Nestled between the big city lights of Perth and fashionable Subiaco, lies the Sage Hotel and adjoining Julio’s Italian Restaurant. This landmark building is a combination of contemporary design meets heritage charm – with a bit of whimsy in between for a quintessential Perth Staycation.

When the Sage Hotel opened in 2016 on the original site of the 1930’s Grafton Flats, for decades Julio’s Italian Restaurant had set the scene for many notorious meals and meetings. In fact, it wouldn’t be hard to picture Tony Soprano devouring a plate of spaghetti alongside former guests Gina Rinehart, Lady Gaga and Michael Bublĕ.

Built-in the Federation Queen Anne style in 1902, if only the walls at Julio’s could talk. It was once owned by the renowned clothier James Walsh, who was the founder of Walsh’s Menswear housed in the Walsh’s building, which still proudly stands on the corner of the Hay Street Mall and William Street. Although the menswear chain is long gone, Walsh’s sense of grandeur lives on through the restored balustrade, open fireplaces, timber flooring, stain-glass, sash windows and ornate balcony.

What I appreciate about the décor is the integration of modern touches with exposed brickwork, whitewashed walls and structural overhead beams seamlessly flowing into the modern lobby of the Sage Hotel. I loved the nostalgic photos of Fremantle and Perth by local photographer Claire Martin displayed throughout the hotel and restaurant too.

Featuring 101 standard, superior and deluxe guest rooms, the view from our room was an ever-changing vista over the city all the way to the Perth Hills. As the sun slowly sunk, blue sky gently morphed into gold and eventually into a twinkling skyline. A million-dollar view without the exorbitant price tag.

With rates starting at $149 you’d be hard pushed to find better value for money in Perth, especially with Your Stay, Your Way, where you choose a free add-on to customise your own package, including free parking, a bottle of wine and breakfast or a $20 donation to the Telethon Kids Institute. There are also discounted rates for longer stays perfect for business travellers. You can also rest assured of your safety with their Safe With Us hygiene and safety programme. Apart from the staggering view, my other favourite part of the room was the divine bed with a DreamWeave Sleep System mattress.

Kings Park is almost on your doorstep

From here you have the city, Leederville, Subiaco and Northbridge almost on your doorstep and Kings Park is a short walk away. Not that you need to go any further than Julio’s for an outstanding meal. Rustic wooden tables softened with cloth napkins and flickering candlelight set the tone for romance – or a party judging by the long tables adorned with fresh-cut flowers.

Executive Chef Alan Johnson’s menu is traditionally Italian with a modern flair. The handmade veal Agnolotti was served al dente in a rich sauce of mushroom, ricotta and truffle butter with a crunch pine nuts and a touch of vinegar to cut through the cream. I only wished I had ordered bread to sop up all that sauciness.

The Costata rib eye was well seasoned and served on the bone with gremolata, rocket and rosemary potatoes – which may have taken a dip in my sauce. Many local and Italian favourites are featured on the wine menu including the 2018 Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2019 Ad Hoc Cruel Mistress Pinot Noir, which also complement the generous cheese platter.

Even if you’re not staying at the Sage Hotel, all are welcome at any time, including for breakfast where you can indulge in hearty favourites such as Baked Eggs Italian Style or House Made Granola infused with coconut, almonds, berries and yoghurt.

If you can’t tear yourself away from the view or that heavenly bed, you can be truly decadent and have food brought to you. Julio’s Venue Manager Nancy Priolo shares, “Guests can order fantastic meals off the in-room dining menu straight from the restaurant. The freshly made pizzas are always a hit with our in-house guests. So is the fantastic pasta and of course the desserts – everyone orders something from the dessert menu.”

We mightn’t be able to travel far for a while yet, but after a Staycation at the Sage Hotel and Julio’s you might fall in love with our city all over again. For more Western Australian travel tips please contact carmen@fluffytowel.com for a copy of Australia’s Extra.Ordinary. West.

Please contact the Sage Hotel for more details and packages or Julio’s Italian Restaurant for bookings.

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Rooftop at QT

Oozing big city glamour from every nook and cranny, the QT Perth is a bit of a cutie. Reflective of its location, the QT Perth is installed with a playful mix of luxe textures and jewelled tones.

Wide corridors and jarrah floors are inspired by Perth’s grand heritage homes while verdant carpets represent our blooming wildflowers. Hues of the coral coast are splashed about with abandon as metal textures reflect our profitable iron-ore industry at the QT Perth.

QT Perth Lobby

Everything is considered, bold and memorable thanks to the design team including Nic Graham and Associates, who is synonymous with the QT Hotels and Resorts and responsible for the front of house interiors. Indyk Architects designed the guest rooms and apartment interiors and Patsy Payne created the artworks curated from metal. Abundant in creativity, I’m sure many guests leave inspired to be braver in their own home design choices.

All 184 rooms have an interchanging colour palette between the prosperous golds from our goldfields and luxurious greens and purples channelling our renowned wine industry. As you’d expect, the chic glamour flows into the bathrooms with freestanding baths and walk-in rain showers complemented by KEVIN.MURPHY products.

You can even hire out an entire floor and host a private party in the hallways exclusive to your guests for an unforgettable night.

Opened since August 2018, QT Perth is on the former CineCentre complex site and impresses a new chapter of functionality meets design in the heart of Perth. But this is more than just a place to stay, it’s a place to meet, work and play – even if you aren’t an overnight guest.

Santini Grill

The hotel’s signature restaurant the Santini Grill won Best New Restaurant soon after opening and Restaurant of the Year in 2019 at the West Australian Good Food Guide Awards. Inspired by the Mediterranean and Italy, the ‘food of the sun’ menu was created by Executive Chef Nic Wood and offers premium produce such as White Rocks Veal, Black Berkshire Pork, Abrolhos Island Scallops and Yellow Fin Tuna.

For something more casual, the Santini Bar is great for delicious titbits while the QT Café is a popular meeting spot. Alternatively, the multi-purpose rooms most certainly seal the deal during meetings and events or create an intimate vibe – depending on who you’re trying to impress.

Rooftop at QT

Perfect for year-round cocktails, exclusive events or High Tea, the Rooftop at QT is where you really appreciate that big city feel with Perth at your feet. As you arrive by lift, you’re greeted by a hand-painted mural designed to make you feel a little disorientated – pre-empting the effect of the cocktails you’re about to consume.

Moving artwork? Or maybe that’s just the cocktails?

Speaking of feeling woozy, many swear the artworks in the lifts are moving images – but that’s probably attributed to the Pink Flamingo or experimental Jungle Bird cocktails. Either way, even if you arrive alone it’s more than likely you will have company on your next lift journey to discuss whether those artworks really are waving you farewell.

As the QT Perth takes many a guest away from the conventional style of formality, I’m declaring this sophisticated enclave as Perth’s most playful hotel.

Click here to book your staycation at the QT Perth.

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