The Westin Perth

Overview

I’ll be honest – when I first walked into The Westin Perth on Hay Street, I wasn’t expecting to be blown away. I mean, it’s right in the thick of the CBD, and you know how some city hotels can feel sort of sterile and corporate. But this place actually surprised me in the best way possible. The lobby has this warm, sophisticated vibe that doesn’t scream “look how fancy we are” – it’s more like stepping into a really well-designed friend’s living room, if your friend happened to have excellent taste and a serious budget.

What really got me was how they’ve managed to nail that sweet spot between luxury and livability. The rooms are spacious (and I mean actually spacious, not hotel-brochure spacious), with these huge windows that give you proper views of the city – depending on which side you’re on, you might catch glimpses of the Swan River or the bustling Murray Street pedestrian mall. The beds are absolutely divine – those signature Westin Heavenly beds live up to the hype, honestly. I’m usually a light sleeper, but even with all the city action right outside, the soundproofing is surprisingly good. You’ll hear the occasional tram rumbling down Hay Street, but it’s more charming than annoying.

The location is pretty much perfect if you want to be in the heart of everything. You’re literally a two-minute walk from the Murray Street pedestrian mall, and Forrest Place is right there when you need to catch public transport. The hotel staff seem to actually know Perth too – they pointed me toward some great little laneway bars I never would have found otherwise, and steered me away from the tourist traps. Their concierge gave me solid recommendations for dinner spots that locals actually go to, not just the obvious choices. Parking can be a bit pricey (welcome to Perth CBD), but they do have valet service if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of finding street parking. The gym is well-equipped and rarely crowded – I went around 7 AM most mornings and practically had the place to myself. One small thing that impressed me: the housekeeping staff are incredibly thorough without being intrusive, and they remember your preferences after the first day. Overall, it’s one of those places where you can tell the staff actually care about what they’re doing rather than just going through the motions.