The Best Hotels and Places to Book Your Stay in Dunsborough, Margaret River Region
While Dunsborough might only be three hours south of Perth, it feels like a totally different world. Encircled by the azure waters of Geographe Bay, you’ll find rolling hills dotted with wineries and renowned Ngilgi Cave, as well as the white sand beaches near Yallingup. The emerging foodie scene here will certainly satisfy keen gastronomes. Read on for the best hotels in Dunsborough, Australia – bookable on Culture Trip.
Pullman Bunker Bay Resort, for five-star pampering
Hotel
Just a short drive from the sights of Dunsborough and seconds from the turquoise waters of Bunker Bay sits one of the best five-star resorts in the Margaret River region. Based on the “four universal pillars of wellness” – sleep, food, sport and spa – you’ll find all the amenities for a rejuvenating stay here. Indulge in a facial at the Vie Spa or take a dip in the infinity pool before tucking into dinner at the award-winning Other Side of the Moon Restaurant. Retreat back to your luxury lake or garden-view villa for a good night’s sleep.
Smiths Beach Resort, for beachside decadence
Resort, Hotel
Close to the crashing waves of Canal Rocks, you’ll find this upscale beach resort – perfectly located for dramatic sunsets over the Indian Ocean and starry night skies. Book a luxury, self-contained villa that sleeps up to eight people. Each one comes with a fully-stocked kitchen – where you can enjoy the ultimate treat, a private chef cooking up a gourmet feast just for you. There’s also an on-site restaurant showcasing the best flavours of the southwest, an outdoor infinity pool and a track leading straight to Smiths Beach.
160 Steps, for a chic independent bolthole
Guesthouse
Located (surprise, surprise) just 160 steps from Yallingup Beach, this aptly-named pet-friendly holiday house boasts two stylish bedrooms – plus its own garden with an outdoor rain shower and hammocks. While thoughtful touches – like locally roasted coffee beans and eco-friendly refillable toiletries – make this place a great home-from-home, the location is pretty stellar, too. Ngilgi Cave and the Ghost Trail are just a short walk away.
Seashells Yallingup, for intimate digs overlooking heritage gardens
Apartment, Resort
Not only is Seashells Yallingup the perfect place to soak up Caves House garden vistas from your private balcony, but it’s also ideally located for enjoying nearby attractions – like the Yallingup Gugelhupf bakery and wineries of nearby Dunsborough. Couples should book the spa room with its whirlpool bathtub. Travelling as a family? The self-contained, two-bedroom apartment with its own kitchen and laundry facilities ticks all the boxes.
Yallingup Beach Resort, for large family get-togethers
Resort
Yallingup Beach Resort offers some of the best group accommodation in the Dunsborough and Margaret River regions. The secluded seafront villas comfortably sleep up to eight people – each one features its own private garden and either sand dune or ocean views. For singles and couples not wanting to miss out on the beachfront action, the resort also offers a one-bed kitchenette apartment, too.
Caves House Hotel, for vintage opulence
Hotel
Built by the Western Australian government in 1903 to attract visitors to the impressive Margaret River caves, the art deco-inspired Caves House Hotel is just as inviting today as it was then. The rooms – which run from classic to opulent – are designed to impress, with heritage features, dark wood furniture and views across the lush landscape. The lovingly-landscaped grounds host a number of events – from live music to outdoor cinema nights and food markets.
Wildwood Valley, for a romantic culinary retreat
Hotel
A rustic spot just outside Dunsborough, the four timber cottages of Wildwood Valley are visited by horses and warmed by wood fires. It’s a perfect escape for couples – the Honeybee Studio was once voted in the “Top 25 Most Romantic Destinations on Earth” by the British Airways in-flight magazine, High Life. Wildwood Valley is also home to a cooking school, where you can learn all about Thai or Tuscan cuisine – just be sure to book ahead.
Yallingup Villas, for a luxurious boutique pad
Villa
Imagine a Balinese villa crossed with the barefoot luxury vibes of the Hamptons and Byron Bay in a tranquil bush setting and you’ll come pretty close to the Yallingup Villas. This luxury retreat offers beautifully appointed boltholes, decked out in wood and stone – which sleeps up to six people. Some feature full kitchens, wood-burning fires and spa baths with a view. Upgrade your stay by booking a Swedish massage or a private chef to whip up a locally-inspired smorgasbord of delights for you.
The Sebel Busselton, for private apartments with plenty of amenities
Hotel, Apartment
A short drive from the iconic Busselton Jetty and a little north of Dunsborough, the Sebel Busselton offers contemporary apartments within a luxury resort setting. Enjoy lazy laps of the outdoor pool or make the most of your leisure time on the tennis and squash courts. The sparkling waters of Geographe Bay are just minutes away on foot – keep your eyes peeled for migrating whales cruising up from Antarctica if visiting between June and December.
Bayview Geographe Resort, for a family-friendly holiday
Resort
Enveloped in greenery, the resort rooms and two and three-bedroom villas at Bayview Geographe are as secluded as possible, while still providing easy access to the resort’s amenities. Highlights include a children’s playground and mini-golf putting green, as well as beach volleyball and basketball courts. Enjoy steak night at the Spinnakers Restaurant – or take advantage of the barbecues scattered around the site for a proper Aussie-style feast.