LOWLIGHTS 

The fact that, eventually, you will have to leave.

THE PLACE 

COMO The Treasury, Perth

THE LOCATION 

Perth is a city in the process of reinventing itself. From laneways filled with street art to the new riverfront precinct, Elizabeth Quay, every corner seems to hold a new surprise. The single most exciting pocket of the city, however, is the complex of former government buildings known as the State Buildings, centrally located on the corner of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street. Three heritage buildings have been lovingly restored by Kerry Hill Architects into a lifestyle precinct centred on Perth's newest five-star lodging, COMO The Treasury Hotel. 

THE SPACE 

Enter from Cathedral Avenue to find yourself in the heart of the hotel. Both the lobby on your right and the Treasury Lounge and Bar on the left have a welcoming feel, with plenty tactile materials and lovely prints of West Australian wildflowers, by local artists Philippa Nikulinsky​ and Alex Nikulinsky​, softening those high-ceilinged heritage spaces. Head upstairs to find the rooms, the spa, the gym and the lap pool, or alternatively, continue on the ground floor to explore the rest of the building. Centred around the lovely Postal Hall you will find a tempting array of shops, eateries and bars.

THE ROOM 

As you would imagine in a hotel that was once three separate buildings, no two rooms are alike. What they share is a sense of tranquillity, provided by neutral tones and an uncluttered aesthetic that lets the elegant lines of the period architecture shine through – although some find the approach almost too minimal. The bathrooms are vast, with heated stone floors, full-length bathtubs, rainforest showers, and aromatic COMO Shambhala toiletries. Only some rooms have a balcony, but every guest can enjoy the free Wi-Fi and mini-bar, and the incredible attention to detail. The heavy wooden room door, for instance, closes quietly – a small but important touch that a surprising number of top hotels overlook. 

THE FOOD 

A lot of buzz has been generated by the hotel's remarkable rooftop restaurant, Wildflower, and deservedly so. Executive chef Jed Gerrard showcases WA ingredients, including items he forages in and around Perth, in sophisticated dishes such as wild fish in a squid ink brioche. However, the hotel's all-day bistro, Post, should not be overlooked. Breakfast in particular is a highlight. If you need to detox from the night before, avocado on nut-and-seed toast washed down with a gourmet juice will hit the spot.

STEPPING OUT

You could easily spend an entire weekend exploring the State Buildings, alternating between a spot of shopping and a bite to eat. Aside from the hotel restaurants, other must-visits venues include Thai guru David Thompson's superb street food restaurant, Long Chim, and Petition Beer Corner with its range of craft brews. If you are ready to look further afield, take a tour of the city's impressive street art with Oh Hey WA, explore the cool bars and cafes in the city's laneways, or visit the brand new riverfront precinct, Elizabeth Quay.

THE VERDICT

We have a new champion: this is the best city hotel in Australia.

ESSENTIALS

COMO The Treasury, Perth: 1 Cathedral Ave, Perth. Rates from $595 per room. Phone 08 6168 7888, see comohotels.com/thetreasury/ 

See also: Melbourne's newest five-star hotel opens