This ritzy, five-star stay is set on the banks of Perth’s calming Swan River, but trust us, you’ll never want to actually leave the hotel. The lobby is as impressive as any Australian art gallery, featuring 10,000 pieces of Kimberley sandstone and dried native plants displayed in large earthy pots. If the foyer is anything to go by, you already know what awaits at a higher altitude is going to blow you away. That being said, the fifth-floor infinity pool sits pretty aside panoramas of the nearby city skyline and Elizabeth Quay. Similarly, The Ritz-Carlton Spa’s vitality pools overlook the famed Bell Tower – one of the best architectural constructs in Australia. The sauna may be a much-needed feature too, or perhaps a much-wanted self-indulgence, as the exclusive Hearth Restaurant that specialises in local produce and open-fire cookery at the base of the hotel.
Natural light sprawls through the floor-to-ceiling windows, with each of the 205 guest rooms and suites offering stunning vistas of the city, river and surrounding parklands. Ultra-modern is the vibe, along with soft tones, curvaceous fittings and considered lighting. That floating feeling is attainable across all quarters, but our favourites are the Elizabeth Quay and Presidential Suites, which both boast spacious, private balconies.
Time Out tip: Getting to Rottnest Island from The Ritz-Carlton Perth is a breeze with the Barrack Street Ferry Terminal just seconds from the hotel lobby.
Address: Elizabeth Quay, 1 Barrack Street, Perth
Price: Starting at $729 per night
Closest transport: Elizabeth Quay train station, Elizabeth Quay ferry