Pensione Hotel Perth

The Pensione Hotel Perth is situated in a modern, seven-story building with an unassuming gray-and-brown brick facade. While the property doesn’t boast a ton of common spaces, the lobby lounge is atmospheric with decor that calls to mind 1960s modernism. This is mostly reflected in the chic wood chairs, finished with cushions and upholstery in a '60s pastel color palette of blue, orange, and that iconic mustard yellow. Bookshelves, drum lights, and a playful mirrored wall piece add to the vibe, but underneath it all, it’s a mid-range property with few frills. For practical comfort, it’s spot on, and the couples, families, and business guests who stay here tend to find it functional and competitively priced.

Pensione Hotel Perth is situated in Perth’s Central Business District, on a block that’s home to everything from Middle Eastern restaurants to a Swedish pastry shop. Walk a few blocks west, and you’ll find yourself in the commercial heart of the city; Hay Street Mall is just a six-minute walk away. The free red CAT bus stops right outside; Perth Station is just a seven-minute walk; and the ferry at Elizabeth Quay is a 15-minute walk. Guests can also walk to the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and Perth Arena in 15 to 20 minutes. It’s a straight shot to Perth Airport via public transit; the ride is about 40 minutes, or guests can get there by car in about 20 minutes.

Small, simple, and functional are the words that best describe the guest rooms at Pensione Hotel Perth. Furnishings are modest and limited to platform beds and modular blond-wood furniture. But rooms do get a boost from a trendy gray-and-white color palette, and a few stylish accents -- like floor-to-ceiling drapes, button-tufted headboards, and '60s-inspired black desk lamps -- add to their appeal. In higher-category rooms, mod gray-upholstered seating bumps up the style factor another notch. The simple, white-tile bathrooms are snug, but even here there's a touch of contemporary style communicated through vessel sinks and glassed-in shower stalls along with a collection of individual toiletries and hairdryers.

The rightly named Petite Rooms are, indeed, petite, starting at just 130 square feet. Upgraded Deluxe Rooms (160 square feet) can still be a squeeze. However, Premium King Rooms are more spacious at double the size of a Petite Room. Despite their small stature, all rooms manage to fit in desks, wardrobes, and nightstands. Amenities are decent, too, including flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, safes, and irons and ironing boards. Plus electric kettles with tea and coffee, mini-fridges, and pillow-top mattresses also come standard. Beds are either a king, queen, or two twins, and cots are available on request. 

While the rooms and the location are solid draws, Pensione Hotel Perth's lack of extra property features can make this feel more like a budget hotel. While there used to be a separately owned restaurant and bar attached to the hotel, this is no longer the case. As of our early 2018 review, the Pensione was offering discounted buffet breakfasts at Miss Maud’s across the street. There are also no on-site wellness facilities, though extra-fee passes are offered for a nearby gym (SNAP Fitness, a one-minute walk away) upon request. 

Other features on the premises include a 24-hour front desk, a coin-operated laundry, a meeting room, and a decent business corner with two computers for guest use. Basic Wi-Fi is free, with an upgraded option available for an extra charge. Parking is offered for an extra nightly fee, but should be booked in advance as spaces are limited.