Samphire Hotel Rottnest Island Review: Beachside Luxury Amongst Quokkas

Wondering where to stay on Rottnest Island that doesn’t involve sharing bathroom facilities with strangers or sleeping in a tent? You’re not alone. For years, Rotto’s accommodation scene has been… let’s say “rustic.” But when luxury finally arrived on this car-free paradise island, we had to find out if it lives up to the hype. In this honest Samphire Hotel Rottnest Island review, we’re breaking down everything from room categories and those stunning sunrise views to whether the service matches the price tag – and most importantly, if it’s actually worth your hard-earned cash.

Disclaimer: We paid for our stay ourselves and this review reflects our honest experience. Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you book through them – at no extra cost to you.

About Rottnest Island

Sitting just off the coast of Perth, Western Australia, Rottnest Island – or ‘Rotto’ as the locals lovingly call it – has been a cherished holiday destination for generations of Western Australian families. This idyllic island paradise is home to some of the most stunning turquoise bays and pristine white sand beaches you’ll find anywhere in Australia.

But let’s talk about the real star of the show: the quokka. These adorable, smile-inducing marsupials are uniquely Western Australian and Rottnest is virtually the only place in the world where you can find them in the wild (and definitely the most accessible). If your Instagram feed isn’t already full of quokka selfies, just wait.

What makes Rotto even more special? It’s completely car-free (except for essential service vehicles). Most visitors explore the island by bike, e-bike, or e-scooter, while a hop-on-hop-off bus service connects the main spots for those who’d rather not pedal. No traffic, no car horns, just the sound of waves and the occasional quokka rustling in the bushes. Bliss.

Now, with that island magic in mind, let’s talk accommodation.

Samphire Hotel: Rottnest’s Luxury Answer

Let’s be honest – most accommodation on Rottnest Island falls into the ‘rustic charm’ category (and by rustic, we mean glorified camping). So when the Samphire Hotel opened its doors as one of the island’s first proper luxury hotels, we knew we had to check it out. While The Lodge Wadjemup has since joined the luxury scene with its beautiful pool area and lake view rooms, the Samphire was our first Rotto luxury experience. Spoiler alert: yes, there are actual sheets with thread counts, and no, you don’t have to fight seagulls for your breakfast.

After spending several days at the Samphire Rottnest, we’re breaking down everything you need to know – from whether it’s truly worth the splurge to which room category you should actually book. Let’s dive in.

Getting to Samphire Hotel Rottnest Island

How to Reach Rottnest Island

Before you can enjoy your luxury digs, you’ve got to actually get to Rottnest Island. Most visitors catch a ferry from Fremantle, Perth, or Hillarys Boat Harbour. The journey is part of the adventure, and if you’re lucky, you might spot dolphins playing in the wake.

Finding the Hotel from the Ferry Terminal

Once you step off the ferry at Thomson Bay, getting to the Samphire Hotel is refreshingly simple. Just take a left from the dock exit and follow the waterfront path – the hotel is literally a few minutes’ walk away. You can’t miss it, and if you somehow do, just look for the Hotel Rottnest (they’re neighbors, and you can even cut through the hotel boardwalk to reach Samphire’s reception).

The walk is scenic, easy, and about as stressful as a quokka’s daily schedule.

First Impressions & Check-In at Samphire Hotel

Our ferry from Fremantle docked at 10:30am, and we made a beeline straight to the hotel. Pro tip: be one of the first off that ferry. Within minutes, a queue had formed at reception with both guests checking in and checking out.

The check-in area is an open-air office during summer and warmer months, which sounds lovely until you realize you might be filling out paperwork while slightly sweaty from the ferry ride. But the views overlooking the bay and beach? Worth it.

Here’s the thing about early arrivals: official check-in isn’t until 3:00pm. However, the staff were accommodating – we filled out the paperwork, handed over ID and a credit card for incidentals, and were able to stash our suitcases. Even better, they gave us a key to use the hotel facilities while we waited. This meant we could hit the pool, grab lunch, and start our holiday immediately rather than wandering around Thomson Bay like lost tourists.

Samphire Hotel Room Categories: Which Should You Book?

The Samphire has 80 rooms total, divided into three main categories. Here’s what you need to know before booking:

Beach Lane Rooms

The 22 Beach Lane rooms are the most affordable option, but there’s a catch – the views are disappointing. You’re essentially looking at the back road rather than anything resembling paradise. However at 30m² they are a decent size. Our honest take? Skip these unless you’re truly on a budget. It’s far nicer to look out over the pool, or better over Thomson Bay.

Poolside Rooms

This is the sweet spot. The 38 poolside rooms overlook the central pool area, and some upper-level rooms even catch glimpses of the bay. We stayed in a Poolside King (room 242), and watching the sunrise over the water from our balcony was absolutely spectacular. Also 30m² they are a great size to spread out and relax.

These rooms feel like you’re actually part of the hotel experience, unlike the Beach Lane rooms which feel a bit… forgotten.

Beach View Suites

The 16 Beach View Suites are the premium option with direct beach and bay views. These are larger and more luxurious, perfect if you’re celebrating something special or just want to go all out. They’re on the larger side and 50% bigger than the lower room categories at 45m².

Our recommendation: Book a Poolside room minimum. The price difference from Beach Lane isn’t huge (and even cheaper occasionally!), but the experience upgrade is significant.

Inside Our Poolside King Room

The Good Stuff

Our room was genuinely spacious with a comfortable king bed. Here’s what impressed us:

• The shower: Oh, the shower. A walk-in setup with a superb rainfall showerhead that made us genuinely reluctant to get out. If you’re spending the day cycling around the island (highly recommend), this shower is going to be your best friend.
• Nespresso machine with milk frother: Finally! A hotel that understands coffee culture. They provided an original capsule Nespresso machine and a milk frother – the first hotel we’ve stayed at that actually included the frother. No more sad long blacks when you’re craving a cappuccino.
• Entertainment options: A huge 55″ flatscreen TV with free movies on demand, plus Chromecast and regular TV channels. Given that nightlife on Rottnest is basically non-existent (bars close at 10pm), this is clutch for evening entertainment.
• Soundproofing: Excellent. With the balcony door closed, we couldn’t hear the pool music at all. The blackout curtains ensured we could sleep in after a few too many sundowners.
• Balcony setup: Comfortable indoor seating plus beach-style table and chairs on the balcony made for perfect morning coffee sessions.

The Could-Be-Better Bits

Look, it’s marketed as a 5-star hotel, and in Rottnest terms, it absolutely is. But there are a few areas where it doesn’t quite hit luxury hotel standards:

• Bedding quality: The bed was comfortable, but the sheets felt rough and not what you’d expect from a 5-star property. Higher thread count linens would elevate the experience significantly.
• Wall decor: The rooms are plain white walls with zero art or personality. It gives off a bit of a clinical vibe rather than the premium coastal aesthetic you’d hope for. Some tasteful wall hangings would make a world of difference.
• Bathroom privacy: The bathroom is only enclosed with glass (mix of frosted and clear). If you need to use the bathroom at night and turn on the light, you’re definitely waking up anyone else in the room. Not ideal for light sleepers.

Standard Amenities

All the basics you’d expect are covered:

• Iron and ironing board
• Safe
• Kettle
• Minibar with wine, beer, and White Claws (chargeable)
• Ample seating

Samphire Hotel Pool & Facilities

The central pool area is genuinely delightful – an oasis in the middle of Thomson Bay and within walking distance of everything in the main settlement.

The main pool is oval-shaped and surrounded by comfortable sun lounges, bungalongs, and cabanas. There’s also a smaller kids’ pool adjacent, which is great if you’re traveling with little ones (though let’s be real, they’ll probably be more interested in chasing quokkas).

The pool is refreshing in summer and heated in winter for year-round use. We spent considerable time here between island adventures, and the vibe is relaxed luxury – exactly what you want on a Rottnest getaway.

Pool food and drinks are available, which means you never have to leave your sun lounge if you don’t want to. You can order via QR codes from your lounger or head up to the bar to place your order. Perfect for those “just one more swim, one more drink” kind of days.

There’s also the Bayside Bar positioned in front of the hotel, which serves cocktails and drinks during the evenings – ideal for sunset sessions. Though, full disclosure: the sun actually sets on the opposite side of the island, so you won’t get those classic golden hour ocean sunset shots here. But honestly? The vibe is still excellent, and a cocktail in hand makes any evening feel like sunset hour.

The hotel also has the Samphire Room near the entrance, between the Hotel Rottnest and Bayside Bar. It’s essentially a small lounge with comfortable seats that provides complimentary tea, black coffee and the occasional snack.

Dining at Samphire Hotel Rottnest: Three Restaurants, Three Vibes

One of the perks of staying at the Samphire is having three restaurants practically on your doorstep, all owned by the hotel:

Isola Bar e Cibo – Italian Right on the Water

We dined at Isola on our first evening, and because we mentioned at our reservation that we were hotel guests celebrating a birthday, we scored perhaps the best table in the restaurant – a lower table between two large, comfortable lounges right on the waterfront. The sunset views? Chef’s kiss.

What we ordered:

• Calamari: The highlight of the meal. Perfectly cooked with a delicious herb aioli. Portion size was generous – bigger than we expected for a starter.
• Salame Toscana Affettati: Also a large portion. Good quality, though the calamari stole the show.

The ambiance at Isola is romantic and relaxed, perfect for a special dinner or if you just want to feel fancy while on holiday.

Lontara – Asian-Inspired Flavors

Lontara sits next to the pool area and serves Asian-inspired dishes. It’s open six nights a week, plus select lunches, and handles breakfast for hotel guests (outside guests can also purchase breakfast separately).

Breakfast Experience:

The breakfast menu is small but solid. Egg dishes feature heavily, and there’s a nasi goreng to keep the Asian theme alive. A buffet section includes cereals, pastries, and juices – included for hotel guests with breakfast packages, or available for separate purchase.

We ate breakfast here on our final morning. The eggs your way (we chose scrambled) with sourdough toast, bacon, and avocado was a massive portion that left us stuffed. The sourdough was excellent, and both the bacon and eggs were cooked perfectly.

Fair warning: the nasi goreng was tasty but the portion size was average. It left one of us still feeling a bit hungry, so if you’ve got a big appetite, maybe add a side.

Dinner at Lontara:

We returned for dinner on our final night and were thoroughly impressed:

• Fried cabbage and mushroom dumplings: Absolute hit. Super flavorful and delicious – definitely order these.
• Pork belly skewers: Only two pieces, but cooked over coals and plated over a small coal fire incorporated into the serving plate for that Indo-Asian flavor and drama. Highly recommend.
• Prawn dumplings: These were much smaller and lacked flavor compared to the other dumplings. You could skip these.
• Beef cheek rendang: Excellent. Evoked memories of Sri Lankan cooking with its spice profile. The beef cheeks were perfectly cooked and moist – this is a must-order.
• Lamb shoulder: So tender it fell off the bone the moment we touched it. The cooking was spot-on, though the dessicated coconut on top wasn’t to my taste, and the dish could have used a sauce for extra flavor.

Bottom line: Food at Lontara isn’t cheap, but the cooking and overall quality make it worth your money.

Hotel Rottnest – Classic Pub Fare

Located next to the Samphire (same ownership group), Hotel Rottnest faces Thomson Bay and operates predominantly as a pub and restaurant. Perfect for casual meals and cold beers with a view.

Service at Samphire Hotel: A Mixed Experience

Here’s where we have to be honest – service was inconsistent during our stay.

The Good

The service at Isola and Lontara for dinner was generally good. Staff were attentive, and everything moved at a reasonable pace. Check-in staff were also friendly and accommodating with our early arrival.

The Not-So-Good

Room service was disappointing. On our first full day, we left our room around 8:15am with the “service” light on. We returned at 3:00pm to find that room attendants hadn’t even been to our room yet. After a full day of exploring in the sun, we were hoping to return to fresh towels and replenished coffee and water. Instead, we had to track down a room attendant down the corridor to request these basics.

On our second day, the room attendant was far more attentive – we returned around 1pm to find our room already made up.

The issue: For a hotel positioning itself as 5-star luxury, consistency matters. Room service should be reliable, not hit-or-miss.

Is Samphire Hotel Rottnest Island Worth It?

Here’s our honest verdict: The Samphire is one of the top luxury accommodation options on Rottnest Island (alongside the newer Lodge Wadjemup), and relative to the standard accommodations available (hello, camping and basic cottages), it is indeed a 5-star experience.

However, if you’re comparing it to 5-star luxury hotels elsewhere in Australia or internationally, it’s not quite there yet. There’s still a bit of fine-tuning needed to truly earn that luxury title.

What Needs Improvement:

• Service consistency, particularly room service
• Room aesthetics (add some wall art, please!)
• Bedding quality (higher thread count sheets)
• Bathroom privacy considerations

What Makes It Worth Booking:

• One of Rottnest Island’s premier luxury hotels
• Excellent central location in Thomson Bay
• Three quality dining options on-site
• Beautiful pool area
• Modern, spacious rooms
• That incredible shower

Our Final Recommendations

Book a Poolside room minimum. The Beach Lane rooms aren’t worth the savings – you’re on Rottnest Island for the views and experience, so get a room that delivers.

Expect a premium Rottnest experience, not international luxury. If you adjust your expectations to “top-tier Rottnest accommodation” rather than “best in the world,” you’ll be delighted.

Make dinner reservations. Especially at Lontara and Isola – these restaurants fill up, and as a hotel guest, you want to secure your spot.

Use the early facility access. If you arrive before 3pm check-in, take advantage of that facility key and hit the pool or grab lunch while you wait.

Disclaimer: We paid for our stay ourselves and this review reflects our honest experience. Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you book through them – at no extra cost to you. Please consider using our booking links below to support our site – it doesn’t cost you any extra!

Have you stayed at the Samphire Hotel? Planning a trip to Rottnest Island? Drop your questions in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you!