This New Boutique Hotel Celebrates Rock and Roll’s Golden Age

The Ovolo Hotel chain is one of our favourites—known for its quirky decor, great locations, generous freebies and dog-friendly rooms, the hotels are a great choice for a city break or a staycation. This month, the group is adding to its portfolio with a new location in South Yarra, Melbourne, and we can’t wait.

In the shopping and dining district, at the intersection of trendy Toorak Road and Chapel Street, Ovolo South Yarra is a nod to art, music and pop culture in a sleek yet fun hotel with 123 rooms in a variety of types ranging from micro rooms, for those who just need a place to crash between parties, and Rockstar Suites, for those who want the full experience.

It was designed with music at front of mind, with nods to classic rock, disco and old-school flair in the decor. Like its sister hotels, it's all about colour and sleek lines, but with highlights of chrome and mod-style accents.

The art and design is a collaborative effect with local and international artists and creatives, including Mr Brainwash, Punk Me Tender, and Ben Tankard.

“Retrofuturism explores the themes of tension between past and future and the nostalgia of those eras is appropriated with integrated modern art installations and collaborations with local and international artists,” said Rachel Luchetti, whose design firm Luchetti Krelle worked on the hotel.

The overall effect is creatively retro but absolutely contemporary—perfect for its location in the ultra-cool artsy city of Melbourne.

“Ovolo South Yarra will set the scene for an extraordinary hotel experience embodying Ovolo’s philosophy of connecting with its customers emotionally and will complement the local cultural scene through its art, design and unique restaurant concept,” said Girish Jhunjhnuwala, founder of the Ovolo group.

When you arrive at Ovolo South Yarra, the lobby sets the scene for an outstanding stay. Everything is outsized, particularly the huge concrete reception desk, and boldly coloured, and the heart of the hotel is a huge internal lightwell—the biggest in the country.

After that entrance, the rooms don’t disappoint either, regardless of which category you choose.

The rooms start from Go Go, for solo or budget travellers, and increase in size and amenities—with names like Go Go City, Boogie, Boogie City, Groovy, Groovy City, Groovy Twin and Groovy Suite—all the way up to Rockstar Suites, which are “Dedicated to the golden era’s most iconic lyrical lovers, that redefined celebrity and pushed the boundaries of creativity, style and music.”

All rooms enjoy complimentary minibar treats, breakfast daily and an evening drink, and some rooms are dedicated dog-friendly, so your furry friend can enjoy the best of Melbourne in as much style as you.

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