A relaxing retreat with a front-row seat to a WA marvel
The twin-single room looks out to the roof of the street-facing wing of rooms, which are ideal for those who care more about price than views. Some suites face the swimming pool as well, though Roebuck Bay is still the backdrop. I check out one of these, a one-bedder on the ground floor. It's a cosy, homely layout and I'd be really happy in it. All rooms have a double Murphy bed in the lounge and full kitchens. The premium suites have dishwashers and terrific washer-dryers in the spacious, well-thought-out bathrooms.
Food + drink
There is no restaurant on site, but you have an excellent kitchen plus barbecues for self-catering. Broome's famous brewpub, the freshly renovated Matso's, is right across the road.
Out + about
Broome's greatest hits all warrant your time: the camel rides along Cable Beach at sunset, the helicopter and light plane rides along the coast, the dinosaur footprints, the pearl jewellers. But take the time to wander and enjoy the town. A tour with Narlijia Experiences offers fascinating insight into the local natural history and Indigenous culture.
The verdict
This home-away-from-home-style stay, with its changing sea and skyscapes, is a superbly relaxing retreat. It's a testament to the property's functionality and charm that families from around the region came for Christmas, cooking their feasts in the kitchens while kids played in the pool.
Essentials
From $250 a night low season. One fully accessible suite. Moonlight Bay Suites, 51 Carnarvon Street, Broome, WA. Phone: 1800 818 878. See moonlightbaysuites.com.au
Our rating out of five
★★★★
Highlight
When a full moon rises over the tidal flats of Roebuck Bay, its reflection can create what looks like a stairway (March-October). It's called Staircase to the Moon and Moonlight Bay Suites has great views of it.
Lowlight
No low light – that is, no lamps in the living areas. Your only option is to use the overheads, which are bright and unconducive to winding down in the evenings.
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A relaxing retreat with a front-row seat to a WA marvel
I am in room 254, arguably the best in the hotel for views. It's on the third floor – the highest – and is a two-bedroom corner suite with a wraparound balcony giving 180-degree easterly views of Roebuck Bay. You can watch gorgeous sunrises and the remarkable tidal changes for which the Kimberley is famous, plus the wet season's theatrical storms from the four-seater dining table on the balcony, and even from the six-seater inside – there are big windows everywhere, including the master bedroom and expansive living space with large TV (a smaller one in the main bedrooms). The twin-single room looks out to the roof of the street-facing wing of rooms, which are ideal for those who care more about price than views. Some suites face the swimming pool as well, though Roebuck Bay is still the backdrop. I check out one of these, a one-bedder on the ground floor. It's a cosy, homely layout and I'd be really happy in it. All rooms have a double Murphy bed in the lounge and full kitchens. The premium suites have dishwashers and terrific washer-dryers in the spacious, well-thought-out bathrooms. Food + drink There is no restaurant on site, but you have an excellent kitchen plus barbecues for self-catering. Broome's famous brewpub, the freshly renovated Matso's, is right across the road. Out + about Broome's greatest hits all warrant your time: the camel rides along Cable Beach at sunset, the helicopter and light plane rides along the coast, the dinosaur footprints, the pearl jewellers. But take the time to wander and enjoy the town. A tour with Narlijia Experiences offers fascinating insight into the local natural history and Indigenous culture. The verdict This home-away-from-home-style stay, with its changing sea and skyscapes, is a superbly relaxing retreat. It's a testament to the property's functionality and charm that families from around the region came for Christmas, cooking their feasts in the kitchens while kids played in the pool. Essentials From $250 a night low season. One fully accessible suite. Moonlight Bay Suites, 51 Carnarvon Street, Broome, WA. Phone: 1800 818 878. See Our rating out of five ★★★★ Highlight When a full moon rises over the tidal flats of Roebuck Bay, its reflection can create what looks like a stairway (March-October). It's called Staircase to the Moon and Moonlight Bay Suites has great views of it. Lowlight No low light – that is, no lamps in the living areas. Your only option is to use the overheads, which are bright and unconducive to winding down in the evenings.
