Perth's Hidden Gem: Arundel's Boutique Escape Awaits!
Arundel's Boutique Escape: Perth's Hidden Gem? Let's See… (A Messy, Honest Review)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Arundel's Boutique Escape, and I've got more opinions than I have clean socks. This place is touted as a "hidden gem" in Perth, and well… let's just say the gem needs a little polishing. But hey, that doesn't mean it's bad. Far from it. Just… complicated. And honestly, those are the best kind of places, right? The ones that surprise you, the ones that make you, like, feel stuff?
First Impressions: Accessibility & Getting There (and Parking!)
Truth bomb: I'm a bit of a klutz. Navigating new places is a workout in itself! So accessibility is HUGE for me. Arundel's gets some brownie points here. Elevator? Check. Makes dragging my gigantic suitcase (packed for all possible weather and outfit emergencies) a breeze. I didn’t dig too deep into specifics about ramps and whatnot, but the public areas seemed pretty accessible. I'm not a wheelchair user, so I can't give a definitive review on that front. If you are, definitely call ahead and confirm all the details.
And the parking? Oh, the parking. Free car park on-site? YES! Big thumbs up. Finding decent parking in Perth is a bloody Olympic sport. They also have valet parking, which, let's be honest, is glamorous. But I'm too cheap to be glamorous. Also, there's bicycle parking. Eco-friendly points! Now, airport transfer is available. I didn't use it, but knowing its there is a plus.
Getting there? Easy. Found it using Google Maps. (Bless the internet.)
Rooms, the Good, the Okay, and the "Hmm…"
My room? Let's delve in. The walls aren't quite soundproof, and the carpet could use a bit of a refresh. But the bed? OH. MY. GOD. The extra-long bed was like sleeping on a cloud. Seriously. Best sleep I've had in months. They also had blackout curtains - because who doesn't love a good lie-in? The air conditioning, thank god, worked a treat. Essential for Perth summers, let me tell you!
Wi-Fi? Yes! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And it actually worked. Bless. You wouldn't believe the amount of hotels that promise Wi-Fi and deliver dial-up speeds. This was decent for streaming and scrolling. And, Internet access – wireless also, so you can keep your tech life going.
Now, the bathroom … It was okay. Standard. Nothing to write home about, but perfectly functional. Complimentary toiletries - a nice touch. And the bathtub was a relief after a long day, and the hair dryer was a lifesaver as well. I did like having a seating area to chill in. Having a refrigerator and a coffee/tea maker was a major plus. Free bottled water too. Little things. There's also an in-room safe box. Practical!
Things to Do & Ways to Relax
Alright, this is where Arundel's really shines. Or at least, attempts to shine.
The Pool with a View: Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. The photos online don't lie. It's stunning. I spent a solid afternoon just floating around, staring at the sky, and pretending I was a glamorous movie star. The poolside bar was a godsend for cocktails and snacks. They should have more Poolside bar to make it feel more like an escape though, because it felt a bit empty at times.
Massage, Sauna, Spa: I splurged on a massage. Needed it. My shoulders were permanently hunched from hunching over my laptop and I was able to unwind. The spa area was serene. The sauna was a great way to sweat out all the stress. I didn't get to use the steamroom, but it looked inviting. They also have a spa/sauna. So basically, a whole spa day for you! The whole place felt like a proper treat.
Fitness Center/Gym: I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't actually use the Fitness Center or Gym. Bad reviewer, I know. But I saw it. It appeared well-equipped. Had your usual treadmills and weights and stuff. I chose the poolside bar. Sue me.
Food & Drink - A Culinary Adventure (Sometimes)
Okay, the food situation was… interesting. I'm not going to lie. The restaurant vibe was slightly on the "trying-too-hard-to-be-fancy" side. They have restaurants, and a Coffee shop. The menu was extensive boasting Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, and Western cuisine in restaurant. I really enjoyed the coffee/tea in restaurant. The breakfast [buffet] was alright, your standard eggs, bacon, pastries, but nothing to make you leap out of bed with excitement. (I had a Western breakfast, because, well, it's what I'm used to. They also offer Asian breakfast and alternative meal arrangement). The breakfast takeaway service is a great touch if you're in a hurry.
However, I ordered room service one night. The room service [24-hour] availability is fantastic! The salad in restaurant was pretty good, but the soup in restaurant was…well, let's just say it tasted like disappointment. They have a bar, with Happy hour, where they serve bottles of water. The poolside bar was much more my speed, with their cocktails. They also had a desserts in restaurant, but I chose to pass as well.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Safety First (And Cashless!)
They take things like Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, and Hand sanitizer seriously, which is a huge plus. I felt pretty safe in that respect. Cashless payment service only - another win for hygiene and convenience.
Services & Conveniences - The Little Things
Arundel's definitely tries to make your life easier. Daily housekeeping was prompt and efficient. They had a concierge, and they were helpful. Laundry service and dry cleaning are available, which is a lifesaver when you're traveling. Luggage storage is available.
Facilities for disabled guests? It seemed pretty good, although as mentioned, I can’t go into specifics. If you have specific needs, ASK!
Business Facilities: For the Workaholics (or Pretenders)
Business facilities are on offer, including meeting/banquet facilities, with rooms sanitized between stays and even projector/LED display, and audio-visual equipment for special events. There's also Internet access – LAN, Wi-Fi for special events. They have all the meeting gubbins.
Cleanliness & Safety - Important Stuff
Listen, in this day and age, cleanliness is KING. They take it seriously. They use anti-viral cleaning products, do daily disinfection in common areas, and employ professional-grade sanitizing services. The staff wear masks, and there's hand sanitizer everywhere you turn. They have CCTV outside property and in CCTV in common areas, as well, which is reassuring.
For the Kids
They claim to be family/child friendly, with an option for babysitting service. I didn't see any kids running around. But they have kids facilities and a kids meal available.
The Quirks (and Minor Annoyances)
Okay, so here’s where Arundel's gets a bit… "characterful."
- Some areas felt a bit… dated. Like, the decor was trying to be "boutique chic," but it felt more like "grandma's dusty attic."
- The lighting in my room was a bit dim. I like a good reading light, but sometimes it was hard to see!
- The receptionists were generally friendly, but there were a couple of times where I felt like they needed a coffee.
- They also have a shrine. Now, I'm not saying that's a problem, but it was a little… unexpected.
Things I Loved
- The bed!! Seriously, best sleep ever.
- The pool. Pure bliss.
- The spa experience. Worth every penny.
- The staff, generally speaking.
Things That Could be Better
- The food. (Please, for the love of all that is holy, up your game!)
- The little details. Small upgrades could make a big difference.
- Sometimes the staff feel tired or unmotivated.
Final Verdict: Should You Book?
Okay, so is Arundel's a true "hidden gem"? Well…
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your polished travel brochure. This is me planning a trip to Arundel's Boutique Accommodation in Perth, Australia, and trust me, it's gonna be a ride. My flight leaves in… well, I haven't actually checked yet. Let's just… assume it's soon. Very soon.
Arundel's & Perth: Operation "Chill Out (and Possibly Get Sunburnt)" - A Utterly Unreliable Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and the Tyranny of the Taxi
Morning (ish): Wake up in a panic. Realize I still haven't packed. Throw everything into a suitcase and pray for the best. Airport chaos ensues. I swear, the security line is specifically designed to test the limits of human patience. Find a tiny, overpriced coffee as a survival tactic.
- The Anecdote: Last time I flew, I accidentally tried to sneak a half-eaten, very smelly cheese sandwich through security. The look on the TSA agent's face… priceless. This time, I'm sticking to the rules. (Maybe.)
Afternoon: FINALLY, I'm on the plane. Watch three terrible movies and attempt, with middling success, to sleep. Arrive in Perth, slightly disoriented and desperately craving a decent meal. Find a taxi. Immediately get scammed. Or maybe just spectacularly bad at interpreting Australian currency. Either way, the taxi ride to Arundel's felt like a bank robbery, and I'm pretty sure I paid double what I should have.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Arrive at Arundel's. Relief! It actually looks as gorgeous as the pictures, which, let's be honest, is a small miracle in itself. Check in, breathe a sigh of pure, unadulterated relaxation. The room is divine. Seriously, I want to live here forever. Unpack (sort of) and immediately collapse on the bed, mentally congratulating myself on actually getting here.
Evening: Explore the immediate surroundings. Find a pub. Drink a pint of whatever the local beer is. Struggle to remember the word for 'cheers' in Australian. Fail. End up mumbling something vaguely resembling "G'day, mate!". Feel like a total tourist, but a happy one. Dinner at the pub. Maybe overdo it a little. Stumble back to Arundel's, feeling warm and fuzzy.
Day 2: Beach Bliss (and the Perils of Sunscreen)
- Morning: Wake up feeling surprisingly good. Maybe the fresh Australian air is working its magic. Stumble down to the included breakfast. Marvel at the tiny, perfectly formed croissants. They're almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
- Mid-morning: Head to the beach! (I’ve decided on Cottesloe Beach, it's practically legendary!) Slather myself in sunscreen! Overdo it! Underdo it! Who the hell even knows with sunscreen anymore? Seriously, it's a minefield out there.
- Afternoon: Swim in the ocean. Get knocked over by a wave. Laugh hysterically. Walk along the beach. People-watch. Try to learn to surf. Fail spectacularly. Take a million photos. Feel like a blissful idiot.
- Late Afternoon: Discover the local food trucks. Stuff myself with fish and chips. Realize I've forgotten to drink water all day. Begin to feel the first twinges of a sunburn. Curse myself for not heeding my mother's warnings.
- Evening: Retreat to Arundel's, apply copious amounts of aloe vera. Order room service. Watch a cheesy movie. Feel slightly sunburnt, slightly sandy, and utterly content.
Day 3: Culture, Coffee, and the Existential Dread of Tourist Shops
- Morning: Explore the city. Maybe visit the Art Gallery of Western Australia, or maybe not. The thought of crowds is… terrifying. This is where my unreliable itinerary takes a turn based on gut feeling.
- Mid-morning: Wander around. Get lost. Discover a hidden coffee shop. Drink the best coffee of my life. Feel my soul reawaken.
- Opinion Alert: The coffee in Perth is, without exaggeration, world-class. I could live on it.
- Afternoon: Explore a local market. Buy something I don’t need. Regret it immediately. End up in a tourist shop. Experience the creeping dread of tacky souvenirs. Resist the urge to buy a stuffed koala wearing a tiny Australian flag. (Almost.)
- Late Afternoon: Return to Arundel's for a much-needed nap. Because, let's be real, all this travel exhaustion.
- Evening: Find a delicious restaurant, preferably with outdoor seating. Try the local wine. Talk to the locals and attempt to understand their slang. End up saying 'mate' approximately 500 times. Learn the Australian obsession with 'the footy'. Or at least nod and smile when they talk about it.
Day 4: The Great Escape and the Bitter-Sweet Farewell
- Morning: Consider a day trip. Fremantle? The Swan Valley? The options are overwhelming. Flip a coin. Decide on the Swan Valley.
- Mid-morning: The Swan Valley! So many wineries. So much cheese. So much wine. Sample everything. Probably drink too much. Become best friends with a winemaker. Promise to come back.
- Quirky Observation: Australian wine tasting is a serious business. Everyone else is so grown up and knowledgable while I’m just here slurping and trying not to spill.
- Afternoon: Back in Perth (or, perhaps, still lost in the Swan Valley - who knows at this point?). One last sunset swim? A final burger? A desperate attempt to buy souvenirs I actually like.
- Evening: Pack (badly). Sort of. Try to remember where I put my passport. Eat the last of my leftover snacks. Feel a pang of sadness. This trip is almost over.
- Late Evening: One last walk around Arundel’s beautiful premises. Take a deep breath. Vow to come back.
Day 5: Departure - The Last Embrace From Arundel's
Very Early Morning: Wake up in a panic. Remember I have to go to the airport. Rush around like a headless chicken. Realize I'm incredibly late.
Morning: (Somehow) Arrive at the airport. Attempt to check in. Get delayed. Curse the airline. Think back on this wonderful visit.
Flight: Board the plane. Feel exhausted, sunburnt, and utterly happy. Watch a terrible movie. Start planning my return trip to Arundel's before I even take off.
The Emotional Reaction: This trip was amazing. I had fun, I ate well, I saw new things… and now I want to go back to Arundel's forever.
This is my unedited brain in itinerary form. Sorry (not sorry) if it’s a mess. But that’s life, isn’t it? And what a life it's been!
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Arundel's Boutique Escape: The Messy Truth (and Why You Still Might Love It)
Okay, spill the tea: Is Arundel's actually a "hidden gem" or just… hidden?
Alright, honest answer time. "Hidden gem" is *definitely* a stretch. More like… a slightly-less-obvious-than-rotting-fish-on-the-beach-in-August kind of escape. It's not exactly plastered on billboards urging you to "ESCAPE YOUR LIFE!". You kinda have to *seek* it out. I stumbled upon it like a particularly enthusiastic magpie: shiny, slightly out of the way, and promising untold treasures (okay, maybe not UNTOLD… I've spent *hours* pondering the best way to describe the bathroom!).
But, yes, it is hidden. And that, for me, is the *point*. You're not going to trample over hordes of tourists; you're going to find genuine peace. Then again, remember how I mentioned the hours the bathroom? Yeah, let's just say it's its own sort of treasure.
Room types? Give it to me straight – what's the vibe? Think I’ll be on a Love Island set or a… particularly charming grandma’s spare bedroom?
Neither! Thank GOD. *Shudders at the thought of Love Island at Arundel's.* Think… a touch of rustic charm meets, well, a slightly eccentric artist's home. I mean, the rooms are all individually designed, so you’re not getting your cookie-cutter hotel room experience. Imagine a place where mismatched furniture is considered a *feature*, and the art on the walls isn't the same generic landscape print you see everywhere else.
I stayed in the "Whimsical Cottage" (yes, the names are as dreamy as the place itself). It had a ridiculously comfy bed. And the bathroom… Oh, the bathroom. (I’m still working on the best descriptor, maybe "artfully chaotic"? "Surprisingly spacious, considering"? We'll get there.) My friend, who favors practicality over, well, anything, complained about the limited shelf space. But honestly? It was more than made up for in character, you know?
The dreaded "food" question. Are we talking Michelin star cuisine, or… a microwave meal?
Okay, so, Arundel's isn’t exactly known for its gourmet, blow-your-socks-off dining. Think "delicious, home-cooked feeling" rather than "fancy pants, small portions". Breakfast is included (thank the heavens!), and it’s honestly pretty good. Think fresh fruit, pastries, and maybe some eggs. Nothing revolutionary, but it'll set you up for a day of slow living.
Now, here's a *personal* anecdote. I made the *mistake* of trying to be a fancy pants about the dinner options. I figured I'd go into town, find a highly-rated restaurant, all that jazz. Then I got lost. And then the restaurant I wanted to go to was closed because it was Tuesday. It was a *disaster*. Long story short: order room service. Trust me on this, because it’s absolutely divine, and it is easier than leaving your door.
Tell me about the *vibe*. Is this a place for romantic getaways, solo escapes, or just… hanging with your chaotic best friend?
Ah, the *vibe*! It's all about relaxation. Romantic? Absolutely. You can easily imagine couples hand-in-hand strolling through the garden, getting lost in each other's eyes, probably planning another trip back. Solo escapes? Perfect. It's a place where you can actually *think*. No distractions, just you, and maybe a good book.
And with your chaotic best friend? I can also see it. Because the quirky nature would definitely offer loads of conversation. Okay, I admit that I went with my *chaotic best friend*. There was *so* much laughing. I did have to take a nap after we played cards, but it was totally worth it. We spent *hours* chatting on the porch with wine, and it was absolutely the best. So yeah! All three are pretty good fits for Arundel's!
Okay, about the bathroom. Is it clean? Does the water pressure actually… work?
*Deep breath*. The bathroom. Right. Let's get this out of the way. Yes, it is clean. *Mostly*. Water pressure? Yes! The shower is *amazing*. A glorious, hot, powerful shower that instantly washed away all the stress from everyday life. Truly, the shower is a total escape.
Okay, so *my* bathroom had this… *thing*. The sink. It was this gorgeous, antique thing. Pretty, but you know what? The drain… it wasn't the most efficient. Nothing that a little extra time couldn't solve, but still. It added to the quirky charm, right? RIGHT? Okay, I'm being dramatic. It was fine. Honestly, the shower makes up for *everything*. It was the best part of the whole experience. (I could talk about the shower for hours.)
Activities? Is it a "stay and chill" kind of place, or are there things to do?
Mostly a "stay and chill" kind of place. But that's the beauty of it! Arundel's encourages *you* to slow down. There are lovely gardens to wander in (seriously, the roses!), there's a book-lined common room, and you can definitely get a massage (did I get one? Maybe. Maybe not. I plead the fifth.).
You’re also close to the city. But honestly, I really just wanted to be in my room, relaxing after that shower. So, definitely lean into the relaxation.
Is it easy to get to? I don't want to spend half the day crammed in a car!
Getting to Arundel's… isn't a *breeze*. It's not particularly difficult, mind you. You might need a GPS, or maybe to ask a local (which, by the way, the locals are *lovely* and very helpful). It's just not right off the freeway or anything. However, the fact that it is a little out-of-the-way, it’s part of its charm, right?
Would you go back? And if so, would you recommend it… REALLY recommend it?
YES! Actually, *I wish* I were back there right now, wrapped in a fluffy robe, still thinking about that amazing shower. The quirky charm, the slow pace, the overall feeling of peaceStarlight Inns
