Sun. sea and SPLENDOUR

Perth is no longer as you know it—with design-led luxury hotels and stellar food on its pristine shores, the appeal of Western Australia’s capital is stronger than ever.

- AMELIA CHIA

Gazing out of floor-to-ceiling windows from The Ritz-Carlton, Perth’s Elizabeth Quay Suite at a fiery vermillion orange sunset, there’s a reassuring sense of place that dawns on most city dwellers. Perhaps it’s the tall, shiny buildings that line the central business district across the road, or the gentle ebb and flow of the waters below. Perth has had its own little makeover in the last couple of years, with the development of new malls and precincts, and the rise of Melbourne-style cafe culture—blended with the vast space and leisurely pace that the Western Australian city affords.

This calls for an inexplicable, multidimensional charm to Perth. It means the queues at trendy cafes—such as Chu Bakery in Highgate and Arrival Hall in Northbridge—on weekends are hardly menacing; even pleasant on a balmy day. Getting a reservation at Modu Bar & Kitchen, one of Perth’s sought-after new restaurants, is straightforward enough and doesn’t require a month-long wait. Modu’s Wagyu open gyoza drizzled with truffle oil and king prawns with fried rice packs an incredible punch, easily a contender for one of the best Asian fusion meals I’ve had.

Meanwhile, King’s Park and Hyde Park, while located in the middle of the city with merry picnickers, never feels suffocating. Perth has a sweet pace found only in a number of cities worldwide, which makes it a glorious holiday destination. The short five-hour flight from Singapore doesn’t hurt, either.