Novotel Perth Murray Street

As one of Accor’s freshest hotels in Western Australia, Novotel Perth Murray Street is a new go-to for business and leisure travellers. Home to 431 rooms, you’ll also find a swimming pool, gym, sauna and a flagship restaurant – complete with its own special distilled gin.

Here’s a look at what’s new over on the west coast.

Novotel Perth Murray Street: rooms and location

Location-wise, Novotel Perth Murray Street sits just two blocks from St Georges Terrace. That’s the main street in Perth’s CBD, so you’re not far from the action. RAC Arena is also a five-minute stroll. Useful to remember if you’re in town for the events like the tennis, basketball, netball and major concerts.

The waterfront sights of Elizabeth Quay are roughly 15 minutes on foot, as is King’s Park. The Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre is also around a 10-minute walk. All in all, you’re in a spot that broadly suits both business and leisure stays.

If your destination is a little too far for a stroll, there’s a bus stop right out the front. Journeys within the CBD are free – just hop aboard. Perth Station is also around 10 minutes on foot, now with a direct train to Terminals 1 and 2 at Perth Airport. Access to the separate Perth Underground is even closer.

There’s a lot to see and do in Perth, so the rooms here reflect that. They’re fine for relaxing and a good night’s sleep. But not so much that you’re drawn to spend most of your time indoors.

Step inside one of Perth’s newest hotels. [Image courtesy Novotel Perth Murray Street]

My standard king room has the basics covered with bedside power points and an array of warm lights.

The walk-in rainfall shower has great water pressure.

There isn’t a formal work desk, but the table proves comfortable enough for a couple of hours on a laptop.

I can spot the RAC Arena from my window – it’s not far at all.

In the lead-in room category, don’t expect amenities like bathtubs, desks with office chairs or Nespresso machines. A booking at Novotel Perth Murray Street is all about complementing your own plans in Perth – not making the room the main destination.

Amenities at Novotel Perth Murray Street

When I first check in at Novotel Perth Murray Street, I spend a few hours doing work in the room. This is a business trip for me, after all. But once I discover the back half of the lobby, I wish I’d gone wandering sooner. I come across a very cool water feature that escapes me during that earlier arrival. And wouldn’t you know it, there are long worktables nearby.

I make this my new ‘office’ at the hotel and return several times during the stay. It’s a very peaceful place to sit and be productive, with the calming sounds of the water feature in the background. For more relaxation, head upstairs. The rooftop area houses a lap pool with plenty of seating to kick back nearby.

A respectable gym covers you for most workout needs. I make time for a spot of cardio during the stay. I also quite like how the machines line the windows, giving you a view. A further stroll finds an interesting mural outside the hotel’s Miss Mi restaurant. It’s also visible from the conference rooms upstairs – quite nice, for a bit of variety.

Now this is a great place to sit and work… I’ll remember it for next time!

Swim laps or just kick back at the pool deck. [Image courtesy Novotel Perth Murray Street]

There’s plenty of equipment to go around at the gym.

The gym opens 24/7, and there are separate male and female saunas nearby.

Miss Mi has quite the striking entrance if you come from outside the hotel.

The hotel suggests doing Perth’s new zipline, which I’d now recommend too. [Image courtesy Matagarup Zip+Climb]

Again though, you’ll want to explore more than just the hotel. And that’s where the concierge comes in handy. I’m a bit of an adventurer, needing very little encouragement to climb up high and try new things. Naturally, this means teeing up a time on Perth’s new zipline. It’s a 400m stretch, starting 72m above the ground.

Yes, there’s video…

Dining at Novotel Perth Murray Street

Novotel Perth Murray Street provides several food and beverage venues. For a quick coffee, Gather and Trade has you covered. It’s right at street level – perfect to grab and go. There’s also Third Space lounge bar: handy for casual bites, refreshments while working by the fountain or laidback catch-ups.

The real highlight, though, is Miss Mi. Mirroring the first Australian Miss Mi location at Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer, the focus here is on Southeast Asian cuisine. But before we get into the food, the beverage menu is well worth exploring.

The restaurant has its own gin – created in partnership with Perth’s Wandering Distillery. Far be it from me to pass up a gin and tonic bursting with local botanicals! Spoiler alert, the Miss Mi Martini is also quite quaffable – served smoked for a bit of theatre.

This is one restaurant where you’ll want to branch out and try a new gin.

I’m usually in the ‘gin and tonic’ camp, but the gin-based Miss Mi Martini is rather impressive.

Miss Mi also doubles at the hotel’s breakfast restaurant, home to a hot buffet. [Image courtesy Novotel Perth Murray Street]

But stop by for dinner, and the menu offers some great variety.

It’s hard to go wrong with the chilli crab and prawn dumplings.

An unconventional but tasty chicken skewer, using chicken wings.

The grilled cauliflower with chilli sambal is a very tasty vegetarian option.

The peanut crumble really adds to this dessert.

If you’re just after a simple yet tasty bite, ‘Third Space’ is the venue for you.

On the food front, the menu is great for sharing. This allows me to try a few things with a small group. The chilli crab and prawn dumplings are delightful – topped with caviar that adds a pleasing texture. I’m not usually a big ‘chicken wing’ fan, but these – served on a stick with spicy banana ketchup – make me glad to branch out.

Then, there’s the grilled cauliflower. Plated with a tasty, fermented chilli sambal, it’s great as a side, but would also suit as a standalone starter. We try a few other bites but finish strong with a delicious soy ice cream. Dotted with marinated strawberries and served on a bed of peanut crumble, it’s a dish I’d certainly order again.

Accor Live Limitless and Novotel

Guests staying with Novotel, including at Novotel Perth Murray Street, can earn and spend points via Accor Live Limitless (ALL). In fact, by having my Qantas and ALL accounts linked, the flight over earns me points with ALL. That’s in addition to the usual serves of Qantas Points and Status Credits – a handy double-dip.

I’m an ALL Gold member (earned and retained via paid stays) and also have an Accor Plus card (again, maintained under my own steam). Together, these two memberships deliver some rewarding perks.

On the ‘Gold’ side, I receive two drink vouchers at check-in. Each is valid for one beer, wine or non-alcoholic drink during the stay. Knowing that I’ll be having wine and cocktails with dinner, it’s handy to trade each in for a refreshing lemon, lime and bitters. Of course, while working near that calming water feature.

Soon after check-in, a yummy dessert plate and a bottle of red also arrive at my door. Welcome amenities vary between hotels – along with their level of generosity – but this is the norm for every ALL Gold member here at Novotel Perth Murray Street.

Trading in a drink voucher for a free lemon, lime and bitters is a great way to begin the stay.

Here’s a tip. Book your room for ‘two adults’, and even if you’re travelling solo, you’ll usually get two drink vouchers.

The welcome gifts for elite guests are on the more generous side at Novotel Perth Murray Street.

The internet is fast here – and also free, for Accor Live Limitless members of all tiers.

I’m paying for lunch and get 25% off as an Accor Plus member. Not to mention those free drinks…

Wi-Fi is also fast – and gratis for Accor Live Limitless members of all tiers. I clock download speeds of over 113Mbps during the stay, with uploads not far behind. If only all hotels had internet this fast.

Another favourite perk of ALL Gold is a complimentary room upgrade, where available. For instance, on my most recent (paid) Accor stay, the deluxe spa room I’d booked at The Como Melbourne – MGallery turned into a fantastic one-bedroom apartment. This time though, Novotel Perth Murray Street is at 99.6% capacity, so I stay put.

Instead, I’m happy the staff are able to provide an alternative Gold benefit: early check-in. I arrived at around 10 am, and officially, check-in is from 2 pm. With a few clicks of the keyboard, I’m straight into a room – and I’d prefer that versus sitting around and waiting for something slightly nicer.

Having an Accor Plus card also provides savings when dining at the hotel. I order a salad for lunch while set up in that ‘lobby office’ and receive 25% off the bill as a solo diner. When joined by a companion, the savings jump to 50%. Clearly, this $395/year membership can quickly pay for itself.

Accor Plus is also a complimentary benefit for primary American Express Platinum Card Members.

Eligible travellers can also earn Qantas Points with each stay when their ALL and Qantas accounts are linked up. Again, these come as a double dip: in addition to ALL points. It’s a nice little earner.

Summing up

Accor Live Limitless members are spoiled for hotel choices in Perth. And of course, different properties will suit different types of stays. For me, Novotel Perth Murray Street nicely gels with a busy stay. Think, a hectic business trip, to which I’m no stranger.

The rooms tick the boxes, without being so lavish that you’re drawn to spend longer than planned at the hotel itself. The Wi-Fi is fast when you need files transferred now. And the lobby is a great makeshift office where there’s a spot of work to do between meetings.

Adding to that, the gym is large enough that I’m not kept waiting for the equipment I want to use – handy when I only have 30 minutes to begin with. And best of all, pricing is sharp.

As an Accor Plus member, I can book the same room mid-week in August for just $135/night. That’s because Accor Plus members get exclusive access to heavily discounted ‘Red Hot Room’ sales. Without that membership, the same stay would be $207 per night.

Stay just a few nights a year, book a few Red Hot Rooms, and Accor Plus can really pay for itself. Not to mention the ongoing dining discounts. And of course, the complimentary night included each year.

Also read: Guide to Accor Plus membership and the free hotel night benefit

Feature image courtesy of Novotel Perth Murray Street. Zipline video courtesy of Matagarup Zip+Climb. Other photography by Chris Chamberlin. Chris travelled and stayed as a guest of ALL – Accor Live Limitless, and ziplined as a guest of Matagarup Zip+Climb.