Veriu Broadway review, Ultimo: Sydney's boutique hotel that was once a 1900s textile and fashion warehouse

The location

On the western edge of Sydney's CBD, Veriu Broadway's Ultimo address is a convenient spot to explore this revitalised inner-city precinct that is also a leading educational hub, home to some of the country's top tertiary institutions and learning centres. The area is a convergence point for students and young professionals, and also one Sydney's most transformed precincts. The area has undergone a major urban facelift in recent years, with a $55 million Broadway shopping centre redevelopment bringing in the likes of H&M and Sephora, and the redevelopment of Kent Brewery into Central Park, a mega shopping and apartment complex. A far cry from the working-class slum it was in the late 1880s.

The space

The room

The Skyline Suite, the largest suite in the hotel, is 60 square metres of bright, open space. Contemporary in design, the suite features loft-apartment-style living, high ceilings, two bedrooms (one king bed and a single), a kitchen with fridge and dishwasher, a laundry room with plenty of empty space, and one bathroom with walk-in shower. A bathtub would be a nice addition and would fit the luxe-comfy feel of the suite. There are floor to ceiling sliding doors that run the length of the large balcony; each room opens onto the balcony. This clever design provides the suite with ample natural light, perfect to watch sunrises and sunsets. The standout design features are the curved frames of the zinc domed-roof, a wonderful way to observe the Sydney skyline through windows that remind me a little of Gaudi's buildings.

Food

There's no on-site restaurant, just a small cafe offering coffee, snacks and pastries. Breakfast is a coffee or tea, pastry and a piece of fruit – grab it if you're in a rush, but I would skip it and head out for breakfast. Around the corner is Lotus Story cafe which offers a Western-style breakfast to go, including bacon and eggs with chilli jam on sourdough, and sit-in menu, which offers the usual eggs, avocado and yoghurt muesli options. Lunch is Asian – choices range from rice paper rolls and laksa to stir-fry. The Black Groodle, a few doors up, is a standout for locals. There's an abundance of restaurants, cafes and local eateries so you won't have to wander too far for a delicious yet affordable feed. Salt Meat and Cheese, for lovers of Italian cuisine, is within metres of the hotel and comes highly recommended by staff and the hotel's manager. Sydney's popular Singapore hawker-style Spice Alley in Chippendale is about a 10-minute walk away and is well worth the legwork (you can always catch the bus for one or two stops). The Two Wolves: Community Cantina, a volunteer-driven social enterprise eatery and bar, is also worth a visit.