"First impressions? Although early press stuck the "millennial" tag on this downtown boutique, it's since won over a much broader demographic with its distinctive offering: colorful, modern rooms; free Wi-Fi, minibar, and breakfast; and pared-back common areas to keep costs down. What’s the crowd like? The young and the young at heart. Tell us about your room. The standard Studio rooms are light and bright, with curved windows that make them seem much bigger than they are. Then there are the suites, which get progressively louder as they increase in size. The Penthouse Suite is a riotous mix of bright colors and holiday toys, including a pinball machine, a hot tub on the terrace, and a candy buffet. How about the little things, like mini bar? Melbourne hotels don't often throw in freebies, but Ovolo has amped up the inclusions: there are minibar snacks such as cookies and chips; a light "grab 'n' go" breakfast; Wi-Fi; Apple TV, and a lobby Happy Hour. The catch? They're only offered if you book directly with the hotel. Room service and food: Worth it? There's no restaurant on site, no bar, and no room service. The hotel is very much a launching pad into the surrounding streets, which are saturated with drinking and dining options. Bottom line. Affordable-luxe hotels have been slow to catch on in Australia, but Ovolo Laneways does the "everything you need, nothing you don't" thing just as well as its Northern-Hemisphere peers." - Dan F. Stapleton
