Como Retreat – two bedroom villa

Overview

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much when I first pulled up to 32 Pether Road – the street’s pretty quiet and residential, which actually turned out to be one of the best things about Como Retreat. This two-bedroom villa sits in one of those pockets of Como where you get that leafy, suburban feel but you’re still close enough to hop on the ferry to the city (the Como jetty is maybe a 10-minute walk, though it’s a bit of a hike back up the hill if you’re carrying groceries).

The place itself has this sort of understated charm – it’s clearly a 4-star property but without any of that stuffy hotel vibe. When I walked in, the first thing I noticed was how much natural light floods through the living areas, and honestly, the space feels way bigger than you’d expect from the outside. The two bedrooms are actually generous – not those cramped hotel rooms where you’re bumping into furniture. The main bedroom has this lovely outlook toward the river, though you can’t quite see the water through the trees. What really impressed me was the kitchen setup; it’s not just a token kitchenette but a proper space where you could actually cook if you wanted to. I mean, there’s a full-sized fridge and everything, which is brilliant if you’re staying for more than a couple of nights.

The location really grew on me the longer I stayed. Como’s one of those Perth suburbs that feels like a bit of a secret – you’re tucked away from the main tourist strips but still well-connected. There’s decent parking (thank god, because street parking around here can be a nightmare), and the Preston Street strip is just down the road with some genuinely good cafes. I particularly loved that you can walk to the river foreshore – it’s not exactly a beach, but there’s something peaceful about those morning walks along the water. The 8.7 rating makes sense once you settle in; it’s not flashy or Instagram-perfect, but everything just works. The WiFi was solid, the beds were comfortable without being too soft, and the whole place had that clean, lived-in feel rather than that sterile hotel smell. Only minor gripe would be that the walls are a bit thin – I could hear my neighbors coming and going, but it wasn’t disruptive, just noticeable. If you’re looking for somewhere that feels more like staying at a friend’s well-appointed house rather than a hotel, and you want to experience Perth more like a local than a tourist, this little villa really delivers.