Sydney’s hottest new stay? A first look at The EVE Hotel

Emily Murphy Emily Murphy
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Nestled in Wunderlich Lane – where history meets contemporary design – The EVE Hotel Sydney is a stylish sanctuary at the centre of Sydney’s cultural crossroads.

A bold new addition to Sydney/Warrane’s boutique hotel scene, The EVE Hotel Sydney seamlessly blends history, design and luxury in the heart of Redfern. More than just a place to stay, The EVE is a launchpad for cultural discovery, embodying a spirit of anticipation and new beginnings.

Set on the site of the old Wunderlich Factory – once renowned for its ornamental pressed metal ceilings – the hotel pays homage to its past while embracing the future of urban hospitality.

 

I’ll never forget the sense of arrival I felt as I strolled into Wunderlich Lane for the first time; almost as if I was momentarily caught between Sydney’s past and present. The warm glow from the boutique storefronts, the echoes of the old factory’s history and the modern architectural lines all came together in one captivating tableau.

The EVE’s biophilic design, lush rooftop gardens and art-filled interiors make it an inviting retreat for those who appreciate refined aesthetics and seamless luxury.

The location

The EVE Hotel Sydney courtyard balcony
The EVE Hotel Sydney is in the heart of Wunderlich Lane.

Perched between Surry Hills and Redfern, The EVE Hotel Sydney is at the heart of one of the city’s most dynamic cultural crossroads. Wunderlich Lane, once part of Sydney’s earliest pleasure gardens and later home to the renowned Wunderlich Factory, has been reimagined as a vibrant lifestyle precinct. Home to boutique retail, wellness experiences and some of Sydney’s most exciting new restaurants and bars, The EVE is a destination within itself. With Central Station a short stroll away, guests have easy access to explore the city and beyond.

Style and character

The lobby of The EVE Hotel Sydney
The design celebrates Sydney’s urban landscape.

A collaboration between acclaimed architect Adam Haddow from SJB Architects, landscape designer Daniel Baffsky of 360 Degrees and interior design by SJB, Bates Smart and George Livissianis, The EVE Hotel exudes effortless sophistication.

Rather than looking internationally for inspiration, the design celebrates Sydney’s urban landscape, featuring soft neutral tones, Australian materials and sculptural lighting by Henry Wilson. Original artworks by Louise Olsen of Dinosaur Designs adorn the walls (and the Bar Julius ceiling), while the hotel’s signature pomegranate motif is subtly woven throughout, symbolising rich experiences and new beginnings. A striking rooftop pool, enveloped in lush greenery, offers an oasis of calm in the city’s heart.

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Facilities

Rooftop pool at The EVE Hotel Sydney
The rooftop pool area is a serene escape.

The EVE’s carefully curated amenities set it apart. The 20-metre rooftop pool, complete with plush cabanas, tropical planting and stunning city views, provides a serene escape from the urban rush. I head here straight after check-in with Sydney’s golden hour providing the perfect backdrop for me to unwind and disconnect from the bustling city below – perhaps the most refreshing midday break I’ve had in recent memory.

A dedicated fitness space is still in the works, but upon completion will ensure fitness enthusiasts can maintain their routines, while wellness offerings, such as spa treatments from The Parlour Room and meditation spaces, cater to relaxation seekers.

The in-room experience is further elevated with luxury amenities from Saardé, including Australian-made bath products and glassware. Guests can also enjoy boutique retail, including Saardé’s flagship store, where the hotel’s bespoke olive oil-based amenities and artisanal glassware are available to purchase.

Rooms

Guest room at The EVE Hotel Sydney
The rooms are thoughtfully designed in calming eucalyptus and red clay tones. (Image: Georg Roske)

Designed with both relaxation and sophistication in mind, the hotel’s 102 spacious guest rooms and suites are a masterclass in contemporary comfort. The seven room types vary from courtyard rooms to the sunset suites, offering something for all travellers.

Thoughtfully designed in calming eucalyptus and red clay tones, each space features premium bedding, curated furnishings and Juliet balconies or terraces, providing natural ventilation – a rarity to have that kind of fresh-air moment in a busy urban hotel.

Food and drink

Bar Julius in The EVE Hotel Sydney
Bar Julius is the hotel’s European-inspired lobby bar.

The EVE Hotel places guests at the epicentre of one of Sydney’s most exciting dining precincts. Bar Julius, the hotel’s European-inspired lobby bar by Liquid & Larder, transitions seamlessly from breakfast espressos to post-dinner martinis, with a ‘no laptops after 5pm’ policy ensuring the space remains social and relaxed.

Upstairs, Lottie brings a fresh take on contemporary Mexican dining, helmed by head chef Alejandro Huerta (formerly of Noma Copenhagen and Pujol, Mexico). The rooftop mezcaleria and restaurant blends authentic Mexican flavours with premium Australian produce, offering a vibrant, 100 per cent gluten-free menu and an extensive agave-based drinks list.

Lottie rooftop bar
Afternoon cocktails have never looked so good.

Within Wunderlich Lane, guests can also experience Olympus Dining, a Greek village-style eatery from The Apollo team, as well as Island Radio, a Southeast Asian-inspired restaurant with bold flavours and tropical futurism, and Baptist Street Rec. Club, a lively neighbourhood bar that channels the spirit of 1980s and ’90s Australiana with nostalgic cocktails and vibrant energy.

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Access for guests with disabilities?

Sunset Suite at The EVE Hotel Sydney
There is step-free access throughout the property.

The EVE Hotel offers accessible rooms and facilities designed for ease of movement, with step-free access throughout the property. The design team has incorporated thoughtful elements to ensure a comfortable and seamless stay for all guests.

Family-friendly?

Bathroom in the Sunset Suite at The EVE Hotel Sydney
While not the central focus, families are welcome.

While The EVE is designed with a refined, adult-focused aesthetic, families are welcome. Spacious room layouts and the hotel’s convenient location make it a viable option for those travelling with children, though dedicated family amenities are limited.

Details

Balconies at The EVE Hotel Sydney
The EVE Hotel Sydney is a microcosm of Redfern’s creative energy.

In sum, The EVE Hotel Sydney is more than a stylish new stay in a vibrant neighbourhood; it’s a microcosm of Redfern’s creative energy and Sydney’s ever-evolving cultural landscape. From the biophilic design elements to the world-class dining, The EVE offers a thoughtful blend of modern luxury and nods to its historic Wunderlich heritage. It’s an experience that will linger long after you’ve closed your suitcase.

Best for: Design lovers, luxury seekers and culture enthusiasts.
Address: The EVE Hotel Sydney, Wunderlich Lane, 8 Baptist Street, Redfern, NSW
Cost: From $519 per night

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Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
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    The heavens take centre stage at this Outback NSW glamping lodge.

    Crane your neck. Look up. If it’s nighttime in a major Australian city, you might see a faint dusting of stars. Now imagine yourself out in the bush. Here, those stars aren’t just scattered dots – instead, they’re smudged across the sky in endless, glittering streaks. Welcome to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit, a new glamping lodge in one of the most picturesque corners of outback NSW.

    Between its eight stargazing tents, Gilay Guest Lounge, and shared tales of the Dreamtime night sky, this retreat is designed to exist in harmony with the breathtaking lake and surrounding landscape. Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know.

    Bathed in warm light, a couple watches the sun dip beyond the horizon.
    Watch the sky melt into magic at Wilderluxe.

    Getting to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit is in the NSW Northern Tablelands, bordered by the Great Dividing Range. The lake itself is hard to miss: this mammoth body of water is two-thirds the size of Sydney Harbour.

    Just 40 minutes from Tamworth and close to Gunnedah, it’s on the inland route between Sydney and Byron Bay. Drive or take one of the daily flights to Tamworth’s airport.

    Aerial view of Wilderluxe.
    Let vast waters and towering ranges set the scene for your escape.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit rooms

    Don’t settle for a paltry room when you can sleep directly under the cosmos. Wilderluxe offers eight domed ‘Star Tents’, all named after Aboriginal sky stories – like Djirri Djirri, the sacred messenger bird, Baiame, the Sky Father and great creator, and Dhinawan, the Emu in the Sky constellation.

    On a clear night, use your tent’s retractable roof for gazing above or wander to the outdoor bathtub on your private deck to soak under the night sky. No need to go anywhere. You can stay put come evening with a kitchenette inside and a gas barbecue on the deck.

    A couple gazes up at a sky ablaze with stars at Wilderluxe.
    Sleep beneath the stars.

    Style and character

    When it comes to aesthetics, Wilderluxe Lake Keepit stays on trend. The encampment blends with its surroundings, building up layers of minimalist visuals that mirror the ever-changing curves of the water.

    Earthy tones, natural materials and timber finishes also anchor the retreat in its bushland surrounds. It’s enough to deepen the sense of calm you’ll experience as you drive off-grid, and this is only heightened as you spot kangaroos grazing at dawn or hear the chatter of native birds by the lake.

    The dreamy sunset at Wilderluxe.
    Go off-grid in style at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit dining

    ‘Dinner and a show’ hits differently with the property’s Big Sky dinner experience. Hosted in the Gilay Lounge, enjoy complimentary drinks and a grazing table with the host, followed by a screening of Big Sky Dreaming, a film produced exclusively for Wilderluxe guests in which Kamilaroi storyteller Uncle Len Waters narrates tales of the Dreaming above.

    Once your imagination has been fed, it’s time to take a seat fireside for a glass of Australian port and a serving of s’mores.

    Keen to explore the wider area? Staff can provide barbecue and picnic hampers, stuffed with regional meats, cheeses and organic local fare.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit facilities

    While you could very well spend all your time in your tent, sometimes it’s time to hit pause on the celestial show. Instead, make your way up to the Gilay Guest Lounge, where you can relax on the deck overlooking the lake or the outdoor fire pits. It’s a great way to unwind and clink glasses with other stargazers.

    The Gilay Lounge with the view of the lake.
    Unwind by the fire and raise a glass at Gilay Lounge.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit experiences

    No need to turn nocturnal; when the sun rises, there are still plenty of ways to touch the sky.

    Lake Keepit hosted the 2020 Women’s World Gliding Championships, and it’s one of the best places in Australia to stretch your wings. The local Soaring Club operates year-round, meaning you can book a gliding experience any day of the year – or opt for a scenic flight to take in the vast beauty from above.

    Prefer to keep your feet on solid ground? There are plenty of walking and cycling trails in and around the area. Luckily, bikes are part of the Wilderluxe package. All you have to do is ask a staff member for their favourite route, throw a picnic onto the back and cycle off into the great beyond.

    Alternatively, nab a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or kayak and head out onto the lake. Or, if you’re feeling lucky, borrow a fishing rod and try your chances.

    A person kayaking through serene waters.
    Paddle into peace.

    The details

    A two-night minimum twin-share accommodation package includes Big Sky dinner and drinks experience, plus daily continental breakfast. As well as access to leisure equipment including mountain bikes, kayaks, SUPs and fishing gear.

    The interiors of the glamping tent.
    Let nature restore you, while luxury takes care of the rest.

    Start planning your outback glamping adventure at wilderluxe.com.au.

    A first look at The EVE Hotel Sydney: Is it our hottest new stay?