Like being in Beverly Hills: The verdict on Sydney’s coolest new hotel

The place

The Eve Hotel, Sydney

Laze on a lounger at The Eve’s rooftop pool. Credit: Georg Roske

Check-in

It is opening weekend at Sydney’s newest boutique hotel and the place is already buzzing thanks to The Eve’s location within the new Wunderlich Lane precinct on the border of Surry Hills and Redfern, home to some of the city’s most in-demand restaurants. In the light-filled lobby, where a rotating selection of contemporary art decorates the walls, the reception staff are not just efficient but enthusiastic, as excited as the guests to be part of this moment.

The look

An inner-city oasis… The Eve Hotel’s serene lobby.Credit: Georg Roske

Consider The Eve an inner-city oasis. As soon as you step through the front door, you see a serene cloister leading you away from the streetside bustle. Calming natural tones – inspired by the site’s history as a nursery, market garden and later pleasure garden – blend with glimpses of green from the central courtyard.

The 20-metre rooftop pool has a fun Beverly Hills vibe. Credit: Georg Roske

The 20-metre rooftop pool has a garden setting and a fun Beverly Hills vibe, right down to the music piped in underwater. Get in early to nab one of the three cabanas or laze on a lounger. Snacks and refreshments can be ordered via QR code.

The room

Sunset King room… tranquil tones. Credit: Georg Roske

Stepping into my Sunset King room is an invitation to exhale. The olive tones of the carpet and bedhead are soothing; the bathroom has two sinks and a very generously sized shower tiled in glossy green. Among the clever design details are scalloped mirrors and a banquette-style couch that does double duty as a window seat. There is a tiny Juliet balcony and a mini-bar showcasing local businesses, from Kakawa chocolates to a single malt that is a collaboration between Archie Rose Distilling Co and Bar Julius. Both toiletries and the elegant glassware are by another local company, Saarde, which has a store at street level. Blackout blinds and a super-comfortable bed guarantee a good night’s sleep.

Food + drink

All-day venue Bar Julius morphs from breakfast spot to cocktail bar and restaurant. Credit: Georg Roske

The hotel outlets include Bar Julius, an all-day venue that morphs from breakfast spot to cocktail bar and restaurant in the evening. Australian timbers feature heavily in the eye-catching design, while a ceiling mural by Dinosaur Designs’ Louise Olsen adds warmth with its ochre colours.

Hemmed with greenery, contemporary Mexican restaurant Lottie.Credit: Rhett Wyman

A la carte breakfast options include a taramasalata bagel and a cardamom and fennel granola; later in the day, snack on a tomato tarte tatin or fill up on roast lemon and thyme chicken. Upstairs, the rooftop restaurant Lottie delivers contemporary Mexican dishes including brassica tostadas, Murray cod pibil and a tomahawk beef chop laden with recado negro, best washed down with a spicy margarita. Booking ahead is advised; reservations here are as in-demand as at Wunderlich Lane’s other hit venues, the Greek restaurant Olympus and the pan-Asian Island Radio.

Out + about

The Wunderlich Lane precinct is definitely vibey but if you want to tick off the traditional Sydney sights, the left-field location is not ideal. There are no train or metro stops close at hand, although the bus to town stops right out front, and the nearby light rail takes you to Central. Adjacent Cleveland Street, leaning more to gritty than glam, doesn’t encourage strolling but the SCG is about 20 minutes’ walk away and Redfern’s Carriageworks – home to a beloved Saturday morning farmers’ market as well as intriguing exhibitions and performances – is just a little further. If you have brought your own car, valet parking is available ($55 a day). There is a spa called The Parlour Room and guests can also access Hiscoes Gym on Crown Street.

The verdict

Australiana palette of the Sunset Suite.Credit: Georg Roske

Friendly service, a fun and fabulous vibe, and a good night’s sleep – this hotel is a destination in its own right.

Our rating out of five

★★★★½

Essentials

From $549 a night. Six accessible rooms. 8 Baptist St, Redfern. Phone: [phone]. See theevehotel.com.au

Highlight

Who doesn’t love lounging by the pool while snacking on fish tacos and frozen margaritas?

Lowlight

Some guests struggle a little with the elevator key card system.

The writer was a guest of The Eve Hotel, Sydney.