Como Treasury Perth, Australia : anyone been?
Its also Perth's first virtuoso property and its amenities are apparently
Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
Complimentary Full Breakfast for two daily for duration of the stay in the restaurant
$100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in/Late check-out, subject to availability
but maybe @pricesquire can confirm
Cool side note: they'd convinced Virgin Australia to run their brand new first class suites from SYD/MEL to Perth...(hard enough to get those from LAX right now.)
I'm currently at Saffire, in Tasmania, and a couple we met here are going directly on to Perth and staying at the new COMO - while I'm not sure if either/both are FT'ers, they DEFINITELY are perfect exemplars of this board, so I'll see if I can get some thoughts from them, whether we make it or not.
This has been an escalating "war" between VA and QF since 2011 (link: http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-virgi...ental-turf-war)
I don't think you can go wrong with room selection. I can't remember what room category I had (I had a FHR upgrade) but it was enormous and beautifully appointed, with a lovely view of the Cathedral across the square.
It's said if you like Aman you'll like this hotel (for obvious reasons). The finishes and overall restoration of the historic building complex are gorgeous but in many ways it is the smallest details that set this hotel apart and make it my current favorite city hotel in Australia. From the variety of delightful relaxation spaces to the freshly bottled milk with a hand-written use-by date in the minibar, the hotel has carefully thought through all aspects of guests' experience. There are several other dining and drinking establishments in the restored building complex as well, all of which are patronized by locals (always a good sign in an Australian hotel) and worth exploring.
Crown Towers Perth has also just opened, another addition to the casino precinct (if you like that sort of thing). It wouldn't be my choice, but it does provide another luxury option in the Perth market (so that makes two!).
I stayed in the COMO Suite in March. The hotel is one of the best city hotels I have ever stayed in. They did a fantastic job with the build-out and retail/F&B. I unfortunately did not have a chance to use the spa but I had just come from COMO Shambhala so I wasn't really in need of another massage.
Overall service was incredible and well meaning, although there were a few bumps. The management team is pretty impressive, although there were a few front of house individuals who needed a bit of polishing. Any issues were quickly rectified by the GM, who is very visible.
I only wish the hotel were closer to NYC and not literally halfway around the world.
My room, an 80sqm open floor plan studio suite was plenty large for one (probably for two), king bed comfortable and well appointed in light woods and fabrics. Huge shower compartment in large bathroom, with switch-operated heated floor placed behind a 3/4 wall behind the bedroom. A bit odd, but functional. Tech was average, including switch-operated sheer and (more-or-less) blackout window coverings, but no universal plug receptacles (so bring those adapters). As a computer geek, I was disappointed that there was no desk, so my "work station" was a coffee table adjacent to the couch. Would also have appreciated a Japanese-style toilet, but dream on I guess. Both coffee and tea maker en suite, with good tea. A small assortment of soft drinks were included. Excellent views through ample windows on a corner. No upgrade offered, none requested at checkin. Never made it down for included breakfast on Virtuoso package.
Staff was very friendly and accommodating, though as mentioned upthread, a little polish for some might be useful. GM seemed like a real dynamo, though she only introduced herself once and I felt no need to call on her further.
In-house Long Chim Thai restaurant (by David Thompson of Nahm fame) was great and readily accessed as guest of hotel. Wildflower a seasonal/local focused menu on the top (4th) floor was excellent as well, mostly staffed by young, but very polished French servers. I found food and service to be far superior here to the much more highly touted, of-the-moment local favorite, Restaurant Amuse.
Location in the heart of the CBD, a block from the pedestrian-only shopping strip along Hay Street couldn't be beat.
Still not sure I'd call this hotel "luxury" in the classic sense. No grand lobby (hell, no check-in or concierge or any other lobby desks) at all, just a person with a computer perched atop a buffet table. My sense would be to characterize this as a luxurious boutique hotel, though I would recommend it highly with that qualification.
Note that a new Ritz-Carlton hotel and residences is under construction as is IHG property and at least one other nearby. I adored Perth and wouldn't hesitate to spend a few months at a time there as a spot to while away the northern winter. It's a bit bigger than Portland, with seemingly superior cultural amenities (Springsteen was about to play a three-night stand the night after I left) and the most wonderful clean, white-sand, uncrowded beaches within a 15-30 minute drive. Nearby Fremantle did nothing for me, with lots of tacky tourist stuff and an abundance of shuttered storefronts.
Weather was in the low to mid 80s which I'm told was cool for this time of the year. Breezes pick up in the afternoon, one day becoming very fresh and cool to the extent I actually pulled out a wind breaker. All for now. A little jet lag kicking in...
--mcz
Last edited by mczlaw; Jan 24, 2017 at 11:53 pm
COMO The Treasury
1 Cathedral Avenue Perth , AU
COMO The Treasury In June (32 Photos)
COMO The Treasury
Check In
Was quick and would have been even faster if we did not take photos .
Completed by friendly staff with me comfortably on the sofa you see .
The doorway leads to the COMO SHAMBALA Spa
To the right is the computer used by the front office team .
Room
Since I was staying alone , the Heritage Room was more than adequate for size . High ceilings & good views of St George ‘ s Cathedral , Perth Library and sculpture , etcetera
So when one was admiring the sculpture from the bathtub / bathroom window , it took awhile getting to the room phones as there is none in the bath area . It does not have doors so saved a few seconds reaching the phone . If you are wondering , the shower part is doorless too but not the WC .
That said , thankfully , my friend did not take up my offer to share the room with me !
Large windows , with automatic day / sheer & blackout
COMO SHAMBHALA amenities , etc
Generous shower area but if one is a “ splasher “ , the floor towards the bath tub may get wet
The enclosed WC room with the frosted pane to the shower area
No doors to the 2 entries to the bath area !
From the bed , one can see the closet area as well as the towel rails & bathtub !
Dining
Only had breakfasts which was included . This was at Post with a small buffet and a cook to order selection including the daily special .
Egg white omelette with spinach , mushrooms were served on the side - this is the COMO cuisine
Blueberry pancake with vanilla cream etcetera . Did not care for the batter though the rest was good .
No no time to check out Wildflower & forgot to ask about the Thai which was not listed . That is likely because Long Chim Thai restaurant is not in the Treasury building itself but in the State building , but part of the same restoration ‘ development ‘
The gym & pool
To get to the gym & pool , the easiest way is by the elevator / lift past the spa . I chose to go via the lounge & COMO Shambhala spa boutique reception to access this far end approach . The gym is a floor above the pool & the elevator/ lift opens directly to them . There were no staff the times I visited .
The pool temperature was good , not too warm . Actually did a few laps as there was no one else swimming . Saw seagulls fly past a few times , swimming with a different city view as you see below .
At night
View from the gym
To the 2 shower rooms , etcetera
The elongated gym
More than one was kind enough to be photographer , .. & traipse all over to show me the various nooks
Service
Well , this is COMO which is not quite Aman but still caring and warm .
The team is global with Bhutanese , Columbian , South Korean , French .. , etcetera besides Aussies .
There were minor issues including a faulty illy coffee maker in room which was expediently exchanged .
Breakfast mix up in cook to order & such but recovery from some staff .
Had the egg white omelette on 2 days , one was modified with added cheddar cheese . They forgot the mushrooms , sort of could not prepare my request quickly enough ( told the same waitress that I was going to order same omelette the next day and to prepare them but waitress likely did not inform the kitchen & said it was likely a different chef ) . On the second day , she said it would be a 20 minutes wait - which was fine for that day .
Omelette on first day , pot of ginger lemongrass tea .
Would have been really disappointed if Aman of before was still around & given up Aman Treasury . The blow is lessened being current Aman ..
The hotel was going to be full so I could not be accorded a late check out after lunch , but in the end did not need one but left luggage to be collected later .
This stay came a week after our Kilasari and Amanusa Villa stay so one had to tweak one ‘ s mindset somewhat .
Met GM Anneke B ( an Aman alum ;) ) when I returned to collect my luggage . Will try have longer exchange , being The Treasury ;) , on next stay .
Location
Liked the convenience of being near the pedestrian mall ( though hardly any time there this trip ! ) , by the Perth Library also designed by Kerry Hill & St George ‘ s Cathedral , Stirling Gardens , etcetera .
Perth Library
St George ‘ s Cathedral
These are just by the entrance !
Right in the CBD .
Quite easy for drop offs but if there is a line / queue and is raining , some patience will be required or get wet as there is no ‘ driveway ‘ or sheltered porch , just a tiny awning .
However , it is not as near the Swan River unlike the RC which is still being built and being a low rise building , few rooms have river views .
Overall
Waited a long time to stay & was sorely disappointed to learn that it was stalled & no longer an Aman , patience , patience ..
However , was relieved when the COMO took over and decided best give them some time for the usual opening teething issues to be ironed out / sorted .
Would definitely return but will request a room / suite with Swan River views ( All my previous hotels in Perth visits pre COMO Treasury days , had rooms / suites with river views which were very pleasant , these were on the top or higher floors ) .
As mentioned earlier , this stay was right on the heels ( fresh from ) of once again fabulous Indonesian Amans stay . Not surprising that one had to adjust service expectations . One staff of many , though very accommodating , had only been with the team barely 2 weeks and was not familiar with the maze of corridors or how the automated blinds in the rooms worked , many switches ..
The attention to detail was to be expected in a what was originally meant to be a city Aman , so it is also suited to be a COMO . For instance , the flooring in the bathroom is honeycomb patterned as seen in earlier photos and this is echoed in the corridors carpeting .
Appreciate the artwork throughout the premises but did not have time to view all or read the coffee table book describing them .
Plus no time for spa either .
All reserved for future longer stays .
Last edited by FlyerEC; Jun 26, 2018 at 2:38 am
Plus , seeing ones clothes hanging in various parts ( in my case ) of the bathroom from the bed is not ideal , to say the least . Or when friends come up to the room , can be embarrassing . Some were really interested to see the room as they had only been to the public areas or restaurants previously .
Not done , still working on TR in bits , as initial part / one disappeared
More soon , hopefully . Edit can be a chore with this new system that keeps scrolling to wrong places ..