'How the other half lives': What it's like to stay at one of Australia's best hotels
I don't know how long I had been asleep for.
But I had definitely drifted off somewhere when my therapist sweetly roused me by whispering; "facial finished".
I was at the spa at one of Australia's best hotels.
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COMO The Treasury in Perth has just marked its tenth anniversary and remains at the pinnacle of luxury. Supplied
COMO The Treasury in Perth has just marked its tenth anniversary and remains the pinnacle of luxury.
It's housed in the city's 19th-century State Buildings, which were once the city's post office, land titles office and treasury.
The King himself - then Prince Charles - officially opened it.
The 48 rooms and suites are in three historic buildings designed by a renowned Aussie architect called Kerry Hill.
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After lying empty for years a lavish transformation, which included finding original slate in Wales to redo the roof, was completed.
And it has now won dozens of awards for everything from the hotel itself to the spa and the restaurants.
9Travel went to sample the luxury life.
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COMO The Treasury: The hotel
This is the kind of hotel where the staff open your car door, plus have a row of beautiful vehicles carefully lined up outside.
But there's no reception desk.
Instead, we were offered a drink in a lounge while a staff member sorted the paperwork.
We couldn't stop gazing at the magnificent flowers - which kind of made our usual bunch of supermarket roses look a bit pathetic - and the trendy art.
The rooms at COMO The Treasury
We thought there had been a mistake when we were escorted to our room (it's part of the service).
A room at COMO The Treasury in Perth. Supplied
Because you could have fitted at least four normal hotel rooms into our palatial digs.
The walk-in shower? Bigger than our whole apartment.
And the heated bathroom floor certainly made it easier to get out of bed in the morning, too.
As for the (custom-made) bed, well, the Brady Bunch could have slept there comfortably.
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Other highlights included a selection of Western Australia-themed books arranged on the bedside table.
We were also excited to read our little turndown notecard each evening which had inspiring quotes plus ideas for things to do for the next day.
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The hotel is also big on sustainability and makes its own filtered glass bottles of water.
(Confession: We had to Google how to use a bottle opener to get the lid off.)
The mammoth bathroom COMO The Treasury Supplied
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Some of the items in the mini bar are also included in the room rate (though in a First World Problem, we asked for bottles of Coke Zero and got Diet Cokes, so please feel sorry for us).
Then there are The Snacks.
Three glass jars are packed with cashews, florentine biscuits and chocolate-covered nuts for guests to indulge.
The most exciting part of returning to our room was checking if they'd been refiled.
And emptying them again while lazing in bed.
This, truly, is how the other half lives.
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The newspaper delivered to our door at The COMO treasury. Supplied
Usual luxury hotel staples such as bathrobes and slippers are there too.
And you don't even have to draw the curtains or blinds yourself because there's an electronic button for all that.
Even our daily newspaper came delivered in a fancy leather holder.
Just don't try to steal the lovely leather notebook because it had a $45 price tag on it.
And if you don't want anyone to know you're staying here, there's a discreet secret entrance too.
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The food at COMO The Treasury
The hotel is home to some of Perth's most renowned restaurants.
We ate at Wildflower, choosing the four-course degustation.
It uses local produce with the dishes designed around the indigenous six seasons.
Unsurprisingly, it was all delicious and served with a flair you only get in the best restaurants.
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Afternoon tea at COMO The Treasury. Supplied
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If you're not splashing out on a stay here, because obviously it's very expensive, it's definitely worth indulging in afternoon tea.
Held in the Cape Arid Rooms, the traditional English treat includes scones, sandwiches and cakes, all with a Western Australian twist.
There are also plenty of more affordable options to try within State Buildings complex.
Restaurants include Petition and pub-style Beer Corner, Italian restaurant Post (where breakfast is served, though we liked to have it delivered to our room) and Thai spot, Long Chim.
Telegram Coffee is also a local hotspot and there's even a barber shop in the basement.
Wildflower at COMO The Treasury is one of Perth's best restaurants. Supplied
The Spa at COMO The Treasury
As we mentioned COMO Shambhala Urban Escape is one of the best spas in Australia.
It's housed in the old vaults of the building.
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We indulged in a 120-minute Rejuvenating Renewal Treatment... aka a very fancy facial.
It includes a heavenly massage and LED therapy.
You don't have to stay at the hotel to book a spa visit, either.
There's also a 20m lap pool, sauna and gym.
COMO Shambhala Urban Escape is one of the best spas in Australia. Supplied
COMO The Treasury: The verdict
While expensive and luxurious, the hotel has a homely feel with friendly staff.
You can see why some of the world's most well-off travellers love to stay here.
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But even if you can't splash out on a stay there are plenty of places you can visit inside the impressive State Buildings complex.
The writer visited as a guest of COMO The Treasury and Tourism WA.
