Ovolo Hotel in South Yarra, Melbourne is much more than just a place to rest your head at night. A guest need only to step foot inside the lobby to witness the collision of past, present and emerging art and design in an electrifying fusion of retro chic and pop-art.
“Art and design are two important pillars of sharing a story and creating a sense of place,” says Dave Baswal, managing director of Ovolo Hotels Australia and New Zealand. With hotels in locations across the country and abroad, each Ovolo offering is visually and spatially distinct, yet guided by a common philosophy: to connect with guests emotionally while complementing the local cultural scene. “We are always trying to curate a unique experience, and the journey always begins with a well thought out design,” Baswal explains.
Situated a stone’s throw away from the area’s cultural centre, Ovolo South Yarra provides a base to explore the quirks and charms of one of Melbourne’s oldest inner-city suburbs. Mirroring the interwar architecture still manifest in nearby buildings, private rooms and common areas in the hotel are infused with art deco elements – “a style focused on the essence of what is visually appealing,” says Baswal.
Adding a further layer of time-warping nostalgia are the abundant visual references to icons of the 1950s-1970s music world. “Taking its design cues from the days of disco, rock gods and retro glamour, the vibe of Ovolo South Yarra is bold, creative and unpredictable,” says Baswal.
While nostalgic, the hotel’s overall aesthetic remains resolutely contemporary, seeking to honour, rather than replicate, bygone eras; disparate influences can thus intermingle harmoniously.
Throughout the hotel, artworks by a mix of local and international artists reflect the cosmopolitan flavour of the local surrounds, with many works handpicked by Ovolo founder and principal Girish Jhunjhnuwala.
Making an impression in the lobby, a podium-like reception counter made from concrete components is complemented by a sunken fire pit with perpetually lit neon flames.
“Girish felt the need for a central focal piece to add colour and vibrancy,” says Baswal. “Interior designer Rachel Luchetti was quick to respond with a fireplace design which was developed internally to take centre stage.”
Surrounding paintings by Jisbar inject playful vibrancy, depicting Freddie Mercury as a member of royalty and the Mona Lisa as a punk, and a series by Ben Tankard celebrates famous icons of 1970s pop culture in heady technicolour hues. In other shared spaces, bold canvases by Patrick Rubinstein and Monika Nowak riff on the work of original pop art pioneers like Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol, while Mr Brainwash brings the dynamism, grit and rebellious spirit of street art to the basement. In the hotel’s dedicated restaurant Lona Misa, a multi-piece wall installation by THERE Studio subverts the staged affectedness of Renaissance paintings, whetting visitors’ appetites for a vegan and vegetarian feast. This is the place that gets most of Baswal’s time, and not just for the refined company among masterpieces of yore – “nothing beats a great cocktail and quality food.”
Elsewhere behind closed doors, paintings by Johnny Romeo depicting the most iconic lovers of the rockstar era – John, Yoko, Sonny and Cher – enhance the sense of intimacy in the four Rockstar suites. In the Groovy suites, Pascal Guetta’s energetic abstract works are emblazoned with optimistic messages to invigorate the weariest traveller.
Beyond canvases, the hotel’s artistic flair extends to furnishings and other flourishes, all curated in collaboration with award-winning interior design firm Luchetti Krelle. Graphic wallpaper is offset by sleek, minimalist forms in small furnishings like light fittings and side tables, and gleaming metallic finishes round out bold primal hues. “Each room infuses retro-plush with accents of chrome and colour,” says Baswal.
Transporting guests simultaneously backward and forward in time, Ovolo South Yarra offers a memorable hotel experience, where the mix of art, design, lighting and music linger long in the minds of visitors.
A word of caution, though: you might want to hold off on planning a full itinerary for your South Yarra visit – you may not want to leave the hotel at all.
For bookings to Ovolo South Yarra visit the website here.
Featured image: Bold canvases by Patrick Rubinstein and Monika Nowak enliven the basement of the hotel. Courtesy: the artists and Ovolo South Yarra, Melbourne.