The Arrival
From the moment you step into Pan Pacific Perth, it’s clear this is not the old Sheraton hotel you remember from the 80’s and 90’s. Fresh from a thoughtful and luxurious $50 million renovation by the Singapore based design firm FDAT Architects, the lobby sets the tone immediately: light-filled, calm and elegant, and manages to feel both contemporary and timeless. They have design cues that subtly anchor you in Perth rather than anywhere else in the world, which was a key focus of the design mission. During our stay, Christmas was in full swing, and the subtle but stylish decorations added warmth and a festive sparkle without tipping into excess. It feels polished, celebratory and quietly glamorous.
Check-In
Check-in is seamless and genuinely welcoming. The staff strike that rare balance of being highly professional while also warm, friendly and knowledgeable. As we glide past the lounge area on the plush, water-inspired carpet, we notice a premium Qantas crew relaxing between flights – and apparently the Singapore Airlines team are arriving later that evening. Always a reassuring signal that you’re in a hotel trusted by seasoned and discerning travellers. Located at the quieter end of the Perth CBD, the Pan Pacific isn’t surrounded by bustling bars and restaurants, although it is not far away from the action, but this is very much by design. With several dining and beverage options under one roof, you never feel the need to step outside unless you want to explore the beautiful city of Perth and beyond.
The Room: Pacific Club River View Suite
Our arrival comes with an unexpected upgrade to the hotel’s premium offering, complete with Pacific Club Lounge access and a welcome gift waiting in the room. Had we known, we most certainly would have arrived earlier! Beautifully cut fresh fruit and sweets greeted us, a small but thoughtful touch that immediately set the tone for the stay. The suite is positioned high in the building, on the 21st floor, in a coveted corner location with sweeping views across the Swan River, Elizabeth Quay and the city skyline stretching off to the right. It’s definitely a show-stopper and is equally beautiful during the day as it is in the evening.
The room itself felt less like a hotel room and more like an elegant one-bedroom apartment. Spacious and goergeously appointed, it features a separate lounge and dining area, generous storage and a thoughtfully designed layout. There were no battles with confusing light switches, no awkwardly placed power points, here – just plenty of space to spread out and relax with ease. Marble, gold and plush furnishings featured throughout, lending a sense of understated opulence, while white robes and slippers invited you to truly slow down and settle in. And the gold sustainble water bottles are appreciated.
While there wasn’t a bathtub (a small lament), the oversized shower more than made up for it, complete with a rain shower head that turned even a quick rinse into a ritual. Jo Malone amenities added another layer of indulgence – though we did find ourselves wishing for those miniature take-home bottles to extend the luxe feeling once back home.
The Pacific Club Lounge
Access to the Club Lounge elevates the stay even further. Tucked away on one of the hotel’s upper floors and accessible only by key card, the lounge feels calm, refined and quietly exclusive. Elegant floral arrangements soften the space, and being Christmas time, it was pleasantly lively with a mix of couples and families. The offering is impressive: a generous aperitivo spread with hot and cold options, such as oysters, charcuterie, cheese, fruits and desserts, alongside heartier dishes like lamb cutlets and greens.
The wine selection is a particular highlight. Seeing Howard Park from Margaret River available, including their Jete sparkling, immediately reinforces their desire to showcase local quality products as much as possible. It’s a sparkling wine that I rate highly, often preferring it to many of the New World alternatives, and it feels perfectly at home here.
The lounge experience evokes the feeling of a premium airline lounge, but without that low-grade anxiety of boarding calls and departure gates, much less potentially missing your flight! This is luxury designed to be enjoyed slowly, we just wish we had more time between our arrival and dinner in order to fully appreciate it.
UMA Restaurant
Dinner that evening is at UMA, the hotel’s South American-inspired restaurant, located beside the equally inviting pool area in the lobby. It was also surprisingly busy for a Monday night at the end of year, with a nice mix of hotel guests and local work celebrations. Whilst we spot the fridge preparing dry-aged meats, we opt for the “Journey Through the Amazonas” tasting menu (a well-priced $139pp). It is a beautifully curated experience that takes us from the coast of Peru through Chile and Brazil and into the spirit of the Amazon itself. We begin with the recommended Pisco Sour and it definitely hits the spot – bright, refreshing and exactly what you want to awaken the palate as you commence the degustation journey.
From there, the story unfolds in chapters. Lightly cured Shark Bay snapper arrive first as a ceviche, lifted by leche de tigre, charred sweet corn and caramelised sweet potato. A salmon tiradito follows, citrus-cured and vibrant, with blackcurrant leche de tigre and fried shallots adding texture and depth. Warm pan de yema – a rich egg yolk bread – which is served with whipped feta and garlic dip. It was a new discovery to us and is impossible to resist!
The next course brought richness and comfort: duck breast glazed in chifa sauce with an arroz tuile, alongside a beautifully crafted lamb choripán, the sausage nestled into Chilean barley honey catuto bread and finished with mint chimichurri. A very tasty combination! A delightful dry-aged market fish formed the centrepiece of the mains, paired with cassava farofa and moqueca sauce, accompanied by cassava chips with huancaina and a fresh seasonal green salad.
We pair the meal with a couple of excellent wines which were recommended by the friendly sommelier. We are in the mood to try South American wines that will suit the main courses and she suggests two to try from Trumpeter Winery in Mendoza, Argentina. We have a Rosé Malbec and a Bonarda that works particularly well with the duck, sausage and fish dishes. Dessert brought things full circle with coconut and vanilla mousse layered with pineapple, followed by a house-made Peruvian pisco cream featuring Baileys in a dessert glass. It was indulgent without being heavy.
Sleep Experience
Sleep quality is outstanding. The room was perfectly dark, blissfully quiet and free from the glow of rogue electronics that you struggle to figure out how to turn off or somehow cover up in the middle of the night. The king-sized bed was very comfortable, with crisp cotton sheets and layered with plenty of plush pillows that made it very hard to leave in the morning.
Breakfast at the Pacific Club Lounge
Breakfast the next day is enjoyed in the Club Lounge just before 7am, as I have to be on the other side of the CBD for 8am. Despite the early hour, the spread is impressive: pastries, cereals, yoghurt, nuts, smoked salmon, cold cuts, fruit, cheeses and the usual full hot selection. Time wasn’t on our side, so we miss the made-to-order eggs and the Croissant Benedict, which sounded amazing; but fluffy scrambled eggs, bacon, sensational smoked salmon and a cold-pressed green juice from Core more than did the job. Oh, and I did manage to squeeze in one of the fluffiest mini croissants I have had for years! (Balancing out the green juice, obvs….)
Checkout is quick, smooth and genuinely helpful. The team even assisted with navigating Perth’s free bus routes, ensuring I make it across the city on time – another example of service that goes beyond expectation.
Pan Pacific Perth feels like a true five-star experience brought confidently into the present. It reflects Perth’s own evolution over the past decade. It is a city that has grown up, refined itself and emerged as a compelling destination for both business and leisure travellers. Safe, clean, beautiful and still relatively unspoilt, Perth now delivers luxe experiences without the crowds or chaos of larger global cities.
What were we Addicted to?
The entire experience! Exceptional design, warm and knowledgeable service, delicious food and wine, and a room you could happily retreat into for days. A true five-star stay, executed beautifully in Perth.What do we need to be more Addicted?
A longer stay to truly luxuriate in the full experience. And while we appreciate the sustainability benefits of full-size bathroom products, we hate to admit that we would have loved some Jo Malone take home sizes. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to enjoy the pool, gym or explore all of the hotel’s dining options on this stay – and we would have happily spent more time lingering in the Pacific Club Lounge. For this soon-to-be-returning Perthite, a future staycation, with fewer commitments and more indulgence time allowed, is definitely on the cards!
Pan Pacific Perth
207 Adelaide Terrace, Perth
