by Country
Australia
City
Perth
Hotel
The crown towers
Assessment
5 stars
Room
Room Premier with king-size bed
Notes
The good
- Beautiful lagoon style swimming pool
- Varied eating places in the complex
- Well-equipped business center
The bad
- Streaming TV functionality does not work
- High speed WiFi at an additional cost
X Factor
- Spectacular views of the Perth skyline
- Crystal Club Access
Introduction
Perth is a city reborn. No longer the shy and retiring Western Australian capital of old, in recent years it has been transformed into a rich and varied cultural mecca – a destination where bold architecture is the norm and embracing its uniqueness is actively encouraged.
Standing proudly in the middle of the city’s increasingly eclectic luxury hotel scene, Crown Towers Perth is the flagship of the Crown entertainment district, which also counts Metropol and Promenade among its stables. But what sets it apart from its siblings?
Location and views
The most immediate difference is the location…and the view. Apart from the palm-fringed pool, there is nothing between the towers and the meandering Swan River – just an uninterrupted view that stretches from East Perth to Heirisson Island and beyond to the south.
Sunset burns over the Perth skyline.
Built in 2016, Crown Towers is also much newer – the distinctively shaped Metropol has been a thread in Perth’s fabric since 1985, when it opened as the Burswood Resort, while the Promenade was rebranded from the Holiday Inn in 2012.
As you drive along the river bank up to the porte cochère, you can’t help but stare at the 21-story tower that rises before you, or admire the native plantings on either side of the road. Fortunately, I’m not behind the wheel, so I’m free to take it in.
The distinctive Crown Towers Perth.
The hotel is conveniently located just 15 minutes’ drive from national and international airports, and 10 minutes from the CBD. Once here, it’s designed to be a complete experience, taking you from breakfast to lunch, dinner and maybe even a show afterwards.
The lobby view towards TWR bar.
When you enter the lobby, it feels like you’ve taken a detour to Bangkok or Singapore. The height and scale is unusual for Australia, reminding me more of hotels like the Shangri-La Singapore.
Turn right from the main doors, there is a bank of reception desks along the wall, leading on to a corridor that stretches far into the distance. (It can be a good five minute walk to reach the far end, with the lobby of the Crown Metropol being your reward for doing so.)
Room
Check-in takes place in the Crystal Club Salon on level 15 – a dedicated reception for guests who have purchased access to the exclusive Crystal Club.
The discreet check-in area allows you to bypass the crowds in the lower lobby.
Think of the Crystal Club as a luxurious pay-per-entry Executive Lounge…only, without the executive section. More on this later.
When you unlock the door to the Premier King room, the first thing that hits you is the light. It is dazzling. Once your eyes have adjusted (or you put on your sunglasses), the room and the view of Perth’s skyline come into view. And it really is an amazing view.
The view from the Premier King room.
Reflective surfaces are the mode du jour in this room: mirrored wardrobe doors and hexagonal wall details complement lacquered wooden furniture and chrome desk legs.
Immediately to your right is a dressing area, home to a large cloakroom and marble-topped bar – everything needed for a good time can be found in a mini-fridge, including beer, wine, tonic water and plenty of soft drinks (read: mixers for the spirits on the counter ).
The minibar and dressing room, separated from the bed by a screen.
Two oriental-style screens rise on either side of the king-size bed, dividing the dressing area from the main living room and bedroom, while also serving as a nice bit of architectural detail.
Sheer curtains take the edge off the afternoon light.
As you move deeper into the room, an LG TV fills a built-in cabinet along the left wall. Below is a marble-topped desk flanked by two cushioned seats, and to the right is a comfortable chaise longue – perfectly placed to take advantage of the view.
A seat with a view.
However, if you’re hoping to stream your favorite show, you’re fresh out of luck… or at least I am. Although the TV has an option to ‘Connect to media’ via a QR code, it doesn’t actually work during my visit – the QR directs me to a broken URL.
Mood lighting, room temperature and the electric shutters and blinds are controlled via an IPORT tablet next to the bed. It is easy to use and also presents detailed information about the various facilities at the resort.
Light and temperature are controlled via the nightstand.
Headlight switches and USB sockets are conveniently within reach of the bed, if you don’t want to use the tablet. Unfortunately, the USB socket on the right side has no power. I try several cables just to be sure but it’s dead as a dodo.
Last to mention, but certainly not an afterthought in the room’s design, is the hollow bathroom.
Sliding doors separate the bathroom from the main living room.
A double basin ensures that there is no chance of anyone shaking the sink, while a separate shower and toilet are discreetly hidden behind glass doors. A deep, oval bathtub begs for a longer bathing session.
Instead of a heat-seeping stone bath, the plastic tub keeps the heat as long as you need it. With a TV placed in the wall next to it, you have a good excuse to linger longer.
Work
Wireless internet is free and perfectly fine for general surfing or e-mail. But if you want a faster connection for streaming, you’ll have to pay extra – the boosted 15 Mbps connection is $15.95 per day.
A slim chandelier hangs above the desk, although it’s more for ambiance than direct lighting.
The desk in the room is a practical addition to the room, giving flexibility to do some light work if needed. However, if you are planning a longer work session, the low seat is not the most comfortable.
Instead, you should visit the business center, which is located directly across from the ballrooms on the first floor.
It combined the business center and hotel offices.
The venue has two meeting rooms equipped with a conference phone, Nespresso coffee and tea. There is also a workplace equipped with four cubicle-style work tables and desktop PCs.
Printing, copying and binding are also available in the Business Centre.
Eat
Choice is the name of the game at Crown Perth – dotted with 16 premium and casual venues. Crown Towers houses three of them: the signature buffet Epicurean and the TWR bar, as well as the Crystal Club on level 15.
The TWR (Waiting Room) is located right next to the lobby.
The Crystal Club is an expansive private lounge and terrace complete with white glove service. It is open exclusively to guests who have purchased access: $135 per adult per day (ages 12 and up), or $75 per child (ages 6-11). Children under 5 are free.
Inside, it’s a picture of elegance: cream and navy leather armchairs flank low-set marble tables; a well-stocked bar offers a selection of spirits, beers and wines.
Crystal Club is light and spacious, and never feels crowded.
And outside? A terrace with what is arguably the best view in Perth.
The view from the terrace is spectacular.
In the morning, a free hot and cold buffet is served to diners. Among the choices are sandwiches, scrambled eggs and bacon, sliced fruit and yoghurt.
The generous hot breakfast buffet.
An à la carte menu is also offered, with the likes of brioche toast or eggs your way. I choose eggs benedict, which hits the spot.
Before dinner, drinks are served every evening from 17:30 to 19:00, starting with a glass of champagne at the door and progressing to a selection of cocktails and canapés. This provides a perfect opportunity to enjoy the sunset, which flows directly into the lounge.
Start your visit with a glass of champagne, then continue to the cocktail of your choice.
Waiters roam the lounge to take your order from the accompanying cocktail menu.
Canapes take the form of poached prawns from Western Australia and papaya salad, tasty tarts of blue cheese mousse and candied walnuts, as well as various antipasto and salad. Deep-fried spring rolls and calamari rings also make an appearance.
The terrace is incredibly bright when the sunset first begins, so you might want to enjoy a few drinks inside the air conditioning before going out when the sun is less intense.
Follow the shadow as it moves along the terrace.
From this private vantage point, the breath of Perth’s transformed skyline – Optus Stadium and the nearby Matagarup Bridge look particularly impressive after dark – is yours to enjoy.
Relax
When relaxation calls, Crown Towers has you covered in the form of a tiered resort pool fringed by palm trees and plush daybeds…
…and a quiet day spa offering wellness and relaxing treatments.
There is also an exceptionally well-equipped gymnasium.
The wider Crown complex boasts a casino and theatre, which hosts an impressive line-up of musical, comedy and theatrical performances.
Verdict
Despite a couple of minor room maintenance issues, Crown Towers Perth delivers in every way. The room is luxuriously furnished, and the variety of on-site dining and relaxation options are sure to keep most entertained during your stay.
Crystal Club access is a great add-on. While the daily price per person is a bit steep, high levels of service, a limited guest list and included dining, not to mention exclusive check-in (worth its weight in gold on weekends), combine for a fantastic experience.
Whether you’re staying for holiday or business, or perhaps a bit of both, Crown Towers Perth is an exceptional luxury hotel – and one I’d love to return to.
The author stayed as a guest at Crown Towers Perth
