The Ovolo way

See how Ovolo maintains an unsurpassed, all-inclusive service.

A culture and business hub on the cusp of roaring Mainland China, and quick connections all over Asia, Hong Kong is one of the world’s most glamorous and popular travel destinations. With over 40 million visitors now coming to the city every year the demand for overnight rooms is stronger than ever and to stand out in this competitive hospitality market Ovolo Group has continued to innovate and set new trends in hotel design, service and style. One of Hong Kong’s few independent hotel and serviced apartment operators, Ovolo has been a eading hospitality innovator since 2002. In just ten years, the brand has expanded to include seven locations in Hong Kong as well as one in Melbourne, Australia. 2014 will see Ovolo launch ts grandest project to date – the country’s frst warehouse conversion hotel with a full allotment of designer restaurants, bars and event spaces in Southside.

According to the group’s Chief Operating Offcer Dirk Dalichau, Ovolo’s growth has hinged on the brand’s detail-driven approach and continued ability to introduce new services for evolving travel needs. We focus on our next generation of guests, on including all the technology and features they want and on always creating smart inspiring spaces for hem to enjoy themselves,” he explains. So what is it exactly that these travellers are looking for? According to Dirk, it’s more than just a conventional bed, tv and formalized greeting. Visitors crave a fresh, adaptable accommodation that compliments their lifestyle and allows them to appreciate their surroundings on another level. “In Ovolo Hotels we create an intimate feature-rich environment that effortlessly caters to the guests intended purpose with the most robust all-inclusive services around – with everything from daily breakfast, in room bar and snacks superspeed Wi-Fi, all day coffee, to daily happy hour drinks being included free.”

Through these inclusions, the Group distinguishes itself by cleverly eliminating common travel hassles for guests. A ftting example of this is the new partnership Ovolo struck this year with Hong Kong Broadband Network (HKBN) to become the frst and currently only hotel brand to offer its guests complimentary access to thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots around Hong Kong. “It was a smart solution for our international guests who wanted to get online easily without dealing with roaming charges,” Dalichau detailed, adding “We act quickly on ideas like this because we know they can reap rewards. Guests enjoy the experience, remember and recommend our lifestyle hotels.” Bringing a particular attention and fexibility to every element of hospitality has given each journey to Ovolo more substance. Rather than skimp on the standards, they feature premium Malin + Goetz amenities in their washrooms, distinct selections of gourmet treats in the free in-room minibar, and keep introducing new features like salon-grade hair styling accessories that cater the rising proportion of female business travellers. “We fnd that by focusing on the little touches, like what sweets to include in our welcoming ‘Loot Bag’ suffcient and conveniently placed power sockets, free Ovolo bags and other touches, they all add up and produce tremendous value for guests,” Dalichau explains.

These features accompany each Ovolo’s distinctive design story, which involves individualized interiors and lay outs that are created to enhance the surrounding environment and the building’s character. “We don’t build our hotels from identical boxes like other chain hotels. Every Ovolo is individually designed to maximize the fow and function of each building, interiors taking on unique characteristics from the surrounding environment in selective textures and aesthetics.”

A casual yet personalized communication style accompanies Ovolo Hotels, informed by the group’s mission: ‘Shiny Happy People All Around.’ This mantra applies to the desired guest result and to the recruiting attitude for Team Ovolo. “We are a young dynamic company, always on the lookout for energetic individuals who can contribute their fresh perspectives,” Dalichau mentions, adding “our preference is for our employees to be part of the trendy crowd, who have a sense of fashion and stand out, rather than those who merely blend in and feel more comfortable in more formal traditional settings.” Whatever details goes into the hotel, be in in aspects of hardware or service, they’re all implemented with the user in mind. “It’s all been thought of from the guests’ perspective frst so they can work, eat, relax, and party all in these same spaces.” 

Fast Facts:

• Named ‘Best Luxury Hotel Brand’ for Hong Kong at World Luxury Hotel Awards 2013

• Named ‘City Explorer Category Winner’at World Boutique Hotel Awards 2013

• Awarded Design Excellence in Hotel Interiors at HA+D Awards 2013

• Received Three Certificates of Excellence from tripadivsor.com in 2013