There is nothing more stressful than checking out of a hotel and receiving the final bill.
How many room service meals and minibar snacks did I consume, how much did I spend at the hotel bar, why did I pay a whopping $60 to have my pants dry cleaned?
As the cost of living continues to skyrocket, there has never been a better time to get gifts.
So I was pleasantly surprised when I checked into the Ovolo Nishi hotel in Canberra and discovered a whole range of complementary items and services.
Traveling to Canberra for a long weekend with a girlfriend to sightsee in Australia’s cultural capital, we chose to stay at Ovolo Nishi due to its proximity to the iconic National Gallery, War Memorial and the city’s vibrant, bustling bars.
The Ovolo Nishi hotel in Canberra has a range of complementary items and services
As soon as we checked in, we were treated to delicious treats, starting with a free lollipop bar at the front desk filled with everyone’s childhood favorites.
After we were whisked to our ‘Meandering Atrium’ room, the largest and most elegant room in the hotel, we were greeted with a bottle of Italian prosecco, an exquisite cheese and meat board and a sweet personalized greeting note.
Other features of the room were a king-size bed, a separate living room, a double vanity, two rainfall showers, and a huge bathtub that literally fits four people.
In addition to a free minibar, the hotel offers additional complimentary items such as toothbrushes, deodorant, and shaving accessories.
And then there’s the world’s first menu of hair services, a partnership with renowned hair care brand Tresemmé.
Guests receive a complimentary bottle of wine or prosecco upon arrival.
The complimentary menu allows guests to order professionally personalized products directly to their room upon arrival.
TRESemmé’s revolutionary multi-step regimens are available for guests to order, tailored to their hair type, including the new Lamellar Shine regimen that is inspired by the viral glass hair trend, as well as Purple Toning, Keratin Smooth, Smooth Curls and Strengthen and Restore. , valued at over $30.00.
And the freebies don’t stop there: Ovolo has a free social happy hour for guests.
Between 5:30 and 6:30 pm, all house beers, wines and snacks are complimentary.
In addition to a free minibar, the hotel offers extra items such as toothbrushes, deodorant and shaving accessories and a ‘Loot Bag’ with more sweet and savory treats.
There is also a social area called ‘Lo Lounge’ which offers free refreshments all day, complimentary breakfast for all guests and self-service laundry facilities. No more spending $10 to clean a pair of underwear!
With all these perks, it’s definitely hard to leave the hotel, but when we do we discover these little local gems.
Dear Prudence, a cozy and lively city center wine bar, and The Cupping room, one of the best lunch spots in Canberra thanks to its specialty coffee roaster and delicious menu.
Meat is completely off the menu at all Ovolo hotels in Australia, and executive chef Matthew Bentley has created an impressive omnivore menu at Monster Bar and Kitchen.
The Meandering Atrium room (the hotel’s largest) features a double vanity, two rainfall showers, and a bathtub that literally fits four people.
But if you want to dine at the hotel, we enjoyed the best vegetarian and vegan meals at Monster Kitchen and Bar.
Meat is completely off the menu at all Ovolo hotels in Australia, and executive chef Matthew Bentley has created an impressive omnivorous menu.
My top picks are the spinach gnudi with stracciatella, brown butter, crunchy sage and pine nuts, the Padrón and Machego croquettes with lemon aioli and the watermelon Crudo with goat’s curd, acacia lavosh and green chilli and spring onion.
Rooms at the Ovolo Nishi in Canberra start at $244 for the Snug Sun Room and $482 for the spacious Meandering Atrium. In the photo: the impressive entrance of the hotel.
Ovolo Nishi’s lobby features a cozy fire pit.
