The P&O Hotel, a heritage-listed building at the corner of High and Mouat streets in Fremantle, was purchased in May 2023 for A$5.3 million by local hospitality figures Nic Trimboli and Adrian Fini. This article draws on official heritage records, encyclopaedia entries, and booking‑platform data to clarify the hotel’s history, its redevelopment phase, and how it compares with an operating heritage hotel nearby.
Last checked: 2026-07-18
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Hotel Name: P&O Hotel · Address: 25 High Street, Fremantle, WA · Year Built: Approximately 1902 · Current Owners: Adrian Fini and Nic Trimboli
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-18.
Sources reviewed: Wikipedia, Western Australian State Heritage Office (inHerit), Freotopia, Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Expedia.
No on‑site visit, no staff interview, and no independent price verification were conducted.
Key snapshot
- 121 years (as of 2023) – built approximately 1902 (Wikipedia)
- 20 years (Wikipedia)
- November 2023 (Wikipedia)
- A$5.3 million in May 2023 (Wikipedia)
| Hotel Name | P&O Hotel |
|---|---|
| Address | 25 High Street, Fremantle, WA |
| Year Built | Approximately 1902 |
| Current Owners | Adrian Fini and Nic Trimboli |
What is the famous street in Fremantle?
High Street is Fremantle’s main historic thoroughfare, lined with 19th‑century commercial buildings, pubs, and galleries. The P&O Hotel sits at 25 High Street on the corner of Mouat Street, placing it in the heart of the West End heritage precinct (Wikipedia). This location positions the hotel within a short walk of the Fremantle Markets, the Cappuccino Strip, and the waterfront.
Nearby, at 98 High Street, the National Hotel occupies another corner lot and operates as a fully functioning boutique hotel. The two properties are about a five‑minute walk apart, making them easy to compare on foot.
What is Freo known for?
Fremantle – locally called Freo – is known for its working port, maritime history, and well‑preserved 19th‑century architecture. The West End, where the P&O Hotel stands, contains Western Australia’s largest collection of heritage‑listed buildings (inHerit). The P&O Hotel is itself a heritage‑listed pub, part of a cluster of former hotels near the fishing boat harbour.
Freo’s Italian fishing community, which arrived from the late 19th century, added a distinct culinary layer that endures today along the Cappuccino Strip and in the daily catch at the harbour. That cultural backdrop shapes the visitor experience – fresh seafood, open‑air markets, and a walkable historic core.
For travellers hoping to book a room in a heritage building, the P&O Hotel is not yet open for accommodation. As of mid‑2025, the building is used intermittently for arts events – it hosted a Fremantle Biennale event in November 2025 (Wikipedia) – but renovation work has not begun.
What is the oldest building in Fremantle?
The P&O Hotel dates from approximately 1902, making it a later but still historically significant addition to the streetscape (Wikipedia).
The P&O Hotel’s heritage listing under Western Australia’s State register means any future redevelopment must preserve the building’s exterior character. The inHerit record notes that the building is “part of a cluster of historic Fremantle buildings close to the port,” reinforcing its value to the West End’s historic streetscape (inHerit).
Timeline of the P&O Hotel
- ~1902: P&O Hotel built at 25 High Street, corner of Mouat Street (Wikipedia)
- Early 2000s: Hotel closes; building remains vacant for approximately 20 years (Wikipedia)
- May 2023: Purchased by Nic Trimboli and Adrian Fini for A$5.3 million (Wikipedia)
- November 2025: Building used as a venue for the Fremantle Biennale arts event (Wikipedia)
Location and getting there
The P&O Hotel is at 25 High Street, on the corner of Mouat Street, in Fremantle’s West End. High Street runs parallel to the harbour, connecting the Fremantle Railway Station (a 10‑minute walk) to the Roundhouse. By car, it is a 25‑minute drive from Perth’s CBD along the Stirling Highway or via the Kwinana Freeway.
The Fremantle CAT bus stops within a block, and the Fremantle train station is served by the Mandurah and Fremantle lines. Parking is available in the Queen Street car park and other public lots a short walk away.
Alternatives in the area: The National Hotel
Because the P&O Hotel is not yet accepting guests, the most comparable operating heritage hotel is the National Hotel at 98 High Street (Freotopia). It is also heritage‑listed, newly renovated, and offers 12 individually styled ensuite rooms plus a rooftop bar with 360‑degree views (Tripadvisor).
Guest satisfaction scores across platforms are strong: 8.8/10 on Booking.com (based on 600+ reviews), 4.4/5 on Tripadvisor, and 9.2/10 (“Wonderful”) on Expedia (Booking.com; Expedia). Guest reviews consistently praise the central location, historic character, and rooftop bar, while a minority note noise from bar activity.
The National Hotel is categorised as a boutique heritage property, not a chain, and its rates reflect that positioning – though no specific prices are available in the sources consulted.
Our pick: Who should keep an eye on the P&O Hotel?
Based on our research, the P&O Hotel is best suited for:
- History enthusiasts – the building’s 1902 origins and heritage listing make it a living piece of Fremantle’s West End.
- Art lovers – the 2025 Biennale event showed that the space can host cultural programming; future art‑aligned uses are plausible.
- Pub‑goers – the hotel’s past as a public bar suggests that a revitalised ground‑floor pub or bar is a likely feature.
At this stage, we recommend following the redevelopment news rather than trying to book a room. In the meantime, the National Hotel offers a comparable heritage stay that is open now.
Related reading:
For those planning a visit, a detailed guide to the P&O Hotel Fremantle offers verified reviews and menu highlights alongside its heritage context.
Frequently asked questions
What is the P&O Hotel?
The P&O Hotel is a heritage‑listed building at 25 High Street, Fremantle, built around 1902. It functioned as a hotel and pub for most of the 20th century before closing in the early 2000s (Wikipedia).
Who owns the P&O Hotel?
The property is owned by Fremantle hospitality figures Nic Trimboli and Adrian Fini, who purchased it in May 2023 for A$5.3 million (Wikipedia).
When did the P&O Hotel reopen?
The hotel reopened in November 2023 – but that reopening refers to the building’s use as a venue, not as accommodation. Guest rooms are not yet available (Wikipedia).
What is the address of the P&O Hotel?
The address is 25 High Street, corner of Mouat Street, Fremantle, Western Australia (Wikipedia).
Is the P&O Hotel heritage listed?
Yes. It is listed on the Western Australian State heritage register as “P & O Hotel” (inHerit).
What is the history of the P&O Hotel?
Built around 1902, the P&O Hotel operated as a hotel and pub in Fremantle’s busy port area. It closed in the early 2000s and remained empty for about 20 years. After its 2023 purchase, the building hosted a Fremantle Biennale arts event in November 2025, signalling a cultural‑first approach before a full hotel renovation (Wikipedia).
Sources cited
- Wikipedia – P&O Hotel (Fremantle)
- inHerit – State Heritage Office entry for P & O Hotel
- Freotopia – National Hotel
- Tripadvisor – The National Hotel
- Booking.com – The National Hotel reviews
- Expedia – The National Hotel