Rockstar-level cool
Trupti Biradar spends a night at a boutique character hotel looking out onto Sydney’s harbour.
The place
It’s hard not to let your jaw drop a bit when you first walk into Ovolo Woolloomooloo. This funky hotel, on Sydney’s Finger Wharf, resides in a heritage building that used to be a wool mill. Many of the features of that facility still exist, including exposed beams, bale chutes and an incredibly high ceiling, giving it a magnificent first impression.
Waking into the lobby on the ground floor, you’ll see fairy lights adorning trees, free candy stations, old school arcadestyle games, and a show-stopping old Hollywood-style staircase leading up to the bar and restaurant, all while listening to an Ovolo-specific playlist of 80s and 90s hits picked by CEO and founder Girish Jhunjhnuwala.
The 100 rooms in the hotel are spread across five floors surrounding the central lobby and restaurant space.
The room
I’m in a Superoo, one of the entry-level rooms. It’s spacious, with a view out to the wharf. The decor is best described as industrial chic. It’s eclectic and funky, a bit rock ‘n’ roll.
The rooms have an iPad, and Alexa and a TV fitted out with Netflix and Apple TV, as well as a Nespresso. There’s a desk that worked well as a workstation, and an ottoman under the window.
Unlike most hotels, the minibar is complimentary and includes water, soft drinks, beer, wine and a bag of snacks – both savoury and sweet.
The bathroom is huge too, with a standing shower and toiletries by Ovolo Group, all sustainable.
I love a hotel bed like the next person but this bed’s next-level comfort factor made it difficult to get up in the morning.
For hard-out rock fans, there are two suites, better described as “man caves”, that pay homage to 80s rock icons INXS and AC/DC with a well-stocked, complimentary round bar, vintage vinyl records and a player, a huge lounge, a hammock, a fireplace and more. They come with a rockstar price tag, too.
Food and drink
Bartenders at the Alibi Bar love a bit of theatrics and we delight in the show as we sample chocolate martinis and new takes on old classics like the negroni before dinner.
Alibi, the in-house restaurant, is a Mediterranean-inspired offering by Shannon Martinez, a pioneer of plantbased dining in Australia.
We’re told it’s quite the popular spot, often a destination even for those not staying at the hotel.
I’m a self-confessed carnivore but I find myself enjoying everything on the menu. We sample chicken parmigiana, lasagne, buttery spanakopita, braised meatballs on creamy polenta and more – you’d never realise it was all plant-based.
Breakfast at the Lo Lounge offered an a la carte menu as well as an extensive buffet serving fresh juices, tea, coffee, pastries, cereal, salads and more.
The perks
From the free minibar that’s stocked daily, to the sweet station in the lobby, superspeed wi-fi, a free gym and the complimentary happy hour at the Alibi, the perks are plentiful. Special mention should go to the free self-service laundry room.
The verdict
The location, amenities and funky vibe make this boutique hotel a great place to base yourself during a Sydney getaway.
The essentials
This family-owned, Hong Kong-based brand is a part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Rooms start at $300.