The Ruff Life pet friendly program at Ovolo Woolloomooloo Sydney, offering VIPooch stays for dogs.
The Ruff Life – Ovolo’s signature VIPooch program for dog friendly travel. © OMG Hotel Management Limited

Full Review: Ovolo Woolloomooloo Sydney Dog-Friendly Hotel

Ovolo turns pet-friendly into V.I.Pooch luxury – memory foam beds, gourmet treats and harbourside walks from Woolloomooloo Wharf.

The hotel’s V.I.Pooch package is packed with extras: a memory foam bed, stainless steel bowls, gourmet food packs, baked treats and even toys to take home. The best part? It all happens on Woolloomooloo Wharf, with harbourside walks, parks and the Royal Botanic Gardens just outside your door. Add in Ovolo’s playful design and famously friendly staff and you’ve got one of Sydney’s most indulgent dog-friendly stays.

Let’s step inside Ovolo Woolloomooloo and see how the V.I.Pooch treatment looks in real life.

Dog Friendly Features at Ovolo Woolloomooloo Sydney

Pet Fee & Packages

The V.I.Pooch package must be booked for dog stays. Prices vary by room and package, with $5 from every booking donated to Sydney Dogs & Cats Home.

Pet Rooms

All V.I.Pooch rooms come equipped with premium orthopaedic memory foam beds from Dog Friendly Co, ensuring pups are just as comfortable as their humans.

Price

$$$$ – Luxury pricing. Ovolo Woolloomooloo is a premium harbourside property and the V.I.Pooch package adds a layer of indulgence.

Pet Policy

Up to two dogs are permitted per room. Dogs must be supervised in public areas and can’t be left alone in guest rooms.

Welcome Amenities

Forget the token water bowl – Ovolo’s pups get the V.I.Pooch treatment. Stainless steel bowls by frank green, a plush memory foam bed, gourmet human-grade food packs and baked treats from The Nosh Project, premium kibble from Petzyo, toppers and poo bags from Petz Park and a tennis ball or two to take home. The kind of setup that makes humans a little jealous.

Green Spaces Nearby

The hotel sits on Woolloomooloo Wharf, with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Cook + Phillip Park, and Rushcutters Bay Park all within walking distance for daily exercise.

Staff Friendliness

Ovolo staff are known for being genuinely dog-loving, making V.I.Pooch stays feel effortless and fuss-free.

Our Take

Staying at Ovolo Woolloomooloo feels like checking into a boutique hotel that decided dogs deserve the rockstar treatment too. The V.I.Pooch perks are wild – memory foam beds, tennis balls you actually get to keep and a minibar for pups that rivals the human one. Step outside and you’re right on the wharf: morning walks along the water, detours into the Royal Botanic Gardens and long lunches at nearby pubs where dogs are basically part of the furniture. 

Staying at Ovolo Woolloomooloo Sydney

Ovolo Woolloomooloo lives inside one of Sydney’s most iconic heritage wharves – timber beams, vast ceilings and that industrial-meets-glam thing done right. The rooms lean modern and playful, with splashes of colour, luxe bedding and views that stretch across the harbour or the city skyline. Evenings spill out onto the wharf, with harbourside paths perfect for a stroll before retreating upstairs to a space that feels equal parts boutique hotel and inner-city sanctuary. You (and your pup) won’t want to leave.

Why We Recommend Ovolo Woolloomooloo Sydney

Because it’s the only five-star hotel in Sydney where your pup gets a better welcome gift than you do. Ovolo Woolloomooloo doesn’t just allow dogs, it makes them the VIP – with memory foam beds, gourmet treats and a take home gift. Add a harbourside location that’s made for morning walks and Botanic Garden detours and you’ve got a stay that feels indulgent without ever being uptight.

Neighbourhood Highlights

Where to Play

Dog-Friendly Parks & Walks

  • Cook + Phillip Park – Central lawns with off-leash access in designated sections.
  • Rushcutters Bay Park – A short walk away, with large grassy areas and a popular off-leash zone.
  • The Domain – Scenic harbourfront paths leading toward the Royal Botanic Gardens (leash required, but great for longer walks).

Where to Eat & Drink

Dog-Friendly Cafes

  • Lexpresso House – Local favourite with outdoor seating that’s pup-friendly.
  • Harry’s Café de Wheels – Iconic Sydney pie cart at Woolloomooloo, with plenty of space outside for dogs.
  • John Montagu – Known for stacked sandwiches and solid coffee, with dog-friendly outdoor tables.

Dog-Friendly Pubs

  • Frisco Hotel – Woolloomooloo stalwart with a balcony and dog-friendly vibe.
  • Bells Hotel – Relaxed pub with outdoor space for you and your pup.
  • Woolly Bay Hotel – Waterfront spot with views and pup-friendly outdoor areas.
  • The Tilbury Hotel – Chic courtyard that’s very welcoming to dogs.

👉 See more in our Sydney dog-friendly pubs guide and cafés guide

Before You Book

  • Address: 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
  • Parking: Valet parking is available for guests at $95 per night. Simply pull up outside the hotel’s front entrance and the concierge team will take care of the rest. Spaces are limited and subject to availability, so it’s worth confirming ahead of time. Street parking in the area is metered and scarce.
  • Transport: Woolloomooloo sits just east of Sydney’s CBD. From Circular Quay or Town Hall, it’s a quick bus or train ride followed by a short walk. Once here, most of the neighbourhood is best explored on foot – from the wharf itself to The Domain and the Royal Botanic Gardens nearby.

PawTripper tip: Not all the transport options apply when you’re travelling with your dog – check our guide to dog-friendly transport in Sydney for the real run-down.

Always confirm details when booking, as availability and pricing can change.

Not all the transport options above apply when you’ve got a dog in tow – check our dog-friendly transport in Sydney guide for the real run-down.

About the Author

Michelle Hatch smiling outdoors, founder of the dog-friendly travel website Pawtripper.
Meet Michelle — dog mum, road tripper, and the human behind Pawtripper.

PawTripper co-founder Michelle Hatch calls Sydney home and has built a life around one thing—making every adventure better with dogs. She leads our accommodation reviews and neighbourhood guides, with a focus on practical details (pet fees, room types, parks nearby) and honest, first-hand advice for travelling with dogs.

When she’s not scouting stays, Michelle’s out exploring off-leash parks with Eliza or mapping out the next dog-friendly road trip. Say hi at hello@pawtripper.com.au.

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