If I asked someone to name Australia’s most luxurious hotel, they’d probably pick somewhere in Sydney, the Gold Coast or perhaps Hamilton Island. But here’s the thing – they’d be wrong. I’m officially handing that crown to COMO The Treasury, a boutique hotel in Perth that most East Coasters have never heard of. Part of the reason this high-end hotel flies under the radar is that it’s only been open a decade (in fact, it turns ten next month). It’s also Australia’s first and only COMO hotel, a brand founded in 1991 by Singaporean entrepreneur Christina Ong – which means many Aussies don’t know what they’re missing out on.
I lucked out with some torrential rain and winds during my recent trip to Perth – but honestly, there’s nowhere I’d rather be stuck indoors than COMO The Treasury. It gave me the perfect excuse to luxuriate in my room and explore every corner of the State Building’s stellar dining options.
Housed within Perth’s 19th-century State Buildings – which formerly served as a post office, land titles office and treasury – this decade-old hotel perfectly blends old-world grandeur with COMO’s signature minimalist style. In 2015, these three historic buildings were seamlessly merged into a single grand hotel, featuring just 48 rooms and suites, a luxurious day spa, a heated indoor pool, a gym and a collection of swish restaurants, bars and independent shops.
As my taxi pulled into a small side street off Perth’s main strip, St Georges Terrace, I almost felt like I was stepping into a Victorian-era fairytale. The grand redbrick façade of the State Buildings felt old yet new – a mere taster of the grandeur waiting inside. The most intriguing part of COMO The Treasury is that no two of its 48 rooms are the same. Each floor plan is shaped by the building’s heritage-listed layout, spanning from 55 square metres (yep, that’s the “smallest”) to 120sqm for the largest suite.
Each room is designed to feel like a home away from home, equipped with everything I could possibly need – and a few things I didn’t even know I wanted. A king-sized bed dressed in Egyptian cotton linen took centre stage, anchored by a comfy grey sofa with plush pillows that practically begged me to stretch out with a book (and there’s no shortage – the room has plenty of coffee-table books, plus there’s an in-house library on level one). My favourite part of the room was the huge walk-out balcony overlooking Cathedral Square and the generous mini-bar stocked with complimentary treats, all replenished daily. I must also pay respect to the bathroom – honestly, it deserves a grander title – which featured heated travertine stone tiles, a triple-head shower and a deep soaking tub that became my personal hideaway from the rain.
Sharing space with the State Buildings, COMO The Treasury goes well beyond standard hotel perks – think an ultra-luxe spa, 20-metre heated indoor pool and fitness centre – plus a handpicked collection of swish restaurants, bars and independent shops. I had some of the best meals of the year across its dining destinations, including mod Oz all-day eatery Petition and Italian-inspired diner Post (go for the squid ink paccheri). For a truly special meal, head to the top floor to experience Wildflower – COMO The Treasury’s destination dining experience, where set menus revolve around the Indigenous six seasons. Or treat yourself to a seasonally evolving high tea in the elegant ground-floor Cape Arid Rooms.
COMO The Treasury is easily one of the best – if not the very best – hotels I’ve stayed at in Australia. I could go on and on about what makes this heritage-listed property so spectacular – from the charming architecture and native floral touches to the heated bathroom floors, neo-Renaissance balconies, complimentary mini-bar, top-notch dining options and world-class spa – but I’ll leave that for you to discover when you book a stay. Oh, and bonus points: COMO The Treasury is one of only two hotels in Australia to be awarded a prestigious silver certification by EarthCheck, so it’s stylish and sustainable.
This October, COMO The Treasury turns ten – and instead of cake, it’s celebrating with a month-long program of exclusive events. That means even if you’re not splurging on a stay, you can still soak up the magic of this grand hotel. Every Wednesday throughout October, the State Buildings will host Our Great State – a series of thought-provoking panels and performances spanning everything from art and design to film and storytelling. The rest of the line-up is just as delicious: a week-long takeover of Cape Arid Rooms’ high tea by viral French pâtissier Cédric Grolet, a special one-off performance by the Australian Chamber Orchestra, a Beer Corner Degustation, Long Chim Night Markets and rare behind-the-scenes visits to Philippa Nikulinsky’s home studio. That’s just a taster of COMO’ The Treasury’s tenth anniversary program, which you can explore here.