The Olsen
637-641 Chapel Street, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
Function Venue
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Reviews for The Olsen
Andrew Boyd
Major construction of a multi story apartment building is taking place next to the hotel. At no stage in the booking process was I alerted to this. I was woken at 6.30am by workers. The jackhammer and pile driver noise that started at 7am made it impossible to stay in the room. I spent the morning sitting in a park. Had I known this before booking, I would have stayed elsewhere. It is deceptive and dishonest not to make potential guests aware.
Mike Buck
We spent our 37th wedding anniversary at The Olsen and it was amazing. From the moment we walked in the door until we checked out the experience was 5 star. Their staff really pride themselves on going that extra mile and it really shows. We were upgraded & had complimentary gifts waiting for us in our room. All the staff wished us well and were so friendly. Special thanks goes to Dylan, Pin and Jess. Do yourself a favour and go and stay at The Olsen. You will be so happy you did, we certainly were. Maureen & Michael Buck
Colin Skyba
Look, I've been checking into The Olsen since they first threw open the doors in 2010, back when Julia Gillard was about to become Prime Minister and we all thought housing prices couldn't possibly go any higher. Ha. The point is, this place and I go back fifteen years now, the way you go back with a favourite pub or a dentist who doesn't judge you for the flossing situation. The Olsen has always understood something that escapes most hotels: atmosphere isn't just décor, it's a feeling. The Art Series concept still works beautifully. Those Olsen prints gaze down at you, making you feel cultured even when you're eating Shapes in bed at 11pm. The location remains unbeatable, perched on the edge of South Yarra where Chapel Street starts getting interesting. And the staff? Genuinely lovely humans. I booked the cheapest room available, fully prepared to be treated accordingly, and instead received a bottle of actually good wine and a welcome that suggested I was a returning dignitary rather than a bloke who'd clicked "lowest price first." You can't fake warmth, and these people have it in spades. The valet service remains sharp too. My rental car materialised from the underground carpark with impressive promptness. The porte cochère is usually a thing of understated elegance; the sort of driveway that makes you feel like you've made good life choices. Which is why it pains me (genuinely pains me, like watching a mate slowly let himself go) to note that the old girl is showing wear around the edges. The lifts, for instance. One has apparently decided to take an extended mental health break. I support this in principle but find it inconvenient when you're on the twelfth floor and your room service is cooling somewhere in the building's arterial system. This isn't the first time either. Then there's the bed. I don't know who swapped out the mattresses, but I have questions. The thing was pudding-like... not comforting, but in the sense that I slowly sank into it like a man being consumed by quicksand. I suspect someone in procurement changed suppliers and hoped nobody would notice. We noticed. And that lovely porte cochère? Somewhat undermined by a rental truck parked in the driveway most of the weekend. For an event, I assume. Not exactly the aesthetic the architects had in mind. Small things, individually. But small things accumulate. Goodwill takes years to build and moments to squander. The Olsen has banked enormously with loyal returners like me. The bones are still excellent. The staff are wonderful. The vibe is still there. Just don't let the edges fray too far. Fix the lifts. Firm up the beds. Keep the trucks somewhere else. I want to keep coming back.
Teneille S Murray
Not bad but not great experience, not what you would expect from a 5 star hotel. Stayed in one of the top floor penthouses and it feels like it starting to get a little dated in the bathrooms/finishes. Was woken up at 7:30am by the cleaning staff having loud conversations outside the door, also you can constantly hear everyone’s doors opening and closing. Overall it’s a fine and comfortable hotel but lacks anything that gives it that extra special 5 star feeling.
Rhiarna Kate Ball
Had a lovely 3 night stay. The hotel is very nice with lots of beautiful art and great in-room facilities. Perfect location close to the station and Chapel Street but down a quiet street so doesn't feel too hustle bustle.
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