{"id":43593,"date":"2017-07-28T16:25:38","date_gmt":"2017-07-28T06:25:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=43593"},"modified":"2018-05-14T04:48:09","modified_gmt":"2018-05-13T18:48:09","slug":"ultimo-hotel-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/ultimo-hotel-review\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimo: The world\u2019s FIRST astrology hotel"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>I\u2019m such a boring skeptic. I love checking my horoscope, but never really believe it. My sign is Virgo \u2013 the neat and organised worker bee of the Zodiac &#8211; and my boring, logical brain keeps reminding me how messy, disorganised, and thoroughly un-Virgo I am. Which is actually a pretty Virgo thing to do, now that I think about it.<\/p>\n<p>So when I get the chance to check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/Sydney-Hotels-The-Ultimo.h15696412.Hotel-Information?brandcid=LASTMINUTE-au.display.BLOG.JUL17-ULTIMO-REVIEW-BLOG.generic&amp;utm_source=BLOG&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_content=all&amp;utm_campaign=JUL17-ULTIMO-REVIEW-BLOG\">The Ultimo<\/a>, I embarrass myself (and everyone around me) with my enthusiasm. Yes, I want to stay at the world\u2019s first astrology hotel. Maybe I can finally solve the mystery of why I\u2019m such a terrible Virgo.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 1058px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/lm\/ads\/2017\/the-ultimo\/1048px-wide-1.jpg\" width=\"1048\" height=\"1397\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Ultimo hotel, Sydney.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>FYI, The Ultimo is also one of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/Sydney-Hotels.d178312.Travel-Guide-Hotels?brandcid=LASTMINUTE-au.display.BLOG.JUL17-ULTIMO-REVIEW-BLOG.generic&amp;utm_source=BLOG&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_content=all&amp;utm_campaign=JUL17-ULTIMO-REVIEW-BLOG\">Sydney\u2019s<\/a> coolest new boutique stays. So that probably adds to my excitement;)<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 1058px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/lm\/ads\/2017\/the-ultimo\/1048px-wide-2.jpg\" width=\"1048\" height=\"1397\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">The world\u2019s first astrology hotel.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Checking in<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Ultimo is in Haymarket, just a 10-minute stroll from Central Station. That\u2019s awesome for visitors needing a convenient home base for Sydney exploring, and staycationers like me who live 15 minutes away, but pack like they\u2019re going on a world tour. I don\u2019t want to haul this stuff all over the city!<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BVL84luAika\/\" data-instgrm-version=\"8\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\">\n<div style=\"padding:8px;\">\n<div style=\" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;\">\n<div style=\" background:url(data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC\/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5\/P8\/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo\/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI\/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf\/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BVL84luAika\/\" style=\" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;\" target=\"_blank\">This is what I call packing light for an overnight stay (that&#39;s 15min from home). Hey, it takes a lot of product to look this fabulous!<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\">A post shared by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/cassiebritland\/\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;\" target=\"_blank\"> Cassie Britland<\/a> (@cassiebritland) on <time style=\" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;\" datetime=\"2017-06-11T04:59:11+00:00\">Jun 10, 2017 at 9:59pm PDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async defer src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>After only a few minutes of hauling, we\u2019re checking in. We\u2019ve got a courtyard room, and the girl on the desk asks if we\u2019ve brought a pet. Guilt stabs me in the feels. The Ultimo is a pet-friendly hotel \u2013 a rare and magical thing in any CBD \u2013 and welcomes furry friends weighing 20kg or less. But we\u2019ve left our fur baby home alone. Because she is a cat and cats do not live for adventure.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 1058px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/lm\/ads\/2017\/the-ultimo\/1048px-wide-3.jpg\" width=\"1048\" height=\"1397\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cScrew your staycation &#8211; I\u2019ve got your bed.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n<p>I (sadly) admit that we\u2019re petless and the girl consoles me with some check-in goodies. There\u2019s a Virgo-themed do-not-disturb sign (\u201cPlease Vir-go Away\u201d \u2013 classic), some fortune cookies, and a cute little city guide for Virgos with recommended noms and adventures. She writes our room number on a business card, which includes a quote from Beyonce \u2013 another Virgo.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 1058px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/lm\/ads\/2017\/the-ultimo\/1048px-wide-4.jpg\" width=\"1048\" height=\"1397\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wise words from Queen Bey.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>We head upstairs to check out our room and \u2013 spoiler alert \u2013 it\u2019s awesome. The Ultimo hotel is in a heritage-listed building, but the rooms are newly refurbed, giving them a cool city-loft feel. The king-sized bed is massive and glorious.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 1058px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/lm\/ads\/2017\/the-ultimo\/1048px-wide-5.jpg\" width=\"1048\" height=\"786\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">New York vibes<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Then I spot it. The pet bed and bowl, all set up and ready to make me feel like a jerk. Why are you guilting me, pet accessories? Why?<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 1058px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/lm\/ads\/2017\/the-ultimo\/1048px-wide-6.jpg\" width=\"1048\" height=\"786\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Guilt fuel<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Lucky for me there\u2019s a happy distraction right behind them \u2013 double doors opening out onto a huge private courtyard.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 1058px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/lm\/ads\/2017\/the-ultimo\/1048px-wide-7.jpg\" width=\"1048\" height=\"786\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ours, all ours!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>It\u2019s a fantastic space, and I curse our luck for arriving on a rainy day (the first in weeks). If the weather didn\u2019t suck, we\u2019d go to the local Woolies or IGA (they\u2019re both across the road, so take your pick), grab some cheese, crackers and a bottle of wine, and make our own rooftop bar. Today we make do with a selfie.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BVMGlBjgjmQ\/\" data-instgrm-version=\"8\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\">\n<div style=\"padding:8px;\">\n<div style=\" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;\">\n<div style=\" background:url(data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC\/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5\/P8\/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo\/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI\/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf\/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BVMGlBjgjmQ\/\" style=\" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;\" target=\"_blank\">Look at these good-looking jerks! Rooftop selfie at The Ultimo Hotel.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\">A post shared by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/cassiebritland\/\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;\" target=\"_blank\"> Cassie Britland<\/a> (@cassiebritland) on <time style=\" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;\" datetime=\"2017-06-11T06:23:54+00:00\">Jun 10, 2017 at 11:23pm PDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async defer src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>Out and about<\/strong><br \/>\nIf you *do* manage to drag yourself away from your secret courtyard (the struggle is real), The Ultimo is dawdling distance from all the city action. Check out the State and Capitol Theatres for must-see shows, Tetsuya\u2019s, Indu, or est. for up-market noms, or Papa Gede\u2019s, Since I Left You, or Hudson Ballroom for a cheeky drink.<\/p>\n<p>We stay local to make the most of our temporary home. For some pre-dinner \u201cexercise\u201d, we head across the road to Market City for some cheap, innocent window-shopping.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 1058px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/lm\/ads\/2017\/the-ultimo\/1048px-wide-8.jpg\" width=\"1048\" height=\"786\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cJust looking.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n<p>But then\u2026<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 1058px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/lm\/ads\/2017\/the-ultimo\/1048px-wide-9.jpg\" width=\"1048\" height=\"786\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cShut up and take my money!\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Market City is a deceptive fiend. At ground level, it looks like it\u2019s only markets \u2013 fun to poke around and easy on the wallet. But upstairs are outlets and sales that\u2019ll suck you (and your credit card) in and spit you (and a brand-new wardrobe) out. No joke, within 20 minutes I\u2019ve bought two new outfits, including a Review dress at 70% off. So much for just looking!<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>(Hey, did I mention Virgos are renowned bargain hunters? Maybe there\u2019s something in this horoscope stuff after all.)<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Surprise shopping sprees give you a serious appetite, so we stroll through Chinatown in search of food. We stop at China Town Noodle King on Sussex Street \u2013 a local fave recommended by Neil Perry. We figure if it\u2019s good enough for a celeb chef, it\u2019s probably OK for us. And we\u2019re right. The handmade noodles and dumplings are soft and plump, while the hot-pot broth is rich and comforting. It\u2019s not the prettiest dinner we\u2019ve had, but it\u2019s defs up there with the tastiest.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 1058px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/lm\/ads\/2017\/the-ultimo\/1048px-wide-10.jpg\" width=\"1048\" height=\"786\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Scuse the lippy on the chopsticks. We started scoffing before I remembered to take a photo.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Noodle King\u2019s servings are more than generous, but somehow we (bravely, nobly) save room for dessert. We head to N2 Extreme Gelato, a Chinatown institution. N2 has a rotating menu of classic and experimental flavours, which they mix and insta-freeze with liquid nitrogen right before your eyes (because ice-cream science is the most important science). My partner gets the Sparkly Sorbet, which comes complete with silver glitter. I get the Ferrero Reveal \u2013 choc-hazelnut gelato with a crisp chocolate-and-rice-bubble shell and a syringe of hot chocolate ganache. The healthy choice, you know?<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 1058px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/lm\/ads\/2017\/the-ultimo\/1048px-wide-11.jpg\" width=\"1048\" height=\"1397\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Find someone who looks at you the way Cassie looks at ice-cream.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>My stars<\/strong><br \/>\nAfter an awesome night\u2019s sleep in our glorious king-sized bed (have I mentioned how much I love those?), it\u2019s time to check out. But the fun\u2019s not over yet. I take home my complete natal star chart. It\u2019s unique to me, based on my time, date, and place of birth, and personally compiled by The Ultimo\u2019s in-house astrologer, Damian Rocks. And you know what? It\u2019s kind of spot-on. My profile includes my sun sign (Virgo), moon sign (Aries) and ascendant\/rising sign (Pisces), and goes a long way to explaining why I\u2019m the world\u2019s messiest Virgo. Damian\u2019s personal message at the end \u2013 a brief note about what the stars say is happening in my life ATM \u2013 hits the astrological nail right on the head. Spooky!<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 1058px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/lm\/ads\/2017\/the-ultimo\/1048px-wide-12.jpg\" width=\"1048\" height=\"590\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Me in chart form<\/p><\/div>\n<p>If you want to get your own chart done, just ask at the front desk when you\u2019re checking in. They\u2019ll need the date, time of day, and place you were born. Damian will do the rest \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m no astrologer, but I have a prediction for you. Whether you\u2019re following your stars, holidaying with your fur baby, or just looking for a convenient and awesome city stay, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/Sydney-Hotels-The-Ultimo.h15696412.Hotel-Information?brandcid=LASTMINUTE-au.display.BLOG.JUL17-ULTIMO-REVIEW-BLOG.generic&amp;utm_source=BLOG&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_content=all&amp;utm_campaign=JUL17-ULTIMO-REVIEW-BLOG\">The Ultimo<\/a> is gonna tick all your boxes. Check it out next time you\u2019re in Sydney.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/Sydney-Hotels-The-Ultimo.h15696412.Hotel-Information?brandcid=LASTMINUTE-au.display.BLOG.JUL17-ULTIMO-REVIEW-BLOG.generic&amp;utm_source=BLOG&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_content=all&amp;utm_campaign=JUL17-ULTIMO-REVIEW-BLOG\">Book your next stay at The Ultimo Hotel<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I\u2019m such a boring skeptic. I love checking my horoscope, but never really believe it. My sign is Virgo \u2013..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":98,"featured_media":43595,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,9],"tags":[],"acf":{"credits":[{"name":"","label":"","full_url":""}],"enable_review_score":false},"posts_api_cpm_point":{"name":"","description":"","thumbnail":"","address":"504\/37 Ultimo Rd, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia","latitude":"-33.8806922","longitude":"151.20345980000002","icon":"\/images\/icons\/marker.png"},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43593"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/98"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43593"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43593\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43608,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43593\/revisions\/43608"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43595"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}