Tradewinds Hotel and Suites Fremantle Family Review Perth WA

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After returning from our 250-day journey around the world with two kids, we faced a decision between the Gold Coast and Perth for setting up our new home in Australia. Although we had extensively explored the East Coast of Australia, Western Australia was new to our family. So, without hesitation, we planned a 10-day trip to Perth, an urban city often dubbed ‘the most remote city in the world’.

Our family has a tendency to ‘go with the flow’ and always end up leaving everything last minute. As experts of last-minute travel planners, we found a fantastic long-stay deal with Tradewinds Hotel and Suites Fremantle and booked 9 nights here for our trip to Perth.

In this post, we’ll share our firsthand unbiased review of staying at Tradewinds Hotel and Suites Fremantle with kids, shedding light on both the good and the bad to help you decide whether Tradewinds Hotel is the right base for your family vacation.

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What to look for in a family accommodation

When travelling with kids, finding the perfect accommodation becomes a bit more complex. It’s not just about a comfy bed and a nice view anymore; there are several extra considerations that come into play.

Here’s what we focus on when choosing the ideal accommodation base for our holiday:

Factors We Consider	Tradewinds
Location: Away from the tourist hub and central districts, but in proximity to attractions and local shops.	✓
Accessibility: Ideally on the ground floor or with elevator access.	✓
Room: Spacious apartments or holiday homes with a minimum of two beds.	✓
Amenities: A kitchenette and a fridge. Coffee machine is a bonus.	✓
Facilities: A washing machine or free laundry facility.	✓
Bathroom: Preferably a room with a bathtub and a handheld shower head to wash the kids.	✓
Child-Friendly: Children’s pool and ideally with a playground nearby or on-site.	✓

About Our Stay

We wanted to maximise our time in Perth as much as possible without constantly packing and unpacking, so availability across our dates was an important factor when deciding on the ideal base for our trip.

• Number of Guests: 2 adults + 2 kids
• Length of Stay: 9 nights
• Month of Stay: September
• Room Type: Deluxe Apartment
• Bedding Configuration: 1 King + 1 Single

Tradewinds Hotel Fremantle Location

When planning our trip to Perth, many of our friends – either locals or those who had visited before – recommended basing ourselves in Fremantle rather than in the city centre. So, naturally, our search zeroed in on Fremantle.

Since we hired a car for our Perth adventure, we wanted to steer clear of busy hubs while staying close to attractions and local shops. Tradewinds Hotel & Suites in Fremantle ticked all the boxes, with free street parking and a bus stop conveniently located just steps away from the hotel.

A stroll from the hotel takes you to boutique shops and local cafés.

Glasson Park, just a few minutes’ walk away, has a nice little playground for the kids.

The most notable attraction within walking distance of Tradewinds Hotel Fremantle is The Containbow. The Containbow is a vibrant, eye-catching art installation made from stacked shipping containers, forming a must-see rainbow arch that’s become quite a local icon and a photo spot in Perth.

If you’re up for some exploration of the Fremantle area, it’s a 30-minute walk from Tradewinds Hotel to Fremantle Market.

We took this walk on our first day, and it turned out to be quite a nice walk through the neighbourhoods. Our kids enjoyed collecting fallen flowers and spotting birds in the trees.

We passed by the Fremantle War Memorial all the way to Fremantle Prison. And after a day of exploration, we looped back via the Fremantle train station and took photos at The Containbow. It was a great way to get our bearings and explore Fremantle at our own pace.

Parking at Tradewinds Hotel Fremantle

The hotel’s main entrance sits on a quiet residential street and offers first-come, first-served free street parking. While there are only a handful of spots directly around the hotel’s entrance, you’ll find many more parking spots a bit further down the road.

Over our 9-night stay at Tradewinds, we managed to park right outside the hotel most days. On the rare evenings when all the spaces were taken, we were able to park just a short stroll down the street.

Tradewinds Hotel Fremantle also provides the option of paid undercover parking if you prefer secured parking.

Bus to Perth City from Tradewinds Hotel Fremantle

To save ourselves the hassle of finding parking in Perth’s CBD, we were glad to find a bus stop just outside the hotel on the main Canning Highway. Although not the fastest, the buses offer direct routes to both Fremantle town centre and Perth city centre.

When it comes to payment on Perth buses, you’ve got two options: cash or a SmartRider card. Bear in mind, though, they don’t give out change. So, if you’re considering bus travel during your Perth stay, it’s a good idea to carry some coins or get yourself a SmartRider card in advance.

And here’s some good news for parents and those with mobility concerns – the buses are fitted with ramps, making them stroller and wheelchair accessible. So, taking the bus turns out to be a good way to explore either Perth City or Fremantle Centre from Tradewinds Hotel & Suites Fremantle.

Deluxe Apartment at Tradewinds Hotel and Suites Fremantle

We were very lucky to be allocated on the ground floor, giving us easy access to the pools.

Our Deluxe Apartment at Tradewinds Hotel Fremantle was both modern and spacious. It came with a king bed and a single bed, making it a snug fit for our small family of four.

However, the pillows were too high for our liking. We didn’t bother making a fuss about requesting different types of pillows, but I did wake up with a stiff neck on the odd night.

As for the lighting, the setup was very flexible with bedside control switches. We could easily tweak the brightness to suit different times of the day.

The smart TV became a source of entertainment for our kids and we had no connection issues at all during our stay here. We loved the fact that the TV was installed on a swivel rack, allowing us to angle the TV toward the dining table during mealtime.

Near the entrance, there was a comfortable couch that easily accommodated all of us and was complemented by a small, round dining table.

Also situated by the entrance was a long study desk and chair, ideal for placing our laptop and other small and loose items.

In terms of storage, there was a secure safe and a wardrobe complete with hangers.

One thing I noticed, particularly as a woman, was the absence of mirrors outside the bathroom. It’s one of those little details you don’t miss until you need it – especially when the bathroom is occupied and you’re trying to get ready. A mirror in the main room would have been a handy addition.

All in all, this apartment met our needs splendidly, serving as a comfortable home away from home for our Perth holiday.

The Kitchenette in Our Deluxe Apartment

Tucked into a tight corner, the kitchenette did present some accessibility challenges. However, it remained fully functional for our needs. It had a two-plate stove and a conveniently located microwave, along with plenty of overhead shelf space.

Unlike kitchenware in most accommodations, the pots and pans at Tradewinds Hotel & Suites were near-new and in very good condition. The Teflon coating on the pans was intact, making cooking a breeze. Every essential utensil, including a chopping board, was at our disposal.

Fresh cleaning cloths, kitchen towels, and dishwashing essentials were all provided, simplifying the clean-up process.

As coffee lovers, the espresso machine was a great added bonus. It was super easy to use and came paired with a milk frother, ensuring we enjoyed some excellent coffee brews.

However, near the end of our stay, we realised the provided coffee capsules were past their expiry date.

The full-sized fridge was another reason why we chose Tradewinds Hotel Fremantle. It was more than enough for our needs, allowing us to stock up on fresh ingredients. We cooked all our meals, which meant we could maintain a healthy diet throughout our travels.

There you have it. Despite its compact size and awkward layout, the kitchenette was well-equipped, meeting our expectations of a boutique serviced apartment.

The Bathroom in our Deluxe Apartment

The bathroom in our Deluxe Apartment was quite spacious for an apartment of this size. Although it lacked a bathtub, the walk-in shower more than made up for it.

There are other room types that come with a modern bathtub, so if this is something high on your priority list, be sure to book a suite with a bathtub.

While the modern rainfall showerhead added a touch of luxury to our bathing experience, an extra handheld showerhead would have been a fantastic complement. We found the water pressure to be a bit on the average side, which made washing our 3-year-old somewhat challenging due to the water merely drizzling down.

As for amenities, the shower came equipped with refillable bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. We really appreciated this eco-friendly touch.

Hand wash and body lotion were also conveniently placed by the sink, and my daughter and I loved the fragrance of all the products Tradewinds Hotel Fremantle offered.

One slight hiccup was the sluggish drainage in the sink. While it didn’t bother me, my partner found it a tad slow for his liking. It did eventually clog up one evening, but the reception staff quickly fixed it with a plunger.

All in all, the bathroom was modern and largely met our expectations, with just a couple of areas that could be fine-tuned.

Pool & Entertainment Area at Tradewinds Hotel Fremantle

Centrally located within the property, the pool and entertainment area had a mix of pros and cons. Loungers were abundant around the pool and towels were readily available for self-service, which was convenient.

If you were in the mood for a drink, you could have it delivered straight to your poolside lounger.

However, the pool wasn’t heated, and there was debris floating in the toddler pool for several days – let’s just say it wasn’t exactly inviting.

There was a ping pong table and a ring toss game on the other side of the pool. However, the ring toss game could do with some TLC; the pegs were wobbly and one had even fallen out.

Despite these maintenance oversights, the overall setting and ambience of the entertainment area at Tradewinds Hotel Fremantle was very enjoyable. A bit of sprucing up would make it truly exceptional.

Services at Tradewinds Hotel and Suites Fremantle

Our experience with customer service at Tradewinds Hotel Fremantle was largely positive with a few inconsistencies. Let’s talk about the highlights first.

We were particularly impressed with an exceptional housekeeping staff member. This lovely lady not only knocked politely before entering our room but also went the extra mile by doing our dishes. Imagine our surprise to find our dirty dishes not just cleaned, but also neatly arranged to dry. This was a treat that only occurred when she was on shift.

When we encountered a clogged bathroom sink, we found out the hotel didn’t have on-site maintenance. However, a night-shift receptionist came to the rescue and managed to clear the blockage using a plunger.

Toward the end of our stay, we noticed that our shampoo and body wash wasn’t replenished and calling the front desk often resulted in an engaged line.

Most of our requests had to be made in person at the front desk, but each request was met with a kind response and immediate action.

We had divided opinions about the services we had received from the front desk. My partner came across a few faces he considered less than friendly, but I felt it was mostly a matter of perception. Perhaps he wasn’t handsome enough, heh. Depending on who was on duty, most receptionists I interacted with were both helpful and friendly.

We didn’t have the chance to dine at the hotel’s restaurant, so we can’t provide a detailed review on that front. However, the atmosphere in the restaurant and bar always seemed lively and inviting.

To sum it up, the services at Tradewinds Hotel Fremantle were mostly commendable. Despite a few hiccups, we felt well cared for throughout our stay.

Final Verdict

To wrap things up, our stay at Tradewinds Hotel and Suites in Fremantle offered a mostly positive experience that served our family’s needs quite well.

The apartment was spacious, and the amenities ticked most of our boxes. From a well-equipped kitchenette to the complimentary laundry facility, we appreciated the convenience of little things like these that made our stay extra comfortable.

Of course, no place is perfect. We encountered a few minor setbacks, like the lack of regular replenishment of toiletries and a somewhat challenging phone line to the front desk. However, none of these issues significantly detracted from our overall experience.

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Would we recommend Tradewinds Hotel and Suites Fremantle to other families?

If you appreciate serviced accommodation, have a hired car and can take advantage of the weekly discount, then Tradewinds Hotel Fremantle is a great option. Its location makes it a solid base for exploring Perth and its surroundings, especially for families who prefer to minimise moves during a trip.

However, if you’re planning far in advance and have many other accommodation options or holiday homes to choose from, we recommend searching for a holiday home in Fremantle instead. We use Vrbo to find these properties that are usually more spacious with a more of a homely feel.

No matter which accommodation you end up booking, we hope you have a fantastic stay in Perth. Thank you for joining us on this review. We hope you find it helpful for your own travel plans. Until our next adventure, happy travels!

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