For anyone seeking an urban retreat getaway, The Ritz-Carlton, Perth at Elizabeth Quay beckons. It’s where nature meets thoughtful design, with the ambience of the hotel reflecting the stylish charm of Western Australia’s (WA’s) relaxed lifestyle and culture. The hotel opened at the end of 2019, as the 100th Ritz-Carlton property globally and marked the return of the iconic luxury brand to Australia.
A Showcase of Natural Wonders
10,000 pieces of sandstone from the Kimberly region up North of WA were used in the construction of the building, both inside and outside, with colours beautifully forming a wave formation. Entering through the doors of the hotel, one will first see a bespoke timber Concierge desk made from 100-years old Western Australia jarrah (described historically as Swan River mahogany).
The cavernous lobby is cleverly designed as a multi-sensory space that is 13 metres in height, reflective of the gorges of Kimberly. Complementing the space is a sparkling custom-designed chandelier reminiscent of cascading waters of the Karijini gorges in the state’s Pilbara region and a feature wall inspired by the bell chime music of Perth’s iconic Bell Tower.
“Design is weaved into every space of The Ritz Carlton, Perth, Delivering an unforgettable immersion into the wonders of Western Australia whilst creating a profound sense of place for guests,”
Dario Orsini,General Manager
Paying homage as well to local history and culture, there is also an artwork by local artist Jon Denaro that immediately greets guests stepping into the lobby -a 6-metre long wall sculpture made from artefacts such as shards of china excavated during the construction of the hotel. Held in place with copper brass wire, it seems as though the artwork is a feature floating against the Kimberly sandstone wall.
The Kimberly sandstone is also used for the mosaic walls at The Ritz Carlton Spa on Level 5. This is where also where the 130 sq metre outdoor heated infinity pool, 24-h fitness centre with state-of-the-art equipment, and Songbird outdoor terrace bar are all located at.
The Ultimate Relaxation Experience in Perth CBD
The spa was my haven during my stay, and I confess it is the key reason why I am already planning my next trip back to Perth. In fact, I completely changed my plan for the afternoon (and skipped our city sightseeing) as the opportunity to spend an idyllic afternoon at the spa was just too appealing!
Accessible to hotel guests with a room key, there are relaxation pods with garden views that one can just lounge in, or choose from a range of pampering treatments. There are separate areas for male and female guests, which is something I appreciated, and while I’m typically not a fan of saunas (just because I usually find the spaces quite tight), I really enjoyed the floor-to-ceiling windows inside the sauna that offered me a connection to nature.
A thoughtful touchpoint that really impressed me was the complimentary use of “Feel Good” sunscreen lotion by the poolside. This is where “anticipating your every need” truly makes sense, as we had not planned to be in the sun that afternoon, and it saved me a trip back to the room to get my own sunscreen lotion
Gorgeous views and impeccable bathrooms
As I was travelling with mom, we stayed at the Deluxe Twin Room, a 50 sq metre room that was elegantly appointed. It was nice to have a window-side seating area with amazing park views. Of course, due to the location of the hotel at Elizabeth Quay, some rooms have amazing Swan River views.
The luxury bathroom with dual vanities, standalone freestanding bathtub, ottoman and walk-in wardrobe was a five-star experience! As a frequent traveller, I confess, this now tops my list of “wow” bathrooms for a hotel stay.
In total, there are 205 rooms including 19 suites that offer guests stunning city and Swan River views. There is an impressive 277 sq metre Ritz Carlton Suite which is the epitome of luxury living for four adults, offering separate sleeping, living and entertainment areas, an executive study and outdoor balcony. For the suite even from the bathroom offers views of Swan Riveir! The room is also great for private parties with a Butler’s pantry equipped with Gaggenau appliances, a separate service entrance and formal dining seating for 8 persons.
Home is where the Hearth is
Breakfast was served at Hearth Restaurant at the lobby level, and it was a sumptuous spread. Known for its focus on farm-to-table produce sourced from Western Australia, the breakfast buffet at the restaurant’s Harvest Table was mouthwatering! I would strongly recommend their fresh bread, baked Australian avocados and yoghurt.
My traveller tip: Order the Chai Latte, it was heavenly. Plus, spices like ginger and cinnamon help to reduce bloating, keeps your immune system high and improves your blood circulation.
Hearth celebrates the stories of local culture, and its interiors are created by local artisans. I loved that each table had its own unique rock from the Northern part of Western Australia (Kimberly Region) as a decorative piece.
An interesting concept is a showcase of Billy Tea at the front of the restaurant for breakfast diners. While waiting to be seated, I tasted the unique floral and fruity flavours of Hearth’s Billy tea (Australian green tea, blueberry and passionfruit blend brewed with butterfly pea flowers), a modern interpretation of bush culture, and learnt about its origins and how it became an Australian cultural symbol. Dating back to the 19th century, when the early Australian settlers first arrived, the billy is a metal container used for boiling tea. As the billy became a source of comfort and companionship for the settlers, it now symbolises nostalgia and pays homage to the way of life of the early settlers.
From Tuesday to Saturday and lunch on Fridays, there’s a special Taste of Hearth 5-course, allowing diners to embark on culinary journey around Western Australia
Getting Around
Located at 1 Barrack Street, on the banks of the Swan River, the convenience of getting around Perth and beyond is unbeatable. Just a short walk away, one can catch the. train from Elizabeth Quay station to Mandurah, or take the Joodalup line to Hillarys Boat Harbour, North of Perth’s CBD, where you can hop on a whale watching tour. One can easily catch the ferry from Barrack Street Jetty to Fremantle, Rottnest Island, and even hop on the Transperth Ferries to get to South Perth. Getting from the hotel to main attractions including Kings Park, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre is easy and even Yagan Square and Perth Station are a short walk away.
Images by The Ritz Carlton, Perth and Florence Ang
