Alex Hotel

Overview

So I’ve stayed at the Alex Hotel a few times now – it’s right on James Street in the heart of Perth’s CBD, and honestly, the location is pretty much perfect if you want to be in the thick of things. You know what struck me first? The building itself has this sort of understated elegance that doesn’t scream “look at me” like some of the flashier places around town, but once you’re inside, you get why it’s got that 8.7 rating.

The thing about staying here is that you’re literally a two-minute walk from Murray Street Mall, which means you can duck out for coffee at Telegram or grab dinner at any of those little laneways without having to think about transport. I mean, parking in the CBD can be a nightmare, but the hotel’s valet service actually knows what they’re doing – they’ll sort you out without that usual city hotel runaround. The rooms themselves are what I’d call “properly comfortable” rather than trying too hard to be boutique-y. The beds are genuinely good (I’m picky about this stuff), and the bathrooms have that nice marble-ish finish that doesn’t feel cheap. You’ll get decent natural light too, which is more than I can say for some places I’ve stayed around here.

What really sells it for me is the little details that show someone’s actually thinking about what guests need. The WiFi works everywhere – and I mean properly works, not that frustrating hotel internet that cuts out when you need it most. The air conditioning is quiet enough that you won’t wake up feeling like you’ve been sleeping next to a jet engine, and the blackout curtains are actually blackout curtains, not those flimsy things that let in every streetlight. The staff at reception seem to genuinely know Perth too, which is refreshing – ask them about getting to Kings Park or the best way to Fremantle, and you’ll get actual useful advice, not just a printed map. If you’re here during festival season or when there’s something big happening at the Perth Arena (which is practically next door), expect things to get a bit busier, but the hotel handles it well. The only minor gripe I have is that the elevators can be a bit slow during peak times, but honestly, that’s pretty standard for a building this size in the CBD. For a four-star place, it punches above its weight – you’re getting solid comfort, a spot that puts you right where you want to be, and service that doesn’t feel like they’re reading from a script.