Of all the capital cities in Australia, Perth’s fortunes have shone the brightest, thanks largely to the commodities boom of the past decade. The recent weakening of the Australian dollar though makes a trip Down Under all the more attractive. Just in time too for the launch of businesswoman Christina Ong’s latest luxury hotel venture, COMO The Treasury. Fronted by an elegant line of Corinthian columns and deeply inset loggias, the 48-room property is part of a cluster of heritage buildings that once served as Perth’s town hall, post office, land titles office and treasury. The Australian, Singapore-based architect Kerry Hill has allowed the building’s 140-year old bones to take centre-stage. On the façade, dormer windows have been reinstalled, as have the rooftop’s copper trimmings. Inside, the vibe plays off COMO’s trademark palette of light-hued furniture, woven rugs, Travertine stone, king-sized beds and acres of snowy linen. After a few downward dogs at the COMO Shambala spa, make a beeline for the rooftop restaurant Wildflower for views of the languid Swan River and a menu based on Western Australian produce.
