Travelbeat Editorial Review CLASSIC COMFORT ON THE PARK Crowne Plaza Hotel, Perth WA Story and photos by Kerry Hennigan There are a lot of good hotels to choose from in Perth, Western Australia. It's a young, vibrant city, yet still boasts magnificent heritage buildings dating from its early years as a colony, and then as the western-most outpost of the newly federated Australian nation. All the big name brands in accommodation are represented here. But the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has no less than four significantly different properties to choose from, each catering to the needs (and whims) of different travellers. For those who like to be in the heart of the city, and particularly if Perth's excellent public transport system is going to be the preferred method of getting around, the Holiday Inn City Centre Perth is ideally situated in Hay Street, a few doors from the start of the Hay Street Mall, in the shopping heart of downtown Perth. Across the Causeway bridge lies the Burswood Resort complex. The showpiece here is the InterContinental Burswood Resort Perth, IHG's flagship Perth property. It is a magnificent piece of architecture, particularly when viewed from across the fountains, or from beneath the hotel's dining and lobby atrium. Also part of the Burswood complex is the new Holiday Inn Burswood, a compact minimalist style hotel. Its signature restaurant, Sirocco, overlooks the fountains and circular driveway connecting the resort complex - the main attraction of which is the Burswood Casino. To be honest, when Travelscene International planned to visit Perth at short notice, it was initially our intention to base ourselves at Burswood. However, such is the popularity of the complex we were unable to find a vacancy at either the InterContinental or the Holiday Inn. Staying in the heart of downtown Perth was an equally attractive option, but we needed a little more space. We intended exploring the city and surrounding environs by rental car and wanted easy vehicle access to and from our hotel and the city. The IHG property that catered to all our needs without sacrificing comfort or service was the Crowne Plaza Hotel Perth (at left) on Terrace Road opposite Langley Park on the Swan River. We had a twin room (below) in the nine-storey rear section of the property, but with corner windows providing a view directly over the park and river. It was a beautiful, peaceful outlook at any time of the day or night, never more so than early in the morning (see photo at lower left). In-room facilities included cable TV (including Fox Footy), pay-per-view movies, mini bar and fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, iron and ironing board, and a spacious bathroom with separate bath and a glassed-in shower stall on opposite sides of the room. We had two generous double beds, digital alarm clock and phone, high speed internet dataport, separate writing desk with lamp, and a modern art print that was actually a treat to the eye! The Crowne Plaza also has rooms in the 12 floor street front tower that boast balconies overlooking the park. There's a gym and a beautiful infinity edge lap pool with a large timber deck to lounge on (pictured top right). In warmer weather it would be a popular place for guests to unwind. With a wealth of meeting rooms available on-site, the Crowne Plaza also proved to be extremely popular for corporate events even during our short visit. Yet generally everything seemed to operate with a minimum of noise and fuss - despite the busyness of the lobby bar after hours (particularly once the Subaru team from the Rally Australia event had checked in to the hotel). On only one occasion did we experience a delay of any kind, and that was in the hotel's up-market Gusti Restaurant, where there was a long wait for follow-up service, to the extent that I eventually requested my after meal coffee to be delivered in a take-away container. We also felt the Soup of the Day to be more pepper than cauliflower in flavour. However, my entrée of prawns with avocado and chunky salsa was a memorable treat. Our other meals at the hotel consisted of room service, being hearty and economic fare from the 24-hour menu, delivered with a smile, and always with a follow-up phone call to ask if we'd enjoyed our meal. Our tray of empty dishes was subsequently whisked away soundlessly from outside our door. The staff at reception were like-wise very prompt and polite, and those manning the concierge desk of particular assistance to us interstaters. Whether it was directions to the right freeway or the nearest supermarket, the easiest way to get to the malls without having to walk or drive (and find a car park) - these guys and gals always had a ready answer and without hesitation would whip out a map and mark a route for us. Seasoned business travellers will find nothing exceptional in this - it's to be expected of any self-respecting hotel. But from our experience of talking to fellow tourists, concierges are sadly under utilized by many of us, and their talents often go unsung. For information/reservations on the Crowne Plaza Hotel Perth or any other InterContinental Hotel Group properties in Australia or around the world, visit: www.ichotelsgroup.com Back to Front Page