$50 million Pan Pacific Perth makeover revealed

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$50 million Pan Pacific Perth makeover revealed

It’s been a long time coming.

After nearly two years gutting the Pan Pacific Perth, extensive renovations at the 1970s-built hotel are approaching their highly anticipated end.

The CBD property opened as the Sheraton Hotel in 1973, before relaunching as Pan Pacific Perth in 2011.

However, as time progressed and design trends evolved, the five-star hotel’s interiors naturally became dated. That was, until general manager Paul Flett arrived in 2022 and knocked the first domino down to embark on a top-to-tail refurbishment starting in May 2023.

The resurrection has come at a cost for the Singapore hotel group, which has spent more than $50 million. It’s not hard to notice the fruits of its labours though.

A total of 488 rooms have been renovated with exceptional attention to detail, across 390 guest rooms and 96 suites, including the convention-level ballrooms and exclusive Pacific Club lounge.

The aesthetic tone of its redesign has taken inspiration from Western Australia’s natural beauty and blended it with the hotel group’s Asian cultural heritage — from carpets depicting an abstract bird’s-eye view of Rottnest Island to Singaporean-style wallpaper designs in the club lounge.

Camera IconThe Pan Pacific Perth has had an extensive renovation. Credit: Joel Barbitta

In light of the hotel’s glow-up nearing completion, I take the chance to experience its new era with a hosted overnight stay.

Eager to assess if the Adelaide Terrace property has left its “dated COVID hotel” reputation in the past, I check in early at midday, and step into the lobby with keen curiosity.

I cast an eye over the entrance area’s unquestionably sleek interior.

Blue and yellow design accents pay homage to the sand and sea of the State’s vast coastline, and tables made of reconstituted plastic ocean waste sit next to furniture featuring recycled denim in a nod to the hotel’s sustainability efforts.

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It’s proof luxury doesn’t have to be new — it can be thoughtfully crafted from recycled materials while maintaining glamorous appeal.

Guests who check in on Friday evenings are welcomed with a complimentary sparkling wine *********, which is a lovely sentiment (though I don’t see why it should be exclusive to a certain day).

Interestingly, I’m told the majority of their guests are domestic travellers, making up nearly 80 per cent of Pan Pacific Perth’s patrons in 2024.

My glowing first impressions shine even brighter when I’m shown up to my Pacific Club River View Suite, boasting views across the Swan. I can see a sweeping view of Perth from Kings Park to Optus Stadium, the Perth Hills in the distance, and boats scattered across the river.

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The room is elegantly decorated with modern furniture, and locally shot printed photographs hangs on the walls. This calibre of room style will set guests back about $670 per night, depending on the time of booking.

I am shown the standard deluxe room and can confidently say it equals the premier suite in terms of interior decadence and spaciousness. Though it has a smaller square footage, it isn’t cramped, and is styled well while averaging a lower price of $350 per night.

Undoubtedly my favourite part of the hotel is the exclusive Pacific Club Lounge, the place from which I am currently writing this.

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If Pan Pacific’s goal is “graceful luxury”, it’****** the nail on the head.

Located on the seventh floor and open to both club and suite guests, the lounge is a setting of quiet tranquillity amid the chaos of the city.

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The Pacific Club Lounge is open from 6.30am-8.30pm daily, and includes complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and coffee refreshments, evening drinks and canapes.

As far as eateries go, there’s no need to wander out into the city if a guest is not so inclined, as there are several venues to choose from.

Peruvian restaurant UMA takes pole position for its flavoursome offerings.

For full transparency, I have now formed an addiction to pan de yema, a sweet egg-yolk bread served with whipped feta and garlic dip.

This exquisite dish is part of the restaurant’s Journey Through Peru experience, featuring a chef’s selection of dishes over five courses from the a la carte menu.

It changes daily under the guidance of executive chef Xerxes Bodhanwala, for $125 per person.

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Wine enthusiasts can head to Mas Vino Wine Bar, stocking a selection of *********** and international wines curated by expert sommeliers.

For a more casual drink, Hill Street Bar in the lobby has a laid-back atmosphere, serving up *********** classics (I’m talking chicken parmigiana and the sort).

Then there’s Monty’s breakfast buffet, accessible to the public and not just staying guests. I’m impressed with the variety as I stroll around the island buffet. There’s everything from cold meats, yoghurt and granola for light eaters, to options for those wanting to set themselves up for the day with a hot breakfast of hash browns, baked beans, eggs and sausages — the lot.

It’s a standard buffet, and the barista coffee is sensational. The fact it stocks caramel syrup was impressive to start, but as I took a sip of my oat caramel cappuccino, I realised it was one of the best I had ever had. I’d even go so far as to say next time I’m in the city I’ll **** in for a takeaway version.

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Afterwards, I check out the buffet offerings upstairs in the Lounge. It’s pretty much the same, with additional options including chicken curry bao buns and pork Cumberland bites.

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Pan Pacific Perth was the first hotel to certify its restaurants in the Buy West Eat Best program, and it is excellent to know the food is fresh and supporting local producers.

So the food is delicious, and the rooms are stylish. But what makes the Pan Pacific a five-star destination is its immaculate service team. Whether it was a cleaner in the hallway, a chef restocking the breakfast buffet, or the guest experiences manager on the front desk, there was not one member of staff who didn’t greet me with a warm smile.

Yes, it’s $50m well spent sprucing up the place, but Pan Pacific’s friendliness of service takes home the gold medal — for me, at least.

+ Megan French was a guest of Pan Pacific Perth. They have not influenced this story, or read it before publication.

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