The Terrace Hotel

Overview

So I’ve walked past The Terrace Hotel on St Georges Terrace probably a hundred times – you know how it is when you live in Perth, you notice these grand old buildings but never really think about staying in one. Well, I finally did, and honestly? It’s one of those places that looks properly fancy from the outside but has this sort of lived-in elegance once you’re inside. The lobby has that old-world Perth charm – think heritage bones with modern touches that don’t feel forced. What struck me first was how quiet it is despite being right on the Terrace. I mean, you’re literally in the heart of the CBD, but the rooms are surprisingly peaceful. The double glazing actually works, which is more than I can say for some places.

The thing about staying here is the location just makes sense if you’re doing business in the city or want to explore properly. You can walk to the Treasury Buildings in about three minutes, and Elizabeth Quay is right there – though honestly, most locals will tell you to skip the touristy bits down there and head to the small bars tucked away in the laneways instead. The hotel staff seem to get this too; they’ll point you toward Wolf Lane or Print Hall rather than the obvious spots. I really appreciated that kind of insider knowledge. The rooms themselves are what you’d expect from a five-star place, though they’re not massive – Perth CBD real estate, you know? But they’re thoughtfully laid out, and the beds are genuinely comfortable. The bathrooms have that proper hotel feel with decent water pressure, which matters more than people admit.

Here’s the thing though – and I’m being honest here because a 7.7 rating tells its own story – it’s not perfect. The elevators are a bit slow during busy periods, and breakfast service can get backed up if there’s a conference group in house. But those are minor gripes really. What I loved was how the place feels authentically Perth rather than like it could be anywhere in the world. The bar downstairs gets busy with locals after work, which is always a good sign, and the weekend crowd is a nice mix of visitors and people from the suburbs who’ve come into the city for a proper night out. If you’re staying here, definitely ask for a room facing the terrace rather than the back – the views toward the river and South Perth are worth it, especially at sunset when the light hits the water just right. It’s not the flashiest hotel in Perth, but it’s got character and it knows what it’s doing.