Crown Metropol Perth

Overview

You know what hits you first at the Crown Metropol Perth? The lobby actually feels like a proper hotel lobby – not some sterile corporate space, but somewhere you’d want to hang out with a coffee. It’s right there in Burswood, which honestly is perfect if you’re planning to hit the casino or catch something at the Crown Theatre, but here’s the thing most people don’t realize – you’re also stupidly close to the Swan River walking trails, and the views from the higher floors are genuinely spectacular, especially at sunset when the city lights start reflecting off the water.

The rooms are what you’d expect from a 5-star place, but there are these little touches that actually matter. The beds are properly comfortable (not just firm for the sake of being firm), and the blackout curtains – well, they actually black out the room, which is a godsend if you’re dealing with jet lag. I mean, the bathrooms are huge, almost ridiculously so, with those deep soaking tubs that you’ll probably use once but feel fancy having. The tech stuff works without needing a manual, which sounds basic but you’d be surprised how many fancy hotels mess this up. One thing though – if you’re a light sleeper, maybe mention you want a room away from Great Eastern Highway when you book, because the traffic can get pretty constant during peak hours.

What really sets this place apart is the staff genuinely seem to know Perth. Ask them about getting to Kings Park (which is absolutely worth the trip, by the way), and they’ll tell you about the free shuttle that most tourists never hear about. The concierge pointed me toward some brilliant little bars in the city that I never would have found otherwise. The pool area is decent – nothing revolutionary, but it gets good sun in the afternoons and there’s actually space to move around, unlike some of these cramped hotel pools. The restaurant scene here is solid too, though honestly, with Crown’s dining options right there, you’ve got everything from casual to seriously fancy within walking distance. Perth’s food scene has exploded in the last few years, and being based here puts you right in the middle of it all. It’s that sweet spot where you feel like you’re staying somewhere special, but you’re not completely isolated from what makes Perth interesting.