Radisson Blu Hotel, Perth

I stopped by to give blood. Apart from that, I can’t use any of the hotel facilities because it’s housing refugees and migrants.

I attended a conference here, and the buffet was poor. The food was cold and the beef very fatty. In the meeting room, the tea and coffee machines made so much noise while heating that I could hardly hear the speaker. Why not put them in the corridor?

The staff were a small team, but they were friendly and did all they could to make our stay comfortable. Our room was clean, and I’d love to return in a year or so to see the renovations finished. We were a bus tour accommodated with just 10 days’ notice after our original hotel was requisitioned by the government for Ukrainian refugees. They’d clearly rushed to get rooms ready for our whole group, and you could see the haste: there were no bedside lamps, for example, and the wash basin wasn’t secured. Under normal circumstances I’d probably rate the hotel three stars, but these weren’t normal circumstances. Their effort earns an outstanding rating.

I’m glad I went in to see our room. It’s in a glorious old building, and I’d love to come back once it’s been restored. Our room had already been renovated, and both the bedroom and en suite were clean, with very comfortable beds. There was a big TV, hair dryer, hospitality tray and chocolates on the bed. The staff were friendly and helpful. We didn’t eat here, though we saw desserts being taken out and they looked lovely. The hotel is right by the train station, with a pay-and-display car park that’s free for residents. There’s also a large garden at the back with a gazebo and several tables. The downside is that renovations are still underway. The public areas are awful at the moment, which nearly put me off going in to see the room. It must once have been beautiful, with a grand central staircase, chandeliers and high ceilings. I was worried after reading reviews, but the room and the building changed my mind.