Ovolo Woolloomooloo is stepping up its game for WorldPride

By James Harrison

Ovolo Woolloomooloo is making its mark for Sydney WorldPride 2023, with Drag Concierges, a Drag Recovery Brunch, and free M·A·C Cosmetic glam stations, as well as a giant rainbow carpet adorning its famous historic staircase and larger-than-life stiletto installation.

Throughout the festival, Ovolo’s signature Perk bag will also be Pride-themed, with cheeky inclusions to ramp up the fun factor.

“Ovolo hotels provide a safe space for everyone, where we build belonging, encourage diversity, and celebrate love in all its guises, so we are thrilled to support WorldPride and roll out the rainbow carpet for our guests throughout the festival,” Ovolo general manager, Kieron Hunt, said.

Ovolo Woolloomooloo is calling all to shine across the 17 days of WorldPride, with drag queens stationed at reception at key times to meet and greet guests and spill the tea on the hottest Pride Week events in town. Ovolo’s team of Drag Concierges will be led by Joshua Collins, aka ‘The thin Lizzi’, who is a front office manager at Ovolo the Valley in Brisbane by day and drag entertainer by night.

“The best thing about working at Ovolo is we celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community all year-round and not just for Mardi Gras and WorldPride,” Collins said.

“This is a workplace where everyone is encouraged to come as they are, and we revel in our individuality. Everyone in the team is excited to fly the Pride flag and welcome our gorgeous guests from all across the rainbow spectrum.”

The hotel has partnered with Virgin Australia in celebration of its annual Pride Flight services to create the inaugural Pride Flight Recovery Brunch, which will be hosted in the Alibi Bar & Dining on Saturday 25th February, between 11am – 1pm.

Tickets are priced at $99 per person and include a plant-based bites menu featuring almond focaccia, BBQ jackfruit baos, shiitake mushroom and caramelized onion pastry rolls and a decadent chocolate fountain. Guests are invited to quench their thirst with an Absolut Vodka Bloody Mary Station, Dal Zotto Mimosa Station and Hydration Station, whilst enjoying the colourful drag entertainment and disco tunes by DJ Dolly Llama.

For those who are well heeled and dressed to impress, there will be two major prize giveaways for best dressed with attendees encouraged to dial up the sequins and glitter to catch the eye of the unofficial judging panel.

Prizes includes two return business class flights anywhere on the Virgin Australia domestic network and 2-nights’ accommodation at any Ovolo Hotel in Australia, with the prize valued at over AUD$4,000. Virgin Voyages will also be giving away a twin-share sailing for a mix of itineraries throughout Australia and New Zealand valued at up to USD$5,999 (AUD$8,734).

M·A·C Cosmetics makeup stations will offer free make-up touch-ups and is available to all guests and visitors between 24 – 26 February.

Ovolo Woolloomooloo is a five-star boutique designer hotel that beautifully blends heritage and modern luxury. Sitting pretty on Woolloomooloo’s iconic Finger Wharf, rooms are styled in bright colours, and offer stunning city and harbour views and the famous free Ovolo minibar to get you pumped as you preen.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Joshua Collins Kieron Hunt ovolo Ovolo Woolloomooloo The thin Lizzi WorldPride