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 a boutique hotel in Perth, run by a brand that most East Coasters haven’t even heard of.
Housed within the 19th-century State Buildings – which formerly served as a post office, land titles office and treasury – COMO The Treasury is the epitome of urban luxury. In 2015, these three historic buildings were seamlessly merged into a single grand hotel, featuring just 48 rooms and suites, a luxurious spa, a heated indoor pool, a gym, and a collection of swish restaurants, bars and independent shops.
As the first and only COMO property in Australia, the hotel perfectly blends old-world grandeur with the Singapore-born COMO's signature minimalist style. I lucked out with some torrential rain and winds during my time in Perth – but honestly, there’s nowhere I’d rather be stuck indoors, giving me the perfect excuse to luxuriate in my room and explore all the State Building’s stellar dining options.
What stay at COMO The Treasury?
As my taxi pulls into a small side street off St Georges Terrace, I almost feel like I’ve stepped into a Victorian-era fairytale. The grand redbrick façade of the State Buildings feels old, yet new – a mere taster of the grandeur that awaits inside.
The rain is pounding down, so I’m quickly ushered into the warmth of the arrivals lounge for check-in. But this is far from your standard check-in. I’m guided to a cosy couch by the fireplace and offered a welcome drink – one of the COMO’s signature ginger teas or a glass of bubbles.
The check-in process is personalised and effortless, with the receptionist even walking me through the property to my room, where the real magic unfolds. Along the way, I admire the soaring ceilings, archaic lifts, arched corridors and original jarrah flooring – each detail echoing stories from the State Buildings’ past.
What are the rooms like at COMO The Treasury?
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. I’m upgraded to a Treasury Balcony Room, and it feels like there’s enough space for me and a family of five (floor picnic, anyone?).
From the walls to the furnishings, the soft white and cream colour palette brings a sense of peace and calm. Sunlight pours through the original oversized windows and French doors that open to a walk-out balcony overlooking Cathedral Square.
The room itself is designed to feel like a home away from home, equipped with everything I could ever need – and a few things I didn’t even know I wanted. A king-sized bed dressed in Egyptian cotton linen takes centre stage, anchored by a comfy grey sofa with plush pillows that practically beg 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). On one side of the bed is a two-person dining set, while the other features a spacious desk for those, like me, who are here on business.
A generous mini-bar counter is stocked with complimentary treats – melting moments, chocolate almonds and roasted cashews – all replenished daily, along with cold-pressed juice, tonic water, local Mano a Mano coffee and tea from Teassential, also located within the State Buildings.
Now to the bathroom – the pièce de résistance, in my humble opinion. At half the size of the already spacious bedroom, the bathroom – honestly, it deserves a grander title – features heated travertine stone tiles with a twin vanity, triple-head shower and deep soaking tub. COMO Shambhala bath salts are a welcome addition, alongside branded body lotions, plush bathrobes and electronic blinds that let you block out the world entirely.
It’s hard to find fault with the room, but more charging points would’ve been handy (I couldn’t charge my laptop from the desk or plug my phone in beside my bed). And while the heavy leather fob key is a special touch, it’s a bit impractical to lug around, especially when I wanted to go for a run.
What are the best restaurants and bars at COMO The Treasury?
Every guest at COMO The Treasury is treated to complimentary breakfast at Post, either served in the dining room on the ground floor of the State Buildings or delivered to your door. It’s a build-your-own breakfast situation with two courses, plus wellness juices, coffee and tea. We recommend starting with fresh pastries from Bread In Common, then enjoying the open-face omelette with fontina cheese and roast tomatoes, or the ‘real toast’ made from nuts and seeds and topped with creamy avocado. Post also transforms into a casual osteria for lunch and dinner, serving seasonal Italian classics, including a memorable squid ink paccheri with frutti di mare.
On the same floor, Petition is an always-open restaurant serving brunch favourites in the morning and shareable mod Oz plates into the evening. New young gun head chef Jessica Roe (ex-Bistro Guillaume) serves up a seasonal menu to match sommelier Emma Farrelly’s spectacular pours from near and far. For pre- or post-dinner drinks, wander next door to the boisterous Beer Corner or intimate Wine Merchant. The brightly coloured Long Chim is also just downstairs, serving flavoursome Thai food in a fun, group-friendly setting.
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 and are served against a backdrop of the Swan River. COMO’s other standout offering is its seasonally evolving high tea in the elegant ground-floor Cape Arid Rooms. Each sitting features the best of the season: three savoury snacks, three bite-sized desserts and two warm scones fresh from the oven, all served with unlimited Teassential tea or filter coffee, plus Champagne or specialty cocktails available as add-ons.
Finally, for something more casual, Shop 1875 is a reimagined corner store kiosk serving barista-made coffee, pastries and sandwiches.
What is the spa like at COMO The Treasury?
Given COMO Shambhala The Treasury has repeatedly been awarded Australia’s best luxury hotel spa, I had high expectations. But if I were handing out awards, I’d give them one too. Hidden on the ground floor just beyond reception, the wellness retreat occupies the State Buildings' reimagined 19th-century vaults. It specialises in hands-on holistic treatments that combine eastern and western healing traditions, offering massage therapy, body detoxes, facials, beauty care, specialised Sodashi treatments and bespoke wellness packages.
I was lucky to enjoy a deep tissue massage that began with a foot scrub ritual and a few deep breaths of invigorating essential oils. My masseuse personalised my treatment to target areas where she felt tension and tightness, checking in on the pressure of her strokes throughout. Every wellness ritual sends you off with a pot of COMO’s signature ginger tea and a blissful state that’s truly hard to beat.
What’s the pool like at COMO The Treasury?
A lift near COMO Shambhala whisks you up to the 20-metre indoor heated lap pool. Sunlight floods in through floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and plush white lounges line the space, perfect for unwinding after a refreshing swim.
What’s the gym like at COMO The Treasury?
Above the pool, the gym is equipped with all the basic cardio and strength machines, alongside yoga mats and foam rollers. Your room even includes a yoga mat if you prefer stretching in private comfort post-workout.
I found the gym a touch too warm, so prepare to work up a sweat. For an extra boost, the COMO team can arrange a personal trainer or private yoga session for a fee.
What’s the area like around COMO The Treasury?
COMO The Treasury sits right in the heart of Perth CBD, with all the city’s best dining, shopping and attractions just a short walk away. The hotel itself overlooks St George’s Cathedral, the City of Perth Library and Stirling Garden, with Elizabeth Quay just a five-minute stroll towards the Swan River. Conveniently, this is where ferries to Rottnest Island depart.
You’re also within easy reach of Perth’s parallel pedestrianised shopping malls on Hay and Murray Streets, with Perth Cultural Centre and Perth Underground Station also a ten-minute walk away.
The coolest part of COMO’s location is that it literally sits on Perth’s geographical centre, known as ‘Point Zero’ – the spot from which all road distances in Western Australia are measured.
What’s the service like at COMO The Treasury?
I couldn’t fault the service at COMO The Treasury if I tried. From the impeccably dressed valet staff to the efficient housekeepers and attentive waiters, every guest here is treated like a VIP. I particularly loved the check-in experience, which felt more like a casual conversation with a friend over tea, and the personalised newspaper delivery to my door each morning.
My room was always spick and span, with twice-daily housekeeping, plus a turndown service at my nominated time, where my bed was refreshed and topped with two truffles from Sue Lewis Chocolatier – handmade and sold in the basement of the State Buildings.
Why you should you book a stay at COMO The Treasury?
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, swish dining options and world-class spa – but I’ll leave that for you to discover when you book a stay.
Oh, and I’d love to note that 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. You can read more about that here.
Address: State Buildings, 1 Cathedral Ave, Perth, WA, 6000
Closest transport: Buses on St Georges Terrace
Price per night: From $795
Book: Here