Why book?
For a snapshot of inner Sydney life.
Set the scene
This is not old-school luxury nor a grande dame, but rather a “lifestyle” hotel that has imprinted itself into the bustling neighborhoods—Surry Hills and Redfern—it now calls home. On a bright blue sky of a day, guests are sprawled by the rooftop pool with fast-flowing cocktails and Mexican snacks. There is a steady flow of crowds in the precinct’s bars, restaurants, and cafes. From 5 p.m., a motley mix of after-work crowds line up for the hotel’s art-filled cocktail joint, Bar Julius, and there is a waiting list for its rooftop Mexican restaurant, Lottie.
The backstory
More than a decade in the making, The Eve is now part of the new Wunderlich Lane precinct. Acquired a decade ago by property developers, Toga Group, a run-down 1970s shopping mall has been transformed into the $500 million precinct, which includes a hot list of bars and restaurants like Olympus (Greek, like its always-busy brother restaurant Apollo), pan-Pacific and Filipino restaurant, Island Radio, and the groovy Baptist Street Rec Club, a drinking-hole steeped in Australian nostalgia. At its heart is The EVE, which is part of Australian hotel group, TFE, who have a diverse global portfolio of hotels from Adina Hotels to Vibe Hotels and The Calile in Brisbane.
The rooms
All 102 guest rooms and suites have Juliet balconies or terraces which look out to Sydney’s urban sprawl or an internal landscaped courtyard. Even the smallest rooms have a little nook with a velvet banquette and table. With details like on-trend chubby nightstands, decked out in terrazzo, velvets, and timber in earthy tones of eucalyptus greens and browns, each room feels modern and fresh. Little details like the mini bar with Sydney-brewed beers, spirits, confectionery, and in-room glassware, soaps, and scents by local brand Saardé (with their flagship next door), gives each room a local touch.
Food and drink
Two restaurants are part of the hotel. The Mexican rooftop restaurant, Lottie, with its retractable roof is pure holiday vibes and serves up a creative take on Mexican dishes like Aztec cake, almost like a Mexican lasagne, where chicken and a bright poblano pepper sauce are layered with tortillas. There’s also pork jowl with fizzy cola mole, with housemade tortillas served in leather pouches to keep warm. Downstairs, the art-filled Bar Julius is crowned by a colorful ceiling that spans an artwork by Australian artist Louise Olsen, and is an all-day silver-service café lifted from New York bistro canon, where glossy fried eggs and fluffy pancakes are paired with mimosas poured from champagne bottles. As the day progresses, expect an elevated take on café food-like hot dogs made from a smoked pig's head sausage and crab salads. Post-5 p.m., the scene transforms into an elegant cocktail bar. The rest of the “Wunderlich Lane” is bustling with restaurants, bars, and cafes. This is a one-stop-shop.
Neighborhood
On the border of two inner-city neighborhoods—Redfern and Surry Hills—both areas have edgy pasts that are being gentrified. This means mom-and-pop shops and eateries still exist alongside Sydney’s best record and thrift stores but also a selection of in-the-know standalone boutiques, cafes and bars, and restaurants. In short: these two neighborhoods are loaded with energy and personality and can best be experienced with a walk down nearby Crown Street.
The service
Don’t expect silver-service touchpoints like bellboys and butlers, but as a lifestyle hotel, the service is friendly and welcoming, and the concierge can help you with bookings and tips for the neighborhood. Expect lots of fast service by QR codes.
For families
Guests under 18 accompanied by an adult are welcome and rooms accommodate a maximum of two guests. Interconnecting rooms and baby cots are available on request.
Eco effort
The EVE Hotel is part of TFE Hotels, which has an environmental policy that includes reducing carbon footprint and supporting sustainable development. You can read more about TFE’s environment and sustainable policies here.
Accessibility
The EVE Hotel has several room types catering for specific guest requirements. There are six accessible rooms including one on each floor (1, 2, and 3) and three on level 4. All public spaces including the pool are accessible.
Anything left to mention?
Staying at the hotel does not give you automatic reservations at rooftop restaurant Lottie, and definitely not to the restaurants and bars in Wunderlich Lane like Olympus and Island Radio, which are hugely popular.
8 Baptist St, Sydney, New South Wales 2016
Australia
https://www.tfehotels.com/en/about/corporate-social-responsibility/
61 (02) 9096 1100