The last time I stayed in Broome was in the early 2000s, when I booked way too late and the only accommodation left was a hostel. It wasn’t the best Broome accommodation for a luxury hotel lover like me. However, the hostel did have one big plus: it was within easy walking distance of Cable Beach. This time I found the best Broome accommodation at Pinctada Hotel at Cable Beach. Pinctada Hotel in Broome was previously known as the Kimberley Sands Hotel. It’s almost unrecognisable now after a major renovation and its return to the Paspaley Group which is owned by Broome’s famous pearling family.

Pinctada Hotel has plenty of laidback charm with breezy walkways and lush native gardens. There are 71 rooms spread across three floors and many of them have a private balcony or terrace overlooking the pool or gardens. In general, rooms on higher floors with a view cost more than those on the lower levels.

My friend and I stayed in a standard twin room on the ground floor that felt anything but ‘standard’. It was huge at 50sqm and had a large bathroom stocked with native inspired products by the Australian brand, Leif. Outside there was a private enclosed courtyard with two sun loungers and a wooden gate. We could open this and walk to the pool or across the grounds to the excellent Pinctada Hotel restaurant (more on this later).

We loved our twin room but if you’re after something else, other room categories include a Pool View Room, Garden View Room, Courtyard Studio Suite, and Courtyard Suite. If you’re on a budget, the cheapest Garden View accommodation is a steal. Our ground floor room didn’t experience any noise as it was very early in the season, but this might be an issue if there were a lot of people around or in the pool. The Garden View rooms are in a different part of the hotel and would be quieter.

Pinctada Hotel in Broome offers a relaxed, welcoming experience, with a ‘quiet luxury’ vibe. We liked the way it hadn’t been done up so much that it lost its classic laid back Broome feel. There were good on site facilities including a lagoon‑style pool, an alfresco restaurant and bar, an expanded all‑day lounge with adjoining garden, and serene outdoor spaces that encourage unhurried moments throughout the day.

If you’re keen to explore, the hotel’s easy access to Cable Beach, Town Beach and Gantheaume Point makes it easy to enjoy the best of Broome. You can catch the local bus which has a stop near the hotel and will take you pretty much anywhere you need to go. There staff at reception can also recommend nearby cafés, scenic walks and other outings that don’t require much effort or planning.

If you’re waiting for a taxi or a tour bus or want a comfortable place to relax outside your room, the lounge near reception is a comfortable space to hang out with friends, curl up with a book, or enjoy some relaxed and unhurried moments between adventures. We enjoyed spending time here.

My friend and I were only staying for two nights so we took it easy during our limited time in Broome. Broome is the perfect place to embrace slow travel and the town even has its own name for it – Broome time – which equates to relaxing and slowing down (something that can feel like a necessity given the heat).

Slow travel is not about moving at a snail’s pace, rather it is about taking time to revel in the joy of the whole travel experience. We loved sitting around the pool, reading our books and chatting to fellow travellers. For people like us, who are accustomed to living life at breakneck speed, travelling slowly also serves as a reminder that we’re on holiday and the experience is something to be savoured.

Speaking of things to be savoured, the restaurant at Pinctada Hotel in Broome should be top of your list. It also has a brand new look and a refreshed menu celebrating Mediterranean flavours and shared plates such as steak tartare, tiger prawn saganaki and Berkshire free-range pork belly, in an alfresco dining setting. Dinner here was the highlight of our stay and a surprise given Broome isn’t usually known for its food. Even if you’re not staying at Pinctada Hotel, it’s worth coming here for dinner.

Located a 10 minute walk from the turquoise waters of Cable Beach, Pinctada Hotel is the perfect base for exploring Broome or as a pre- or post-cruise stay. Pinctada Hotel in Broome has everything that makes for a great stay: fabulous food, a relaxed vibe, a good pool and lovely staff.

Disclosure: The writer stayed as a guest of Pinctada Hotel. She wouldn’t hesitate to stay at this hotel again at her own expense.

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