There’s plenty of reasons you might get married and not jet off on a honeymoon right away. Work, the weather, time off, kids, and let’s not forget the big one, budget. Weddings certainly steal up your time and finances, so a long-haul flight to Europe might be the last thing you need. But that doesn’t mean you can’t bring a little bit of European energy to a honeymoon staycation.
Hyde Perth sits in the heart of Perth CBD but walk in those doors and you could be on the other side of the world. Here’s five reasons this city hotel secretly feels like a European honeymoon.
Photo by Cubbage Photo
- It’s giving Amalfi Coast
If you’ve ever been to a European beach town, you’ve probably thought to yourself “why don’t we have beach bars like this?” Australia might have some of the best beaches but we don’t often get the chance to wine and dine right next to them. Enter Hyde Perth. It’s not on a beach, but it does have a pool, and the entire resort is orientated around it. You’ll spot the deep red lounge chairs and fun sun umbrellas as soon as you walk in the front door. The lobby bar opens straight up to the pool. Sit at tables overlooking the water or head over to the lounges and enjoy a Spritz or two over a lazy afternoon. We go one step further and are staying in an All-Access Suite Poolside, which has its own terrace opening straight onto the pool area. A glass of wine, a book, and a day bed all to myself – this tops plenty of beach clubs I’ve been to.
Photo by Cubbage Photo
- Serving Greek, Perth-style
Walking through the gauzey curtains separating FARRA Restaurant from the lobby feels like stumbling through the looking glass and emerging in a Greek taverna. An extremely chic one. The rattan lamps, white undulating plaster shelves, terracotta pots, crazy paved travertine and blonde wood chairs all remind me of my favourite restaurant on the Greek island of Paros. Sit down and the transportation is complete as a wooden bread bowl of koulouri sesame rings and flatbread lands on the table.
Photo by Cubbage Photo
It’s followed swiftly by a hearty melt-in-your-mouth lamb and a chunk of za’atar-crusted saganaki I have to bully my other half into sharing. Horiatiki Greek salad, roasted lemon potatoes, savoury pies and octopus yiouvetsi are just a taste of the other traditional Greek dishes gracing this gorgeous menu. We’re too full when postcards arrive with details of dessert though I still regret skipping the loukoumades donuts with whipped yoghurt and lavender honey. Executive Chef Aaron Moore has only had the kitchen open for a few short months but this is already one of the hottest spots in town.
Photo by Cubbage Photo
- Ibiza calling
It’s Friday night, we’re sitting out on our private pool terrace. We start to hear some beats. We follow the sound inside, into FARRA bar to find a DJ doing a set. Look, this isn’t Ibiza, but we’re loving her setup, and her set. The lights are low, the cocktails are excellent, and the vibe is super chill. We settle into a low-lying couch for a nightcap or two. This feels like the other side of Ibiza – cool, a little bit edgy and an extra touch from an inner-city hotel.
- Not a straight line in sight
Curved walls, cool energy, that’s the first thing I noticed checking in at Hyde Perth. The entire building was reimagined from the ground up, and it appears no corner was left untouched. I feel like I’ve stepped into Gaudi’s famous Casa Milà apartment in Barcelona, where the walls, the façade, the roof, and even the door handles have gorgeous curves built in. The colour scheme has the same soft creamy beige palette and I’m here for it. The Hyde hotel brand began in LA, so there’s boho energy pulling through into rooms with handwoven rugs and wavy dark-wood mirrors.
Photo by Jenna French
- A little bit of Paris
The biggest surprise when I first walk into the Poolside Suite is that there’s no bed! At first glance that is. All Poolside Suites have custom made murphy beds, not so common in Australia, but used in places like Paris, where tiny apartments mean every space saving trick counts. During the day, housekeeping can push the bed back up onto the wall if you want some extra space, and at turn down you’ll find a full-size king bed plump with piles of pillows waiting for you. A little bit of Paris, hiding in the wall. At breakfast, I also find another Parisian influence that makes me very happy. The almond croissant. Big, buttery, filled with almond, it’s the decadent start to the day honeymoons deserve.
Photo by Jenna French
We came for a staycation and left feeling like we’d snuck in a European honeymoon. No flights, no jet lag, just some special downtime with my special someone.
Header photo by Cubbage Photo
About Lisa Perkovic: Lisa Perkovic has spent the past decade travelling the world writing for Australia’s leading newspapers, magazines, and blogs about all things travel. Her own honeymoon was her pièce de résistance – an epic journey to the Maldives and South Africa. Now she loves nothing more than sharing destinations and tips to help other newlyweds work out how to have the honeymoon of their dreams.
Join the conversation