Going Back to Perth, Western Australia After Seven Years, and Our Accommodation at Ascot Quays Apartments - Day 1

Bell Tower, Perth Western Australia.

The last time I was back in Perth, Western Australia was October 2016 to see my Dad before he passed, and then attend his funeral a few days later. It was never my intention to wait so long before going back. Obviously the COVID 19 pandemic of 2020 caused the initial delay to go even longer than intended. 

Then my partner, Enigma, and I had a short, four day trip all booked for the beginning of December 2021 when a COVID 19 scare shut down the border between South Australia and Western Australia and we watched our plans disappear within hours.

Given that was almost a year after the world had started to come good again from the pandemic  lockdowns and travel restrictions, I just got very reluctant to book anything. Particularly after getting all my vaccinations done (triple vaxxed!) just to meet the requirements of crossing into WA at the time. 

Fortunately we were able to get a travel agent credit for our cancelled airfares with no expiry date (or at least was still valid nearly two years later). Although I had planned to, hopefully, make it back to Perth some time in 2023, Enigma and I never really started planning until a couple of months out from booking our flights.

Our Ascot Quays, first floor apartment and
the pool area.

Enigma had booked holidays away from work for the entire month of October much earlier in the year, with a view to possibly doing some once in a lifetime international travel with her sister. 

When it looked certain those plans weren't going to eventuate we changed focus to a two week holiday to catch up with my family in Perth.

We booked our flights for the last two weeks in October, and then Enigma sourced an excellent, first floor apartment at Ascot Quays, with access to a pool and gym (never used the gym but the pool area was great).

Ascot Quays sits alongside the Swan River. It used to be a hotel of self contained apartments but has since been closed with all the apartments being sold to private owners (a few are available as AirBnBs).

Our apartment was an open plan kitchen/dining/living area, with a balcony, one bedroom, and one combined bathroom/laundry.

While it very much had 'motel room' vibes it was about two to three times the space with everything you'd need in a home apartment. Towels, linen, complimentary tea and coffee included.

The pool (and gym) are shared facilities for residents only. While we were there the pool was never crowded but, if you want a relaxing time by the pool, maybe avoid Thursday mornings which seemed to be the day the gardener came around with all his powered equipment (doing a great job too, the gardens are very well maintained).

Each apartment also has its own parking space in the secure garage under the building.

On our first day in Perth we self checked in after 3pm, coming straight from the airport. I spent most of my afternoon making flying visits to family members, who all lived within about 30 minutes drive, while Enigma made the most of relaxing by the pool while I was gone. 

For the two weeks we were in Perth we really appreciated our apartment, its central location, proximity to shops, public transport, and plenty of walking paths to explore through the parklands along side the Swan River. 

If you can find an AirBnB in Ascot Quays (they're not all hosted by the same people), I'd definitely recommend it. Our apartment was very affordably priced for a two week stay that was certainly a lot more for your money than what you'd get staying at a similarly priced motel for the same length of time.