Unveiling Perth's Jewel: The InterContinental Experience You Won't Forget!
Unveiling Perth's Jewel: The InterContinental Experience… Well, Almost Perfect! (My Honest Take)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a stay at the Perth InterContinental, and let me tell you, it’s a rollercoaster. They’re calling it a "jewel," and honestly? They're not entirely wrong. But it's a jewel with a few… well, let’s just say "character-building" facets.
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- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the InterContinental Perth! From its stunning views and luxurious spa to the niggling imperfections that make it… human. We dive into room accessibility, dining, safety protocols, and everything in between. Is it worth it? Read on!
The Grand Entrance (and My Little Hiccup)
First impressions? WOW. Seriously. The lobby is a stunning blend of sleek modernism and classic elegance. Think soaring ceilings, polished surfaces, and a general air of "you are someone now." The staff were all smiles and genuinely helpful, which is a massive win in my book. They even offered me a welcome drink, which, after a long flight, was the nectar of the gods! However, I will say… My room, a generously-appointed "Deluxe King," had a slightly awkward view of… well, the back of another building. Not the breathtaking Perth skyline I was hoping for. Lesson learned: ALWAYS request a view! (And maybe bring your own binoculars, just in case?)
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (with Potential for Improvement)
Okay, let's get down to brass tacks. Accessibility is where things get a bit… sticky.
- Wheelchair Access: Generally good, but not flawless. The public areas, like the lobby, restaurants, and pool, are pretty easy to navigate, with ramps and elevators aplenty. My room, thankfully, was accessible (though I didn't specifically request one, kudos to the InterContinental for getting it right!). However, I did notice some challenges in the hallways, the turning circles were sometimes a little tight. And the bathrooms, while well-designed, could have used a bit more grab bars in the shower.
- Elevator: Absolutely, the elevator is very good and accessible
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: They do have facilities, but it's a bit like they've ticked the accessibility box without fully embracing it. There's a definite feeling that they try, but there's room to be even better. Perhaps a more dedicated accessibility audit and training for staff would go a long way.
- On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: Luckily there is; This definitely earns them points.
- Visual Alarm: good and working.
Internet: The Savior of the Chronically Online
- Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! YES! This is a HUGE win. The signal was strong, the speed was decent, and I could binge-watch "The Crown" without any buffering nightmares. Thank the digital gods!
- Internet Access - LAN good!
- Internet Services: All of the relevant internet services are great.
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Solid and reliable.
- Wi-Fi for special events, also good and appreciated.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: My Obsession with the Pool View
This is where the InterContinental truly shines.
- Pool with View: Let me tell you, darling readers, the pool is divine. It's an outdoor infinity pool with views of the city. There is an indoor pool as well! You can lose hours there. Seriously, hours. I spent a whole afternoon just floating around, sipping a cocktail, and pretending I was in a James Bond film. Pure. Bliss. (Okay, maybe not pure, I did get a little sunburned.) The views? Stunning. Absolutely, jaw-droppingly stunning. You can just stare out forever with a drink.
- Spa: Ah, the spa. This is where I let the stress of life melt away. I indulged in a massage and a body wrap and felt like a completely new human. The masseuse was magic, and I almost fell asleep on the table, which is always a good sign, the spa is perfect.
- Fitness Center: They have a really good gym that I used!
- Sauna, Spa/Sauna, Steamroom: All here, all amazing, and great for some relaxation.
- Body Scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath: The spa offers all the extras if you need them,
- Gym/fitness: As mentioned, a good fitness center! You can keep on top of your fitness while travelling.
- Swimming Pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: The best part of the experience!
- It's a perfect place to relax, so definitely consider it.
Cleanliness and Safety: COVID-19 Era Considerations
The InterContinental takes COVID-19 safety seriously, which is hugely reassuring.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Individually-wrapped food options, and Physical distancing of at least 1 meter are all in place.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Check!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Definitely seems like it;
- Hand sanitizer everywhere;
- Safe dining setup: Appreciated.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: It's great that this is available.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items is important.
They have really gone above and beyond!
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (Mostly)
Okay, this is where things get a bit more… variable.
- Restaurants: They have several restaurants, including the incredibly popular "Garum," a modern Italian restaurant that's worth checking out. The food was delicious, the service was impeccable, and the ambiance was perfect for a romantic dinner (or, you know, a solo feast, like I did).
- Breakfast [buffet]: The breakfast buffet was massive. So. Much. Food. From the usual bacon and eggs to a huge array of Asian options and fresh fruit, they have thought of everything! I was stuffed for hours. Definitely a highlight!
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant/ Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Check.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant yes
- Poolside bar, Bar, Coffee shop, Happy hour: All are definitely here!
- Room service [24-hour]: Absolutely!
- Snack bar: Available, easy and good to go.
- Alternative meal arrangement, A la carte in restaurant, Bottle of water, Buffet in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant:: There is a good selection, everyone should be accommodated.
My Minor Gripes:
- Price: Let's be honest, the InterContinental is not cheap. You're paying for luxury, and you get it. But my wallet did feel a little lighter by the end of the stay.
- Small Imprefection: Sometimes, the service felt a tiny bit strained. Not rude, just… a touch less relaxed than I’d expect at this price point. Like they’re trying really hard, which is sweet but can be a bit… much.
Overall Verdict:
The InterContinental Perth is a fantastic choice for travellers seeking luxury, comfort, and a central location. The pool, the spa, and the overall atmosphere are wonderful. However, it's not perfect. There's room for improvement in the accessibility department, and the price might sting a little. But, if you want a memorable stay in Perth, with those stunning views and a chance to be pampered, the InterContinental is definitely worth considering. Just remember to request a room with a view! And maybe pack your own binoculars, just in case. I'm giving it a solid 4.5 stars out of 5. (Minus half a star for the slightly awkward back-of-building view and a tiny bit of accessibility issues). But hey, who needs perfection anyway? A little imperfection is what makes life… interesting!
Yorkshire Getaway: Unwind at Sleep Inn (VA)!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your grandma's perfectly polished travel itinerary. We're going full-blown, gloriously messy Perth, baby! This trip is all about InterContinental Perth City Centre, by IHG, so get ready for some serious, probably-overblown, opinions.
Perth, Australia: A Dumpster Fire of Anticipation (and Hopefully, Not Actual Fire)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Lobby Debacle (Or, "Where's My Freaking Room?")
- 14:00 (ish): Arrive at Perth Airport (PER). International flight. Long. Legs feel like overcooked spaghetti. Successfully navigated customs – a minor miracle. I swear that customs agent gave me the side-eye on the way in… because I was probably already plotting my escape to the hotel's bar.
- 15:00 (ish): Taxi ride to the InterContinental Perth City Centre (IC PCCC). First impressions? Holy fancy. The lobby is all soaring ceilings and hushed whispers. I immediately feel underdressed, even though I'm wearing my "I Love You, Auntie" t-shirt from my high school graduation.
- 15:30 – 16:00 (ish): Check-in… or, the dreaded check-in process. They're beautiful and welcoming, but they also seemed to be having some issues with the system at the moment. They are trying their best, of course. But I'm sure they would prefer a less "impatient person" in front of them.
- Anecdote: I swear, the guy in front of me was arguing about a missing complimentary toothbrush. Toothbrush! I almost lost it, but held back.
- 16:00 – 16:30 (ish): FINALLY in my room! Room 823! A "Deluxe King Room with City View." View is… mostly other buildings. Okay, let's be honest, I did not book the suite. But, the bed? Heavenly. Like sinking into a cloud of pure, fluffy joy. Instantly dumped my bags and collapsed.
- First Impression (and Opinion): The room is beautifully designed, but the air conditioning? A bit too aggressive. Feels like a polar vortex explosion in here. I'm fighting the urge to crank it as far as it goes and feel like I'm having a winter wonderland trip.
- 17:00: The Sacred Ritual (Unpack, Bathroom Exploration, and Phone-Charging Debrief)
- Bathroom Breakdown: The bathroom is large! I can see the soap and shampoo, the complimentary toiletries. They are lovely. The lighting is a bit too bright for my liking. I could not find a place to put my toothbrush, so there are just sitting on the counter.
- Emotional reaction: I'm feeling a touch of "Is This Real Life?" - it's fancy, but mostly just relieved that I'm in one piece and it has a lot of space
- 18:00 – 19:00: Hit the bar! THE. BAR. Probably the best part of the whole day. Ordered a Negroni. They make a damn good Negroni. Sat at the bar, eavesdropping on some very well-dressed business types, who were very boring until they started talking about expensive cars and "market trends." Okay, maybe I'm not as underdressed as I thought.
- 20:00: Dinner at Heno & Rey (the hotel restaurant). It was… pretty good. I ordered the steak. Cooked perfectly. The service was good. However, I was way too tired to remember what I ate. I think I would enjoy the food more if I wasn't currently functioning on a third of my brain (jet lag is real, folks!).
- 22:00: Collapsed back in the heavenly bed. Watching Australian TV. Everything sounds exciting with an Australian accent!
- 23:00: Lights out. Dreaming of Negronis and avoiding the wrath of the overly enthusiastic air conditioning.
Day 2: Culture, Coffee, and a Minor Meltdown
- 07:00: Wake up… feeling like I wrestled a kangaroo in my sleep. Jet lag is winning. Coffee is necessary.
- 07:30 – 08:30: Breakfast at the hotel. The buffet is impressive, even if I'm only up for a small bite. So much food. So much temptation. Decided to live a little, or just get some food to feel normal, so I got a plate of everything.
- Emotional Reaction: I'm starting to feel a bit more awake. Maybe I can achieve more than a few hours of sleep.
- 09:00: Head out to explore. First destination: the Art Gallery of Western Australia. I would like to embrace some culture!
- 09:30 - 12:00: Art Gallery. Wow. Some amazing stuff in here. Modern art that I don't understand, classical paintings that blow your mind, sculptures that make you think. Definitely worth it. Spent way too long admiring one painting in particular, a landscape that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
- Quirky Observation: I saw several people taking selfies with the art. As if they were part of the masterpieces. I almost did it myself, but I felt awkward and out of place.
- 12:00: Coffee break! Needed. Found a small cafe near the gallery. Ordered a flat white. Perfectly crafted. Felt like I was entering into a normal person's day.
- 13:00: Lunch at a cafe nearby. Sandwich was fine, nothing memorable. However, I got to people-watch.
- 14:00 – 15:00 (ish): Attempt to visit King's Park & Botanic Garden. Got completely lost. Ended up arguing with a GPS, which, in turn, led to a minor emotional meltdown involving tears and a desperate need for a taxi. I am at my boiling point.
- Opinion: Perth traffic is… interesting. This trip is quickly becoming a massive waste of time and energy trying to get around.
- 15:30 (ish): Grumbling, defeated return to the IC PCCC. Ordered room service. Needed comfort food and a mental reset. Pizza was surprisingly good.
- 16:00 – 17:00: Took a nap. Needed.
- 17:00: Hit the gym. Attempted to burn off the pizza and the fury of the lost King's Park adventure.
- Quirky Observation: The gym is immaculate, and the mirrored walls are perfect for judging myself. I'm never going to be in great shape and I will die a soft body person.
- 18:00: Another Negroni at the bar. Because, you know, self-medication.
- 19:00: Dinner at a restaurant that I didn't research, but was close enough to walk. Food was decent. My mood is improving, thanks to the alcohol in my system.
- 21:00: Back to the hotel. Pretending to watch TV. Actually scrolling through my phone, comparing prices.
- 22:00: Lights out. Dreaming of kangaroos and getting lost again.
Day 3: Relaaaaxation and Reflections - The InterContinental's Saving Grace
- 08:00: Finally starting to overcome the jet lag, I think. Or maybe it's just the Negronis. Up early. Breakfast at Heno & Rey again. Trying to be a little healthier today.
- 09:00 – 12:00: Spa Day at the IC PCCC. Massage! Facial! Pure, unadulterated BLISS. Oh. My. God. This is what travel is about!
- Doubling Down: I spent almost three hours here, and it was the highlight by far. Everything was perfect. The masseuse worked out knots I didn't know I had. The facial made me feel ten years younger. I swear, I saw a little bit of my soul re-enter my body.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated bliss. Slipping the face mask off, I found I could almost stand the mirror again.
- 12:00 - 14:00: Lazy Lunch. Sat by the pool. Ordered a salad and some sunshine. Feeling ridiculously relaxed.
- **1
Okay, spill the tea! Is the InterContinental Perth REALLY as fancy-pants as it looks?
Alright, alright, let's get real. Fancy? Oh, you bet your sweet bippy it is. Think gleaming marble, enough chandeliers to blind a small army, and staff who seem to have been trained in the art of effortless elegance. But here's the thing: *it's not stuffy.* Yeah, there's a certain... *ahem* *prestige* associated with it, but it’s not the kind of place where you're afraid to breathe. I mean, I walked in there wearing jeans (admittedly, nice jeans) and didn't feel like I'd committed a fashion crime. Which is a WIN, believe me. I've been to places where I've felt more judged by the doorman's eyebrow than I did by a panel of highly-paid critics. This place, surprisingly, makes you feel like you *belong*. Even though, let's be honest, my bank account doesn't *quite* agree with the level of "belonging" I'd ideally like to have.
The rooms... are they worth the splurge? (Because, let's face it, they're not cheap.)
Okay, so HERE'S where things get... interesting. Yes, the rooms are gorgeous. Think big, plush beds you could lose yourself in, massive windows with city views that are actually breathtaking (not just the marketing department's version of breathtaking), and bathrooms that feel like mini-spas. But... and there's a BUT, folks... I had a slight hiccup. Picture this: I'd just checked in, finally escaped the crushing weight of everyday life, was READY to sink into that fluffy bed... and the air conditioning was on the blink. Like, full-on NO COLD AIR. Panic set in. I mean, *I sweat more than a competitive sumo wrestler*, and Perth in summer? Let's just say it's not ideal. BUT! The staff were *phenomenal*. Seriously, they jumped on it immediately. They were apologetic, offered me drinks while I waited, and within an hour, I was in a new room, even BETTER than the original, with a bottle of bubbly as an apology. So, yeah, worth the splurge? Despite the initial drama, absolutely. Because it's not just the room; it's the *service* that makes it special. And that, my friends, is priceless (or at least, worth the price tag).
Let's talk food. Is the restaurant worth all the foodie hype?
Oh, the restaurant! Okay, so I remember this, it was my first time. I was nervous. Like, *sweaty palms, can’t speak English* nervous. Because I’d seen the Instagram posts, heard the whispers of culinary genius, and I was terrified I’d be so out of place that I’d accidentally spill my water and then burst into tears. (Okay, dramatic, I know.) But... the food. Oh, the food. It was *divine*. I had, and this is the important part, the *scallops*. They were seared to perfection, that beautiful crust, melt-in-your-mouth inside. And the sauce? I'm not even sure what was in it, but I'm pretty sure it was made by angels, perhaps using unicorn tears. Seriously. I could have licked the plate. I almost did. But I restrained myself, because, you know, I was trying to maintain a semblance of composure. The service? Impeccable. They were attentive without being intrusive. They anticipated my needs before I even knew I had them. (Okay, they didn't *really* anticipate the plate-licking urge, but still…) It was an experience. And now i am hungry...
The pool? Is it as sexy as the pictures suggest?
The pool… that's where the magic really happens. Okay, first of all, let's be honest, I'm not exactly a swimwear model. More, like, a slightly-overweight, pale-skinned individual who is very, very aware of their wobbly bits. But even *I* felt glamorous by that pool. It's got that infinity-edge thing going on, so you feel like you're swimming into the city. The sun loungers are ridiculously comfortable, and the staff is constantly circulating with drinks. Think… *whispers*… cocktails. And little snacks. (I'm sensing a theme here… food, food, food!) Now, here's a confession: I spent an entire afternoon there, reading a book, sipping a cocktail, and just generally pretending I was Audrey Hepburn in a glamorous film. It was glorious. Utterly, completely, ridiculously glorious. Just be careful of the sun, though. I may or may not have gotten a *little* crispy.
Any quirky or unexpected things I should know before I go?
Okay, a couple of random tidbits. One: The lifts are FAST. Prepare to be slightly disoriented if you're used to the glacial pace of most hotel elevators. Two: The little mini-bar snacks are tempting. RESIST! Or, at least, be prepared to pay a king's ransom for a packet of crisps. Three: If you, like me, are easily flustered by fancy things, just breathe. Everyone's incredibly nice, and no one’s going to judge your slightly-too-loud laugh or your tendency to spill things. I did both, multiple times. They just smiled and said "no worries!" And that, honestly, is what makes the InterContinental Perth worth the experience. It's not the marble or the chandeliers; it’s the feeling that you can be yourself, even if your "yourself" is a somewhat clumsy, slightly-overweight, plate-licking foodie with a penchant for overpriced crisps. Go. Enjoy. And tell me what you think!
Is it kid-friendly? (I'm traveling with a... let's say, *spirited* toddler.)
Okay, this is a tricky one. On the surface? Yes. They have cots, high chairs, and the staff are generally lovely with children. But... and here's the *big* BUT... it's inherently a *sophisticated* hotel. Think quiet lounges, elegant dining rooms, and an atmosphere that's more "refined" than "raging toddler fest." My advice? If you have a toddler who's capable of sitting still for more than five minutes and doesn't view the hotel lobby as a personal racetrack, then, sure, go for it. But if you have a little whirlwind who views the world as a giant jungle gym... maybe consider a slightly less... polished option. Unless, of course, you're a control freak like me, in which case, the challenge might be part of the fun! (Though I'd also advise bringing a LOT of snacks and a healthy dose of patience.)
Worth the Spa experience?
Oh god, the spa. YES. Absolutely, 100% YES. After the air conditioning incidentHotel For Travelers
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