For stylish and sophisticated accommodation in the heart of Canberra, Ovolo Nishi is an easy choice.
Originally built by the Molonglo Group under the name Hotel Hotel, Ovolo Nishi has grown to become a centrepiece of Canberra’s art and culture district NewActon since being acquired by Ovolo Hotels in early 2018.
While the hotel’s trendy, art-focused rooms draw in leisure and business travellers alike, its event spaces and highly acclaimed restaurant are popular choices for corporate groups.
Art and design
It’s almost impossible to miss the pineapple-shaped façade of Ovolo Nishi, which is a striking design amongst the plethora of restaurants, shops and art galleries that surround it.
Inside, Australian landscapes and culture are celebrated throughout a public collection of artworks and objects. The hotel’s grand staircase was handcrafted from a collection of salvaged timbers and offcuts from the building’s façade.
Ovolo Nishi’s lobby integrates seamlessly into the lobby bar, which emulates a cozy living room with plush lounges, retro furnishings and a fireplace.
Sleep
The hotel offers 85 rooms, each dressed in salvaged and restored 20th Century Australian furniture, original artworks and collected objects.
Many of Ovolo Nishi’s rooms overlook the lake or bush and the remaining rooms look onto the spectacular atrium.
Earlier this year, the hotel added 17 micro hotel rooms, offering compact, yet stylish accommodation for short-stay guests who just want the essentials.
All rooms at Ovolo Nishi feature a flat-screen LED television, an iPad Mini and 24-hour room service.
They also include Ovolo’s signature Freebies, including complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, social hour, self-serve laundry and in-room mini-bar.
Eat
On the ground level, Ovolo Nishi’s signature restaurant Monster Kitchen and Bar marries classic French brasserie with Japanese flavours.
Alongside executive chef Daniel Flatt, creative culinary partner Ian Curley (French Saloon, VIC) highlights a seasonal and ever-evolving approach to food in the latest menu.
“I love the simplicity, and clean and subtle flavours of Japanese cooking, along with the traditional French flavours, presented simply with great technique,” said Curley.
Meet
A number of private event spaces are on offer at Ovolo Nishi for corporate functions and private dining.
The Mosaic Room, which is connected to Monster Bar & Kitchen, can host up to 34 guests for a private dinner. An incredibly high ceiling floods the space with natural light and the adjoining outdoor terrace takes advantage of the hotel’s natural surrounds.
Events can also be hosted in Monster Kitchen and Bar, with the dining room able to host cocktails events for 80 guests and banquets for 100 people.
Meanwhile, the Nishi Gallery can host up to 150 guests for cocktail events and offers garden views through floor-to-ceiling windows. With local and interstate artworks on display, the space is a dynamic backdrop for conferences, product launches and cocktail parties.
