OVOLO NISHI – Where Nature, Design and Storytelling Meet

Set in Canberra’s vibrant NewActon precinct, OVOLO NISHI is not your standard boutique hotel. With striking architecture, bold interiors and a personality that leans into creativity and craft, it’s a destination for those who appreciate beautiful spaces with substance. Every element is carefully considered, not to impress for appearance’s sake, but to deliver a stay that feels personal, immersive and impossible to forget.

From the outside, the building’s sculptural timber façade stands out immediately – a striking geometric structure made from sustainably sourced Blackbutt that twists and folds like a piece of modern art. Its tactile warmth and bold form create a powerful first impression, setting the tone for the thoughtful design that continues throughout the property.

Inside, guests are welcomed into warm, layered interiors that blend natural textures with modern touches. There’s nothing generic about it, from the grand staircase made of salvaged timber to the vintage books in the library, the hotel feels more like a gallery or a designer’s personal retreat than a traditional hotel chain but this isn’t your ordinary hotel offering,  it’s the result of a bold creative vision brought to life by a brand that has never followed the rulebook.

Since its beginnings in Hong Kong, Ovolo has grown into one of the region’s most dynamic hotel groups, with properties across Hong Kong and Australia that are known for their bold design, vibrant atmosphere and commitment to what they call “effortless living.” The group has earned numerous accolades, including “Hotel Brand of the Year” at the HM Awards, and continues to stay connected to the modern traveller through detail driven comforts, thoughtful service, and a clear design point of view.

Originally developed as the acclaimed Hotel Hotel and now part of the Ovolo Group, OVOLO NISHI has been shaped by more than 60 designers, artists, architects and curators. Together, they’ve created a property that is as much about storytelling as it is about luxury. Australian materials, colours and textures are used throughout including reclaimed timbers, concrete, brushed brass, all layered with artworks and objects that give the space its unique character.

At OVOLO NISHI, that design philosophy is brought to life across 85 guest rooms, each with its own mood. Some overlook the internal atrium with lush Tasmanian tree ferns, while others offer views of Lake Burley Griffin and the surrounding bushland. The rooms feature king beds, rainfall showers and custom furniture, including multi-purpose writing desks and handwoven Indian string daybeds that double as luggage racks. It’s a smart, tactile mix of comfort and creativity.

Downstairs, Monster Kitchen & Bar blends the same design-forward thinking with a menu that highlights plant-based and local ingredients. The atmosphere is relaxed but elevated, making it an ideal spot for both hotel guests and locals. Like the rest of the property, the restaurant feels layered and expressive, part lounge, part dining room, part art piece.

Beyond the rooms and restaurant, OVOLO NISHI offers a series of lifestyle spaces designed to suit both business and leisure guests. A library with vintage books, a day spa, a pilates studio, a bike shop, and a series of flexible event spaces round out the experience reflecting the same attention to atmosphere, tone and detail that defines the rest of the hotel.

For design lovers, creative travelers and anyone seeking something a little outside the ordinary, OVOLO NISHI delivers on every front. It’s rare to find a hotel that balances aesthetic ambition with genuine warmth and comfort but this one does it effortlessly.

Book your next Canberra stay at OVOLO NISHI