Criterion Hotel Perth Review: Affordable Art Deco 2026

Perth’s Criterion Hotel on Hay Street offers one of the most affordable stays in the city centre, but its real draw is a history that stretches back to 1848. This review pulls together guest ratings, heritage records, and detailed feature checks to help you decide whether this 3-star Art Deco property fits your trip.

Last checked: 2026-09-17

Hotel name: Criterion Hotel Perth · Address: Hay Street, Perth CBD · Key features: Free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, central location · Price range: From $80 per night

By Hotel Australia | 18 March 2026

How we researched this guide

Last checked: 2026-09-17.

Sources reviewed: official property listing, Booking.com, TripAdvisor, Trip.com, Kayak, Hotels.com, Hotel.com.au, WA State Heritage Office, City of Perth Local Heritage Survey, Skyscanner.

No on-site visit was conducted, no staff interview was held, and no independent price verification was performed.

Snapshot: Criterion Hotel Perth

1 Location

560 Hay Street, Perth CBD – 5‑minute walk to the city centre (Booking.com)

2 Price range

From AUD 80 per night (average rate, early 2026) (Kayak)

3 Heritage status

Only remaining Art Deco hotel in the Perth CBD (City of Perth Local Heritage Survey)

4 Room count

Approximately 75 rooms, simple décor (PerthAHotel.com)

Key facts at a glance
Attribute	Detail
Hotel name	Criterion Hotel Perth
Address	560 Hay Street, Perth CBD, Western Australia 6000
Star rating	3‑star
Key features	Free Wi‑Fi, 24‑hour front desk, central location
Price range	From AUD 80 per night (average)
Check‑in / Check‑out	14:00 / 11:00
Architecture	Inter‑War Art Deco (1937)
Heritage listing	WA State Heritage Register (inHerit)

Is Criterion Hotel Perth a good location for sightseeing?

The hotel sits at 560 Hay Street in the heart of the Perth Central Business District. Guest scores on location consistently top the charts: 8.7/10 on Booking.com and 9.0/10 on Trip.com. From the entrance, Perth Town Hall, Hay Street Mall and Elizabeth Quay are within a 5‑10‑minute walk. The location is the hotel’s strongest selling point.

For first‑time visitors, the convenience is tangible. Public transport along Hay Street and nearby St Georges Terrace connects to Kings Park and the Swan River foreshore. A walk to the Perth Arena takes about 12 minutes. The proximity reduces the need for taxis or rideshares, which matters for budget‑conscious travellers.

Location insight: Most guest criticism focuses on the building’s age, not its position. If you prioritise walking access to the city’s restaurants, bars and cultural venues, the Criterion delivers.

What amenities are offered at Criterion Hotel Perth?

Listings on Hotel.com.au and official‑style sites include free Wi‑Fi, a 24‑hour front desk, safety deposit box, tour desk and fax/photocopying services. In rooms, guests find air conditioning, a refrigerator, desk, wardrobe, flat‑screen TV, shower, hairdryer and free toiletries. The property is smoke‑free and does not allow pets.

The facilities score on Booking.com is 6.3/10 – lower than the location score, reflecting a bare‑bones approach. There is no on‑site gym, restaurant or pool. The 24‑hour front desk is a practical plus for late arrivals.

Catch: Kayak user reviews note that while air‑conditioning is effective, some rooms have sliding mattresses and older furniture. Light sleepers should request a top‑floor room to reduce noise from corridors and street traffic.

Is breakfast included at Criterion Hotel Perth?

No major booking platform or the hotel’s own listing mentions breakfast inclusion. The official site lists no restaurant or dining option. Guests are directed to nearby cafés on Hay Street and in the CBD.

This is typical of budget‑focused 3‑star hotels in central Perth. A typical breakfast at a neighbouring café costs around AUD 10–15.

Does Criterion Hotel Perth have parking?

The hotel does not advertise on‑site parking. Review sites and listing pages do not mention a dedicated guest car park. Visitors arriving by car must use public parking stations within a few blocks, such as the CPP Hay Street car park (rates around AUD 20–30 per day).

Make sure to factor parking cost into your budget. The hotel’s central location means many guests walk or use public transport.

Fact sheet

Category	Detail
Hotel name	Criterion Hotel Perth
Address	560 Hay Street, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Star rating	3‑star
Number of rooms	~75
Check‑in / Check‑out	14:00 / 11:00
Free Wi‑Fi	Yes
24‑hour front desk	Yes
On‑site restaurant	No
On‑site parking	No
Pets allowed	No
Security deposit	AUD 250 (by card hold)
Heritage style	Inter‑War Art Deco
Year built	1937

Pros and cons

Pros

Exceptional central location – 5‑minute walk to CBD core
Free Wi‑Fi and 24‑hour front desk
Lowest nightly rates among Perth CBD hotels (from AUD 80)
Unique Art Deco heritage – only remaining example in central Perth
Private ensuite bathrooms in all rooms

Cons

Dated interiors and worn carpets (common in guest reviews)
No breakfast, restaurant or gym on site
No on‑site parking – public parking costs extra
Noise from corridors and street can disturb light sleepers
Low facilities score (Booking.com 6.3/10)

Price overview

Average nightly rates for a standard double room at Criterion Hotel Perth start from AUD 80. This is significantly lower than neighbouring 4‑star hotels like QT Perth (from AUD 160) and Rydges Perth (from AUD 140). The price reflects the trade‑off: you get a central location and basic amenities without the polish of newer properties.

Rates can fluctuate with events at the Perth Arena or convention season. Booking directly or through aggregators like Kayak often shows the same base price, but some OTAs offer free cancellation options.

Alternatives to consider

If the Criterion’s age or lack of facilities give you pause, these Perth CBD hotels offer different trade‑offs:

Hotel	Price range	Location	Notable feature
Criterion Hotel Perth	From AUD 80	Hay Street CBD	Art Deco heritage, budget price
Mercure Perth on Hay	From AUD 110	Hay Street east	4‑star, restaurant, pool
Rydges Perth	From AUD 140	Hay Street near Elizabeth Quay	Modern rooms, rooftop bar
QT Perth	From AUD 160	Murray Street (two blocks south)	Boutique design, on‑site dining

For another Perth city hotel with a similar heritage angle, see our Dorsett Hotel Perth guide. If you need airport proximity, check Perth Airport accommodation options.

Our recommendation

For first‑time visitors to Perth, budget‑conscious travellers and history enthusiasts, the Criterion Hotel Perth makes sense when location and price are your top priorities. The heritage story – from the 1848 John Bull Tavern to the 1937 Art Deco building – adds a layer of character that budget chains lack. But come prepared for worn interiors and no extras. If you need quiet, comfort or on‑site dining, choose a higher‑star alternative.

Timeline – A history on Hay Street

1848 – The site opens as the John Bull Tavern, one of Perth’s earliest licensed public houses. (WA State Heritage Office)
1885 – Renamed the Criterion Hotel. (City of Perth Heritage Survey)
1892 – Electric lighting installed – one of the earliest hotels in Perth to have it.
1937 – Current Art Deco building completed by architects Hobbs, Forbes and Partners for Swan Brewery Company. Boans department store furnished the interior. (Sources: WA State Heritage Office, City of Perth Heritage Survey)
1980s – Briefly renamed Regatta Hotel Complex.
1996 – Refurbished and reopens as The Criterion Hotel. (City of Perth Heritage Survey)
2026 – Operates as a 3‑star budget hotel with ~75 rooms, recognised as the only surviving Art Deco hotel in the Perth CBD.

Additional sources

powertraveller.com

Frequently asked questions

Why do hotels give complimentary breakfast?

In mid‑scale and luxury hotels, complimentary breakfast is a common perk to increase perceived value. Budget hotels like the Criterion typically omit it to keep room rates low. Guests can instead purchase breakfast at nearby cafés for about AUD 10–15.

Is it worth paying for hotel breakfast?

If breakfast is not included (as at the Criterion), paying separately can still be worth it if you value time savings. A grab‑and‑go option from a Hay Street café costs AUD 12–15 and allows you to start sightseeing earlier.

Can I eat breakfast at a hotel if I’m not staying there?

The Criterion Hotel does not have a restaurant, so non‑guests cannot dine there. However, many Perth hotels with open‑to‑public restaurants (e.g. QT Perth’s Santini Bar) welcome outside visitors.

Can I take food up to my hotel room?

There are no policies against bringing outside food into rooms at the Criterion. Guests often take takeaway from nearby eateries. The in‑room refrigerator makes this convenient.

Can I walk into a hotel in the morning and get a room?

Early check‑in depends on availability. The Criterion’s standard check‑in is 14:00, but a 24‑hour front desk means you can ask about early access. Booking.com data shows same‑day bookings are sometimes possible at the quoted rate.

Sources

TripAdvisor – Criterion Hotel Perth reviews
Trip.com – Criterion Hotel Perth listing
City of Perth Local Heritage Survey – 560 Hay Street
Booking.com – Criterion Hotel Perth guest scores
Trip.com – Review summary
Kayak – Criterion Hotel Perth ratings
Hotel.com.au – Amenities and policies
Hotels.com – Guest rating
Hotels-Perth.com – Official‑style listing