Inside Sydney’s Hotel That Feels Like You’ve Stepped Into a Film

Some hotels are just somewhere to sleep, others carry a clear sense of identity, and 25hours Hotel Sydney The Olympia leans fully into its past. Set inside the former Olympia theatre on Oxford Street, this is a Sydney stay shaped by cinema, not as a theme, but in how the building has been reworked, preserved, and brought back to life. From the Edwardian façade alone, you can tell the building has lived a few lives, but this current chapter feels the most resolved, and notably, it marks the first Australian opening for the German-born 25hours brand. Positioned on Paddington’s Oxford Street, it places you right in one of Sydney’s most lively pockets, surrounded by restaurants, retail, nightlife and culture.

I stayed here recently, and what struck me straight away was how distinct it felt from the usual Sydney hotel offering. There’s a clarity to the concept that isn’t over-explained or over-styled, just well executed across every touchpoint, giving the entire experience a sense of ease and confidence.

25hours Hotel Lobby

A theatre, reworked

The redesign, led by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer alongside Indyk Architects and Woods Bagot, keeps the original structure intact and uses it as the foundation rather than something to be hidden. You still move through the same bones — the sweeping staircase, the ticket box, the volume of the space — but everything has been refined and layered, with industrial concrete sitting against softer finishes to create a balance between raw and polished. Oxford Street has always been about reinvention, and this building fits naturally into that story, not trying to replicate the past or erase it, but building on it in a way that feels grounded and considered rather than trend-driven.

25hours Hotel Facade

Inside the Dreamer rooms

I stayed in one of the Dreamer rooms, which lean lighter and more open compared to the darker Renegade rooms, with natural light playing a big role in shaping the space throughout the day. It feels easy and relaxed in the morning, then softens into something more subdued at night without losing that sense of openness. It’s not overly minimal, but it’s also not trying to impress through excess, with everything serving a purpose, from the lighting to the layout. What stands out most is how liveable it is; you’re not just using the room as a base, you actually want to spend time in it, whether that’s a slow morning, getting ready for the evening, or staying in longer than planned. Bathrooms follow the same thinking, with tiled and stone finishes, clean lines, and The Skills Skincare throughout, while the minibar, speakers, and overall layout are integrated seamlessly, reinforcing that sense of quiet restraint that’s hard to get right.

Dreamer Room

Moving through the space

What makes this one of the more interesting boutique hotels in Sydney is how the entire building is structured, with a subtle shift in energy as you move through each level. The lower floors feel quieter and more contained, while the upper levels gradually open out and become more social as the day unfolds, creating a natural progression that doesn’t feel forced or overly designed. This is where the cinema influence comes through most clearly, not in a literal sense, but in how the experience unfolds in stages, with each space offering something slightly different rather than everything being presented at once, giving the stay a sense of rhythm that’s rare and ultimately what makes it memorable.

Public Spaces

Where to eat and drink at 25hours Hotel Olympia Sydney

You could easily stay here and not leave the building, and that’s a big part of the appeal. The venues aren’t an afterthought, they shape the rhythm of the day, each one shifting the mood in a way that feels distinct rather than repetitive.

Breakfast: Jacob the Angel

Jacob the Angel

Mornings start at Jacob the Angel, which reads more like a neighbourhood café than a hotel offering, with good coffee, something light, and no unnecessary fuss. It sets the tone without overdoing it, whether you’re keeping things quick or easing into the day properly.

Lunch: The Palomar

Lunch at The Palomar shifts the pace entirely, with a Mediterranean-leaning menu that pulls from Southern Europe, North Africa and the Levant. Built around share-style plates, it naturally draws the meal out into something longer and more relaxed, the kind of lunch that extends well into the afternoon.

The Palomar

Afternoon Drinks: Monica Rooftop

Then there’s Monica Rooftop, which anchors the entire experience. By late afternoon, everything moves upward, the space opens out, the light shifts across the skyline, and the energy builds naturally into the evening. It’s one of the more compelling rooftop bars in Sydney right now, not because it’s trying to be, but because it understands timing, atmosphere and restraint. You arrive thinking one drink, and before you realise, the night has completely unfolded around you.

Monica Rooftop

Late Night Drinks: The Mulwray

For something more contained, The Mulwray offers a quieter contrast, with a lower-lit, more intimate setting that leans into wine and a more unstructured feel. It’s the kind of place you drop into without much planning and end up staying longer than expected.

The Mulwray

Why it stands out

It’s not just local buzz either. Travel + Leisure recently named 25hours Hotel Olympia Sydney to its It List 2026, recognising it as one of The Best New City Hotels in the World and one of The 100 Best New Hotels of the Year. For a hotel that’s only just opened, that kind of global recognition positions it quickly among the city’s most talked-about new stays, reinforcing its place within Sydney’s evolving hotel landscape.

If you’re currently searching for where to stay in Sydney, especially boutique hotels in Paddington or design-led hotels near the CBD, this is one to have firmly on your radar. It works for a weekend stay, a short city break, or even a one-night escape built around good food, strong design, and a well-paced environment. To explore rooms, availability, and current rates, visit 25hours Hotel Olympia Sydney.

Monica Rooftop

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Imagery: Steven Woodburn