From authority to hospitality

Fremantle has established its prison as a major tourism attraction, and now its former Fremantle Police Headquarters has been turned into a hotel.

Garde Hotel opened on September 1, with 83 guest rooms in a building that for decades was central to law, order and authority.

A spokesperson for the hotel says: “Its history is inextricably linked to the nearby Fremantle Prison, a World Heritage-listed site and one of WA’s most significant convict-era landmarks.

“Together, the prison and the police headquarters formed the backbone of Fremantle’s justice system — symbols of control in a frontier port town built on maritime trade and hard labour.”

Garde also has a serene wellness centre, and Anglesea, a restaurant inspired by Japanese and Korean flavours.

On October 1, a standard hotel room is from $260.10 a night and a premium room (as pictured) is from $314.10 a night.