A relaxing retreat with a front-row seat to a WA marvel

6 hours ago 4

The hotel

Moonlight Bay Suites, Broome.

Check-in

This 50-room all-suite hotel overlooking the mangroves of Broome’s Roebuck Bay has undergone a $4 million transformation. Broome has more than 30 hotels, a strong inventory for a town of about 15,000 permanent residents. But as the gateway to Western Australia’s Kimberley region, this cultural melting pot (thanks to the pearling industry) on the beautiful lands of the Yawuru people hosts plenty of tourists and things get particularly lively in high season (the cooler months). Moonlight Bay Suites, on the easterly side of Broome, has a few great advantages: the spacious room layouts, a 28-metre swimming pool, gym, uninterrupted waterfront views and now a fresh decor coupled with quality appointments.

The look

In true outback style, members of the Peirson-Jones family who own and run Moonlight Bay Suites rolled up their sleeves and set to work, firstly jack hammering the dated terracotta floors throughout the property and replacing them with earthy-coloured, faux terrazzo tiles. They added clean-lined olive green and natural wood furniture, including deep sofas, as well as dining settings. It’s all very neutral, which is smart, as nothing inside fights against the mesmerising seascape outside with its ever-changing colours, and in the wet season, dramatic skies. (Reception’s makeover is to come.)

The room

I am in room 254, arguably the best in the hotel for views. It’s on the third floor – the highest – and is a two-bedroom corner suite with a wraparound balcony giving 180-degree easterly views of Roebuck Bay. You can watch gorgeous sunrises and the remarkable tidal changes for which the Kimberley is famous, plus the wet season’s theatrical storms from the four-seater dining table on the balcony, and even from the six-seater inside – there are big windows everywhere, including the master bedroom and expansive living space with large TV (a smaller one in the main bedrooms).

The twin-single room looks out to the roof of the street-facing wing of rooms, which are ideal for those who care more about price than views. Some suites face the swimming pool as well, though Roebuck Bay is still the backdrop. I check out one of these, a one-bedder on the ground floor. It’s a cosy, homely layout and I’d be really happy in it. All rooms have a double Murphy bed in the lounge and full kitchens. The premium suites have dishwashers and terrific washer-dryers in the spacious, well-thought-out bathrooms.

Food + drink

There is no restaurant on site, but you have an excellent kitchen plus barbecues for self-catering. Broome’s famous brewpub, the freshly renovated Matso’s, is right across the road.

Out + about

The hotel overlooks the mangroves of Broome’s Roebuck Bay.

Broome’s greatest hits all warrant your time: the camel rides along Cable Beach at sunset, the helicopter and light plane rides along the coast, the dinosaur footprints, the pearl jewellers. But take the time to wander and enjoy the town. A tour with Narlijia Experiences offers fascinating insight into the local natural history and Indigenous culture.

The verdict

Broome’s famous “Staircase to the Moon” phenomenon.

This home-away-from-home-style stay, with its changing sea and skyscapes, is a superbly relaxing retreat. It’s a testament to the property’s functionality and charm that families from around the region came for Christmas, cooking their feasts in the kitchens while kids played in the pool.

Essentials

From $250 a night low season. One fully accessible suite. Moonlight Bay Suites, 51 Carnarvon Street, Broome, WA. Phone: 1800 818 878. See moonlightbaysuites.com.au

Our rating out of five

★★★★

Highlight

When a full moon rises over the tidal flats of Roebuck Bay, its reflection can create what looks like a stairway (March-October). It’s called Staircase to the Moon and Moonlight Bay Suites has great views of it.

Lowlight

No low light – that is, no lamps in the living areas. Your only option is to use the overheads, which are bright and unconducive to winding down in the evenings.

The writer was a guest of Moonlight Bay Suites.

The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.