This was published 7 years ago
Crown Perth Hotel review, Western Australia: High-class weekend in Burswood
By Mal Chenu
THE PLACE
Crown Perth
THE LOCATION
Looking good: Crown Metropol Perth.
Ten minutes east of the CBD just across The Causeway on the other side of the Swan River, Crown dominates the suburb of Burswood. The sprawling resort hotel/casino complex is pretty much all there is on this side of Great Eastern Highway, aside from a walk or cycle along the river. The new Perth Stadium, a multi-purpose venue (though mainly AFL, of course) will open in early 2018 within walking distance of Crown, providing a high-class weekend combination for footy fans.
THE SPACE
Space is the word all right. Crown looks like a big cantilevered pyramid from a distance and the site contains a 24-hour casino, 397-room Crown Metropol hotel, 291-room Crown Promenade hotel, 33 restaurants and bars, a nightclub, 2300-seat theatre plus resort facilities including a day spa, shops and a large main pool as well as a kid-friendly pool area with waterslides. Casinos are casinos but this one has a very impressive 130 square metres of high-resolution wrap-around screens in Crown Sports Bar, which tonight is showing a Hungary versus Portugal soccer friendly to a packed house of enthusiastic expats. They even have a gold-class box for hire. Also of note is ISIKA Day Spa, winner of the Best Luxury Hotel Spa in the Country at the 2015 World Luxury Spa Awards. ISIKA includes a hair salon, nail bar, full gymnasium and indoor pool.
THE ROOM
My Luxe View King Room in Crown Metropol is very comfortable and features a large plasma TV, desk and a gorgeous bathroom with separate deep bathtub set behind a siding opaque screen. The layout of the building allows for corner views from many rooms and my outlook includes the city, river and Perth Stadium construction site. The new Crown Infinity Suites are a superb up-market addition. With 180-degree views of the Perth city skyline, these spacious six-star suites boast posh furnishings, a state-of-the-art entertainment system and an outdoor balcony with private barbecue.
THE FOOD
Without doubt the jewel in the Crown. No less than five premium eateries are in residence – Neil Perry's Rockpool Bar & Grill, Guillaume Brahimi's Bistro Guillaume, Alasdair Thompson's Modo Mio, Pat Cheong's Silks and Nobuyuki Matsuhisa's Nobu. I'm lucky enough to be at Rockpool for the launch of their Winter Indulgence menu and Neil Perry himself is here to supervise the rollout. Resplendent in full white chefs' garb, his spotless apron is testament to his "boss" status. He raves about the local produce and the experience is a delight, from the anchovy and tomato toast canape to the melt-in-your-mouth British White Beef.
STEPPING OUT
The city of Perth is right on the doorstep and the 10-kilometre cycle around the river is a great way to start the day before breakfast at Frasers surrounded by the botanic scenery of Kings Park. The beaches are just 20 minutes further on and watching a sun set into the Indian Ocean over a glass of something from Margaret River is a very WA thing to do. A lesser-known wine region – Swan Valley – is just 20 minutes to the east and the 32-kilometre Swan Valley Food & Wine Trail is an epicurean day out, especially for lovers of fortified wines. Try the gins and vodkas at Old Young's Distillery, the cellar doors at Olive Farm, Sandalford and Talijancich and head to Sittella for lunch (order the lamb).
THE VERDICT
Constantly on the improve, especially since James Packer took it over in 2004, Crown is looking very good for a 30-year-old hotel. And with the brand new six-star Crown Towers complex due to open in December, it's only going to get better.
HIGHLIGHT
The five top-end restaurants and sports bar. Also one of the few places outside of Northbridge where late nightlife exists in Perth.
LOWLIGHT
Parking is inconvenient and quite expensive if you don't want a long walk to reception.
ESSENTIALS
Crown Perth, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood WA. Phone: (08) 9362 7777
Crown Metropol luxe king or twin rooms from $298 per night. Crown Promenade superior twin rooms from $228 per night. Crown infinity suites from $1800 per night.
Mal Chenu stayed as a guest of Crown Perth.
See also: Perth hotel is Australia's best, hands down
See also: 20 reasons to visit Perth
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