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Bridging between heritage and modern luxury, indulge in the rich history of the wharf complemented by contemporary designs and tech-savvy inclusions, all in the comfort of your generously sized abode over picturesque Sydney Harbour. Most importantly,
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Marina View
Trendy
Languages Spoken
English
Location
6 Cowper Wharf Rdwy, Sydney, New South Wales 2011 Australia
Ovolo Woolloomooloo
2,806 reviews
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Ovolo Woolloomooloo delights many guests with its eclectic decor and refreshing atmosphere, standing out from the conventional hotel experience. While the prime location earns high marks for its proximity to Sydney's attractions, opinions on value are split; some appreciate the complimentary perks and attentive service, but others question the price point given occasional lapses in service and maintenance.
The rooms impress with their spaciousness and unique design, although a few guests suggest a need for more thorough cleaning. Amenities like the free mini bar are popular, even as some travelers regret recent cutbacks.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Eclectic
Rooms
Spacious
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Well-appointed
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What an enchanting hotel. From the atmosphere when you arrive to the amazement at the size of the room, the delights continued through our our stay. We travelled as a family, booked three room styles. Room 422, Kingaroo delux, was street facing and not impacted by noise from the street. There was a wedding reception on Saturday night and we were advised by reception it would have a noise impact, it was subtle (by way of comparison, our daughters adjoining room was impacted and they were able to clearly enjoy the DJ and listen to the speeches haha), I did not have more than a hint of the music. We were advised the noise would cease at 11 and it did. The ballroom was also used on Tuesday morning and our girls in 423 were fully aware from 7.30am of the speakers on microphones and clapping. I didn't hear anything.
House keeping has been spot on, I can't fault their work. I've done some laundry, very handy, not busy, two machines and two dryers.
Our experiences at Alibi over four days were fantastic. It's comfortable, welcoming and enchanting. We've tried almost everything from the room service and bar snacks menu and I've enjoyed every bite and it's completely vegan! The spanakopita was a highlight.
It's a great location, we have walked to the Botanical gardens, art gallery, CBD, Opera house and used a water taxi to return from Taronga Zoo after a big day which was incredibly convenient. The taxi rank for regular travel is also conveniently at the front of the hotel. There are great restaurants right on the wharf, I can highly recommend China Doll - the service was brilliant.
The hotel certainly lived up to my expectations.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â A water taxi can be a great way to get back to the hotel.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Mehul Desai, Guest Services / Front Office at Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Responded 21 Sept 2023
Hi Inspire659103, Thank you for your enchanting review! We're delighted to have added a touch of magic to your stay, and it's fantastic to hear that you and your family had such a delightful experience with us. We're all about quirky comfort and making sure our guests have a memorable time. It sounds like you made the most of your stay, from the vegan delights at Alibi to exploring the vibrant Sydney surroundings. We can't wait to welcome you back for another enchanting adventure!
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Beautiful structure, born from the recovery of a port warehouse. Young but very nice staff. Next to the reception there is a cart with candy and chocolates available to guests. Room well equipped and very quiet, with large opening window. The hotel also has an indoor swimming pool and a small outdoor area with sun loungers: however, they are only exposed on one side and sheltered by a high protective wall, so they are not an alternative to a day at the beach. I liked the location, I managed to get around the city well with buses (which cost only a dollar). To get to the Opera House you can take a 20-minute walk through the Botanical Gardens but it should be borne in mind that Sydney is not a flat city, so there are several steps, climbs and descents along the way.
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Arriving at Ovolo was immediately impressive, from the flowers and pretty lights to the friendly staff who greeted me after a late evening flight. The room was beautifully lit when entering and the free mini bar and munchie bag was a welcomed treat for a hungry traveller. It was very clean, with everything one would need and spacious too. The bed was so comfortable, and the big fluffy pillows were a pleasant surprise as I usually travel with my own pillow to avoid headaches. There was also the option to choose pillows to suit your preferences. The complimentary sweets cart in the lobby was a guilty pleasure frequently indulged upon throughout my stay and the proximity to local restaurants along the warf at Wooloomooloo made the location ideal. Ovolo really go out of their way to cater to their guests and I look forward to staying with them again in the future.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gabriel Polias, General Manager at Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Responded 29 Feb 2024
Hey 405charmainef Whoa, your review just made us do a happy dance! 🌟 We're thrilled to hear you were hit with the full Ovolo magic from the get-go – flowers, lights, and our A-team of friendly staff ready to welcome you like a rockstar. The free mini bar and munchie bag? It's our way of saying, "Hey hungry traveler, we got your back!" Clean, spacious rooms are our jam, and we're stoked you found everything you needed. And those big fluffy pillows? Consider them our headache-free zone – because who needs a travel headache, right? Pillow preferences are like personal superheroes, and we're here to make sure you're comfy as can be. That guilty pleasure of the sweets? We say indulge away! Life's too short not to treat yourself. Plus, being close to local restaurants at Woolloomooloo? It's like having a buffet of awesome right at your doorstep. Can't wait to roll out the red carpet for you again! Your future stay is already in the making. Until then, safe travels and keep being awesome! Cheers, Gabriel General Manager
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Full disclosure, I did not end up staying here. I cancelled because Ovolo unilaterally broke the contract for my booking, without offering proper consideration for doing so. And I have never, in all my travels, posted anything as damning as this before. I was motivated to do so after reading the responses of the General Manger to other recent reviewers.
Ovolo marketed itself in Australia as quirky, breaking the mold, and touted its points of difference, including its “perks” when booking direct - like free minibars, loot bags, and complimentary breakfast, and its plant based food offerings in its restaurants.
The launch operating model was clearly not making enough money, so it has removed the “perks” for future bookings (including planting a tree) and has also ditched its plant/vegetarian menus.
That’s absolutely its prerogative, but these changes came into effect on 11 June, without proactively contacting people who booked under the old rates. When the recent reviews alerted me to this, I contacted the hotel to express concern.
I was hit by a wall of marketing babble, including being told charges were introduced to “elevate the offerings” including an expanded but no longer free minibar (the Wonderbar - a description only a marketeer could come up with), no more complimentary breakfasts, and the introduction of “protein” to the menus - by protein they mean meat, but they don’t want to offend vegetarians.
I was initially told I’d get a credit towards breakfast and the minibar, but that credit was barely enough to cover the newly-designated five star continental breakfast. And when I asked for clarification, it appeared I could pay an extra $40 a day for (unspecified) “curated” benefits - when my previous inclusions were already paid for.
In the end I cancelled on the basis of contractual breach, and didn’t have to argue hard, which was good. I’d completely lost confidence by then.
Funnily, I then got an email advising me of the changes being effected from 11 June (three months late) - that email told me “not to sweat - they’d got me covered”. Pity the hotel staff weren’t able to convey what that meant (not that I blame them, I just don’t think they’d been prepared).
Ovolo, seriously, sack your marketing person. Your offer no longer has any major point of difference to other hotel chains. The best five star hotels and small luxury hotels don’t claim “elevated” minibars and “five star” buffet breakfast. You have some great locations, just concentrate on the basics of great service, and keeping the places in great, clean, well-maintained condition. Recent reviews indicate Wooloomooloo has some issues in these all of these aspects.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gabriel Polias, General Manager at Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Responded 15 Sept 2024
Hey RedVeeNZ Thank you for your detailed feedback. I sincerely apologize for the frustration and disappointment you experienced. We acknowledge the recent changes have not been communicated as transparently as they should have been, and we also understand that these changes have been received in different ways for different people. Your concerns regarding the removal of perks and the shift in our offerings are valid. We’re committed to addressing these internally to improve communication, particularly with guests who booked before these changes were implemented. I assure you we’re working on realigning our service to meet the expectations we’ve set in the past. We appreciate your feedback and will take it on board as we work to ensure that these issues don’t happen again. Gabriel Polias General Manager Ovolo Woolloomooloo
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I booked direct through their website due to having status, paying way more than I would have on Expedia/Agoda, and they still tried to tell me I booked through a third party, noted all rooms were full and cannot be upgraded when there was plenty rooms available Expedia for half the price on the night of my stay..
Then they slapped me with a bunch of minibar charges for stuff I didn't touch, even though I thought the minibar was free. The breakfast was a total letdown for a 5 star hotel - barely any options.
The bathroom was dirty with a clogged sink, weak shower...not exactly what you expect for the price.
This place was a total fail. Go elsewhere such as Sofitel Darling Harbour, Shangri La Intercontinental, even the new hotel W Sydney are all better in every aspect and usually available at a similar price.
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Mehul Desai, Guest Services / Front Office at Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Responded 29 Dec 2024
Hi R2114XEphilips, Thank you for sharing your feedback. Our rates reflect the direct booking benefits we offer, but we understand your frustration if expectations weren’t met. Minibar charges are based on recorded consumption, though we’re happy to review discrepancies. It’s disappointing to hear your comments on cleanliness and breakfast—this isn’t reflective of our usual standards, and I’ll address these with the team. We appreciate your comparison and hope you find the ideal fit for your next stay. Best regards, Mehul Hotel General Manager
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We booked our stay here over a year ago and were looking forward to it. I always check TA reviews and although there were one or two grumbles in the lead-up to our visit we decided to continue with the booking. One of the grumbles was the change of booking conditions, including removing the free minibar. I never received a breakdown in the confirmation email from the hotel so I can't pinpoint other items confidently as all the links I saved take you to the current set-up. I know there were more things offered including, our deciding factor which was the vegan dining options and vegan breakfast which seemed to vaporise. Its a nice hotel in a great location but for us it was lacking. The room was spacious and we were upgraded to a nice city view. There were signs of wear around the room and it certainly didn't have a 5 start feel, while the bathroom was in need of a little TLC. The plumbing in the shower had a drip which went constantly throughout the night, The shower head was floppy and positioned low so not comfortable to use and getting the temperature right took an age and even then it wasn't a constant as there was always a fear the water would get hot and fetch your skin off. Breakfast was a free buffet with limited options which could be enhanced by ordering from the cordon bleu menu with its overpriced options. Given what we had paid for the room, I was very disappointed with this. If we could have obtained access to the pool I would have told you what it was like but the security mechanism on the door wasn't prepared to let us in. The staff on the front desk were pleasant and accommodating, however, I determined that it wouldn't a good use of my time to bring our issues up at the time only to receive some corporate spiel. They had that sort of persona. In a nutshell, you don't get much bang for your buck. I had expected so much more but in the end, Ovolo Woolloomooloo did not deliver We have enjoyed properties all around the world at a fraction of the price with much better service and conditions. I certainly wouldn't entertain another stay at this establishment or any other rest of their chain. Its a big world out there with lots more to offer. It's certainly not a 5-star hotel. Only 3 stars from me because that was what it deserved.
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Date of stay: October 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Mehul Desai, Guest Services / Front Office at Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Responded 30 Nov 2024
Hi Wansbrough2012, Thanks for your honest feedback. I’m sorry we didn’t meet your expectations this time. Your comments about the room, breakfast, and amenities are noted, and we’re working on improving these areas. I wish we’d had the chance to address this during your stay. If you ever decide to give us another go, I’d love to make sure it’s a better experience. Cheers, Mehul
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Hotel room was tired. Nothing on website says about dogs and we were having breakfast and a dog was allowed in the restaurant jumping up at the table with the food disgusting and staff did nothing didn't even wipe the side, we reported it to reception and was advised they were a dog friendly hotel refused to even talk to me about my concern so I contacted Sydney council health authority who advised that animals should not be allowed in food service areas so staff clearly need education and this complaint would have been avoided if you just bothered to listen to the customer. If you want cleanliness don't stay here the bar and reception furniture is filthy and our bathroom door had hair on it when we arrived and the skirting boards were disgusting, roof blinds also broken so no sleep in for us. Free mini bar only for one don't expect to have a beer/wine together you only get one and the same with the coffee bags supplied only one person allowed coffee. Post stay survey says shiny happy staff but obviously the man at reception and bar staff didn't get that memo. This hotel is at best 3star. Nothing luxurious or indulgent about it. Very disappointed and no response from my feedback which says everything not interested in improving.
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Stay somewhere else
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gabriel Polias, General Manager at Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Responded 8 May 2024
Hey Lisa H We sincerely apologize for the experience you had during your recent stay at Ovolo Woolloomooloo. It's disheartening to hear that we fell short of your expectations in several aspects of your visit. Regarding your concerns about cleanliness and maintenance issues in your room, as well as the incident with the dog in the restaurant, we take these matters very seriously and will be addressing them with our team immediately. We are a pet friendly hotel and dogs are not allowed in the dining room so we will look into CCTV for review. As for the issues with the complimentary mini-bar and coffee supplies, we apologize for any confusion and will review our offerings to ensure that they meet the needs of our guests more effectively. We understand your disappointment and frustration, and we genuinely value your feedback as it helps us to identify areas for improvement. Please know that your comments have been taken seriously, and we are committed to addressing them to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. If you would like to discuss your experience further or if there is anything else we can do to make amends, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly. We sincerely hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future and provide you with the exceptional experience that you deserve. Warm regards, Gabriel Polias General Manager Ovolo Woolloomooloo
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After many stays I will not stay again . This is a property that has declined rapidly over the last 5 years . My earlier stays were a delight . This one was a chore. On arrival my room had no power in any power point for about an hour and staff seemed to first disbelieve me and then have no idea how to reset the switch. Overall the staff seem disinterested , over worked and undertrained. The shower and carpet were dirty. The mini bar is no longer free . The reception staff advised me that the hotel research showed that customers would rather pay for a minibar ! When I checked out it took 4 phone calls , two in person requests and finally a reminder of Australian Tax Office requirements to be issued a tax invoice for the accommodation. For the price Sydney can offer much better
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Date of stay: August 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip:Â Try somewhere else.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gabriel Polias, General Manager at Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Responded 20 Aug 2024
Hey jimgB913SR I'm really sorry to hear about your disappointing experience, especially after so many great stays with us. It's clear we missed the mark, and I genuinely apologize for the issues you encountered. Your feedback is important, and we’ll be addressing the concerns you’ve raised, from the room conditions to the service. We always strive to improve, and I'm sorry we let you down this time. I hope we can earn back your trust in the future. Gabriel Polias General Manager Ovolo Woolloomooloo
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My husband and I enjoyed our stay at the Ovolo. The building and location are amazing and the rooms were spacious and comfortable. I left with a negative feeling however. We have been traveling for 5 weeks so we booked via Hotels.com for ease. Because we booked through a third party site, we were excluded from the happy hour benefits - every guest gets two free drinks and a snack - unless you book via third party. We were excluded from the free breakfast. It made us feel unwelcome. We spent a lot of money to stay at the hotel, and it would have been easy for the staff to treat us with just as much respect and inclusion. So while the property and location are excellent, the staff made us feel excluded and could benefit from a spirit of generosity and grace so that all their customers feel welcomed and valued.
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Date of stay: November 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Mehul Desai, Guest Services / Front Office at Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Responded 17 Nov 2024
Hi 838shail, Thanks so much for sharing your feedback. We're so glad you enjoyed the property, location, and your spacious room – it’s great to hear you loved the place! I do want to sincerely apologize that you felt excluded from some of our usual perks. We always strive to make every guest feel valued, no matter how they book. I truly appreciate your perspective, and I’ll take it on board to ensure we provide a more inclusive experience for everyone moving forward. I hope we get the chance to welcome you back with open arms next time! Best regards,
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Excellent service! The staff went above and beyond to help us. The rooms are modern, lovely, and clean. The bed was so comfy. We loved the breakfast! The location is convenient, and everything we wanted to do was within walking distance or 10 mins away taxi rides. but in a quiet part of Sydney. We’ll stay there again!!!
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gabriel Polias, General Manager at Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Responded 14 Jul 2024
Hey Kumimi Thanks for the exceptional review! We're thrilled you enjoyed our excellent service, modern and clean rooms, and comfy beds. It's awesome to hear you loved the breakfast and found our location convenient yet quiet. We can't wait to welcome you back next time you're in Sydney! Gabriel Polias General Manager Ovolo Woolloomooloo
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Walking through the Botanical Gardens to Darling Harbour takes about 15-20 minutes depending on your pace. It is mostly flat but there are some inclines and steps involved!
Hi. I’m not sure what the continental breakfast includes but I can highly recommend the crepes with berries. It was amazing - it’s a really fabulous hotel
There are more places to choose from in the Sydney area.
PRICE RANGE
â‚ą16,504 - â‚ą36,344 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
blue sydney hotel sydney, sydney blue hotel, w hotel sydney
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
BLUE Sydney
LOCATION
AustraliaNew South WalesSydney
NUMBER OF ROOMS
100
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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