Vintage glamour in Australia’s sunniest capital

Head to Perth in Western Australia in 2013 to stay in the luxurious new Terrace Hotel. Set in a former Bishop’s residence in the city’s West End, the 1890s building has been converted to a five star boutique property with just 15 suites. Beautifully restored jarrah staircases, crystal chandeliers, fireplaces, Victorian and Edwardian furnishings contrast with the slick Bang & Olufsen sound and television system and iPads in every room. It also offers a fine dining restaurant and bar with 3,000 wines in its vault. Its sun dappled courtyard is the place to tuck into award-winning wines from nearby Margaret River as the city heats up February and March. Rooms will start at AUD$480 per night. The hotel is part of the creative boom in Perth which has also produced new rooftop bars and laneway cafés springing up in every Perth street in the last 18 months as well as a new state theatre and waterfront project. Australia’s sunniest city, Perth has 19 city beaches, wild dolphins in its iconic Swan River and a nearby wine region for food and wine lovers.