How Sydney's new 25hours Hotel The Olympia embraces its movie star past
"I used to drink cocktails there when it was The Blue Room," one of my pals told me, excitedly, when I explained which hotel I was staying at that night.
Indeed long-time Sydneysiders - especially those who fondly remember their party days - will know the landmark building on Oxford Street in Paddington, close to the CBD.
It welcomed Sydney's glam crowd as Grand Pacific Blue Room in the 90s and 2000's, and also had The Freezer and Goodbar downstairs.
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25Hours Hotel Sydney The Olympia on Oxford Street in Paddington. Justin NIcholas
The 25hours Hotel Sydney The Olympia
Before that, it was Australia's first purpose-built cinema, West Olympia Theatre, dating back to 1911.
But after laying empty for years, it's now a branch of a funky hotel chain, 25hours: 25hours Hotel Sydney The Olympia.
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The company has 17 hotels around the world in places including Berlin, Florence, and Dubai, with this the first in Australia.
But for me it wasn't clubbing memories but childhood ones which came flooding back when I walked into the foyer... and into a video shop.
Well, kind of.
Australia's first purpose-built cinema, West Olympia Theatre dating back to 1911, is now the first 25Hours hotel in Australia. Supplied
In a nod to its cinematic past, the hotel's reception desk is flanked by shelves of old movies topped by a neon 'VIDEOS' sign.
Except in this version of Blockbuster I was allowed to choose any of them rather than being told the new releases were "too expensive" by my mum (anyone else?).
You can actually borrow a VHS to watch in in your room... though sadly the only player was being used by another guest when we stayed.
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The video shop-turned reception at 25hours Hotel Sydney The Olympia Supplied
The history of the place is also reflected in a huge video of cheering crowds by the lifts, a library of artsy books and various other funky art installations in the reception.
They've even recreated the old 'dome' on the front.
The rooms at 25hours Hotel Sydney The Olympia
There are 109 rooms and in a unique twist, they're decorated in two styles.
'Dreamers' have an angelic, light and white style while and 'renegades' are a bit more edgy and dark.
A Dreamer room at 25hours Hotel Sydney The Olympia Justin NIcholas
I was secretly pleased to be assigned the latter, which had a dark and moody red and black theme.
Again there were more movie touches including a director's chair at the desk.
An imitation dial phone was installed by the bed, except in a bit of a blooper it didn't actually call reception but just rang out when we called to ask for some sugar and milk which was missing from our drinks station.
(Turns out the list of numbers stuck to it were wrong.)
A renegade room at 25hours Sydney The Olympia. Supplied
One piece of tech which did work was the Bluetooth speaker which was a nice touch.
Upgraded rooms like ours even had a balcony overlooking bustling Oxford Street.
Thankfully the sliding doors kept out most of the traffic noise.
A bathroom at 25hours Hotel Sydney The Olympia Supplied
The food and drinks
A Sydney branch of hip London restaurant The Palomar has opened downstairs.
It was absolutely buzzing on a Thursday night, and not just with hotel guests.
Just weeks after opening it has already become a regular hangout for trendy Sydneysiders.
Monica rooftop bar at 25hours Hotel Sydney The Olympia. Supplied
Start with a drink at either hip The Mulwray bar next door or catch a glimpse of the Harbour Bridge from the terrace at at rooftop bar, Monica before dining on the top notch Mediterranean fayre.
Highlight included the flatbread with baba ganoush, John Dory with Zhoug (a type of hot sauce) and watercress.
Save room for dessert: it's a tough choice but we think the chocolate babka with Aleppo caramel won, over the baklava pistachio ice cream sandwich.
Baklava pistachio ice cream sandwich at The Palomar at 25hours Hotel Sydney The Olympia Supplied
Grab a counter seat for an insight into the madness of a restaurant kitchen.
Come the morning and we had to line up with locals for breakfast at in-house café, Jacob the Angel - which is always a sign of a good spot.
But it was worth it to be only one of the places in the city stocking pastries by the viral Lune Croissanterie.
The verdict
Giving an abandoned building new life in an area currently undergoing a revival 25hours Hotel Sydney The Olympia is to become a hip hangout for both Sydneysiders and visitors.
The writer stayed as a guest of 25Hours Sydney The Olympia. Rooms start at $399.
