Seduced by panoramic vistas every which way, the Vibe Hotel Subiaco tantalises with the ultimate Perth hotel room with a view. Set within leafy Subiaco, this swanky neighbourhood is famed for its wide array of fancy homes, dining options, bars, designer boutiques, specialty stores, heritage architecture and, since 2020, the Vibe Hotel Subiaco.

As a local, whenever I’m searching for a staycation, a Perth hotel room with a view is often at the top of my list for a unique perspective of my hometown, especially for an occasion as special as our wedding anniversary. For one of the best rooms with a view at the Vibe Hotel Subiaco, I highly recommend booking a corner room or suite, and for some extra space, the Premier Suite King View lives up to its name with a separate living room and sweeping views of the Perth skyline, Kings Park and Subiaco, where you have a bird’s eye view of the bustle below.

Panoramic views aside, as Gen Z says, “It’s a vibe.” It really is from the rooftop Storehouse Restaurant and honeycomb-style façade attuned to the “buzzing” vibe within and on the street below. Pun intended as Subiaco’s cultural hub is as busy as a bee since Rokeby Road’s upgrades, Subiaco Farmers Market at Subiaco Primary School every Saturday, street art and the year-round performance line-up at the Subiaco Arts Centre and iconic Regal Hotel, in all its Art Deco glory.

As Subiaco’s only hotel, it’s hardly surprising occupancy is consistently high across 168 rooms and suites over nine floors, adorned with photographic artworks depicting Western Australia, including Perth, the Pilbara and the Kimberley. With a range of room configurations, including suites with living rooms, some with two beds and interconnecting rooms, the Vibe Hotel Subiaco caters well to couples and families.

Fluffy towels and robes (a must for fluffy towel travellers) are complimented by the contemporary décor, aromatic O&M products and spacious room sizes, which have the illusion of being even bigger thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows engulfing those views. As it was our wedding anniversary, the naughty treats in our room on arrival with complimentary water were a special touch. Sometimes the small things make all the difference, including late checkout at 11am, $15 parking per 24 hours, the onsite gym and rooftop pool, further defining this hotel as an urban retreat.

As someone who has worked remotely for many years, I appreciated the fast internet, work desk, USB charging points and in-room coffee machine as much as this Perth hotel room with a view. And given Perth’s CBD is only a couple of kilometres away, accessed by the free CAT bus, the Vibe Hotel Subiaco is an excellent option for business travellers who prefer city access without the hustle while staying in a cultural hub. The spacious lobby features multiple spots for meetings, even if you aren’t a guest, served by coffee, snacks and takeaways from St Marks Road Co. café. For something a little more formal, the conference rooms on level nine cater for up to 200 people across three separate rooms featuring a panoramic backdrop.

The crowning glory at the Vibe Hotel Subiaco is The Storehouse restaurant perched on the ninth floor with impressive and uninterrupted wraparound views of the metropolitan area punctuated by the city skyline and Kings Park’s green oasis.

Since we were celebrating, we went all out with the Chef’s Table. Full disclaimer, I’m not normally a fan of degustation menus because I’m not a big eater; however, this shared meal was the exception. Our feast began with charred sourdough with pistachio, ricotta and spinach dip before moving on to our entrees of beef tartare with potato flour crackers and Fremantle octopus. Remembering it was a marathon, not a race, the mains included gnocchi with mushrooms, Harvey Beef steak, salmon with a beetroot, pomegranate and tahini sauce, and roast potatoes with parmesan cheese and truffle mayonnaise. Before accepting defeat, I succumbed to the petite chocolate and raspberry tarts and the deconstructed apple and rhubarb crumble with black sesame sorbet.

I was grateful for the short commute to our cosy bed as a storm rolled in, who doesn’t love wild weather while tucked up in bed, especially on a Dreamcatcher mattress, striking the perfect balance between firmness and cloud-like softness.

Head chef Jonny Peacham is renowned for his Chef’s Dinners showcasing Western Australia’s outstanding produce. In a recent event, he paired Harvey Beef and Leeuwin Coast Akoya prepared five ways, accompanied by Margaret River wines in a first for Perth. A couple of years ago, I was lucky to attend an octopus extravaganza at The Storehouse, a meal that I still rave about today partly due to the food, lively atmosphere, and of course, those views enjoyed with the doors flung open on balmy nights.

Breakfast was equally decadent with the truffle mushrooms, poached eggs and sourdough. With a menu changing with the seasons, The Storehouse is busy throughout the year, particularly on the terrace during the warmer months and especially on New Year’s Eve for one of the best seats in Perth to witness the fireworks.

At some point, the streets below will beckon. You could browse all those boutiques at your feet or stroll to several parks to walk off the indulgence. However, you shouldn’t miss visiting Kings Park, the world’s largest inner-city park and Perth’s answer to New York City’s Central Park. Hovering over the CBD, enjoy a picnic while taking in the skyline, join a walking tour, navigate across a suspended treetop bridge and the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, stop and smell the banksias in the botanical gardens, book an outdoor performance or movie or let the kids go crazy in the playgrounds. During July 2023, marvel at Lightscape, where the trees and flora come alive at night in a twinkly wonderland.

For more tips on what to do in Perth, check out the ultimate Western Australian travel book Australia’s Extra.Ordinary. West, a 246-page coffee table book sharing cultural enclaves, natural wonders and surprising revelations.

From the Vibe Hotel Subiaco, you’re well placed to hunt out Perth’s lively nightlife in Northbridge and the city or flop on an idyllic beach. Jump on the train to Fremantle, WA’s favourite port city brimming with museums, cafes, history, boutiques, galleries and street art.

The Vibe Hotel Subiaco is part of the international TFE Hotel chain, also featuring other brands such as A by Adina (I loved this hotel in Canberra), Adina Hotels, Quincy, Travelodge hotels, Rendezvous and Collection. For anyone who travels regularly, it’s worth signing up for the TFE Hotels eClub for discounts, exclusive offers, culinary events, frequent flyer points, waived booking fees and complimentary wifi. Keep an eye for additional offers, like the Chef’s Dinners and seasonal specials the Vibe Hotel Subiaco offers for a limited time.

At the time of writing this, in July 2023, the eClub has an exclusive offer of 35% off until 31/12/23 for TFE Hotels across Australia and New Zealand. For your own Perth staycation with a view, please book here.

Full disclaimer: I was a pampered guest of Vibe Hotel Subiaco and The Storehouse.