Pinctada McAlpine House, Broome, WA

This century-old historical home in the heart of Broome has been transformed into a luxury boutique hotel, combining old world style with modern contemporary styling, and making a great location for a romantic getaway. 

• Location: The heart of Broome.
• Accommodations: The resort has a total of eight rooms, each with its own style and private outdoor escape where you can catch a late afternoon breeze. Besides the McAlpine Suite (see below), there are also Garden Suites, Pearlers Verandah Rooms which are heritage style and capture the history and character of a bygone era, and Library Retreat Rooms on the first floor latticed library verandah. All rooms have king or queen beds, modern bathrooms and air conditioning.
• Dining options: The Pavilion Dining Room is the heart and soul of the house, with a communal table for those who like to dine with other guests, and individual tables near the pool and at the front of the property set among the gardens. Breakfast is served between 7.30am and 9am, and you can indulge in high tea featuring sandwiches, scones, pastries and a range of unique teas.
• What else is there: Besides a decent outdoor pool, which was built in the middle of  the grounds of McAlpine House, the hotel also has a relaxing Chinese Tea House, an exotic parrot bird aviary, and a library.
• What’s nearby: The many sights of Broome and the local area are on your doorstep, including the famous white sands of Cable Beach, the Paspaley Pearl Boutique in Chinatown, art galleries, shops and cafes, and Gantheaume Point where you can see dinosaur footprints believed to be more than 130 million years old.
• Why go: McAlpine House oozes charm and has all the creature comforts you’d expect from a luxury boutique hotel while also being tucked away from the hubbub, and an ideal place for a romantic getaway in Broome.

The Space

McAlpine House was originally built as the home for Master Pearler Captain Herbert Kennedy in 1910 and now it has become one of the premier properties in the holiday destination of Broome in far northern Western Australia. It is also a member of Marilynne Paspaley AM’s Pinctada Hotels & Resorts. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, extra lattice verandahs have been added to enhance the historical feel of the property while also providing guests with some privacy and this makes it a serene and elegant luxury hotel with a difference. There’s also original local artwork scattered throughout and this adds to the feeling that McAlpine House is a truly unique luxury boutique hotel.

Where We Stayed

Our home for several relaxing nights was the McAlpine Suite. Situated on the ground floor by the swimming pool, the first thing we noticed on arrival, besides a welcome chilled bottle of Champagne, was an extravagant four poster bed adored with crisp white linens which dominated the large space. The suite was surprisingly airy, and besides a large bed it also had a generous double ensuite with a deep bath and a double vanity, and old-world touches including highly polished wooden floors and antique furnishings. Along with the other accommodations, this suite had a decor which embraces the colours of Broome, and lovely features including original artwork, complimentary high speed wireless internet, a high definition LCD TV, and a unique Wizard’ one touch button for all guest needs.

UltimateTravelMagazine.com Loves 

• The location, which is great for exploring Broome and the surrounding sights.
• All room rates include a continental breakfast - and it’s worth getting up for.
• The intimate nooks and spaces, particularly on the covered verandas and among the lush tropical gardens.

Insider Tips  

• If your budget can afford it, splash out on the McAlpine Suite, which is spacious, romantic and has that gorgeous four poster bed.

The Details

Pinctada McAlpine House is located at 50 Herbert Road, Broome, WA, 08 9192 0588, www.mcalpinehouse.com.au.