When in Perth...

[QF WP]

Just returned from 3 days working in Perth and thought I would share some tips:

Where to stay - if you are working on St George's Terrace, stay at the Perth Parmelia Hilton, whereas if you are at the other end of the same road (which becomes Adelaide Terrace), stay at the Sheraton, Hyatt, or Medina Suites. That will save you cab fares - it's almost as long as George Street, Sydney.

A great place to eat - (I chose breakfast). Rather than pay an exorbitant $24 for a continental breakfast at the Parmelia Hilton, I wandered across St George's Terrace through Cloisters Arcade to Hay Street and up a laneway directly opposite (off Hay Street) found an excellent Cafe where I got a full cooked breakfast and hot chocolate for $14. Quiet, inside or outside dining, papers available for reading. Look out for Michael (the owner), Tony Garita (the Head Chef) and Bronwyn (the lovely waitress).

It's called Cafe Bocca - Shop 4 Shafto Lane (enter from 872-884 Hay Street), telephone 9226 4030. Trading hours: Mon thru Thurs - Breakfast & lunch (7.00am to 3.30pm), Friday - Breakfast, lunch and dinner (7.00am to late). Didn't get a chance to sample lunch or dinner there - pity, great menu.

A great place for coffee - If you're on the lookout for a coffee, try Rosso Espresso at 89 St George's Terrace, telephone 9226 0377.

If you are looking for that special occasion lunch or dinner, Frasers Restaurant on Frasers Avenue, Kings Park - overlooks the Swan River and the CBD, particularly beautiful with the lights at night - inside and outside dining. Excellent service but not cheap. - entrees were around $14-$19, main courses $24 - $30. Wide selection of wines in the cellar (some are pricey).

 

[shillard]

Just returned from 3 days working in Perth and thought I would share some tips:

Where to stay - if you are working on St George's Terrace, stay at the Perth Parmelia Hilton, whereas if you are at the other end of the same road (which becomes Adelaide Terrace), stay at the Sheraton, Hyatt, or Medina Suites. That will save you cab fares - it's almost as long as George Street, Sydney.

I usually wind up in Perth for the long-haul, 4-6 nights, so I stay at the Saville Park Suites. Great serviced apartments for **** hotel prices, and a fantastic breakfast offering. Only a 10 minute walk to the CBD/ main shopping areas. I can also tell you with authority that it's a $19.50 cab ride to go from this hotel to the nearest KLF, loiter in the drive-thru, and back again. Essential when you've had enough of hotel & restaurant food.

How did you find the QF club? Have the upgrades been completed yet?

 

[QF WP]

When in Perth...part II

Shillard, Qantas Club still unchanged and a bit sparse on the amenities...4 workstations in the business area and no desktop computers; but the bar service is good and regular refills at the buffet. Caught the red eye back to Brisbane on Wednesday night, so lounge was only half full as only 3 flights back late at night...to MEL, SYD and BNE. Unlike my last trip 2 weeks ago when I had a 6.10am flight to SYD, and at 5.30am there were NO seats left in QC lounge.

PER and ADL QC lounges still unchanged, they must be the last to undergo the renovations...ADL at least have 2 sets of workstations and 2 desktops available. I suppose they do have lesser loads than the East Coast.

Also, another tip, don't even try for an upgrade going east...Business Class seats have to be bought they are so popular. Have only got 2 upgrades in the past 12 flights around the country...both BNE/ADL...shows that loads are 95%+ and Qantas are very happy. I don't even think the mooted user-pays Virgin Lounge will dent the success of QC lounges.

 

[dajop]

Re: When in Perth...part II

PER and ADL QC lounges still unchanged, they must be the last to undergo the renovations...ADL at least have 2 sets of workstations and 2 desktops available. I suppose they do have lesser loads than the East Coast.

It was announced that Adelaide Airport is getting a $200m upgrade, that will be ready by who knows when. I doubt whether Qantas will upgrade the current Q Club - will have to wait until the airport is finished.

 

[adenda]

Re: When in Perth...part II

Also, another tip, don't even try for an upgrade going east...Business Class seats have to be bought they are so popular. Have only got 2 upgrades in the past 12 flights around the country...both BNE/ADL...shows that loads are 95%+ and Qantas are very happy. I don't even think the mooted user-pays Virgin Lounge will dent the success of QC lounges.

Are you talking about award upgrades here or simply free upgrades at check-in?

Everything I've heard suggests that free upgrades from Qantas do not exist, full stop.

 

[thadocta]

Re: When in Perth...part II

Also, another tip, don't even try for an upgrade going east...Business Class seats have to be bought they are so popular. Have only got 2 upgrades in the past 12 flights around the country...both BNE/ADL...shows that loads are 95%+ and Qantas are very happy. I don't even think the mooted user-pays Virgin Lounge will dent the success of QC lounges.

Are you referring to ODU's as "bought" J class seats?

I got to the PER lounge on 27/1 at 2100 for the 2340 red-eye to SYD. I managed to score on ODU - along with my required window seat - at 2230 - so they CAN be had.

Dave

 

[dajop]

Re: When in Perth...part II

I got to the PER lounge on 27/1 at 2100 for the 2340 red-eye to SYD. I managed to score on ODU - along with my required window seat - at 2230 - so they CAN be had.

Was the 2340 to SYD a 747? Probably lot easier to get an ODU on a 747 than a 767 or 737...

 

[thadocta]

Re: When in Perth...part II

I got to the PER lounge on 27/1 at 2100 for the 2340 red-eye to SYD. I managed to score on ODU - along with my required window seat - at 2230 - so they CAN be had.

Was the 2340 to SYD a 747? Probably lot easier to get an ODU on a 747 than a 767 or 737...

The 2340 to SYD is ALWAYS a 747.

But it still shows that Lindsay's completely silly claim - "Also, another tip, don't even try for an upgrade going east" - is completely and utterly wrong.

Dave

 

[QF WP]

Dave, the loads BNE/PER, SYD/PER and MEL/PER are high, particularly in J and the time I need to travel...most J's are bought (thanks to the mining companies and other corporates). Both flights I took in Nov/Dec (PER/BNE and PER/SYD) were 767's and as Dajop correctly pointed out, they are not easy to get ODU's on - I lucked out both times. Yes, had my flights been a 747, I'm sure I would have been more fortunate like you - I'm jealous actually - what was it like??

Yes, I was referring to ODU's as upgrades..the only type these days

 

[thadocta]

Dunno what the J service was like on the way back - I was in Perth for a grand total of 28 hours, so my body clock was still on Sydney time.

Given that I spent the afternoon in a pub with some mates, as well as having about three hours in the Qantas Club, and the flight was leaving at 0240 BCT (Body Clock Time) I was asleep before push-back - they woke me for the safety demonstration - and assleep again before take-off. I only spent the 8000 points for the better seat.

For details of the service, see my trip report in both FlyerTalk and Airliners.net.

Dave

 

[QF WP]

Dave, that's a tough trip...most of mine were 2-3 days, where I never really know whether to change internal body clock time or not. Sounds like you got through a couple of bourbons though to help you sleep

Off to surf FT now so will try and find your post there.

 

[icemann]

QC renovations in PER still not done, but when I was there 2 weeks ago, apart from the guys moving around and the cardboard walls, I would never have known that anyone was working there.

BTW, anyone who arrives at the international terminal, the domestic terminal is a bit of a way away. Try about 10-15 minutes ! But there's a free bus service every 15 mins from outside the terminal. That surprised me, first time I've come through PER int.