Must Stay: Premier Mill Hotel Katanning

Your next getaway in WA might very well be to Katanning staying at the luxury Premier Mill Hotel.

By: So Perth

Stay up to date with the latest Perth news

Your next getaway in WA might very well be to Katanning.

When you think about going on a holiday from Perth the first thoughts are Bali and then heading down south to Margaret River. Now though you might want to rethink that list and add Katanning into the mix.

Katanning a town known mostly for agriculture and farming is changing the game for rural towns and are being bold.

Welcome to Premier Mill Hotel in Katanning – an iconic 1800’s flour mill that has been turned into a beautiful and sophisticated small luxury hotel.

The story

An icon restored.

A cornerstone building in the centre of town, the Premier Roller Flour Mill has been at the core of Katanning’s heart and soul since its foundation in 1891.

Since that time the building has become a story of relentless adaptation through the decades and in spite of a rather bleak outlook at time, the local community would stand by their treasured Mill during the 80’s, 90’s and into the new millenium.

By 2008 the ability to maintain the building with adequate maintenance and on-going safety issues meant creative measures were needed to ensure the iconic building lived on.

In what will go down as a bold move, but perhaps in part clever marketing and in part financial necessity, the Shire of Katanning invited interest from developers to purchase the building for just $1.

In return, they sought from developers imagination and robust capital for an idea that they felt could be a game-changer for their town.

It was from this expression of interest that the idea for what is now the Premier Mill Hotel took shape.

Premier Mill – Now and Then Comparison

The Rooms

Each of the 22 rooms at the Premier Mill Hotel is a truly individual experience.

Choose to stay inside one of our old grain silos, in a packing room, adjacent to the massive old steam boiler or in the spaces where grand wheat purifier machines once rumbled. Each room is the perfect match of heritage without compromise to all the elements of a small luxury hotel.

The Boiler Rooms

Boiler Room – Smaller sized rooms but without compromise to luxury.

Overlooking the 127 year old steam boiler that once powered the Mill are Premier Mill Boiler Rooms.

Whilst these are the smallest of the rooms available, as you can see above they are light and airy by design, feature a pared-back and a perfectly coordinated interior.

Cost: From $265 per night

The Packing Rooms

Packing Room – The largest sized rooms from where flour was once bagged and distributed.

The Packing Rooms have individual qurks, showcasing hallmarks to the equipment used in these rooms when the Mill was operational including exposed gantry-arms and pulley wheels.

They rooms were specifically designed to offer a quiet, muted ambience and a generous floor space.

Packing Rooms – Some are located in heritage loading gantries

Cost: From $295 per night

The Silo Rooms

Quiet, intimate interiors are a feature of the Silo Rooms.

Silo Rooms are wrapped around and within this incredible silo structure and are a unique and unforgettable experience. Two Silo Rooms on each level are able to be requested as a combination pair allowing you to create your own 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment. Some Silo Rooms also feature large, west-facing, furnished courtyard terraces.

Cost: From $295

The Purifying Rooms

Purifying Rooms - Premier Mill Hotel — Purifying Rooms – All feature original high timber ceilings and machinery elements.

Purifying Rooms combine light, airy and spacious interiors with vaulted high ceilings with original beams.

Each Room variously features original staircases, grain chutes, flywheel assemblies and other equipment used in the purification process.

All Purifying Rooms have one or two sash windows with natural light and views over the townsite.

Cost: From $295

Eats and drinks

When eating or drinking at the Premier Mill Hotel you’re not going to be doing it alone. The Premier Mill Hotel like good old fashioned inn-keeping where travellers always have a chance to mix it up with the locals.

You can also expect some of the finest local produce on offer thanks to the hotels proximity to the surrounding regions.

Dome Cafe

Situated in the heart of the old Mill, you’ll be surrounded by 130 years of history.

With Dôme’s extensive menu for breakfast through to dinner and snacks for everything in between, you are sure to find something to hit the spot in a truly unique dining experience.

Hours: Open 7 days a week 6am to 9pm

The Cordial Bar

This will no doubt be where you spend most of your time.

Enjoy an evening in the intimate cellar, sampling the best produce of the Great Southern Wine Region.

The Cordial Bar features an extensive, hand-picked selection of wines from the largest and most diverse wine region in Australia.

An ever-changing roster of wines by the glass and bottle, paired with a carefully curated share-plate food allows you to mix and match your food and wine to suit your palate.

But it doesn’t just stop at the world-class wines. Complementing the food and wine menu is a range of local craft beers and spirits.

And if you aren’t too keen on the alcoholic drinks on off, the Premier Mill Hotel also serves up a range of non-alcoholic cordials and mixers, made by hand, just like they were 120 years ago.

Hours: Open 7 days a week from 3pm

What to do in Katanning

The Premier Mill was built for luxury, comfort and relaxation. One could easily pack a few books and check-in for a getaway to ‘Katanning and Chill’ – recharge the batteries in a truly unique and welcoming hotel.

In case you are in need of a good book before your trip: Amazon Best Sellers

Alternatively if it is adventure you seek, there is plenty in Katanning and the surround areas with nature right at your doorstep. Pack up the car or lace up your hiking boots to take in the sights and sounds of Katanning.