Ovolo Nishi hotel, Canberra

[RooFlyer]

I was booked here a while ago, but had to cancel, so needing to go to the National library, i booked again - but couldn't remember why I wanted to go there!!



The 'vibe' of the hotel can be summaried by the fire escape diagram:



The hotel is the first 2 levels of about 10, the rest being appartments. I asked for an atrium room, thinking that the outside would be noisy with traffic - and yes, they would be. the room was quiet; hotel occupancy appeared low.



Room layout - done in (cheap) wood trims, but comfortable enough.







Some drinks (beer, wine, soft drink and water) and some chips were 'free' in the room. Seems like a nice touch, but means you are paying for it whether or not you use it!!



There is also a pretty good gym.

 

[RooFlyer]

Ubers and taxis will drop you at Phillip Law Street at the attached neighbouring building, and you have to find your way through that, and up these stairs to the hotel, then manage to see a small sign that leads you to reception, which is located just in the 'main' entrance off Edinburgh Avenue, which few seem to use.



Hotel hallway:



Room wood trims:



And arrrgh!! No powerpoints at the bed side. Just along the wall.

 

[RooFlyer]

I had dinner at 'Monster', the hotel's restaurant. When I booked, I was allocated a seat at the bar. I asked for an actual table and was given, I found on arrival, a small table with stools. There were about 3 regular tables unoccupied throughout the time I was there. The place was pretty dark - needed phone torch to read the menu.

I was surprised to fimd it was vegetarian. But no problem ... except the menu was pretty coughpy IMHO. There were starters, but these were the mains. I had the mushroom dumplings, which were OK.



Service was excellent to start with, but after I ordered mains it got terrible. Completely ignored. I had to go up to the bar twice to get drinks replenished and stand in the middle of the floor to get the bill.



Next morning I left, and in the re-arranging of bed I uncovered the doona, which was that type where its sandwiched between two sheets, not enclosed.

Yuk!!



I don't think it was urine, but the whole thing was very grubby, especially the leadng edge which is near your face (beneath the sheet). I mentioned it on my departure.

Overall, I wouldn't go back.

 

[Daver6]

I stayed there once about 4 years ago and didn't love it either. I had a room facing the road and even with the double glazing, the traffic annoyed me. The room was exceptionally dark with all the lights on.

Breakfast was all hipster food. I don't dislike it, but I really just wanted an English breakfast.

 

[jakeseven7]

Thanks / will never stay there.

 

[FishFood]

Thanks for posting that review, at the beginning it looked really good, I like the industrial styling but I'm not sure I'll stay there myself. I didn't post a review but I stayed at Madison Capital Executive Apartments recently which were surprisingly good. Looks like a generic motel from the outside, but inside they were furnished like serviced apartments and were clean and comfortable.

 

[VPS]

I had dinner at 'Monster', the hotel's restaurant. When I booked, I was allocated a seat at the bar. I asked for an actual table and was given, I found on arrival, a small table with stools. There were about 3 regular tables unoccupied throughout the time I was there. The place was pretty dark - needed phone torch to read the menu.

I was surprised to fimd it was vegetarian. But no problem ... except the menu was pretty coughpy IMHO. There were starters, but these were the mains. I had the mushroom dumplings, which were OK.

View attachment 273650

Service was excellent to start with, but after I ordered mains it got terrible. Completely ignored. I had to go up to the bar twice to get drinks replenished and stand in the middle of the floor to get the bill.

View attachment 273651

Next morning I left, and in the re-arranging of bed I uncovered the doona, which was that type where its sandwiched between two sheets, not enclosed.

Yuk!!

View attachment 273652

I don't think it was urine, but the whole thing was very grubby, especially the leadng edge which is near your face (beneath the sheet). I mentioned it on my departure.

Overall, I wouldn't go back.

That's why I hate the quilt between two sheets things because I'm a restless sleeper and always end up with quilt exposed.

Did you show that to the staff of have you done a review?

 

[RooFlyer]

I emailed the hotel with the pics. Not by way of complaint but rather “you should know about this”.

I got a call from them today, went to voicemail, will call them tomorrow

 

[RooFlyer]

I called them; not sure if the level of person I spoke to, but quite contrite. Said the doona in question had been"taken out of service". I took the opportunity to remind them that this was a failure of management as much as housekeeping. Was offered a discount on my next stay. I think there are still better options in Canberra.