Ovolo The Valley – Hotel Review

Striking wallpapers, velvet headboards and brightly coloured lounges result in some of the most memorable guestrooms in Brisbane. At 27 square metres, even the smallest rooms at the Ovolo are spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows, 65-inch smart TVs and a raft of freebies – wi-fi, breakfast and in-room snacks. There’s a 24-hour gym and a rooftop pool but it’s the Tel Aviv-inspired eatery, Za Za Ta, that earns rave reviews. Enjoy rainbow trout with herring tahini in the dining room, followed by a nightcap at the glamorous bar. 

The location

About 15 minutes’ drive from the airport, the hotel is located in one of Brisbane’s most happening neighbourhoods, Fortitude Valley. The city is about 10 minutes’ drive, but thanks to the Valley’s spate of restaurants, bars, cafés and shops, you may never have to venture too far.

The rooms

The accommodations at Ovolo The Valley strike the right balance between cool and comfortable. Arresting wallpapers and frequent bursts of bright colours give the rooms a designer edge, while minimal furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows and sheer curtains amplify the spaciousness, even in the entry-level rooms. Free add-ons like breakfast, national calls, self-laundry and use of devices like Alexa, Chromecast and iPads add to the appeal.

Food and drink

Za Za Ta is the hotel’s signature eatery, drawing both travellers and locals. Israeli-born Roy Ner (ex-Nour, Sydney) is at the helm along with Dario Manca, who earnt his stripes at Sydney’s Pilu at Freshwater. Inspired by the food of Tel Aviv and paying homage to the herb za’atar, widely used in Middle Eastern cuisine, the food at Za Za Ta is big on flavour, whether you drop in for brunch or arrive after dark for dinner. Just don’t forget to have a drink at the glamorous adjoining bar (pictured above), which excels in inventive cocktails that look as good as they taste.

For business travellers

There’s no business centre but the front desk will happily print documents for the guests at no cost as well as recommend the best restaurants in the city and make necessary bookings. There are three meeting and conference spaces within the hotel, with the latest audio-visual features.

For wellness travellers

Apart from the rooftop pool, there’s a small gym. Both are open from 5.30am to 10.30pm daily. For a more extensive wellness offering, the guests get free access the Goodlife Health Clubs Fortitude Valley, located near the hotel.

The fab factor

This hotel doesn’t skimp on freebies – breakfast, evening drinks and snacks from the minibar any time of the day are all on the house.

SEE ALSO: The Expert-Approved Guide to Fortitude Valley’s Best Eats