The Westin Perth: A hotel that really packs a punch

From superfoods to spare sneakers, this hotel that knows what you need before you do.

Outdoor infinity edge pool at the Westin is perfect after all that exercise.

Rachael Finch is yelling at me to keep punching. I punch. Now the fitness and lifestyle guru has me on the ground. I’m sweating hard. As instructed, I kick. I lunge. I squat. I do something called a mountain climb, laughing she tells me to get back up only to have me smash out her “gridiron” drills.

The clock hasn’t hit 8am and I haven’t left my Westin hotel bedroom. Finchy has got the blood pumping. She waves goodbye and I switch her off at my television. As I put on the robe left on my Heavenly Bed (trademarked since 1999), I tuck into some superfoods.

A platter of blackberries, almonds and dark chocolate had been subtly left at my room last night.

Finch, Westin’s wellbeing ambassador and presenter of its in-room HIIT workout videos, tells me not to fuss about the dark choccy, it’s an antioxidant and besides the fitspo guru’s mantra is all about how to find a well-balanced life.

If Finchy is about reaching a work-life balance, then Perth’s The Westin hotel is all about providing it. The hotel, resplendent in the rejuvenated hip East End since it opened last April, thinks about what you need before you do. And they do it with a notch turned up.

The Westin Perth is all about 1 per centers. I’d arrived the morning before and, as a first-timer to the West Australian capital, wanted to get to know the city before work took hold.

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A club king room bedroom with city views.

Scrambling around in my hand luggage I realised I’d forgotten my trainers. I’d booked into a walking tour around the city centre with Two Feet and a Heartbeat and the scrappy sandals and work shoes I’d brought weren’t going to cut it. But reception had already delivered some sneakers, in my size, with running gear to match. For a $5 rental fee, the Westin Gear Lending program makes it hard to loaf in front of the telly.

The first thing that struck me as I walked through the East End’s old court district and through the city square’s lanes, where hidden new funky coffee shops nestle in with pop-up bars, was that Perth is cool. Forget mining boom or beaches, urban Perth has come into its own.

We covered the city at a fast pace and I was thankful for the borrowed trainers, before the walk finished back at Hibernian Place.

The Westin Perth is in the newly hip east end of the city.

The precinct has everything including an outdoor eating area where good food and atmosphere collide with the latest offering from uber bar operator Andy Freeman – Moroccan fusion Hadiqa, and its hidden rooftop oasis.

I head across the square back to my Westin sanctuary. While I’ve loved getting a sample of the city, it’s hard to go past just hanging at The Westin.

I have a Bodhi J spa treatment booked in. Finch says it’s important to treat yourself and after seeing a glimpse of the wellness oasis on the way to the outdoor pool, I can’t resist. I slip on my slippers ready for my Sodashi Detoxifying Marine Body Wrap.

Finchy would approve. After a steam, I’ve been exfoliated from head to toe in organic green tea with dead sea salts before been cocooned in a warm wrap with a thick layer of a warm Sodashi Marine body mask.

The calm surrounds of Bodhi J Day Spa.

I float back to my room after the 90-minute session.

I don’t want to just call in a pizza or burger from room service, as I would normally do without thinking.

I put it down to not wanting to set back all the good incidental work I’ve done, and go for a healthier option.

I’ve been good, to be honest a lot better than I’d imagined, and the hidden foodie has been hankering to try out Guy Grossi’s first venture out of Melbourne, Garum, the hotel’s flagship restaurant.

Restaurant Garum’s smart bar area.

Grossi’s Italian flair drips everywhere and the place is pumping from breakfast to dinner and late-night drinks. I toss up between a buffet, or a choice from the set menu with temptations like “zucchini fritters, mozzarella, basil”, “semolina gnocchi, mushrooms, pecorino, poached egg, pancetta” and “grain salad, wild rice, farro, poached egg”.

I go the buffet, open up the laptop and settle in with a Grossi coffee that reminds me of Melbourne so much it almost beats the Heavenly Bed.

A d’Vine wine tour that afternoon to nearby Swan Valley shows off some of the more intimate wineries and also some cheeses, so I return loaded up with local produce to take back home.

The morning after the wine tour still brings a smile to the face and then I flick on the TV. And there’s Finchy yelling at me again … time to punch.

The writer was a guest of Westin Perth.

Meeting room at The Westin makes the most of Perth’s wonderful outdoors weather.

RACHAEL FINCH’S DAILY ROUTINE

UP AND AT ’EM

I usually wake up 5-5.30am and aim to be in bed by 8.30pm. That is my sweet spot and when I’m at my peak. To relax, I’ll usually rub on some lavender oil left at my hotel room bedside.

MOVE

I’ll join the Concierge on the Run, do an in-hotel workout, or hit the gym ... some sort of movement, then I’ll meditate or stretch after that.

EAT

I have my MCT coffee (also known as “bulletproof coffee” consisting of brewed coffee, grass-fed, unsalted butter and medium-chain triglyceride coconut oil) in the room’s kitchen area and have some superfoods, or I head to the buffet. I avoid the pastry counter.

I always think, what does my body need, what is going to make it thrive and power through the day?

She’s all smiles and relaxation in the Westin Hotel eating area, but Rachael Finch is a hard taskmaster for the lunges and squats.

BREKKIE FAVES

A smoothie packed with avocado, nuts and berries and coconut milk, eggwhite omelet, mix it all together; beans and lots of mushrooms; chia pudding with nuts and fruit.

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

My blue blocker glasses: I take them everywhere, they look like prescription glass and essentially omit the blue harmful light from technology, on the laptop or when the sun goes down. It really helps with air travel as well because there is a lot of artificial light. They help rest the brain and give the body more rest, essentially. My husband thinks I’m crazy.

ESCAPE ROUTE

Staying there

The hotel includes 24 suites furnished with luxury amenities, locally owned and operated Bodhji J Wellness Spa, a large scale fitness centre, an outdoor infinity swimming pool, meetings spaces and an 800 sqm ballroom. Melbourne chef Guy Grossi’s signature restaurant Garum has been built in the restored Hibernian Hall.

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Originally published as The Westin Perth: A hotel that really packs a punch