Cover Ovolo South Yarra (Photo: courtesy of Ovolo Hotel Group)
Ovolo South Yarra (Photo: courtesy of Ovolo Hotel Group)
1 / 1
10 years since the opening of Ovolo Southside, the hotel group continues to grow its cult-like status with out-there art collections, alluring hotels in offbeat neighbourhoods and ‘in the know’ experiences
When Hong Kong-based entrepreneur Girish Jhunjhnuwala left the world of watchmaking to enter the hotel industry, he knew he wanted to do things differently. “The idea started because of my travels around the world. I started thinking about all the things I didn’t like about other hotels and all the things I would do away with,” he tells Tatler in an interview.
Ovolo Hotel Group’s casual approach to service is five star, but never fussy. The designs are bold and colourful yet timeless and comfortable. Cheeky hidden charges are non-existent—“I didn’t like that the other hotels would nickel-and-dime their customers from the moment they walked through the door. That’s never a cool experience,” says Jhunjhnuwala—which means all Ovolo guests get to enjoy free treats from the mini bar. Some hotels even have a complimentary candy station in the lobby for guests to pick-and-mix before going up to their rooms.
In short, Jhunjhnuwala really just wants his guests to have fun.
See also: Meet the new generation of hoteliers who are daring to be different
Ovolo Southside in Wong Chuk Hang (Photo: courtesy of Ovolo Hotel Group)
1 / 2
This thoughtful approach to hospitality makes itself felt in each aspect of the guest experience. Alongside centrally located properties, Ovolo has made a name for itself for opening hotels in less obvious neighbourhoods, inspiring travellers to explore cities differently by providing them with curated recommendations of hidden gems and “if you know, you know” spots frequented by locals.
“At Ovolo, we believe in connecting with guests emotionally, and we achieve this through authentic and vibrant experiences that go beyond the expected tourist paths,” says Stephen Howard, group director of marketing at Ovolo Hotel Group. “This approach ensures that our properties are located in areas that resonate with the fabric of local communities and creative industries. We provide insider tips, personalised suggestions and events with local partner brands to help guests discover the authentic essence of the city they’re visiting.”
The name Ovolo means “little egg” in Italian, and “no two eggs are ever the same, and that’s how we treat our hotels,” says Jhunjhnuwala. Indeed, there’s no set formula that Ovolo properties follow. Instead, they surrender to the quirks and charms of their unique locales—or in some cases, even pave the way for neighbourhoods to evolve.
The opening of Ovolo Southside in Hong Kong ten years ago in 2014 had people scratching their heads. At the time, Wong Chuk Hang—the neighbourhood it’s in—had little other than factory buildings and a sports ground for nearby schools. It wasn’t even accessible by MTR until 2016. But Ovolo Southside, the first warehouse-turned-hotel in Hong Kong, quickly became a destination in itself for its industrial-chic interiors, a rooftop bar and an event space that hosted art exhibitions and concerts by the likes of Jordan Rakei.
Today, Wong Chuk Hang is where you’ll find international galleries, the headquarters of leading fashion brands, as well as restaurants and private kitchens housed in converted warehouses.
Bold artworks abound in the lobby at Ovolo South Yarra (Photo: courtesy of Ovolo Hotel Group)
1 / 3
“Like in any other business, risk is an inevitable part of evolution,” says Howard. “At Ovolo, we react dynamically to market changes. By embracing new trends, technologies, and guest preferences, hotels can stay ahead of the competition and meet travellers’ evolving needs. It’s that point of difference that guests inevitably feel when staying at the property. If you’re not evolving or taking calculated risks, you’re not just standing still but moving backward. Nothing great has ever been achieved by people who didn’t dare to dream and strive to do better.”
The risk has certainly paid off, as Ovolo now has 13 properties around the world, including three in Hong Kong, one in Bali and eight in Australia. In Melbourne, where hotels have long been confined to the city’s central business district, Ovolo opened a boutique hotel in the upscale residential district of South Yarra in 2021.
It was a bold move, but bold is part of the hotel’s DNA. And this “boldness” can be seen in every aspect of Ovolo South Yarra, from the strictly plant-based menu at its restaurant Lona Misa—which holds a One Hat rating in the prestigious Australian Good Food Guide—to its psychedelic, retro-inspired interiors designed by the award-winning Luchetti Krelle.
See also: A guide to Japan’s art islands: Naoshima, Teshima and Inujima
Ovolo South Yarra is also home to one of the largest—and loudest—private art collections in an Australian hotel, featuring artworks collected and owned by Jhunjhnuwala. There are bright pieces by the likes of French artist Jisbar and Los Angeles-based painter Pascal Guetta. Lined up above the elevators in the lobby are a series of paintings by Australian artist Ben Tankard, which celebrates icons of pop culture from the 1970s including David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix, as well as book covers inspired by Hunter S Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1971) and Tom Wolfe’s The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test (1968).
In the basement, one of a trio of artworks by Paris-based artist Monika Nowak functions as a secret entrance to Ovolo South Yarra’s speakeasy bar—a space where “Studio 54 meets art deco charm”. The rockstar theme continues with suites named after iconic duos in music history like Sonny and Cher, and John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The suites also come equipped with a record player and curated vinyl collection.
Incholm by Ovolo in Brisbane kept many of the original building’s elements (Photo: courtesy of Ovolo Hotel Group)
1 / 2
Ovolo has centrally located properties too, but even these do things differently. For instance, Inchcolm by Ovolo in Brisbane is housed in a former hospital from the 1930s, and brings a 1980s vibe to the property, featuring a pre-war Parisian-style saloon and rooms with elegantly restored features from the original building. Meanwhile, Woolstore 1888 in Sydney, located just a short skip from the harbour, has transformed an old wool store built in—you guessed it—1888, bringing vibrant colour to its industrial walls, reclaimed Ironbark beams and period windows.
Laneways by Ovolo in Melbourne immerses visitors in the graffiti-lined, cobblestone streets of the city. Designed to be a sort of home-away-from-home, but cooler, Laneways by Ovolo shuns the stark aesthetic of inner city hotels in favour of mid-century modern design. Think rounded angles, dramatic drapery and velvet textiles in shades of navy blue and mustard yellow.
Tatler tip: Design lovers should request Suite 303, the exclusive Neale Whitaker suite, which features art and objects curated by the design aficionado himself including a large painting by Australian-born artist Nunzio Miano, a lamp by Melbourne-based artist Sarah Nedovic Gaunt and a portrait by Ovolo’s own staff member Flynn Cowan.
Laneways by Ovolo features a suite designed by Neale Whitaker (Photo: courtesy of Ovolo Hotel Group)
1 / 2
Located at the top of Little Bourke Street—it’s hard to miss the hotel’s canary-yellow entrance—Laneways by Ovolo is just few blocks from Melbourne’s vibrant Chinatown, and around the corner from the city’s historic theatre district which is home to local institutions such as Princess Theatre, The Melbourne Supper Club, The European and City Wine Shop. Its own restaurant, Amphlett House, is a favourite among Melburnians for its elevated pub fare made with ingredients sourced from around Victoria.
“It’s a small hotel with a big personality, [where you can] kick off your heels, or slip on some sneakers and hit the cobblestones. A place where you can find yourself centre stage, both figuratively and literally, and immerse yourself in Melbourne’s vibrant world of culture, cuisine and curiosity,” says Howard. “The next generation of travellers is seeking experiences beyond traditional accommodation. These travellers value authenticity and are drawn to properties that showcase the essence of the destination they are visiting.”
Coco Marett is a writer and editor who grew up between Hong Kong and Melbourne. She currently heads the travel section for Tatler Asia, and manages the Tatler Travel account on Instagram. She is known for her features on unique, under-the-radar properties and destinations. She's also known for her in-depth interviews that paint a refreshingly candid portrait of influential figures across various industries —from artists to political figures, CEOs to celebrity chefs. Follow her on Instagram @cocomarett
