As I arrive at the Finger Wharf in Woolloomooloo, I realise I am not only in a distinguished part of the city but I'm also standing in front of one of the most impressive timber heritage buildings on Sydney Harbour.
I’m checking into Ovolo Woolloomooloo, an outpost of the Hong Kong hotel brand that has steadily increased its Australian presence since opening its first property in the country in Melbourne in 2013.
The part of the New South Wales capital the award-winning 100-room hotel now calls home is not only picturesque but also full of history. Built between 1910 and 1916 by the Sydney Harbour Trust, during its working life the Finger Wharf mainly handled wool exports. It also acted as a staging point for those being deployed to the World Wars, and a disembarkation point for new migrants to Australia.
Today, it boasts an exclusive restaurant precinct, a hotel and a residential apartment complex. After spending a few moments outside admiring the building’s teal-trimmed Edwardian facade, I make my way into the lobby and am immediately impressed by the exposed timber and clever use of space. As the check-in formalities are taken care of, swiftly and in a friendly manner, my eyes dart between the timber beams overhead, the spacious-yet-beautifully modern set-up at its core, and the old-school wool-sorting pulleys that have been worked into the design.
Far from the wool shed it was back in the day, the landmark that’s a hop, skip and a jump from the city’s best-known architectural triumphs — the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House — has been transformed into a place to see and be seen. Privately-owned restaurants like Italian eatery Otto Ristorante, China Doll and Kingsleys, line the wharf with many tables facing the marina, while inside, the Alibi — the hotel’s sole all-day dining option with a plant-based menu focus.
Guests can choose from a selection of bar snacks like marinated olives, tacos and guacomale from A$9 (Dh22). For those with business meetings on their agenda, the eight-course dinner tasting menu at A$80 per person is ideal. The best thing about the eatery, apart from the free daily social hour it offers in-house guests, is that it provides patrons with an impressive number of lounge-room-like sitting areas and private study nooks that are comfortable spaces for remote working, business catch-ups or casual breakfast meetings.
Breakfast is served here too but it is an underwhelming affair so I’d suggest bypassing the barely-there continental spread and opt for an a la carte offering like the smashed avocado on toast with eggs your way for A$16. Believe me you’ll be a whole lot more satisfied.
I’m booked into a Deluxeroo Double Double room on Level 3 of the five-floor property for my one-night stay. It’s one of the eight room categories that include the Superoo, Deluxeroo King, Deluxeroo Loft, Ultraroo, Cityvoo King, Cityvoo Loft and Cityvoo Double Double.
As I head to my room with the bellboy in tow I’m not sure what to expect, mainly because I know that Ovolo has a reputation for fun and frivolity and this is a historic space. But as I get inside, the first thing I notice is that just as they are downstairs exposed beams are at the heart of the room’s design. The mostly black-and-white styling is bang on too and there are pops of colour in the right places giving it the Ovolo personality and pizzazz without diluting the heritage appeal.
There are two double beds, dual sitting areas as well as a small desk and an expansive bathroom with spa bath, shower and his/hers sinks.
The view is as equally impressive and I appear to have secured myself a front-row seat to the glittering city skyline and neighbouring marina. The technological offerings appear to be first rate to — the Alexa voice service doesn’t miss a beat as I put her through her paces and the iPad appears to have the rest covered. I tinker with the blind and curtain control switches I find on the far wall by the window, they’re easy enough to use but leave me wondering why they’ve been put so far away from the bed, which is one of the most comfortable I’ve sat on let alone slept in.
In terms of facilities the hotel has a small pool and sundeck on ground level behind the Lo Lounge — the hotel’s savvy networking space — a gym and a free self-laundering area. There are also a number of event spaces — the Piper Room is an industrial chic style set-up and the only part of the wharf in its original condition, think wooden floorboards, high ceilings, outdoor terrace etc. Then there are some smaller more flexible meeting rooms that offer plenty of natural light and all the mod-cons.
Just 15-30 minutes’ drive from Sydney’s international airport and 15 minutes by foot from Martin Place train station. the hotel successfully provides visitors with a comfortable, luxurious space from which to work and bed-down. It also offers a taste of the Sydney of days gone by, in fact there are old photos and historical notations that paint a historical picture.
One thing I suggest doing before you pack your bags and check out is to stroll to Harry’s Cafe de Wheels, the popular pie cart that’s been an institution in the harbour city for decades. It’s a five-minute walk from the hotel and the ideal way to bid farewell to Woolloomooloo when the dealings and work is done.
The writer was a guest of the hotel. For more information or to book go to https://ovolohotels.com.au/ovolowoolloomooloo
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
HOW TO WATCH
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
8 UAE companies helping families reduce their carbon footprint
Greenheart Organic Farms
This Dubai company was one of the country’s first organic farms, set up in 2012, and it now delivers a wide array of fruits and vegetables grown regionally or in the UAE, as well as other grocery items, to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi doorsteps.
www.greenheartuae.com
Modibodi
Founded in Australia, Modibodi is now in the UAE with waste-free, reusable underwear that eliminates the litter created by a woman’s monthly cycle, which adds up to approximately 136kgs of sanitary waste over a lifetime.
www.modibodi.ae
The Good Karma Co
From brushes made of plant fibres to eco-friendly storage solutions, this company has planet-friendly alternatives to almost everything we need, including tin foil and toothbrushes.
www.instagram.com/thegoodkarmaco
Re:told
One Dubai boutique, Re:told, is taking second-hand garments and selling them on at a fraction of the price, helping to cut back on the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of clothes thrown into landfills each year.
www.shopretold.com
Lush
Lush provides products such as shampoo and conditioner as package-free bars with reusable tins to store.
www.mena.lush.com
Bubble Bro
Offering filtered, still and sparkling water on tap, Bubble Bro is attempting to ensure we don’t produce plastic or glass waste. Founded in 2017 by Adel Abu-Aysha, the company is on track to exceeding its target of saving one million bottles by the end of the year.
www.bubble-bro.com
Coethical
This company offers refillable, eco-friendly home cleaning and hygiene products that are all biodegradable, free of chemicals and certifiably not tested on animals.
www.instagram.com/coethical
Eggs & Soldiers
This bricks-and-mortar shop and e-store, founded by a Dubai mum-of-four, is the place to go for all manner of family products – from reusable cloth diapers to organic skincare and sustainable toys.
www.eggsnsoldiers.com
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
More from Armen Sarkissian
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Gurm, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Al Nafece, Al Muatasm Al Balushi, Mohammed Ramadan
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adrie de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel
6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Ottoman, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Liwa Oasis – Group 2 (PA) 300,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeemat Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ganbaru, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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2019 ASIAN CUP FINAL
Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
more from Janine di Giovanni
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The Ashes
Results
First Test, Brisbane: Australia won by 10 wickets
Second Test, Adelaide: Australia won by 120 runs
Third Test, Perth: Australia won by an innings and 41 runs
Fourth Test: Melbourne: Drawn
Fifth Test: Australia won by an innings and 123 runs
Top 5 concerns globally:
1. Unemployment
2. Spread of infectious diseases
3. Fiscal crises
4. Cyber attacks
5. Profound social instability
Top 5 concerns in the Mena region
1. Energy price shock
2. Fiscal crises
3. Spread of infectious diseases
4. Unmanageable inflation
5. Cyber attacks
Source: World Economic Foundation
Scores
Scotland 54-17 Fiji
England 15-16 New Zealand
World Cup League Two
Results
Oman beat Nepal by 18 runs
Oman beat United States by six wickets
Nepal beat United States by 35 runs
Oman beat Nepal by eight wickets
Fixtures
Tuesday, Oman v United States
Wednesday, Nepal v United States
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20Z%20FLIP5
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Defined benefit and defined contribution schemes explained
Defined Benefit Plan (DB)
A defined benefit plan is where the benefit is defined by a formula, typically length of service to and salary at date of leaving.
Defined Contribution Plan (DC)
A defined contribution plan is where the benefit depends on the amount of money put into the plan for an employee, and how much investment return is earned on those contributions.
Haemoglobin disorders explained
Thalassaemia is part of a family of genetic conditions affecting the blood known as haemoglobin disorders.
Haemoglobin is a substance in the red blood cells that carries oxygen and a lack of it triggers anemia, leaving patients very weak, short of breath and pale.
The most severe type of the condition is typically inherited when both parents are carriers. Those patients often require regular blood transfusions - about 450 of the UAE's 2,000 thalassaemia patients - though frequent transfusions can lead to too much iron in the body and heart and liver problems.
The condition mainly affects people of Mediterranean, South Asian, South-East Asian and Middle Eastern origin. Saudi Arabia recorded 45,892 cases of carriers between 2004 and 2014.
A World Health Organisation study estimated that globally there are at least 950,000 'new carrier couples' every year and annually there are 1.33 million at-risk pregnancies.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Where to submit a sample
Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
