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Prior to Covid19 cloud-cover I spent a good chunk of my life at on an airplane @ 35,000 feet or in meetings, or bunking down in an Urban Hotel. For the first time in decades, I was able to put the shaggy OVOLO slippers on, nestle into the terry-cloth robe and hover around the pool waiting for rumoured-resident Russell Crowe to arrive. ‘The Gladiator’ was a ‘no-show’ but everything else about this property earns an Oscar ‘star’ rating by this writer. Finding ‘splendid isolation’ in this setting’s easy.

I’ve got a set agenda for doing a bird’s eye review’ of any property. It’s anchored on Location, entryway greetings at reception, the intensity of the internet, and my bed.

Atop all on this, which makes or BREAKS a hotel for me is always anchored in The TEAM. The people behind the counter, serving at the eatery and the folks who help tote my gear from near-to-here.  Ovolo on the waterfront in Woolloomooloo lovingly put all the ribbons on this stay for me. Nice job folks!

LOCATION is Critical for making the Right Choice

The Historic setting of The Ovolo, located inside a truly gargantuan wool shed brings new meaning to wide-open-spaces. Especially in such a cluttered, tightly-packed urban environment like Sydney. Attractive, over-sized artworks indoors look sheepishly small and are salt and peppered throughout the ‘common areas’. If it’s bucketing outdoors, nobody here minds. Jogging guests do laps out on the wharf, with views of the city skyline, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House included in every circuit.  It all appears close enough to touch.  Big brownie-points for location and space at The Ovolo.

The Rooms

I popped my head into both of the two-storied suites, a standard double-double and the one bedroom loft. Each has a signature theme and headboards, so no two, like snow-fakes, appear to be alike. The suites are both musically inspired with musical memorabilia lining the walls, old LP record players as eye-candy. Sound systems with heaps of forgiveness at high volume. For the details of nightly rates, and how many rooms, specials and packages, just head for the website and move the mouse around on your own.

The Team Made This Stay, Terrific

Even before I stepped to the curb-side, a team member was there offing help. In the bucketing downpour I was gifted with an open umbrella. While I was checking in, another lass behind the desk was busy hand-crafting my rainbow coloured ‘Welcome Mark’ card. I took it home, something I’ve never done before. It was a very nice personal touch to the ones left on my pillow in other properties, reminding me to tip the house-keepers.

I tested this crew with not one, but multiple calls to reception saying I was suffering from a shortage of the free mini-bar. Followed later by a request for one-of-everything I’d left behind in ‘the other hotel’. Toothbrush, shaver and Shoe-shine. And lest we forget, a req1est for a tutorial on the tech. Each response offered exceptional and timely customer service. I’m keeping the cushy wool slippers.

It’s A Wrap! Go to the website for this, and OTHER OVOLO sites: you’ll find all the nuts & bolts there. What you’ll only discover by going along, is just how good it gets. This team are in my view, ‘candidates for cloning’. The space as well: Special.

Written by: Mark William Sheehan