenous art and sculpture work. The floor-to-ceiling glass doors open out onto a sheltered outdoor deck filled with tables and chairs overlooking the river. During the day this serves as the world’s most picturesque coworking space, but come 5pm, it’s where you’ll find most guests milling around, cocktails in hand.

Facilities

the library nook at Wonil Hotel Perth — Spend time reading books in the cosy library nook.

Wonil Hotel Perth leans toward a pared-back offering, focusing on what guests actually need. While there’s no on-site fitness centre, hotel staff can provide access to the nearby University of WA gym and pool. But why would you, when the hotel is in prime location for an outdoor workout. Walk along the trails that meander through Matilda Bay Reserve, run along the riverfront to the iconic Kings Park, or even tackle the nearby Kokoda Trail – a steep 150-step ascent designed to simulate the exhaustion and effort of the original Kokoda Track soldiers in WWII.

The hotel includes West Kitchen & Bar, a small but well-curated restaurant, plus free Wi-Fi, meeting rooms and secure paid parking. Limited parking is available on-site with an advanced booking.

Rooms

the premier king room with river view at Wonil Hotel Perth — Each room is sleek and spacious with views over the Swan River.

The hotel’s 66 rooms range from Standard to Executive and Premium, many with balconies and uninterrupted views over the Swan River, and some with interconnecting options for families or groups. My room was a Deluxe King with a balcony and river view.

the bathroom at Wonil Hotel Perth — Bathrooms are luxe and spacious.

The space somehow manages to be both modernly sleek and warmly inviting – textured grey walls illuminated by warm sconce lights, an exposed concrete ceiling offset by rich timber accents, and a black wrought iron balcony met with earthy-hued, upholstered leather furnishings. The spacious king bed, roomy shower with luxe Mr Smith toiletries, and complimentary coffee add a special touch.

Food and drink

the outdoor terrace at Wonil Hotel Perth — Gather for sunset drinks on the outdoor terrace.

West Kitchen & Bar offers a truly local experience. When it comes to the drinks, you won’t find anything – wine, beer, spirits – from outside WA. Even the soda water hails from the west. The wine list sees big WA makers like Leeuwin Estate, Vasse Felix and Voyager dance alongside smaller producers like Ironcloud, Singlefile and LS Merchants; with beers from local legends Gage Roads, Little Creatures, Beerfarm and Eagle Bay Brewing.

The dinner menu features seafood, steak and small plates designed for sharing, showcasing local producers. Standouts are the Rottnest kingfish with ruby grapefruit, the barramundi with Tuscan cabbage and the Harvey beef tri tip with smoked bone marrow butter and red wine jus. For dessert, a unique take on a classic – spiced red wine pannacotta, served with poached pear and fresh honeycomb.

Come morning, the hotel offers a curated selection of buffet breakfast options including seasonal fruits, homemade granola, pastries and sourdough. Plus, guests also get a choice of one item from the à la carte breakfast menu – the tomato bruschetta with balsamic, basil, feta and poached eggs on rye was exceptional.

Does Wonil Hotel Perth have access for guests with disabilities?

There are accessible rooms to accommodate guests with accessibility needs.

Is Wonil Hotel Perth it family-friendly?

Yes – the interconnecting rooms make family stays appealing, and the vast grassland and river foreshore of Matilda Bay Reserve are a beautiful spot for kids to run, splash and play in nature.

Best for: Couples, families, business travellers

Address: 21 Hackett Drive, Crawley

Time your visit to Margaret River just right, and you can spend the ultimate weekend wining, dining and exploring the region with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

Wine, world-class produce, surf, sun and beaches: it’s an alluring combination. And the reason so many pin the Margaret River region high on their travel hit-lists. There’s drawcard after drawcard to the southwestern corner of Western Australia, and the Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover food and wine festival showcases the best of it over the course of one weekend in November. It’s never been easier to sip, see and savour the Margaret River region.

In partnership with Pair’d Margaret River Region, Range Rover invites you on a seven-day itinerary of refined adventure, where luxury and exploration go hand in hand. It’s the perfect WA road trip, and there’s no better way to do it than in a Range Rover.

Day 1

the pool at Pullman Bunker Bay — Check into Pullman Bunker Bay.

There’s no more popular West Australian road trip route than that between Perth and the Margaret River Region. It’s an easily digestible, three-hour drive, with worthy pit stops along the way.

Make the first of them one hour and 15 minutes in, at Lake Clifton. Here, find a 2000-year-old living thrombolite reef. Drive for a further 40 minutes and chance meeting some of Bunbury’s dolphin population at Koombana Bay.

Pullman Bunker Bay is the final stop, just over three hours south of Perth. This beachfront, five-star resort is the ultimate base for exploring the Margaret River Wine region.

Day 2

After a leisurely morning breakfast with an ocean view, start your Range Rover and head towards the Dunsborough town centre. Browsing the decidedly coastal-themed goods of the town’s many independent boutiques is a great way to while away the hours, breaking up the sartorial with an artisan gelato snack stop, or some good old-fashioned Australian bakery fare.

Leave room; you’ll need it for the Good Natured Gathering dinner at Wayfinder. Indulge in a four-course feast by chef Felipe Montiel, which uses produce from the winery’s market garden to enhance a selection of sustainably sourced seafood and meat. But food is just the support act. It’s organic wine that’s the star of the show, generously poured and expertly paired to each dish.

Day 3

Settle in for cabernet at Cape Mentelle Winery.

With a grand total of 20 wines from vintage 2022 to try, it’s a good thing Cape Mentelle’s International Cabernet Tasting kicks off early. Make your way to the estate for a 10:00 AM start, where a global selection of wines will be poured blind, before a long lunch by Tiller Dining is served.

Given that the Margaret River is responsible for more than 20 per cent of Australia’s fine wine production, it’s only right to delve into it while in the area.

Continue exploring the region via taste and terroir aboard Alison Maree, a whale-watching catamaran, as you cruise Geographe Bay . Admire the rolling green hills and crisp white beaches of Quindalup in sunset’s golden light, all the while sipping through the Clairault Streicker catalogue and dining on canapes.

For a more substantial dinner, venture into Busselton for a seven-course British x Australian mash-up , courtesy of Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion) and Oliver Kent (Updown Farmhouse, UK). They’ll be putting their rustic yet refined spin on the likes of local marron, wagyu and abalone – championing the simple beauty of the world-class ingredients.

Day 4

Wrap your fingers around a wine glass and wiggle your toes into the sand at Pair’d Beach Club x Range Rover on Meelup Beach. Sit down to an intimate wine session with sommelier Cyndal Petty – or a four-course feast by Aaron Carr of Yarri – and revel in the open-air beach club, bar and restaurant’s laidback coastal vibe. It’s a whole new way to experience one of the region’s most renowned beaches.

Follow up a day in the sun with a casual Italian party at Mr Barvel Wines . Purchase wines –including the elusive, sold-out Nebbia – by the glass and enjoy canapes with the towering Karri forest as a backdrop.

If you’d prefer to keep it local, head to Skigh Wines for the New Wave Gathering , where the region’s independent wine makers and their boundary-pushing wines will be on show. Street-style eats, a DJ and complimentary wine masterclasses complete the experience.

Day 5

pair'd Grand Tasting — Taste your way through Howard Park Wines. (Image: C J Maddock)

Spend the morning at your leisure, driving the winding roads through the Boranup Karri forest in your Range Rover. Soak in the views at Contos Beach, and call into the small cheese, chocolate and preserve producers along the way.

Make your next stop Howard Park Wines for The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines . Numerous wine labels will be pouring their catalogues over four hours, accompanied by food from chefs Matt Moran and Silvia Colloca, with live opera providing the soundtrack.

Cap off a big weekend with one last hurrah at Busselton Pavilion. Six ‘local legends’ – chefs Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion), Mal Chow (Chow’s Table), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Ben Jacob (Lagoon Yallingup), Corey Rozario (Dahl Daddies) and Laura Koentjoro (Banksia Tavern) – will be preparing a dish each. Dance the night away as vinyl spins and the sun sets on another day.

Day 6

Ngilgi Cave western australia — Head underground. (Image: Tourism WA)

After a busy few days of wining and dining, it’s wise to observe a rest day. There’s no easier task than unwinding in the Margaret River Region, also famous for its high concentration of world-class beaches.

Relax on the grassy knoll as you watch the region’s most experienced surfers braving the World Surf League break at Surfer’s Point, or don your own wetsuit and try out one of Gracetown’s more beginner-friendly waves. Swimmers will find their Eden at Meelup Beach, Eagle Bay, or Point Piquet, where the sand is brilliantly white and the water as still as a backyard swimming pool.

Not into sun, sand, and surf? Head underground at Mammoth Cave, just one of the region’s many stalactite-filled caves.

Day 7

Burnt Ends event at Pair'd — Farewell the Margaret River.

Pack up your Range Rover with new favourite wines and newfound memories, ready for the three-hour journey back to Perth.

Prebook your discovery journey through the south-west corner of Western Australia with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

Wonil Hotel Perth combines riverside living with a sense of purpose