Cool new addition to Sydney’s hotel scene is relentlessly quirky

The place

25hours Hotel The Olympia, Paddington, Sydney

Check in

Located at the landmark address of 1 Oxford Street, 25hours is housed within a former cinema building, dating back to 1911. Later it became a glam restaurant/bar the Grand Pacific Blue Room, but prior to its reopening as a 109-room hotel late last year, the building had been empty for a decade. It has a prime corner location on Oxford Street, though it’s not particularly close to any train stations – at least 15 minutes’ walk to Kings Cross or Surry Hills (but the bus network will get you here with too much drama). It’s the first 25Hours hotel in Australia – a growing brand of individual properties “inspired by its location and surrounds” according to the marketing.

The look

There’s more than just a nod to its cinematic history at the reception desk, with shelves of old VHS tapes located behind it. These can be rented (along with a video player) if you want to watch an old movie in low-definition. Elsewhere, a giant projection opposite the lifts plays applauding crowds while you wait – a little feelgood pick-me-up before you head up to the room. The decor is undeniably cool and distinctive, egg chairs, bright colours and striking pop art – it’s like Mad Men colliding with the Summer of Love. The soundtrack is more modern, but not much more. In the lift up to my room, it’s 1990’s Here’s Where the Story Ends by the Sundays. On my way back down it’s Leonard Cohen.

The room

The rooms are split into “Dreamers” and “Renegades”, the former light-filled rooms with soft tones, the latter in darker tones offering a moodier feel. I’m in Renegade room 305, on the third floor, which, like many of the rooms, has a unique layout. My bedroom and bathroom windows are the round portholes that sit directly above the entrance to the hotel. They look cool, but don’t let in as much light as I’d like (I have trouble finding something I’ve dropped on the dark carpet without switching on the lights). The room is of generous proportions, with a king-size bed, cushioned corner bench seat and armchair. There’s a decent-sized desk with a chair that resembles a – what else? – director’s chair from a film set. Collage art is emblazoned above the bedhead and expands on to the ceiling, matched by the colourful red, black, white and green chequered carpet. The bathroom’s fitted out in stylish dark grey tiles, though another annoying feature of those round windows is that the one in the bathroom sits in the middle of the mirror and if you want to close the window blind, you must also cover the mirror.

The food

Aside from its cooler-than-thou aesthetic, the dining and drinking options are the big selling point of 25Hours. There are four venues across the property, led by The Palomar, a spin-off from UK-based Studio Paskin’s London establishment. Serving Mediterranean dishes from its open kitchen, the restaurant impressed Good Food’s reviewers enough to receive a hat in last year’s Good Food Guide. Elsewhere, there’s the rooftop Monica with terrace views and a short menu of small bites and shared dishes, while Studio Paskin is also behind the Jacob the Angel cafe for breakfast and lunch, along with the wine bar The Mulwray. A Lune bakery is also in the building and its renowned pastries can be ordered at Palomar for breakfast.

Stepping out

If you’re in town for a major event at the SCG, Allianz Stadium or Hordern Pavilion, you’re close enough to walk without having to battle for a taxi or join the hordes on public transport. Further down Oxford Street on a Saturday you’ll find the Paddington Markets open from 10am, a long-running arts and craft market with more than 150 stalls, along with a food court serving international cuisine. See paddingtonmarkets.com.au

The verdict

The relentlessly quirky vibe won’t be for everyone, but this is a cool new addition to Sydney’s boutique hotel scene.

Our rating out of five

★★★½

The details

Rooms at the hotel start from $399. See 25hours-hotels.com

Highlight

As a film buff, I love the many nods to cinema culture throughout the hotel.

Lowlight

Ironically, given the focus on film, the casting system on my room’s TV isn’t working and staff are unable to fix it during my stay. Perhaps I should have opted for VHS.

The writer stayed as a guest of 25Hours The Olympia Sydney.