A few hours ago you were at your desk, wondering how to get that sparkle back in your life. A few taps on the Hotel Tonight app and your ‘hip’ hotel selection lands you a swanky room at the newly opened OVOLO, Woolloomoolloo. It’s all at a nifty rate – the ultimate reward for those prepared to be fun, free and flexible!
You are now curled up in a pink over sized chair enjoying a Wild One Sauvignon Blanc as you pop another porcini choux puff into your mouth. This must be the kind of ‘Happy’ Pharrell Williams sings about – two hours of ‘on the house’ drinks and canapés from 5pm.
This is no ordinary hotel, this is no ordinary bar – it breaks the rules of where reception, bar and restaurant start and finish. The formerly cavernous Raj Hotel has been transformed into a sparkling tree-lined Californian indoor laneway. The ‘LoLounge’ is filled with pastel pinks, blues, lemons, the odd flamingo and it’s buzzing. Why spend time in your room? There is entertainment from the boys at the bar and plenty of nooks to chillax in. Some couples are cuddled up on the sofas behind the bookcase, bigger groups stake the corner chair and bench seating combo.
‘Fantastic day’ is playing and now, it really is. You could chose to work out in the 24hour gym or do a lap or two in the pool but the feel-good atmosphere compels you to grab a menu and order up a storm kicking off with smoked garlic with crispy calamari. Follow it with roasted Thirlmere chicken dotted with peas and nut romesco along with a delicious ‘raw & cooked’ caprese with heirloom tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, and baby basil busting with flavour from air dried tomatoes.
With the money you saved, splurge on the ‘Deluxaroo Loft’. Set on two levels the main bedroom is upstairs flanked by an art wall with a thousand painted hello’s. Artistic cherubs on your bedhead wave magic wands over your king size bed. The TV is so big it could be compensating for something but when you consider the mini bar is free and the thoughtful OVOLO chaps have stocked your paper goodie bag with more nibbles it’s just so delicious to stretch out on the huge sofa and catch up on a movie after you have treated yourself to a rainwater shower in the urban dark grey bathroom.
After a good night’s sleep, head downstairs for a breakfast smorgasbord of baked goods and fresh fruits. It’s time to prepare for reality. As you log onto the free wifi, the connection says it all – “OVOLO loves you”. And you know what? Chances are the feeling will be mutual.
Ovolo Hotels Woolloomooloo
6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo
Official website
