The new five-star hotel putting Sydney’s landmark theatre back on the map.

It’s almost knock-off on a muggy Thursday when I step into the lobby of 25hours Hotel The Olympia, the buzz of Sydney’s Oxford Street instantly replaced by soft, crooning jazz. I feel the tension in my shoulders ease a little. The coolness of the air-conditioning hits my skin as the music swells, dialing up the anticipation I’ve been building all week.

The excitement of my arrival here is twofold. Not only does today mark the grand opening of the global brand’s first Australian property, but it also breathes new life into the historic West’s Olympia Theatre, a Sydney stalwart since 1915.

Location

The new 25hours Hotel The Olympia sits on a corner where some of Sydney’s hottest neighbourhoods – think Surry Hills, Paddington and Darlinghurst – converge. The bustling suburbs of Moore Park and Kings Cross are also easily accessible, with the city’s iconic art galleries and a plethora of its best bars nearby, too.

It’s the latest hotel to join Sydney’s impressive line-up of luxury accommodation, with its prime location on Oxford Street meaning guests have the entire city at their fingertips. The heart of the CBD, as well as the nearest train station (Museum), is just a 10-minute walk away, while buses ferry commuters along Oxford Street all day.

Style and character

An unexpected wave of nostalgia hits as I head for the reception desk, a surprising sensation considering the five-star stay only officially opened earlier in the day. It feels like a giant Blockbuster video store of the ’90s has been cleverly disguised as a sleek hotel lobby. Brown leather couches mingle with magenta lounges and lime-green love seats. Newspapers lie askew on black plastic side tables.

But the most obvious homage? The wall behind reception is lined with what looks like every DVD produced in the early 2000s. Each colourful plastic cover is cast in a subtle shade of red, thanks to the bold neon sign that reads ‘VIDEOS’ above it.

It’s a theme that carries throughout the new hotel, from the exposed brick walls and glowing room numbers to the Tetris-patterned carpets and Dada-inspired photomontage art featured in the rooms.

No matter where you look, vintage touches have been effortlessly infused into the hotel’s sleek, contemporary design. Flat-screen TVs broadcasting black-and-white shows from decades ago sit opposite a staggered bookshelf, its eclectic assortment including The Oxford Companion to Australian Folklore and Old Sydney Buildings, Bill Bryson’s The Body Illustrated and a biography on Bob Dylan.

While the playful-meets-professional aesthetic is a hallmark of the 25hours brand, it’s also a nod to the building’s former incarnation as a 1915 arthouse cinema. Here lies proof of the company’s ability to strike the perfect balance between its trademark visual identity and the energy of the city it inhabits.

Facilities

Outside in the communal courtyard, the eccentric decor of the lobby is replaced with a modern minimalism that works in its favour. A descending garden is dotted with broad-leafed zebra plants, native rough tree ferns and hardy silver plum plants, a ground cover flowering in purple providing a pop of colour. Outdoor furniture offers plenty of seating for digital nomads taking advantage of the quiet afternoon.

Back inside, the 25hours Shop acts as the hotel’s own mini mart. It’s great for those forgetful few, selling everything from wine, tea and sweets to sunnies, skincare and souvenirs. There is also a fleet of Schindelhauer bikes available to rent for those keen to explore on two wheels.

Although I didn’t have time to check them out, the hotel does offer versatile event spaces that are also inspired by its past as a theatre. From important business meetings to lavish celebrations, there’s a venue to suit all occasions – big or small.

Rooms

The 109-key stay offers a wide variety of guestrooms, including Medium Plus, Extra Large and Gigantic suites. Each one captures the hotel’s history as an arthouse cinema with Dada-esque works by local artist and graphic designer, Kubi Vasak.

From large-scale Marilyn Monroe murals featuring vintage motifs to colourful collages that reflect psychedelic dreamscapes, each piece works to personalise a usually uniform space.

My Medium Courtyard Queen suite feels more LA hideaway than inner-city hotel, its olive-green hues, pops of red, golden accents and striking Vasak mural evoking a touch of old-Hollywood glamour. As the name suggests, a floor-to-ceiling window overlooks the courtyard below, high enough for privacy and wide enough to let natural light flow in.

Like all rooms at 25hours Hotel The Olympia, I have access to a free minibar (although unstocked), high-speed wi-fi, a Bluetooth speaker and flat-screen TV. In the bathroom, a rain shower, separate toilet and skincare products from Australian brand The Skills round out a comfortable stay.

Food and drink

The newly opened hotel isn’t the only newcomer on the block. Its four dedicated dining spaces are also debuting, headlined by signature restaurant The Palomar. Led by head chef Luke Davenport and culinary director Mitch Orr, the intimate eatery delivers flavours from Southern Europe, North Africa and the Levant using Aussie ingredients.

Next door, The Mulwray beckons. With its ambient lighting, cosy couches, carefully crafted cocktails and a 100-strong wine list, it’s a must for a post-meal tipple.

Onsite cafe Jacob the Angel is the perfect spot for early risers. Bathed in natural light, the street-facing space serves specialty coffee and freshly baked pastries from Lune, alongside a small but impressive menu of brekkie favourites.

Up on level five, rooftop bar Monica blends Bondi energy with New York attitude. It’s unpretentious yet effortlessly cool, and all set against the backdrop of the city skyline. Inside is airy and bright – salmon-pinks meet burgundy accents and painted swirls along the walls blend well behind statement fringed lighting. The laidback menu of share-style plates pairs perfectly with tap-poured craft beers and a curated wine and cocktail list.

But in my opinion, it’s the outdoor terrace that really shines. Saturated in blush pinks and dotted with striped couches, beach umbrellas and hardy cacti, the scene imbues a coastal Med charm.

It’s here I find myself this afternoon, perched on a bar stool and sipping a picante margarita. Mellow electronic beats float across the terrazzo tiles, and that previously muggy languor is replaced with an easy, breezy lightness. Knock-off doesn’t get much better than this.

Does 25hours Hotel The Olympia have access for guests with disabilities?

The hotel and its dining spaces all cater to those with mobility needs and wheelchair-accessible rooms are available upon request.

Is 25hours Hotel The Olympia family-friendly?

Children are welcome to stay. Kids under the age of seven sleeping in their parents’ room stay free of charge. However, an additional bed must be booked for children aged between seven and 11, with those aged 12 and up considered fully paying guests.

Details

Best for: Creatives looking for an inner-city escape close to the action.

Address: 1 Oxford Street, Paddington

Price: Room rates vary, check website for details. 25hours Hotels is part of the global Dis-loyalty scheme, with members receiving up to 50 per cent off.