Jenn R.
Yelp
When Lance had told me he'd booked a restaurant in the CBD for my birthday, I remembered a few frequent flyer points that I had lying around. Not being a frequent flyer, they were due to expire due to a lack of activity. Well, best time ever for turning dinner into a Perth City staycation. Not knowing where we were eating, I chose Parmelia Hilton based on the vague area I was told dinner would be in. It's a bit further up than the main hotel strip on St George's Terrace, but I find those are a bit of a hike in heels to most areas in the CBD anyway. Bear in mind that when I talk about location, I am a walker. Not in a "The Walking Dead" kinda way, in a "she's got legs, knows how to use them" kinda way. So distances I find are immensely close and walkable, other people baulk at. We dumped our bag at the baggage area as we got into the city before check-in and then raced to Northbridge in under 10 minutes to watch a movie. The baggage guy was super friendly and helpful, getting us out of there on the ASAP. After a light lunch at The Standard, we walked back via La Veen for coffee, did a little window shopping and got back to collect our bags and check in. The new baggage guy was also super friendly and helpful and the girl on the check-out was fabulous. She was so lovely, and had overheard my husband say to me something about it being my birthday. She asked if we were staying for my birthday, and wished me a happy birthday and lovely time when she gave me the keys. (After giving me the tip, is you sign your email up to the free HHilton club, you can have the wi-fi password for free).
The room was fairly small, but in a normal hotel kinda way, not in a 'wow this room is small' way. It's long and thin, but there was room for the king bed, a small sitting area and desk, but a small 'passage' down the room to the balcony. Despite not having much by way of 'view' due to the buildings being built in front, it still overlooked a gardeny area of the building in front, and there was enough daylight up and through the buildings that you still felt definitely outdoors. The bathroom is your normal bath/shower combo, with a large well-lit mirror and soaps and shampoos. There is a mini bar with glasses and coffee/tea making facilities. The bed was all white linened as is the norm these days, and I was a big fan of the pillows. As we were preparing to get ready to change for dinner, we had a knock on the door. The lady on the front desk had sent up a bottle of bubbles for my birthday. And a card. A hand-written card that was more personal than just 'happy birthday from the staff'. It blew me away. It was such a sweet gesture, and very much appreciated. We toasted my birthday and the hotel on the balcony before changing and heading out for dinner. It was about a block, maybe two from Balthazar, and similar walking distance to post-dinner drinks at Print Hall.
The next morning we walked to Petition for breakfast, which was a bit further along but being new we wanted to try it out. There were a few closer spots, if you didn't want to go that far, as well as one in the hotel. The room service breakfast menu seemed very steep.
The number one thing I liked about this hotel was the staff. Everyone we dealt with at every stage was so welcoming and warm. And that was without the birthday bubbles!