REVIEWS
The Adnate, Perth,WA Pipit Restaurant, Pottsville, NSW Mount Lofty House, Adelaide Hills, SA Project 281, Brunswick,Vic
WE WALK, UNDER a blue-and-white sky, along Hay Street towards The Adnate, the latest Art Series hotel by Accor. It’s not difficult to spot. The 27-storey, 250-room high-rise acts like a beacon for street art enthusiasts. The east-facing side of the building is painted with a mega mural: a Noongar male; Indian child; and Mediterranean women. It’s a nod to Western Australia’s cultural history and diversity, something namesake artist Matt Adnate is passionate about. Weaving between a jumble of office workers, shoppers, lunch-time diners, tourists, and inner-city locals, we duck into the lobby before getting lost in the shuffle.
The first thing I notice is the large-scale wallart – faces, of course. Melbourne-based Adnate is a master at recreating hyperrealistic portraits featuring trademark expressionistic marks of indigenous people. Set against an otherwise neutral, yet stylish lobby decor, framed works of a sultry Chamorro woman and Australian male model Nathan McGuire gaze over the pristine space.
Making our way to our room on the 23rd floor, we take in more framed Adnate portraits positioned in the hallway. Inside room 2306, two single beds dominate the floor space, but there’s still enough space to navigate with ease.
The gun-metal grey walls give a sombre mood, but the killer cityscape from the picture window and the red-heavy portraits above each bed cheer it up. The beds, though tiny, are comfortable and outfitted with two over-sized pillows and triplesheeted white linen with a single timber headboard.
As I scan the room, I find endearing details: coat hooks that look like black paint running down the door, and hard-covered art books on the desk. The minibar is stuffed with organic teas, upscale booze, and late-night favourites.
Hyde Perth Kitchen + Cocktails takes up residence on the first floor of The Adnate, and I’m so glad. This is the second Hyde Lounge in Australia (Hyde Paradiso is in Queensland) and it adds a splash of tropical freshness and vibe to the place. Think Miami chic meets secret garden. We enjoy a buffet breakfast, compliments of the hotel, because of a few teething issues that often come during a soft opening. The pancake machine brings back childish giggles, and the espresso machine threatens caffeine overload with every press of the button.
After a mid-morning sugar fix at The Margaret River Chocolate Company on nearby Murray Street, a late check-out lets us linger in the room reading art books. Inspired to learn more, I grab the copy of ArtLife magazine ($9.95) as I pack up. My artistic expression may never result in a namesake hotel like it did for Matt Adnate, but you never know where your dreams may take you.