HOUGOUMONT FREMANTLE in Perth - Hotel Review with Photos

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Updated: January 6, 2022

Essentials
• Location: Bannister Street in Fremantle.
• Hotel website: hougoumonthotel.com
• Hotel phone: +61 (0)8 6160 6800
• Check prices for Hougoumont Hotel Fremantle

Review of Hougoumont Hotel Fremantle in Perth, Australia.

The boutique Hougoumont Hotel Fremantle features trendy rooms with marble bathrooms.

Hougoumont Hotel Fremantle – Adorable, chic, and historical boutique hotel in a popular beachside suburb.

This surprisingly large hotel has a fascinating design: the façade and reception are part of a heritage building and rooms are within shipping containers, perhaps fitting as Fremantle is a rejuvenated port. The Cabin Rooms within one container are compact but feature stunning marble bathrooms and extras like espresso machines, while the State Rooms are based in two containers and thus are twice the size. Unashamedly minimalist, the Hougoumont has no pool or spa – or even a café/bar – but breakfast and bicycle rentals are free. And the location is a winner: along a quiet side street, yet only meters from the center of this bustling seaside suburb about a half-hour by train from downtown Perth.

Hougoumont Hotel Fremantle – The Location

Address: 15 Bannister Street, Fremantle, a seaside suburb in western Perth. Almost on the corner of the main road through Fremantle where Market Street becomes South Terrace.
Area: Fremantle is a historical and re-energized district at the mouth of the Swan River which flows through downtown Perth. Still a busy port for cargo ships and cruise liners, Freo (as it’s lovingly called) is packed with places to eat, drink, and shop, most within a few minutes’ walk of the hotel.
How to Get There: Fremantle is only 30 minutes by train from the Perth and Perth Underground stations in the city center. The lovely old railway station in Freo is north along the main road (Market Street) from the hotel (500m). Alternatives from downtown Perth are the bus, which is too slow, or scenic cruises from Elizabeth Quay.

Confusingly, there are 4 terminals across the separate (but nearby) international (29 km) and domestic (30 km) airports. The only options for door-to-door travel are shuttle buses by Perth City Shuttle or Just Transfers and taxis for about A$75. (See ‘Local Transport’ below for more information about taxis and ride-shares.) Free shuttle buses operate 24/7 between the 2 airports. Note: Always double-check which terminal the flight arrives at/departs from.
Nearest Transport: Bus – South Tce Fremantle Markets (300m), Train – Fremantle (500m).
Handy to: Beaches. Fremantle Passenger Terminal. Ferries to Rottnest Island.

Hougoumont Hotel Fremantle – The Basics

Guests: Hotels in Fremantle mostly cater to tourists. The Hougoumont would suit single travelers and couples, especially those on a budget.
Pets: Only service animals (e.g. guide dogs) are allowed.
Views: Most rooms face the fascinating mural on a wall across the car park, but views are not a selling point.
Private Pools/Jacuzzis: Certainly not expected (or provided) at this suburban boutique hotel.
Extras: Free 1-hour wine-and-cheese get-togethers at the lounge near the reception. Free bicycle hire and use of computers in the lobby.
Parking: Available at a secure outdoor parking lot next to the hotel for a daily fee.
How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
Phone: +61 (0)8 6160 6800
Email: reservations@hougoumonthotel.com
Website: hougoumonthotel.com

Hougoumont Hotel Fremantle – Amenities

Pool & Spa: Not expected (or provided) at this sort of boutique hotel.
Fitness Center: Free access to Spring into Fitness nearby (500m).
Other Facilities: Business services. Dry-cleaning.

Hougoumont Hotel Fremantle – Food and Drink

Restaurant & Bar: No café or bar on-site, but many options close by.
Breakfast: Simple but filling continental breakfast is included.
Room Service: Not available as there is no café on-site. Free tea/coffee, water, and fruit available in the lobby.

Hougoumont Hotel Fremantle – Rooms

Room Types: Superior Cabin Rooms • Deluxe Cabin Rooms • State Rooms • List of all Rooms
Smoking Rooms: No smoking allowed within the hotel premises.
Best Room: The State Rooms are twice as large as the others, but the décor is more or less the same. Rooms on the higher floors will offer slightly better views.
For Families: No space in any room for an extra single bed and none have connecting doors. Much better options for families are available nearby, such as the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle.

Hougoumont Hotel Fremantle – Local Transport

Walking & Cycling: The center of Fremantle is compact and such a pleasure for walking. With far less traffic than downtown Perth and many dedicated paths, Freo is also ideal for cycling. Bikes can be rented for free from the hotel or the visitor center at Kings Square (250m).
Buses: Like the center of Perth, 2 free CAT bus services (coded Blue and Red) loop around Fremantle connecting the sights, main streets, local train station, and superior beach to the south (see below).
Taxis & Ride-shares: There is a taxi rank outside the Esplanade Hotel (250m). Otherwise, organize a pick-up through the 2 major companies: Swan Taxis (phone 131330) and Black & White Cabs (phone 133222). Ride-shares are also available through Uber, Ola, and DiDi.

Hougoumont Hotel Fremantle – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants

Dôme

Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour

Cicerello’s – Huge place perched alongside and above the water. Serving fish and chips for 120 years and much more, including Italian favorites. Family-friendly and aquariums to admire. (600m)
Joe’s Fish Shack – With indoor tables overlooking the water, it’s always popular for its seaside vibe, funky décor, and award-winning fish and chips. (700m).
Kaili’s Fishmarket Café – Almost 100 years old and renowned for its menu, including fish and chips rated among Freo’s finest. Magical waterside setting. (750m).
Bathers Beach House – Directly overlooking the beach. Tables along the side street and – uniquely – lounge chairs on the sand. Legendary sunsets and locally-brewed beer. (750m).

Best Nearby Bar

Little Creatures Brewery – Tables overlooking the harbor or at the front for people-watching. Also, children’s play area, guided tours of the microbrewery on-site, and free bicycle rental. Via the park. (600m).

Nearby Shops

Fremantle Markets – Located inside a delightful colonial-era building for over 120 years. Around 150 stalls sell food and souvenirs on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. (250m).
E Shed Markets – More gifts and souvenirs and a fabulous food court at the lively port area near the hotel. Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. (900m).

Nearby Attractions

Tourist Wheel Fremantle – Dominating Esplanade Park near the beach, it features Freo’s finest views from 40m in the air. (600m).
WA Maritime Museum – Learn about the history of Fremantle as an old port and modern suburb. In the port area (900m).
Beaches – Bathers Beach (700m) is slightly disappointing compared to others like Scarborough. Better is South Beach, which is great for families and provides enchanting views of nearby islands. It is a delightful walk from the hotel via a coastal path or jump on the free Blue CAT bus. (2 km).
Rottnest Island – Adorable, vehicle-free island offering sublime beaches for swimming and snorkeling, cycling paths, seaside cafés, and arguably the world’s cutest critters: the native, super-friendly, and ultra-photogenic quokkas. About 30 minutes from the port area by Sealink and Rottnest Express.

Hougoumont Hotel Fremantle – The Hotel

The hotel is located on a quiet side street.

The boutique Hougoumont Hotel is quietly situated along a shady side street only 50m from the main road through Fremantle.

The design and décor throughout the hotel is likably chic, including the spacious lounge area at the reception.

There is free wine and cheese on offer every evening.

For one hour every evening, guests can enjoy a free wine-and-cheese get-together in the spacious lounge on the ground floor.

Guests can use the computers in the lounge.

Several computers in the bright and airy lounge are available for use by guests.

The hotel has free bike rentals for guests.

Another attraction of staying at the Hougoumont Hotel is free bike rental for guests.

The hotel is formed out of shipping containers.

Interestingly, rooms are based in one or two shipping containers which were imported and simply loaded on top of each other by crane.

The Cabin Rooms are ideal for single travelers.

Based in single shipping containers, the Cabin Rooms are compact, if a little undersized, but ideal for single travelers.

One standout feature of all rooms regardless of size are the marble bathrooms.

State Rooms are spacious and comfortable.

Twice the size of the Cabin Rooms, the State Rooms are very comfortable and stylish.

Most rooms overlook the fascinating mural across the hotel carpark and painted by a renowned artist.

There are several great cafes in the area.

The streets and lanes around Freo (as it’s affectionately called) are packed with inviting places to eat and drink.

Dôme is one of many fantastic eateries along Fremantle’s main street, just around the corner from the hotel.

Bathers Beach House offers lounge chairs on the beach.

Facing the beach near the hotel, the Bathers Beach House bar/bistro also offers lounge chairs on the sand.

Kaili’s Fishmarket Café is right on the harbor.

One of several places to eat at the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour is Kaili’s Fishmarket Café.

Cicerello’s has been serving fish and chips for 120 years.

Serving some of the tastiest fish and chips in Western Australia for about 120 years is Cicerello’s, near Kaili’s.

Particularly inviting is Joe’s Fish Shack at the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour. The interior is considerably more sophisticated than the rustic exterior might suggest.

Little Creatures Brewery has a brewery on-site.

Worth a short walk via the park from the hotel, Little Creatures Brewery has huge tanks of freshly-brewed beer and cider.

The area has several historical buildings.

The hotel is in the middle of Fremantle, a revitalized port area with historical buildings.

A local landmark for over 120 years, the Fremantle Markets is only a few minutes from the hotel.

At the bustling port area near the cruise ship terminal, the E Shed Markets has a fabulous food court.

The Tourist Wheel in Esplanade Park is popular with families.

In the middle of Esplanade Park, the Tourist Wheel is just one of many attractions for families.

As an old port, Freo is packed with heritage buildings, some converted to art galleries.

To fully appreciate Fremantle’s legacy as the port for Perth, visit the Maritime Museum near the hotel.

Rottnest Island day trips by ferry are very popular.

Day trips to Rottnest Island are extremely popular. Numerous boats leave daily from the port within a few minutes’ walk of the hotel.

This old tunnel leads from the city streets near the port to Bathers Beach.

South Beach is more appealing than Bathers Beach.

The only beach in downtown Fremantle is slightly disappointing; the rocks and seaweed make it less appealing than South Beach down the coast.

The historic Fremantle Railway Station is nearby.

The historic Fremantle Railway Station is close to the hotel.

Fremantle is well-connected to central Perth by trains.

Trains travel frequently between Fremantle and the center of Perth. Check rates and availability: Hougoumont Hotel Fremantle

Hougoumont Hotel Fremantle in Perth, Australia

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