Sleep in a prison, a flour mill, a shipping container. From heritage hideaways and boutique hotels to waterfront apartments and unique cottages, Fremantle's accommodation scene is anything but ordinary.
Perched on a series of limestone hills at the mouth of the Swan River, Fremantle, or Freo as its fondly known, is Perth’s Old Town and the world’s best-preserved example of a 19th-century port streetscape. Perth’s vibrant maritime city is home to WA’s largest collection of heritage-listed buildings, hundred-year-old markets, and a thriving food and drink scene.
That combination also makes Fremantle the perfect destination for a convenient weekend getaway or extended staycation, brimming with unique, boutique, and out-of-the-ordinary accommodation options to choose from.
Here’s your guide on some of the most unique places you can stay in Fremantle.
Downtown Fremantle
Port Mill Bed & Breakfast
Credit: Fremantle Port Mill Bed & Breakfast
Port Mill Bed & Breakfast is where history and luxury intertwine, a bed and breakfast that whispers tales of its past life as a limestone flour mill in the 1860s. Now transformed, it boasts four exquisite suites, each a haven of tranquillity. Arranged around a lush garden courtyard. Port Mill is just a minute’s stroll from the famous Fremantle Markets and a leisurely five-minute walk to the sun-kissed shores of Bathers Beach.
Warders Hotel
Credit: Warders Hotel
Tucked away in the vibrant heart of the city, right at the doorstep of bustling markets, stands Warders Hotel — a charming boutique stay nestled within historic limestone cottages that once housed the guardians of Fremantle. Each room is a tapestry of history and elegance, where the original timbers and stonework are artfully blended with sophisticated, handcrafted finishes. Artwork by Tessa MacKay hangs in each room, bringing to life Fremantle’s past through vivid scenes and portraits. Everything from the furniture to the cushions and throws, inspires a calmness in a space designed for rest and rejuvenation.
Step beyond your room to be welcomed into quaint corner gin bar, Gimlet, and the vibrant atmosphere of Emily Taylor’s courtyard bar and restaurant, an invitation to indulge in one of the best Asian-fusion restaurants in all of WA.
West End
Hougoumont Hotel
Credit: Hougoumont Hotel
Nodding to Fremantle’s port history, the Hougoumont Hotel was built using old sea containers, making a stay here one that is guaranteed to be the starting point of stories for years to come. The rooms are beautifully decorated, with all the creature comforts needed for a relaxing stay. Neighbouring the hotel is Calamity’s Rod, the shipping container-brewery courtyard concept, where beers are brewed onsite and pizzas are slung on the regular. The best thing is that from the moment you step outside, you’ll be greeted with cafés, art galleries, restaurants, museums, record stores, and bookshops, what more could you want?
Owston Hotel
Set within the heritage-listed Owston’s Buildings, the hotel continues the site’s long tradition of hospitality, offering a thoughtfully designed stay that celebrates the character, stories, and gentle pace of Fremantle life. The Owston Hotel features only eleven carefully designed guest rooms that combine local charm with simple comfort.
The National Hotel
Credit: The National Hotel
Set in Fremantle’s very core, the National Hotel’s crown jewel is its magnificent rooftop bar, which offers panoramic 360-degree views that stretch from Rottnest Island to the lively scenes of Fremantle’s port city life below. The award-winning and exquisitely restored hotel is home to 12 luxury ensuite rooms, each one an embodiment of style and comfort.
This iconic beacon of Fremantle is steeped in history, with roots tracing back to 1868 as a humble shop and later housing the National Bank in the early 1880s, it blossomed into the National Hotel in 1886 and has been a part of Fremantle’s soul ever since. Spot the huge mural of the boxing kangaroo on the side of this heritage-listed hotel — a relic from Australia II’s legendary America’s Cup win.
Fishing Boat Harbour
Be.Fremantle
Credit: Be.Fremantle/ Joel Barbitta
Uniquely positioned on the tranquil edges of Challenger Harbour, Be.Fremantle is one of Freo’s best kept secrets. It offers self-contained apartments that come in one, two, or three-bedroom configurations, each framing breathtaking views of the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour. Envision a retreat where the gentle rhythm of waves against the harbour wall lulls you to sleep, and you wake to the beauty of colourful dawn horizons.
Wray Avenue
Soak up Fremantle’s heritage charm with a stay at this classic cottage by Nomad Nest. Beautifully restored, the home features three generous queen bedrooms with heritage features throughout.
South Fremantle
Silver Street Studio
Credit: Silver Street Studio
Perched on the doorstep of South Fremantle’s foodie hub, Silver Street Studio is where old-world charm, local history, and contemporary art collide. Featuring large limestone blocks from a former Fremantle church, century-old wharf timbers from Robb’s Jetty, and a turret from the old Swanbourne Hospital, the building was originally constructed as an artist’s space and then a gallery for a sculptor and a ceramicist. With an alfresco garden, well-equipped kitchen, living area, stylishly appointed bedroom, and balcony, it has everything you need for a slice of peace and tranquillity.
North Fremantle
Pier 21
Credit: Pier 21
At Pier 21, you can awaken each morning just moments from the winding Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) and boat-filled marina. Choose between the luxury of a serviced apartment or an opulent suite, where floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive balconies offer sweeping views of lush tropical gardens or the serene Swan River. The choice is yours, with options ranging from full kitchens to convenient kitchenettes, and dining spaces that invite the outdoors in. Even your four-legged friends are welcomed with open arms.
Backpackers
Fremantle Prison YHA
Do Fremantle like a local, but a local from the past. Spend the night in an actual prison cell at the only accommodation with UNESCO World Heritage status. The World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison was built in the 1850s with the first convicts occupying it in 1855, all the way up until 1991. The women’s division of the prison is now the Fremantle Prison YHA.
Pirates Backpackers
Pirates Backpackers offers a uniquely personal stay that feels more like a friendly share house than a traditional hostel. Owned and operated by the charasmatic Vaughan for more than 20 years, the hostel has built a reputation for its welcoming atmosphere, local character and strong sense of community. With a small, dedicated team, Pirates goes above and beyond to help guests feel at home and experience the best of Fremantle.
Explore more Freo accommodation and find the perfect place for your stay in Fremantle.
This article was originally published by So Perth (April 2024).
Featured image: Port Mill Bed & Breakfast by Duncan Wright
