I'm not sure I've had this sort of "choice problem" in quite a while.

We will arrive in Perth this year about 6 PM or so on Christmas Day. Will stay two nights and then board the Indian Pacific for Sydney.

Frankly, I would much prefer to have stayed out at the beach (we live right on the beach in South Florida) and never having seen the Indian Ocean I would like to. However, i wasn't all that impressed with what actual hotel offerings I could find and I would prefer not to be in a B+B.

Then there's staying in town. We are certainly not wed to so-called business hotels but we do like the amenities they often offer. Have gone back and forth from the Hyatt ('it looks like a barn," etc to the Hilton ('dated rooms") to the Holiday Inn which apparently has recently been renovated to the Best Western and back to the Hyatt!

I am trying to keep it all in perspective: it is ONLY two nights and the first one which comes after long flights from Florida to Los Angeles and then to Auckland with layovers and all that. Despite being in flatbed seats I know the first night will be lost which leaves one day.

Help me stay sane about this!!!!

My first question is - will you have a car or do you plan to use public transport? This will have a huge bearing on where you should stay.

Your train leaves from East Perth, so staying at a hotel in East Perth makes a lot of sense, especially if you're relying on public transport. You can see/access the Swan River from here and will be within easy reach of all the CBD has to offer.

Access to most beaches will require a car, although you can get to Cottesloe via train, but then you'd need to walk a bit to reach your accommodation. As beach locations go, this would be my personal choice - it's one of the prettiest beaches in Perth, has easy access, accommodation and some nice places to eat.

Other beach areas with accommodation include Hillary's and Scarborough. I suspect you've looked at Scarborough, given your reaction to the accommodation there (I wholeheartedly agree). Hillary's might be a better option, but you'd definitely need a car and it's quite a distance from the East Perth train station. If the drive distance doesn't concern you, you might take a look at Hillary's Resort -

http://www.hillarysresort.com.au/

Fremantle is a popular destination for visitors - it's a 30 minute drive or train ride from the Perth CBD and as its our port city, you'll see the Indian Ocean there too. Lots of shops and cafes in Freo and you're more likely to find a place open there during Christmas than you would in the CBD.

Arriving on Christmas Day has its own set of issues, as public transport will be very limited, and just about everything will be closed. You could well have trouble finding a place to eat that doesn't charge $150 a head and require advance booking.

Thanks for the info. I would assume we can get a taxi to a hotel IN Perth from the airport on Christmas Day evening. If the answer to THAT one is "maybe" then my overall estimation of the city just went waaaaay south.

We will also plan on taking a taxi to the rail station although with our accommodation level on the train we are eligible for a private pick up.

I suspect when all is said and done we'll simply stick with the "ugly barn architecture" Hyatt. I'll e-mail them in advance as to the likelihood of starving to death that evening.

No worries with a taxi on Christmas, although a surcharge will apply due to the holiday.

I was referring to bus and train transport, which wouldn't apply to the airport anyway.

Mmnn, just picking up this thread. I have stayed many times at the Pan Paciific recently. It's good.

I would recommend the Hyatt. We live in Perth and sometimes head there for a night to enjoy their club rooms (the club lounge has views over the swan river). They did renovate (interior) the hotel a few years ago so they are much better than they used to be and their service is always great.

We've stayed in a number of the other hotels around Perth and the Hyatt is the best value.

However, if you do want to splurge perhaps the Crown is an option - there may be more dining choices on Christmas Day. We've stayed in both hotels located there and they're good (but not what I would call value for money).

Just back to this thread and thank you for taking the time to make recs. After much consideration we've settled on the Best Western Premier Terrace Hotel. Have already been in communication with them regarding a dinner reservation on Christmas Day night so that is all set.

Will take a taxi from the airport and then will try to figure out what to see/do during the one day (the 26th) we actually have in the city itself prior to departing on the Indian-Pacific on the 27th.

My recommendation for your day in Perth is to visit Kings Park. Great location overlooking Perth and good place for a walk to wear off the jet lag.

Marg, thanks very much for your recommendation. I wish we had more time to spend in that area including some beach time but only so much one can do.