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I’ll be honest with you: I’m biased. Sydney is, in my opinion, one of the best (if not the best) cities in the world. I was born there, started my career there, spent the majority of my twenties there. I know its streets, its energy, its people. And I appreciate that’s not exactly an objective take, but hear me out.
Every summer, the conversation in the GCC for travel destinations is the same: the South of France, Greece, Amalfi, Paris, London, New York. And, look, I get it. Those places are all incredible – and many I’ve been lucky enough to frequent myself. But what about looking to the east? Specifically, southeast towards Australia. Because, arguably, if you’re willing to sit on a plane for 14 hours to get to New York City, why aren’t you getting on a plane to Sydney? It’s the same time commitment, but you’re opening yourself up to a completely different part of the world. But, still, there’s often the rebuttal: “Australia is just too far.” It isn’t – and Sydney will make you very glad you made the trip.
With a population of over five million, the coastal Australian city has everything a world-class city should – a buzzing cosmopolitan centre, over 100 beaches, and a thriving cultural scene. Post-pandemic investment has poured into the city’s hospitality sector too, with around US$279 million going into hotels alone in 2025, fuelling a brilliant rise in boutique and independent properties.
And this brings me to Redfern. This is the suburb I used to call home, and watching what it has become over the last few years from my travels back to the city has been remarkable. What was once an overlooked, slightly gritty inner-city pocket, with many favouring its neighbouring suburbs, Surry Hills or Paddington, has transformed into one of Sydney’s most creatively alive and culturally rich areas. And at the heart of that transformation sits The EVE Hotel, which opened in late 2024.
Located just around the corner from where I used to grab my morning coffee at First Drop, The EVE feels like Redfern (well, the cool side anyway) distilled into a building – considered, cool, full of personality and entirely unpretentious about it. Bronze-framed glass doors open into a world of moody lighting, terrazzo floors and locally curated artworks that wouldn’t look out of place in an art gallery. The property’s cleverly and meticulously designed 102 rooms carry the same energy: high ceilings, curvaceous furniture and tech touches that feel like intuitive luxury.
The hotel features a rooftop which has a sun-drenched West Hollywood quality to it, complete with terracotta accents and lush sunbeds – a rarity for Sydney, if you’re someone who knows the city. On the ground floor, you’ll find Olympus, a stunning Greek restaurant, which is perfect for an indulgent meal or a cocktail and light bites at the bar. Then there’s Bar Julius, perfect for light bites and drinks in the evening or a sweet breakfast spot for an avocado toast and flat white.
What sets The EVE apart, however, is its connection to the surrounding areas, making it the ideal lifestyle hotel. The property shares a postcode with a slew of buzzy wine bars, design-forward boutiques and even popular Australian brand Aje’s head offices, which give the neighbourhood its enriching character. Top tip: head to Vitelli’s Upstairs for dinner. It’s a neighbourhood gem that’s become a go-to. Taking inspiration from old New York ‘red-sauce joints’, here you’ll find hearty dishes that are simple yet delicious. Take the tuna crudo with watermelon and basil as an example – one of the best dishes I’ve ever had, anywhere. Simple, yet delectable.
And that, perhaps, is what sums up this entire reinvigoration of this Sydney area, of which The EVE is at the forefront. Bringing a genuinely great concept to an already well-known area to reignite it – no gimmicks, no secrets, just something that speaks for itself in how brilliant it is.
And that’s the thing about Sydney: it has the energy, the food, the creativity and the lifestyle of the world’s greatest cities, but still feels like a discovery, even for me. And The EVE is a great starting point for you to begin that discovery.
