Overview

Hotel Woolstore 1888 Sydney – Handwritten Collection in Sydney is set in a converted wool store built in, yup, 1888, but there’s nothing old-fashioned about its gorgeous young staff or vibrant interior – and their commitment to sustainable dining, their Italian restaurant is wholly vegetarian. The hotel champions old and new Australia, with reclaimed Ironbark beams and period windows in rooms, and a lively bar which draws the crowds come happy hour.

Highlights:

  • Darling Harbour location

  • Historic architecture

  • Brilliant, young staff

Smith extra

Complimentary upgrade (subject to availability)

In the know

Also need to know:

The hotel have a partnership with buzzy, brightly coloured Snap Fitness Pyrmont gym, less than 10 minutes' walk away, if you have a work-out regime to maintain.The hotels public areas are wheelchair accessible, there's a lift to all floors and some King Bedrooms have been adapted for guests with mobility issues.

Packing tips:

Leave books and iPods at home – each room has an iPad.

Dress code:

Sydney sybarite. Bring a fine knit or cashmere shawl, to honour the hotel’s strong ties to the textiles industry.

Mr and Mrs Smith reviews

Partied out, sun burned and feet in pain from dancing away for many nights, and I was extremely happy to be checking into Hotel Woolstore 1888 Sydney. I had been to my friend’s hen party in Cairns and I was in need of some catching up on reality – so where better than while also checking out the world’s first (self-dubbed) ‘Instagram hotel’, in sunny Sydney?

Welcomed warmly by a member of staff, they stepped in to help me with my luggage and I was happily left free to check out the groovy interior. Cool, low, neon-coloured chairs (reminiscent of the many colours of my Mooch character if you’ve ever seen my blog) teamed with exposed reclaimed wooden beams. I defy even the most jaded hotel-hopper not to widen their eyes at this dazzling downstairs space, with its glittering glass lift shaft and lofty atrium. Along with toffee-brown Chesterfields, there’s a tree sprouting from a grassy circle on the concrete floor and even a space for Instagram selfies. Pops of Crayola colour come courtesy of Australian art on walls and covetable pieces of mid-century furniture.

When I arrived I’d been told that my lovely Mr Smith who’d been on a road trip while I was partying with the girls had arrived at Hotel Woolstore 1888 an hour before. I was expecting to meet him up in the room, but he’d been told he couldn’t access it until I got there – my guess is they thought he was a cheeky backpacker tagging along. LOL.

Key collected, we were soon glugging fresh lemonade then making a beeline for that Roald-Dahl-story-worthy glass elevator. We only need to head up to the first floor, so the journey was short – it must be fun shooting all the way to the top to absorb the whole warehousey interior. The hotel has a history that it’s clearly proud of: the name references its 1888 birthday, and the building has been undressed to reveal its past: repurposed beams made into tables and chairs, for example, lofty period windows letting in lashings of light and exposed brick walls left as a feature in the unfussy rooms.

We entered our junior suite and everything here felt super fresh: the freestanding bath, the flatscreen TV floating on the wall, and the hipster-friendly minibar packed with irresistible organic and health-conscious treats. An iPad in the room controls the temperature and provides information on services and local attractions, which is always a clever bonus don’t you think? A killer WiFi connection and hi-tech media hubs make you feel like a hotel is a blogger’s best friend. Being able to update my posts whenever I feel the impulse is always an advantage when travelling far from home – as well as being able to check out the hotel’s Instagram account and spy on what other guests are up to.

The bar beckoned next for some chatting, chilling, and exotic cocktail sipping. There’s a great atmosphere here thanks to the hotel attracting cool and quirky folks – really that’s the essence of 1888. When the bar closed at midnight we hit the elevator that Willy Wonka would approve of and head up one story for a relaxing bubble bath. Soon enough were snoozing – the bed was very comfortable – and a much-needed stretch of beauty sleep was had.

The next morning those helpful staff won our hearts again. We fell in love with the team. They’re smiley, proud of their hotel and effortlessly helpful: rushing off to flag down taxis and volunteering the area’s best bits unasked for. Sydney’s world-famous harbour is only a few minutes’ walk from the hotel so we couldn’t resist a stroll around there gawping at that spectacular Opera-House-studded skyline. We also explored other delights of the city including Chinatown – cue me getting lots of cute key chains and stickers to decorate the notebook that’s rarely out of my hand.

The eatery and bar finally lured us back for some simple, nutritious snacking. Breakfast is a grazing affair of cold cuts, cheeses and granola, and the rest of time it’s especially appealing for its irresistible small plates. 1888 is a blogger’s dream, overall hey? It felt like a relaxed getaway while still letting us be immersed in the heart of the city. Delightful staff, and food and drinks worth instagramming and a peaceful room that was chic and comfortable. And best of all, when you see how much it costs it doesn’t have you breaking out in a sweat.

Accommodation details

Address:

139 Murray Street, Pyrmont, Sydney, New South Wales 2009, Australia
Sydney
Australia

Location:

0.7 mi / 1.1 km from city centre

General facilities

  • Internet services
  • Room service

Dining information

Restaurant:

Veggies, rejoice – the hotel's Italian restaurant Mister Percy (named after a former wool classer who worked at the original wool-store) favours fresh veggies and carb-y treats, and has done away with meat dishes. There are gourmet pastas, say gnocchi with gorgonzola and walnuts or pappardelle with wild-mushroom ragu, and pizzas with 24-hour matured dough, topped with caponata and ricotta, potatoes and truffle paste, cumin-spiced cauliflower and crispy kale, and more tempting toppings. Plus there's an elegant aperitivo offering.

Top Table:

Make a beeline for a bistro table for dinner; for drinks take your pick from the mix of comfortable lounge chairs – all are decked out in plush fabrics and leathers.

Last Orders:

Mister Percy opens for dinner from 5pm till 11pm, from Wednesday to Saturday only. The bar’s open from 5pm to 11pm Monday to Saturday (‘til 10pm on Sunday).

Room Service:

In-room dining is on offer between 5pm and 10pm (expect an additional tray charge).

Hotel Bar:

The cosy bar area in the restaurant attracts a local crowd and its carefully curated 100-strong wine list has mainly Mediterranean-style wines, including a touriga-shiraz blend from Gundagai (Sangiovese and Pinot Grigio from Victoria's King Valley are on the menu too). The cocktail list also has a European lilt, with Italian-approved negronis and fruity Aperol spritzes on offer. 

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