If you haven’t had the pleasure of staying as of yet, lyf is an experience-led social living hotel that offers oh-so-much more than a place to lay your travel-weary head.
With a mission to get you out of your hotel room and making connections, this unique hotel has been a haven for travellers in Melbourne for three years and counting. And now at long last, Sydneysiders can get in on the action. Having newly launched it's Sydney location in mid April, lyf has brought its signature leafy, calming vibe straight to Bondi Junction.
With it's dreamy location and Bonnibel serving delectable bites on-site, spend a few nights making the most of this one-of-a-kind experience—well, two-of-a-kind if we factor in its Melburnian sister hotel.
The Amenities
A stay at lyf is the epitome of mixing business with pleasure. Decked to the nines with creature comforts meticulously designed for convenience, each room drips with sleek modernity and acts as the perfect hideaway when you’re ready to call it a night.
lyf’s purpose leans heavily into socialising, made evident by the communal kitchen—affectionately named BOND —numerous collaboration rooms and a fully equipped gym located high in the sky. Who knows? The love of your life could be doing their laundry on level 10 as we speak, and you just don’t know it yet.
For the travelling professional, make use of the various remote working spaces and meeting rooms and bask in the natural light as you face your colleagues on Zoom.
Botanical Bliss
Lush greenery permeates every corner of lyf’s public spaces, from its sprawling outdoor area through to its remote working spaces, creating a soothing presence that’s hard to resist. Kept in shape by the rainwater collected off the roof, it's easy to mistake the plant-laiden scenes at lyf for somewhere a lot more tropical and remote.
Warm, natural tones and soft lighting play directly into this soothing effect, making this hotel a quiet haven right in the centre of one of Sydney’s busiest suburbs.
Working in unison with the hotel's earthy vibe is their on-site vertical herb wall designed by Farmwall. This epic addition allows guests to harvest fresh ingredients for their meals all while reducing waste and food miles.
Epic Eats
Bonnibel, lyf’s dedicated on-site restaurant and bar, knows a thing or two about serving picky eaters. Part-pizza parlour, part-pasta palace, part-cosy pub, The Bonnie doesn’t adhere to one particular cuisine, instead mastering the art of wide-demographic catering.
Sip on a sparkling wine in the open-air courtyard while popping warm, marinated olives in your mouth by the dozen, or sit down for a proper fare with a tender Westholme wagyu Flank steak, smothered in a creamy, rich Diane sauce with crispy chips for that top-tier texture combo.
The Bonnie is open for business from sun-up to well after sun-down, so start your day at lyf with a steaming flat white and finish it off with a tasty pre-pizza tipple.
Location, Location, Location
While there’s a string of regular events to keep you at lyf for life—including Drag Bingo—you may want to mix it up and explore every crevice of Bondi Junction.
Cafés and restaurants dot the streets of this sunny epicentre, ready and willing to load your belly with bottomless brunches and piping-hot espressos. Retail therapy can be found at every turn, from dedicated vinyl stores for music aficionados to the mammoth Westfield, where you can stock up on wardrobe staples or splurge on a luxe new signature scent. And for the wellness gurus in our midst, consider yourself just a stones throw away from the most epic sculpting facial at MO+ Wellness or a much needed sauna and cold plunge sesh at Re|Hub Wellness. Be sure to grab one of the staff for a chat and score yourself a cheeky discount.
Beyond Bondi Junction, a short 10-minute drive takes you to the famed Bondi Beach. Or, for a decidedly low-key dip in the ocean, Gordon’s Bay or Bronte are your go-to destinations.
The Details
Address: 5-11 Hollywood Ave, Bondi Junction, NSW
Price: Rooms from $200
Bookings: Online directly
For more on why you should stop for a stay at lyf, visit here. And while you're there join their Ascott Star Rewards for free to enjoy exclusive perks and unforgettable travel experiences when you stay at lyf.
Editor's note: This article was produced in partnership with lyf. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.
Image: Supplied