Marriott’s first Aloft-branded hotel in Australia, Aloft Perth (www.aloftperth.com) combines live music venue, art gallery and locally-focused restaurant in one vibrant, urban package.

Nestled amid a regeneration project along the bank of the Swan River, the hotel sits barely 10 minutes’ ride from both the airport and the CBD, and within spitting distance of the shiny new 65,000-seater Perth Stadium (opening early ‘18 and soon to host Ed Sheeran).

On top of mod cons like free Wi-Fi and rainfall showers, the 224 rooms (from around B3,000/night) come decked out in art from some of Western Australia’s finest rising talents.

In fact, art is a constant feature around the hotel, from David Spencer's intricate pattern-work that greets you in the lobby to Stephen Baker’s large-scale geometric mural beside the pool that comes alive with projection mapping.

Head to Springs Kitchen’s sun-drenched terrace for Aussie brunch done right and specials that pull together the best produce the state has to offer. Later, drop by W XYZ Bar to catch local live bands over craft cocktails. Last month, the bar was the stage for the regional final of Project Aloft Star, an MTV-backed music contest featuring Thailand’s own hiphop trio Staygold and won by Indonesia's Mr Headbox. 

With a dynamic small-bar scene to rival Melbourne’s, untouched beaches that put Sydney’s to shame and nearby wineries in abundance, Perth looms as your next Aussie adventure. Best of all, it’s under seven hours’ flight away. AirAsia will get you there and back from about B16,000 this year-end (though that's via Kuala Lumpur).

Plans for New Year's Eve? Perth's Origin NYE starring Stormzy, Danny Brown and more might convince you to make the trip south. 

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