Luxury Hotel Review: Ovolo Woolloomooloo, NSW

It’s set inside one of Sydney Harbour’s most famous structures, and from the moment we arrived we knew we were in for a slightly different hotel experience. Here’s why we loved our stay at Ovolo Woolloomooloo.

• Location: Finger Wharf in Woolloomooloo, adjacent to the Sydney CBD.
• Accommodations: The hotel has a wide range of accommodation options to suit a combination of budgets and travelling styles, starting with a Superoo, which has a king sized bed, a Deluxaroo King which boasts additional space, a Deluxaroo Double Double, which is ideal for families with the bonus of two double beds, a Cityvoo King with a city view and plenty of extra space, a Cityvoo Double Double with two beds, and an Ultraroo, a split level mini palace with wharf and city views. There are also split level Cityvoo Lofts and Deluxaroo Lofts, essentially the same styled space with the Cityvoo boasting an expansive view of the Sydney Skyline. All rooms come with the inclusions and freebies from high-speed internet Wi-Fi and a continental breakfast, to a mini bar with beers, mineral water, soft drinks and snacks, and a happy hour in the Lo Lounge Bar. 
• Dining options: There isn’t a restaurant on site, but you can indulge in a room service menu on offer via the in-room iPad, which has a decent selection of light meals, fuller meals and snacks to suit most tastes.
• What else is there: The hotel has a gym and an indoor pool, and a self service laundrette which is convenient for longer stays. 
• What’s nearby: Woolloomooloo is adjacent to the Sydney CBD with all its major sights, shopping and dinning virtually on your doorstep. It also has a lovely harbour side location ideal for romantic walks.
• Why go: Fun loving couples looking for romance will enjoy the accommodations, and with so many extras included in the room rate guests don’t want to leave. It’s no wonder it took first place in TripAdvisor’s Travellers' Choice Awards in Australia in 2019. 

The Space

Ovolo launched into the Australian market in 2012, and in seven years it’s evolved into a brand which has become well known, and earned a cult following. The Woolloomooloo property in Sydney was one of the first to open its doors in the company’s portfolio, a “lifestyle” hotel which is ultra-cool and design driven, aimed at modern travellers looking for more than just a home away from home. Besides contemporary interior styling, what you also get staying with Ovolo is a range of creature comforts, many of which other hotels charge for, along with a number of all-inclusive services as perks. There’s also plenty of technology, all delivered with a vibrant, youthful and friendly service. From leaving your keys with the valet out front, to the concierge who welcomed us up to the elevated reception desk to check in, arriving was a quick and easy process. The hotel is an unusual space, with a well-preserved Edwardian facade brightened by colourful and cheeky artworks, twinkling fairy lights, and inviting areas with different personalities meeting in a single open space. It's a haphazard mix of heritage meets modern, embracing the rich history of an iconic building while packing its interior styling with plenty of unique touches. 

Where We Stayed

Our home for one night was a Cityvoo Loft Suite, which had a lovely bright and contemporary design, and a skyline view you’ll never tire of. The space was long and narrow with a nicely concealed bathroom, a toilet, an open wardrobe and a pantry area, on the ground level, along with an open living space featuring a small table and two chairs, a long, deep sofa which extended to the floor-to-ceiling windows, a desk and chair, and a wall mounted flat screen TV and in-room iPad. The decor was a neutral palette of soft cream walls, warm grey carpet and a fusion of black and blonde wood, fired up with splashes of colour from the bizarre artworks, the deep lime green sofa, and cushions of a combination of grey with red trims, and bright red. A staircase lead up to the the sleeping area, which was about half the size of the area downstairs with a balcony overlooking the lounge area, and came with a huge and very comfy king sized bed, a wardrobe with bathrobes and slippers, and a small but tidy bathroom featuring a large combined shower and tub, and a range of toiletries for your convenience. Completing the picture was another wall mounted flat screen TV with the same generous selection of Foxtel channels.

UltimateTravelMagazine.com Loves 

• The location, offering lovely views of Sydney Harbour.
• The Lo Lounge and happy hour.
• The spacious loft suites ideal for locking yourself away for a romantic weekend.

Insider Tips  

• The larger rooms are ideal for a long stay - make use of the happy hour, the room service and do nothing.

The Details

Ovolo Woolloomooloo is located at 6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo, NSW, www.ovolohotels.com.au.