Hotel at Australian university is a far cry from student dorm rooms

The hotel

Wonil Hotel Perth – Handwritten Collection, Crawley, Western Australia.

‘Wonil’ is a word used by local Noongar people that translates to ‘peppermint tree’ – referring here to their historical use as a place to gather.

Check in

The Wonil Hotel, Perth, gives living on campus a whole new meaning. Opened last year, the hotel is on the University of Western Australia (UWA) Crawley grounds – perhaps with one of the more soothing outlooks along the banks of the Swan River, less about books and more about relaxing nooks. The understated boutique hotel is the first in Australia under Accor’s new Handwritten Collection brand, with a business model that puts the betterment of the local community at the forefront. The hotel invests in the Forrest Research Foundation (FRF), which supports current and prospective scholars and fellows at the state’s five universities.

Speaking of community, ‘Wonil’ is a word used by local Noongar people that translates to ‘peppermint tree’. The tree, as well as surrounding the hotel grounds, symbolises shelter – referring to their historical use as a place to gather, and that’s what the hotel is all about cultivating.

Serene outlooks: terrace views of the Swan River and peppermint trees.

The look

This 66-room hotel blends in with the university-scape. Hardly screaming ‘hotel’, the four-storey property could be easily mistaken for a modern learning facility with its modernist design. Its outdoor terrace is the hotel’s scenic gathering spot, taking advantage of its location overlooking the Swan River, lofty peppermint trees and the Perth skyline.

The room

Lighting fixtures galore: it may become a game of ‘what switches what off?’

Expect warm wooden tones in well utilised spaces. Each room boasts contemporary Scandi design with curved furnishings, and makes the most of its size, with the entry category starting from 27 square metres with no balcony. My room is a standard king with balcony on the third floor. At 33 square metres, it’s a comfortable stay with river views. The room features a table and chairs and ample bench space under the mounted TV to sprawl yourself out. There are many lighting fixtures, and so it’s a bit of a game of “what switches what off?”

A sliding door separates the room from the bathroom to open the room up a bit. The bathroom, with white marble tops, rounded basin, and mirror, is simple and stylish. A microwave hidden in a sideboard with crockery above is catering to those on the go or long-termers wanting to make their stay in Perth slightly cheaper.

The top room category – dual key premium river view – is on the fourth floor and boasts exposed concrete high ceilings, two king beds and a sofa across 68 square metres.

A sliding door separating the bathroom allows you to open the room up.

Food + drink

Have brekky, lunch and dinner all in the same building. Launched in November 2023, the onsite West Kitchen & Bar restaurant focuses on creating a culinary experience championing local produce. Taste what’s lurking in Western Australia’s waters with Akoya oysters and Cone Bay barramundi on the menu.

Breakfast is served a la carte unless the hotel is experiencing high occupancy. And unlike your student days, this breakfast is not worth skipping. Have a truly innovative version of avo smash, served with a glorious mix of Persian feta, pistachio powder, slow-roasted cherry tomatoes, and poached egg drizzled with maple and red wine syrup on a curry baguette. Worth coming back for the brekky alone.

Remember those microwaves? There’s a grab-and-go section with snacks and in-house-made meals, including pastas, pies, paninis and salads ranging from $15 to $22. (Put in your order a day in advance to avoid disappointment.)

With the hotel’s focus on stocking local produce and products, expect to see 100 per cent Western Australian beverages on its menu, including soft drink and kombucha beverage options from Margaret River-based producer Waves and Caves and wines from across the state.

Out + about

The outdoor terrace is the hotel’s scenic gathering spot.

Experience the life of a uni student with the main campus, Royal Perth Yacht Club, and the University Club of Western Australia, just moments away. At the latter, you’ll receive free guest access to swimming pools, gym, and tennis courts upon check-in. Out of the bustle but easy enough to join, catch the 950 or 995 bus to Elizabeth Quay in under 15 minutes.

The verdict

The Wonil Hotel Perth taps into an under-catered market on Western Australia’s premier university campus grounds. Knowing the hotel’s goodwill intentions to the wider community comforts me more than indulgent fixtures and aesthetics.

Essentials

Rooms start from about $240 a night. Wonil Hotel Perth – Handwritten Collection, 21 Hackett Drive, Crawley, WA. See all.accor.com

Our score out of five

★★★★

Highlight

Allows you to experience Perth from a different vantage point along the Swan River, away but not too far from the CBD’s hullabaloo.

Lowlight

It requires effort, albeit small, to visit the onsite gym.

The writer stayed as a guest of the Wonil Hotel Perth – Handwritten Collection.