Holiday Inn Perth City Centre by IHG

Overview

You know what struck me first about the Holiday Inn Perth City Centre? It’s actually got personality, which honestly surprised me for a chain hotel. Walking up Hay Street, you can’t miss it – the building has this solid, unpretentious vibe that just works in the CBD. I mean, you’re literally in the heart of everything here, with Murray Street Mall just a quick walk away and the train station close enough that you can hear the occasional rumble (but not enough to keep you awake, thankfully).

The lobby feels more spacious than you’d expect, and check-in was refreshingly quick – none of that drawn-out process where they try to upsell you on breakfast packages. The staff actually seemed to know Perth, which is huge when you’re trying to figure out where to grab decent coffee (spoiler: there’s a great little place on Barrack Street they recommended). The rooms are what I’d call “modern comfortable” – not trying too hard to be trendy, but everything works properly. The beds are genuinely good, and the blackout curtains actually block out the city lights, which is a minor miracle. I stayed on the seventh floor and could see glimpses of the Swan River between buildings, though honestly the street view rooms are just as nice.

What really sold me on this place was the practical stuff that other hotels somehow mess up. The WiFi actually works throughout the building, the elevators don’t take forever, and – this might sound weird – but the water pressure in the shower is fantastic. Plus, parking is available right there, which if you’ve ever tried to find a spot in Perth CBD on a weekday, you’ll know is worth its weight in gold. The location means you can walk to Elizabeth Quay in about ten minutes, hit up the nightlife on Northbridge without needing a cab, or just wander the pedestrian areas when you need some air. It’s not the fanciest place you’ll ever stay, but it’s the kind of hotel that gets everything right without making a big deal about it. That 8.7 rating? Yeah, it’s earned.