Dionne Christian checks into the Ovolo, Woolloomooloo, Sydney.
Location: Around a 30-minute drive from Sydney Airport, the Ovolo Woolloomooloo is a 5-star hotel at the Finger Wharf, a heritage-listed former wharf (it handled mainly wool for export) and passenger terminal now home to the hotel, apartments and restaurants.
Check-in experience: I checked in twice. The first time, late on a Wednesday evening, the staff were welcoming, warm and friendly; on a Saturday afternoon, they were similarly affable and a little excited about a wedding soon to take place at the hotel. They're not afraid to let a bit of their own personality shine through but still maintain a calm, professional and efficient face for the hotel.
But be warned: though there's a dress code, the staff don't wear a uniform, so you might just mistake a stylish and well-coiffured guest for one of the staff.
Bedroom: There are three floors of super-spacious, modern rooms ranging from the "superoo" — the equivalent of a double — to the "ultraroo" — a split-level loft-style set-up complete with its own cocktail bar. I stayed in a superoo. The king-sized bed lived up to its description as "super-comfy" and I was able to enjoy free high-speed Wi-Fi, a free mini bar and snacks. Full of great contemporary art, each room features its own collection, with the artwork of the bed heads a special feature.
