Skip to content

Samphire Rottnest

Hotel · Beachfront resort hotel$$$Thomson Bay, Rottnest Island, Perth

An 80-room beachfront hotel on Thomson Bay, a short walk from Rottnest Island's main jetty, with a lagoon-style pool, cabanas and a South East Asian restaurant.

At a glance

Type
Beachfront resort hotel
Area
Thomson Bay, Rottnest Island, Perth, Australia
Price
$$$ · Upscale

Good to know

  • Lagoon-style pool
  • Poolside cabanas
  • Restaurant and bar
  • Accessible rooms
  • Event spaces

Why we recommend it

Samphire Rottnest is a boutique coastal hotel with 80 rooms on the beachfront at South Thomson Bay, a short walk along the bay from the main ferry jetty. It was built as part of a redevelopment approved in 2018, with construction starting in 2019 and the first stage completed in October 2020, replacing older hotel rooms on the site. The style is relaxed and coastal, with native landscaping around the buildings.

Rooms are grouped into four types: Signature Beachfront, Beachfront, Poolside and Beach Lane. All have modern interiors and a private balcony or deck with island views, and some rooms are suitable for guests with mobility requirements. The names of the categories reflect their position, from the beachfront rooms facing Thomson Bay to the rooms beside the pool.

The lagoon-style pool is at the centre of the resort, with poolside cabanas around it. It is heated in the cooler months and kept cool in summer, so it can be used at any time of year. For food, Lontara serves dishes inspired by South East Asia, the Bayside Bar mixes custom cocktails, and the Hotel Rottnest next door offers more relaxed dining. The hotel also hosts events and conferences, with function areas overlooking the bay.

Staying overnight is the best way to experience Rottnest once the day-trippers have caught their ferries home. From Samphire you can hire a bike, as private cars are not allowed on the island, and ride to quieter bays such as Geordie Bay and Longreach Bay, snorkel in the protected lagoons, or head to Cathedral Rocks to see the fur seals. Quokkas are found across the island. The resort suits couples, families and groups of friends, and its accessible rooms are useful for guests with mobility needs.

Getting there is part of the trip. Ferries run from Barrack Street Jetty in Perth, from B Shed in Fremantle and from Hillarys Boat Harbour, and the island admission fee is included in the ferry fare. Crossing times are about 25 minutes from Fremantle, about 45 minutes from Hillarys and up to 90 minutes from the city, so a morning ferry leaves plenty of time to explore the island on your first day.

Samphire Rottnest FAQs

Where is Samphire Rottnest?

At 1 Bedford Avenue on South Thomson Bay, a short walk from the main jetty on Rottnest Island.

How many rooms does Samphire have?

It has 80 rooms.

What room types are available?

Signature Beachfront, Beachfront, Poolside and Beach Lane rooms.

Is there a pool?

Yes. A lagoon-style pool with cabanas, heated in the cooler months.

Where can I eat?

Lontara serves South East Asian-inspired food, the Bayside Bar serves cocktails, and Hotel Rottnest is next door.

Are there accessible rooms?

Yes. Some rooms are suitable for guests with mobility requirements.

How do I get to the hotel?

Take a ferry from Perth, Fremantle or Hillarys to Thomson Bay, then walk along the bay.

Can I bring a car?

No. Private cars are not allowed on Rottnest Island.

Also in Perth

Perth travel guide

Tour operator

Captain Cook Cruises Perth

River cruisesPerth CBD

A long-established Swan River cruise operator linking Perth city, Fremantle and the Swan Valley wine region, with dining and wine-tasting cruises.

Thing to do

Fremantle Markets

Heritage marketFremantle

A heritage market hall in central Fremantle, open Friday to Sunday, with around 150 stalls of crafts, fashion, street food and fresh produce.

Café

Gino’s Cafe

Italian cafe and trattoria$$Fremantle

A family-run Italian cafe on Fremantle's Cappuccino Strip, opened in 1983 by a former local tailor and still serving coffee and home-style Italian food.

Attraction

Kings Park and Botanic Garden

Park and botanic gardenKings Park

A 400-hectare park of bushland, lawns and a botanic garden of Western Australian plants on the city's western edge, free to enter every day.