My favorite 3 places between Exmouth and Esperance to stay for a luxury experience, 3 accommodations with potential & 1 simple yet quality inn:

The Western Australia trip that brought my husband and me from Exmouth to Esperance – here is the itinerary – was a real challenge in terms of staying in style. The Aussies are not known for appreciating this kind of lodging. Instead, they prefer to travel in a camper. Therefore, the offer of good upscale accommodations outside of Perth is scarce. Nonetheless, I discovered some great luxury hotels in Western Australia, also in its countryside. As you can imagine, the state’s capital has its share of upscale lodging options, yet the one we stayed was a true find!

I let you know in the following about two best-of lists and one addition. The first ranking is about my top three upscale hotels in Western Australia. The second features three promising establishments. Regarding the latter, it is about places with potential, yet with considerable flaws too. And I also want to inform on a property that does not fit into either. Yet it is worthwhile mentioning all the same. It is a simple inn which offers comfort but no real luxury and is very well run.

1. My list of the best 3 luxury hotels in Western Australia

In the following it is about the three best accommodations we experienced on our four-week Western Australia journey. Not surprisingly, the top runner is to be found in the city of Perth. And the other two are in wine regions.

1.1. COMO The Treasury in Perth, the best hotel we stayed in Western Australia

While there is no shortage of luxury hotels in Western Australia’s capital, COMO The Treasury is something special. This 48-room lodging is located in Perth’s newly revitalised historic heart. It is housed in The Old Treasury Buildings dating from 1875 to 1958. Later on, they became the State Buildings, and this until the mid 1990s. Afterwards, they were vacant. That only changed in 2015 when life came back to this property with the opening of COMO The Treasury.

You find here not only luxuriously appointed guest rooms – we got an upgrade to the Studio Suite – ,

but also lots of other facilities. There is a number of restaurants, bars and other venues for business and leisure.

A signature spa with an indoor pool and a gym are also part of the offer. My husband and I were impressed, also by the high-level service and the superlative gastronomy. This is true for Restaurant Wildflower in particular,

but Restaurant Petition was also a good choice.

Thus there is no doubt that COMO The Treasury in Perth was the best hotel my husband and I experienced in Western Australia.

1.2. Grand Mercure Basildene Manor, Margaret River

This was the best hotel we lodged in Western Australia’s countryside. Grand Mercure Basildene Manor in Western Australia’s most famous wine region of Margaret River is a historic property with an old school vibe. It was built in 1912 as a private residence. Later on, it was converted into an upscale hotel, blending its original elegance with contemporary comforts. The hotel’s greatest asset is perhaps its manicured garden sprawling on 14 acres/56 hectares.

Yet also its 19 rooms with garden views and plenty of classic charm are persuasive (we had a King Bath Suite).

When staying here you can make use of a swimming pool, a tennis court and fabulous breakfasts in the conservatory. Also a complimentary afternoon tea is part of the package. And staff was professional, helpful and accommodating on our stay. Everyone was keen to help, without being intrusive. There is no restaurant on site, but plenty of options to eat out in its surroundings.

1.3. The Swan Valley Retreat, Swan Valley

With three guest rooms only and no communal area for having breakfast or so, The Swan Valley Retreat is not a hotel in the classic sense. Yet this adults-only retreat stands out due to features just as a luxurious interior design with an oversized bathroom,

a generous outdoor area

with a private outdoor spa or the access to an outdoor cedar barrel sauna (shared between the Merlot and Cabernet Rooms, the Wine Barrel Room has its own).

And you have great views of a pond with the resident farm animals roaming around.

In addition, you find a Day Spa on site as well as a Padel Tennis Court.

Included in the rate is a breakfast, a light version for the Merlot – where we stayed – and the Cabernet Room. But you can upgrade it to a gourmet breakfast if you wish (included in the Wine Barrel Room). The breakfast items are stored in the guest room’s fridge for you to prepare it yourself. While the property is a little paradise due to its facilities and its serene setting, the fact that you are here in the flight paths of the near Perth Airport lessens the overall impact.

2. 3 hotels/inns with potential in Western Australia

The three hotels/inns that I list here were a mixed bag to us. On the one hand, they have the potential to be really good. On the other hand, their performance was affected by significant weaknesses.

2.1. Mantarays Nigaloo Beach Resort, Exmouth

With its 68 guest rooms Mantarays Nigaloo Beach Resort was the biggest hotel we stayed on our Western Australia trip. It is a nice complex located a bit out of town in a pretty spot by the Sunrise Beach.

The accommodation offer is quite varied from several room types to 1- or 2-Bedroom Apartments to 1- or 2-Bedroom Ocean View Pavilions. As it was the only hotel of our journey directly on the beach, we longed for a room with sea view. Yet as the resort was already well booked – more than 6 months before arrival – , we had to take a 2-Bedroom Ocean View Pavilion.

Once entering the premises, my husband and I agreed it was a good decision. Our room’s setting was dreamlike with the best views of the beautiful coastline.

While the layout was generous, its amenities were alright. I found them rather elementar, you could make more of it. This is also true for the communal spaces, which were okay but not more. The indoor restaurant resembles a dining hall in my opinion. As to the staff, we were received a bit coldly upon arrival. When we dined here at Mantarays Dining & Bar on one occasion (food was good except the dessert, a peanut slice, which was way too rich and sweet), service was friendly yet a bit slow and not very professional.

Overall, we had a good time here, but it is no true luxury you get here. This was so despite the fact that the hotel has the capability to be a top Western Australia hotel.

 2.2. The Premier Mill, Katanning

I was quite astonished to find a superior hotel in what was in my opinion in the middle of nowhere. Katanning is a vital Wheatbelt town, a bit more than a three-hour drive south of Perth. The Premier Mill Hotel has a long and eventful history, from a 19th century roller mill to a power station to a wine cellar. After years of neglect and standing empty, the CEO of Dome Café Group bought it for just $1. And he transformed it into one of Western Australia’s finest luxury country hotel.

Much of the mill’s infrastructure has been kept,

with each room displaying a different element of the building’s history. Out of the 22 accommodations we had a Purifying Room featuring vaulted ceilings and original staircases, which was great. Not only did we like its heritage restoration but also the high-quality bed and linen along with the spacious bathroom with Aesop products. The not so good part was the non-existent closet (only a few hooks for cloths), the insufficient lighting (much too dark) and the A/C that did not work properly.

We did not have dinner at the Dome Café, which you find here of course, but had breakfast, which was okay. For dinner, we went to the Cordial Bar in the basement. Here we enjoyed a selection of delightful tapas and a fine local wine.

As to service, it was good from start to finish – we had only one night here.

2.3. Majuba Country Lodge, Albany

At Majuba Country Lodge we experienced the biggest letdown of our WA trip in terms of staying in style. All the prerequisites for an enjoyable stay were met. Think of a beautiful stylish property,

splendid views of roaming horses and kangaroos around a pond against the backdrop of Oyster Harbor

and a tastefully decorated room with luxurious amenities.

But all this could not make up for what we encountered here. Upon arrival a cute albeit badly behaved dog awaited us and immediately jumped on my husband. The owner, coming from South Africa, remained unfazed although my husband’s trousers were ruined (no excuse). And the dog was a nuisance throughout our stay (trying to get in our room ecetera).

While we could have lived with an annoying dog, I could not accept that our room (Serengeti, the nicer of two) was not clean (partially dirty floor and closet) and that the promise of a continental breakfast was not fulfilled. All we got was a platter with prosciutto, cheese and olives, 4 yoghurts, granola and two packaged pastries. And the offerings were not replenished on our three-day stay. My husband addressed the issue with the owner, but he did not receive our complaint well (“I can bring you some slices of bread”). He told him not to bother, and so we had breakfast in town. Plus, we bought some crackers to accompany the cold cuts, which we had for lunch. Majuba Country Lodge has features that could make it exceptional, but has sadly not realized its potential to be one of Western Australia’s best hotels!

3. A simple yet quality inn in Kalbarri

To end my reporting on our Western Australia’s lodgings I want to mention one that I keep well in my memory. While it was not a luxury place, it was comfortable enough and offered lots of value for money. And I am quite sure, you will not find a better accommodation in the area. It is is about the Kalbarri region, a must for every nature lover traveling WA. It concerns the Gecko Lodge in the town of Kalbarri, a bit more than a 6-hour drive north of Perth.

The inn, a mix between a traditional hotel and a bed and breakfast, is located in a quiet residential neighbourhood.

You are here only minutes away from the beach and the town center. Five rooms are available, one of those is a Penthouse Suite, the other are in some sort of bungalow row houses. While some have extra features as a kitchenette or separate shower and tub, others did not and are a bit smaller. As my husband and I wanted separated beds, we opted for the one and only King Deluxe Double Suite, which was one of the least sizeable. Do not expect luxury furnishings yet good comfort was provided.

While the inn is not new or recently renovated, it is well kept. In terms of facilities, there is a pool, a barbecue area and a sitting room complete with port wine, chocolates, DVDs and books. Sha, the owner/manager is very well organised and offers a delicious breakfast (great fruit bowl) and an afternoon tea with great cake.

She always ensures that her guests feel at ease, and despite the rooms not being serviced every day, she goes the extra mile to fulfils their needs.

Looking back & forward to my Western Australia reporting

My last post was about a 4-week Western Australia itinerary – in style whenever possible. The ones who know the area are certainly aware of the fact how difficult this is! But I tried my best looking out for high-quality lodging and restaurants where they are rare. After informing where to go for staying in style in Australia’s biggest state in this very blogpost, my next covers dining-spots to choose for a nice dinner. The end will make a list of my favorite WA activities.

Date of stay: September 2025

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