Independent hospitality company, headquartered in Hong Kong, Ovolo Hotels is a collection of individually-designed lifestyle hotels and serviced apartments offering award-winning interiors, detail-driven comforts, focused all-inclusive services and cutting-edge technology.
Originally founded by Girish Jhunjhnuwala in 2002, Ovolo is a Hong Kong brand that is family-owned and privately-operated with a charitable core.
Of the company’s 10 hotels, six are located within Australia, including Ovolo The Valley, located in the heart of Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
The multi-award winning boutique hotel is close to live music venues, rooftop cocktail lounges, art galleries and relaxing cafes, all of which have influenced the style on offer within the hotel.
“Inspired by the eclectic culture and iconic history of the surrounding neighbourhood, Ovolo The Valley draws guests into a whimsical oasis of colour and art, with surprising hints of quirkiness, custom wallpaper, eccentric furniture and illustrations curated throughout all of its spaces and 103 rooms,” Ovolo Hotels, Group Director of Marketing, Stephen Howard said.
“Ovolo The Valley is a whimsical oasis where art, music and pop culture collide.”
Colourful and creative isn’t just an aesthetic to The Ovolo, it’s a way of life, where staff are encouraged to have fun and enjoy their workplace, which is imperative in a hospitality environment where all too often the industry experiences high staff turnover.
“At Ovolo, we always have fun and don’t take ourselves too seriously. By doing this it means we are able to stay engaged and creative, but also when our team members are smiling, laughing and having fun, our guests tend to as well – it’s infectious! We like our guests to feel this from the moment they enter our hotels, and through every touchpoint they have with us,” Mr Howard said.
As a luxury hotel, guests can expect all the special features they have come to know and love, however there are added perks that come with a night at The Ovolo such as superspeed WiFi, midnight treats, self-service laundry and a few technology-driven features.
“We pride ourselves on being in touch with the modern traveller through award-winning interior designs, detail-driven comforts, complimentary value-added services like the mini bar, breakfast, Wi-Fi, and more, and cutting-edge technology. When I founded Ovolo, I wanted to do away with all the things that made travelling difficult or frustrating – whether it was outrageously priced minibars or a lack of accessible power points in the room. We want to make our guests’ lives effortless when they stay with us, and that guides us through all our decision making,” Mr Howard said.
Ovolo engaged global architecture and design firm Woods Bagot, alongside Art Curator Kathleen Wilson to lead the creative aesthetic and quirky design of the hotel.
This attention to detail and meticulousness of ensuring each and every guest enjoys their stay, has led to the Ovolo Hotels being acknowledged for the Hotel and Accommodation Excellence, receiving the accolade “Hotel Brand of the Year” at the 2019 HM Awards, as well as the QHA’s Award for Excellence - Best Deluxe Accommodation 2019.
“Any recognition is important from our peers, at Ovolo we are passionate about creating an experience which breaks conventions and provides a unique experience. Having recognition for this is amazing,” Mr Howard said.
Located at the site of the former Emporium Hotel, Ovolo invested approximately $55 million across the entire project from acquisition to a complete refurbishment of all rooms and public spaces, including the creation of ZA ZA TA Bar & Kitchen.
Ovolo engaged global architecture and design firm Woods Bagot, alongside Art Curator Kathleen Wilson to lead the creative aesthetic and quirky design of the hotel.
The brief was to draw inspiration from Fortitude Valley’s eclectic mix of entertainment, nightlife, and art to create a space where guests could play, indulge and feel free. The final concept includes a mix of vibrant colours, custom wallpaper, eccentric furniture and illustrations throughout the rooms and public spaces.
“Award-winning interior designers, Luchetti Krelle created a strong sense of local identity with an international counterpoint, by taking details from traditional Queensland architecture and layering it into the Victorian-inspired interiors. In true Ovolo style, quirky layering and unexpected delights are to be discovered on the journey, including interactive experiential art,” Mr Howard said.
With such visual delights on display, Ovolo Hotels prides itself on offering guests not just a place to lay their heads, but a destination to remember.
“Our guests connect with us because we are authentic. We create genuine connections with them, and this is at all levels – from our front desk team members to myself (guests can email our CEO directly with feedback on their stay with us). So many brands try too hard to be something they’re not.
“Each hotel is a uniquely rich adventure, full of eye-catching art and vibrant atmosphere. Add to this an eclectic portfolio of restaurants and bars bursting with flavour and you have a world where every moment of every stay is filled with wonder.”
For more information visit ovolohotels.com/ovolo/thevalley/
