Escape to Paradise: Holiday Inn West Perth - Your Aussie Oasis Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Holiday Inn West Perth - Seriously, Your Aussie Oasis Awaits (Maybe… Let's See!)
Alright, let's talk about the Holiday Inn West Perth. "Aussie Oasis"? Big words, innit? I've spent enough time in hotels to know the drill: promises, promises, and then… well, reality. But hey, I'm in the mood for an adventure, so let's dive in.
Accessibility: Okay, gotta start with the important stuff. Accessibility is key, and the Holiday Inn West Perth claims to be on top of things. We're talking wheelchair accessible, which is fantastic. But I'm curious - how accessible is accessible? Is it just ramps and elevators, or is the whole experience… well, accessible? This is a big deal, and I'll want to see specifics if I book. They also have facilities for disabled guests. Good to know!
Cleanliness and safety: This is where things get really interesting post-pandemic. They're shouting about anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and professional-grade sanitizing services. Sounds impressive. Rooms sanitized between stays is a must-have these days. They also have hand sanitizer available. Good, good. The hygiene certification is reassuring. So, on paper, they’re trying. Let's hope it's more than lip service. I'll be checking for actual tangible signs of effort, you know, not just a sign that says "We clean!". They've also got a doctor/nurse on call and a first aid kit, which is always appreciated. Staff trained in safety protocol is what I really want to hear! And fingers crossed for a good, deep clean! I'm not a germaphobe, but…well, you know.
Dining, drinking, and snacking: Okay, food! This is where hotels can seriously win or lose me. They have restaurants, a bar, and a coffee shop. Sounds promising so far. Crucially, there's room service [24-hour]. This is a lifesaver after a long flight when you just want a burger in your PJs. They boast several options: A la carte in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, and Buffet in restaurant. International cuisine in restaurant and Western cuisine in restaurant are also available. A lot of options! I love a buffet. (But the quality of the buffet is the true test.) The Poolside bar I’m already imagining myself, sipping something fruity, very good if the weather is right. They have Coffee/tea in restaurant which is important. Happy hour sounds divine. I’m a sucker for a good Dessert in restaurant, Soup in restaurant and Salad in restaurant are a nice touch. And, of course, because it's a hotel, there's a Snack bar. This is basically hotel-speak for "you'll pay through the nose for a bag of chips." They will probably provide a bottle of water, which is always welcome. Now, Alternative meal arrangement and Vegetarian restaurant are great for anyone with dietary needs and requirements. I think this place is going to be okay.
Things to do, ways to relax: This is where the oasis part comes in, right? They've got a Swimming pool [outdoor] – YES! And a Pool with view?! Intriguing! I'm immediately picturing myself floating in the water, looking out at… what, though? The Perth skyline? The car park? That's the big question! They also boast a Fitness center and a Gym/fitness if you’re one of these workout people. For serious relaxation, there's a Spa, Spa/sauna , Sauna and a Steamroom. Now that sounds like an "escape." The Body scrub and Body wrap sound incredibly decadent. Massage is always a good thing. And you can get your feet scrubbed in their Foot bath. Overall, the relaxation options are looking pretty solid.
Services and conveniences: Okay, let's get practical. They have Air conditioning in public area (thank goodness, it's Perth!), Air conditioning in the rooms, and Daily housekeeping. Concierge, always good for advice and bookings. Cash withdrawal, super handy. Convenience store – the siren song of overpriced snacks and forgotten essentials. Currency exchange, which can save you a headache. Doorman, a nice touch of old-school hospitality. Dry cleaning, another lifesaver. An Elevator is essential, particularly if you're on a higher floor! Food delivery because, life! Gift/souvenir shop in case you need a last-minute present. Invoice provided is a nice touch. Ironing service, thank goodness. A Laundry service. Luggage storage, always helpful pre-check and post-check-out. Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, Indoor venue for special events, Outdoor venue for special events and Seminars are essential if you're there for business, and there's Audio-visual equipment for special events for everyone! Safety deposit boxes, always smart. Smoking area for the smokers, I guess. A Terrace, which might be nice for a drink. There's also facilities for disabled guests and Facilities. I'll be looking closely at these areas. They also have Xerox/fax in business center which is handy.
For the kids: Babysitting service sounds useful; Family/child friendly is good to know; and there are Kids facilities, as well as a Kids meal available.
Available in all rooms: This is where the nitty-gritty matters. You need Air conditioning, and Alarm clock and, if you really want to turn it up, Additional toilet. Additional toilet is a major selling point for a lot of people. Most importantly, you want Internet access – wireless and Wi-Fi [free] in all rooms – YES! The Bathroom phone and Bathtub can come in handy. There are also Bathrobes and Bathtub. Blackout curtains are essential for a good night's sleep, but I'll check how blackout-y they really are. Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, which is a nice touch! A Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor sounds great! In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, good to know. A Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers and Smoke detector are all great. The Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service and Window that opens is all what is required!
Getting around: They have Airport transfer, which is a huge bonus. Bicycle parking, if you're into that. There is Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking, all options.
Internet: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! A must-have in this day and age. They also have Internet, Internet [LAN], and Internet services. Great for all your online activity! There is Wi-Fi in public areas.
Other stuff I noticed: They have CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, which is reassuring. Check-in/out [express] and Check-in/out [private] are super handy. They have Couple's room which is nice and Exterior corridor. There will be Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour]. Hotel chain is useful. They have Non-smoking rooms, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms.
So, the Holiday Inn West Perth… It sounds promising. There's a lot there: location, amenities, and a solid commitment to safety (on paper, at least).
The "Escape to Paradise" Offer - Let's Get Real:
Okay, here’s my offer, aimed at stressed-out travelers, couples looking for a getaway, and anyone who just wants some well-deserved downtime:
**Tired of work? Dreaming of a proper
Escape to Paradise: Pohutukawa Coast B&B Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups! This ain't your grandma's itinerary. We're going to West Perth, baby, and we're doing it my way. Prepare for a wild ride, emotional breakdowns (tears of joy and frustration, probably), and a healthy dose of "did I really just say that?" experiences. Let's get this chaotic show on the road:
Holiday Inn West Perth By IHG Australia: The Anti-Itinerary (Because let's be real, I'm not that organised)
(Day 1: Arrival & Initial Panic)
Time: 6:00 AM - The Gods of Sleep hate me. Wake up, mostly due to the insistent chirping of my phone alarm. Curse technology. Specifically, the app trying to help me.
Activity: Scramble to pack last-minute essentials while muttering about how I always forget something. Yep. That's me.
Emotional Reaction: Hysterical laughter mixed with a low hum of anxiety. I swear I packed everything… right? Oh god, did I remember my passport?
Anecdote: Last time I travelled, I showed up at the airport with a suitcase full of socks and… nothing else. Learned my lesson. Mostly.
Transport: A taxi. Or, if the budget allows, an Uber. Praying Uber isn't surging because this trip is already eating into my budget.
Time: 8:00 AM - Flight (Hopefully). The airport is my personal hell. Filled with people and stress.
Activity: Surviving the airport. Finding the gate, avoiding the screaming children, and praying the coffee is decent.
Emotional Reaction: Mild terror. Travel is exciting, yes, but I'm also a creature of habit. This is outside my comfort zone.
Quirky Observation: Airports are like human zoos, with a wide variety of species: the stressed businessman glued to his phone, the overly enthusiastic honeymooners, and the perpetually lost tourist (me, probably).
Transport: Plane, duh. Try to avoid the window seat. I'm not good with heights.
Time: 12:00 PM (approximately) - TOUCHDOWN! Perth, baby!
Activity: Navigating the airport. This is the part where I embarrass myself. Seriously, I'm terrible with directions.
Emotional Reaction: Relief mixed with a touch of "What have I gotten myself into?"
Quirky Observation: Australians. They really do say "mate" a lot, don't they? And they seem remarkably chilled. Good for them.
Transport: Taxi or Rideshare. Praying I don't end up in Narnia
Time: 1:00 PM - Check-in to Holiday Inn West Perth. Praying the room is at least clean.
Activity: Check in. Try to get a decent room, not the one overlooking the car park.
Emotional Reaction: Small amount of hope.
Quirky Observation: The staff are probably going to be super nice, like most Australians. It's actually a bit overwhelming… in a good way, I guess.
Imperfection: I somehow forgot to charge my phone. Rookie mistake.
Time: 2:00 PM - Unpack (or shove everything into a drawer, let's be honest).
Activity: A quick survey of the hotel room to make sure I have everything I need. Then, collapse on the bed.
Emotional Reaction: Sudden wave of exhaustion. Travel is tiring, even the easy parts
Opinion: The bed better actually be comfortable. I'm not dealing with a lumpy mattress.
Quirky Observation: Hotels are weirdly comforting. It's like a temporary, clean living space with a mini-fridge.
Time: 3:00 PM - Exploring West Perth.
Activity: Trying to get my bearings. Find some coffee. Get lost.
Emotional Reaction: Mild excitement. I LOVE exploration!
Transport: On foot, until I get hopelessly lost.
Opinion: Hopefully, there's a good coffee shop nearby. I NEED caffeine.
Anecdote: The last time I tried to navigate a new city, I ended up walking for hours in the wrong direction. This could be very messy.
Imperfection: Probably gonna get lost. It's basically a guarantee.
(Day 2: Food, Art, and Possibly More Getting Lost)
- Time: 9:00 AM - Breakfast (if I can find it).
- Activity: Search for breakfast somewhere near the hotel.
- Emotional Reaction: Mild hunger and a craving for pancakes.
- Opinion: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Don't @ me.
- Transport: Walking, or if I'm feeling ambitious, public transport. But probably walking.
- Imperfection: I will probably overeat. Again.
- Time: 10:00 AM - Kings Park and Botanic Garden.
- Activity: Actually go to Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Admire the scenery, maybe take a photo or two.
- Emotional Reaction: Wonder and awe. Nature is amazing.
- Opinion: I am a sucker for a good view. They better have a good view.
- Quirky Observation: Botanical gardens are just fancy parks, but I love them anyway.
- Anecdote: Once got completely lost in a botanical garden. It was an adventure. This will be a mess.
- Time: 1:00 PM - Lunch somewhere…
- Activity: Find some food. Lunch, it's crucial.
- Emotional Reaction: Hunger. I haven't eaten in hours!
- Opinion: I crave food.
- Imperfection: I will eat too much, again.
- Time: 2:00 PM - Art Gallery of Western Australia.
- Activity: Attempt to look cultured and appreciate some art.
- Emotional Reaction: Fascination, and maybe a little confusion.
- Opinion: Art is great, even if I don't understand it all.
- Transport: Walking, if possible.
- Imperfection: I might spend more time staring at the people than the art.
- Anecdote: I once went to an art gallery and spent most of my time trying to figure out what the artist was thinking.
- Time: 5:00 PM - More exploring or rest!
- Activity: Explore more, maybe find some shops, or just head back to the hotel.
- Emotional Reaction: Tired, but satisfied.
- Opinion: I'm so glad I took some time for myself.
- Quirky Observation: I hate shopping.
- Transport: Whatever feels best.
- Imperfection: Probably going to get distracted.
- Time: 7:00 PM - Dinner.
- Activity: Find a restaurant.
- Emotional Reaction: I want food.
- Opinion: I deserve a good meal.
- Transport: Uber or taxi
- Anecdote: One time I went to a fancy restaurant and spilled wine everywhere.
- Imperfection: I will probably overspend.
(Day 3: Relaxation & Farewell (Until the Next Disaster))
- Time: 9:00 AM - Wake up, slowly
- Activity: Sit in bed and watch TV
- Emotional Reaction: I don't want to leave!
- Opinion: This hotel is great!
- Quirky Observation: The TV is so much better than mine at home.
- Imperfection: I will want to stay longer
- Transport: The hotel is the only thing that matters now!
- Time: 10:00 AM - Leisure.
- Activity: Relax, sleep, and maybe go to the spa.
- Emotional Reaction: Peace, happiness.
- Opinion: I deserve this!
- Transport: Not going anywhere!
- Imperfection: I will never want to leave the hotel.
- Anecdote: Remember that time I messed up a vacation?
- Time: 12:00 PM - Check out.
- Emotional Reaction: Sadness.
- Opinion: Goodbye for now.
- Transport: None.
- Imperfection: I will forget something.
- Anecdote: One time I had to go back for my phone.
- Time: 1:00 PM - Departure.
- Activity: Head to the airport.
- Emotional Reaction: Goodbye.
- Opinion: Goodbye.
- Transport: Taxi or Uber.
- Imperfection: I will miss this.
- Anecdote: Another time I was late for a flight.
Okay, spill: Is Holiday Inn West Perth REALLY an "Australian Oasis?" Because, let's be real, expectations… know what I mean?
Alright, fair enough. "Oasis" might be a *teensy* bit of marketing hyperbole. Look, it's *West Perth*. No camels. No mirages. But hear me out... It *does* have a pool. A decent-sized one, actually! And after battling the Perth traffic (seriously, the Mitchell Freeway is a beast!), that pool is like a little slice of heaven. I swear, I spent an hour just floating one afternoon, letting all the deadlines and emails just... *dissolve*. So, oasis? Maybe miniature oasis. An oasis of *relaxation*? Absolutely. Just don't go expecting Bedouin tents.
The rooms…what's the deal? Are they stuck in the 80's, or are we talking actual comfort?
Okay, the rooms… let's get real. They're not *new*. Think...comfortingly familiar rather than shockingly modern. My first thought was "classic hotel room." Clean, well-maintained, and honestly, the beds were *amazing*. I slept like a log. One night, I swear I dreamt of koalas and Vegemite. (Don't judge my Aussie dreams!). The bathroom? Functional. Everything worked. No peeling wallpaper (thankfully!). They’re definitely not the flashiest rooms, but they’re exactly what you need after a long day of exploring West Perth or, you know, just escaping the kids for a few hours. I was particularly pleased with the window – good natural light is my weakness.
Breakfast. The eternal hotel breakfast question. Good? Terrible? Cereal-only territory?
Breakfast! Okay, so, I’m a breakfast person. I *need* my bacon. And… the Holiday Inn breakfast? It’s…solid. The usual suspects are there: eggs (cooked to order!), bacon (crispy, praise be!), sausages, and a surprisingly decent coffee machine. They had a fruit selection that wasn't just sad apples and bruised bananas. Okay, it wasn’t Michelin-star quality, but it was *good*. And, importantly, it set me up for a day of sightseeing. Which, let's be honest, is the point. Plus, they had little jars of Vegemite, which makes any Aussie's heart sing. Honestly, the breakfast situation? Definitely a win.
How's the location? Is it actually... convenient? Or am I going to spend my whole trip stuck in Ubers?
Location, location, location! This is where Holiday Inn West Perth actually shines. Okay, it's not *right* in the thick of the action, but it's close enough! Walking distance to some fantastic cafes. I stumbled upon this little Italian place - *heaven*. Supermarkets are nearby, which is ace if, like me, you like to stock up on Tim Tams and pretend you're on a diet. And the free CAT bus stops literally just down the road! Gets you into the city center in minutes. Seriously, the transport options are excellent. And I'm not a huge fan of driving in a new city, so this convenience was a total game-changer. You can easily hop on a bus or the train to explore the city or even head out to the beach. Honestly, being able to easily *escape* was a big plus for me.
What about parking? Because finding parking in any city is a nightmare.
Parking. Ah, the bane of every driver’s existence. Yes, they have onsite parking, which is a huge relief. It’s not free, but the price is reasonable compared to some other places. I'm talking like, sanity-saving reasonable. I’d gladly pay the price to avoid endlessly circling the block, hunting for that elusive parking spot. Plus, it's secure, which is always a bonus, particularly if you've got a rental car. My advice? Pre-book if you can. Just to be safe, you know? Because seriously, after a long drive, the last thing you want is more stress. The parking situation? Definitely a thumbs up from this weary traveler.
Pool time? Is there a decent pool? And is it crowded? Tell me everything!
The pool! Oh, yes. Okay, this is where the "oasis" part comes in. The pool is lovely. Not Olympic-sized, but big enough to actually swim laps, which I did after a particularly grueling morning of meetings. (Work travel… ugh). The best part? During my stay, it *wasn't* overly crowded. There always seemed to be a lounger available. I spent a glorious afternoon just reading a book and occasionally dunking myself. The sun in Perth is something else, you know? It’s like you can *feel* your stress melting away. I overheard some kids complaining about the lack of a water slide or something, but honestly, I was perfectly content as is. It's a proper pool, perfect for unwinding and pretending you're living a life of leisure. And if you're lucky, you get the pool pretty much to yourself. Heaven.
Are there any other amenities? Like... a gym? A bar? Is there anything fun to do?
Okay, other amenities. Yes, there’s a gym - pretty basic, but it's got what you need for a basic workout, which is more than some places offer. There’s also a bar/restaurant. Now, the ambiance? Doesn't exactly scream "party central." But, honestly, the food was surprisingly good! Perfect for a quick and easy dinner when you're wiped out from a day of exploring. The cocktails were... strong! Which is probably a good thing after battling the Perth traffic. Plus, after a busy day, if you want a relaxed atmosphere away from the crowds, it’s perfect. The bar? A solid B+. I found the staff super friendly, too. Bonus points for that. If you're looking for a more lively night out, you'll want to head into the city, but for convenience, the bar did the trick. It was a lifesaver.
What's the staff like? Because let's face it, bad service can ruin a whole trip!
The staff? Ah, the unsung heroes of any hotel experience. And at the Holiday Inn West Perth? They were ace. Honestly. From check-in to check-out, everyone was super friendly and helpful. I had a minor issue with my room (the air conditioning was a bit wonky), and it was sorted out immediately. Zero fuss. They seemed to genuinely care about making sure I had a good stay. I remember one morning I was running late, grabbed a coffee from the counter and forgot my phone charger in my room - they called me to let me know, and held onto it for me. Little things like that make a *huge* difference. They are the reason I'd go back. They were just... genuine. And in a world of sometimes jaded customer service, it's a breath of fresh air.
