KNOWN AS AUSTRALIA’S sunniest capital city, Perth has been recognized internationally as one of the world’s top 10 most livable cities since 2004 and has undergone an extraordinary revitalization over the past few years in response to increased attention and tourism. Since 2012 2,600 new hotel rooms have been added to the city’s inventory, and another 2,600 are currently under construction. To say Perth is growing to accommodate tourism, as well as the meetings, incentives and conventions industries, is an understatement. Here we take a look at recent developments and what to expect over the next year.

Earlier this year, The Westin Perth and The Melbourne Hotel opened, adding more variety when it comes to guestrooms and meeting spaces. Located along the Swan River and at the edge of the Central Business District, The Westin Perth, opened in late April, offers plenty of room for larger groups, with 368 guestrooms and nine meeting spaces encompassing more than 24,750 square feet.

Though The Melbourne Hotel opened recently, it is, in fact, Perth’s longest-operating hotel within the CBD; the original hotel opened on the same site in 1897. From board meetings to gatherings of up to 225 guests, the hotel’s flexible spaces feature the latest in technology to ensure your events go off without a hitch.

In 2017 three additional new hotels came on line — InterContinental Perth City Centre and boutique hotels Aloft Perth and Tribe Perth, the latter two choosing the city for the Australian debut of their brands.

The 16-story, 240-room InterContinental Perth City Centre features five Gallery Meeting Suites, terrific for business meetings, seminars and more intimate gatherings. The suites vary in size and offer flexiblity in terms of configurations and the number of people comfortably accommodated. A central lounge for breakout sessions and an outdoor terrace ideal for receptions enhance the meetings experience.

Conveniently located between the airport and the CBD, the 224 guestrooms at the 15-story Aloft Perth are complemented by six free-flowing, bright, versatile Tactic spaces featuring state-of-the-art A/V for groups of between eight and 250. Another option, the rooftop ballroom, handles up to 300, with an open kitchen concept and large terrace to enjoy the outdoors as well.

Tribe Perth breakout space © TRIBE PERTH

Designed for a new generation of travelers, Tribe Perth focuses on creating a design-driven experience that is part collaborative workspace, part social club, with an equal focus on its 126 guestrooms and innovative breakout spaces. The hotel’s location at the doorstep of Perth’s growing CBD, as well as close proximity to top restaurants, bars and attractions, provides a terrific opportunity to mix business and pleasure and sets the stage where business does not necessarily feel like work.

On the radar is the 18-story, 184-room QT Hotel Perth, scheduled to open mid-year with seven conference rooms accommodating up to 250 people in a variety of configurations. When DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Northbridge opens in October, it will lead as the first in the brand to open in Western Australia. The hotel’s 206 guestrooms and more than 5,000 square feet of meeting space lie within close proximity of the entertainment district, making it easy to combine business with after-hours fun. In addition, The Ritz-Carlton, Perth aims for an opening in mid-2019, marking the luxury brand’s return to Australia. The 204-room property, under development in Elizabeth Quay on Perth’s waterfront, sits adjacent to the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Traveling through Perth Airport has become more comfortable with the opening of a couple of new airline lounges over the past year. In March Qantas opened its new International Transit Lounge featuring a wellness facility, more than a dozen shower suites and an outdoor patio. The lounge’s opening coincides with Qantas’ new non-stop service between Perth and London. And in December 2017 Air New Zealand opened its first-ever lounge at the airport, accommodating more than 110 guests. The airline’s 4,700-plus-square-foot lounge features a sleek and modern design, with four zones to meet its customers’ needs: café, business, lounge and quiet areas.

You know what they say about all work and no play. Perth offers plenty of places to play while in town. Two to consider: the recently opened The Camfield, one of Australia’s largest pubs with 175 beer taps, and the Hi-Line Rooftop Bar, overlooking the city’s skyline. For eats, the food hall-like Yagan Square opened earlier this year with a variety of casual food options and space available to host events. Add to those the nearby picture-perfect beaches, for swimming and strolling, and Kings Park, one of the largest inner-city parks in the world and perfect for running, walking or bicycling to stretch the legs. You will find plenty of options to stay occupied during the off-hours.

UNIQUE VENUES

In addition to its dining options, Yagan Square provides ample space to host events right in the heart of Perth’s Central Business District. The Camfield, a bit more than a 10-minute drive from the CBD, also offers plenty of spaces that easily convert into event venues for groups of six to 400.

Take your event for 30 to 350 to new heights in The Nest Rooftop Bar at The Aviary. The Nest overlooks downtown Perth for terrific views day and night, and a dedicated event coordinator ensures everything goes off without a hitch.
theaviaryperth.com.au

For a historic twist, reserve a gallery at the Museum of Perth for your event and be surrounded by the city’s social, cultural, political and architectural history.
museumofperth.com.au

See the city from the Swan River when your event sets sail on the Crystal Swan. The architect-designed vessel can host up to 100 guests for a formal sit-down meal and up to 200 guests for a stand-up, cocktail-style event, all while providing 360-degree views of the city and its surrounds.
crystalswan.com.au