The Arthouse Hotel Review

Review By Kelly Teng

When you hear the name "Arthouse Hotel", the last thing that you would think of is a bar or nightclub...but this is exactly what the Arthouse is. With three levels for three different purposes, this location is the perfect spot to unwind after a long day, or dance into the long nights.

I arrived at the Arthouse being prepared for a cheap-looking, Star Bar-esque bar, and was instead greeted by a stylish wooden hall that had artwork lining the walls and plenty of places to sit and just chill out. The ambience provided me with a relaxing atmosphere, but I was even more relaxed when I realised that on Level 2 the Attic Bar was waiting for me to go up and dance.

The Arthouse Hotel is made up of three levels: the downstairs bar, the restaurant and lounge on the first floor, and the Attic Bar on the second. Having these three levels means that everyone's needs can be catered for: in fact, I'm convinced that it's possible to have dinner, after work drinks, and a night of clubbing all in this place. The bottom two levels are generally tamer though, so if the Attic Bar is hired out for someone's party then it might be better to find yourself another club for the night.

When you are in the Arthouse Hotel, it feels as though you have just entered someone's mansion. The hardwood floors give the area a warm feel, while the fake fire torches add a sense of coziness to the place. It almost feels like this is the best place for an intimate catch up with friends, or a date. On the ground floor, the music is not the key feature; rather, it provides even more ambience to the location by setting a bit of background music for conversation. In the Attic Bar though, the music pumps out and is definitely made for dancing and craziness.

Drinks are standard price, although it's always refreshing that if you want a nice cocktail you can look at the menu downstairs while if you want cheap drinks the Attic will take care of you. The bathrooms are the Arthouse's one downfall, though: I wasn't aware of any bathrooms in the place, and the only ones that I could find were in the Galeries Victoria. It's not too big a problem for a good night out, but nevertheless is still a pain.

Overall, the funky atmosphere and the decor is the main reason I would return to the Arthouse. It can be great for a night out, but the best part is that anyone you take there will immediately go "cool! I love the feeling I get here." And also...there are free postcards, and free stuff is always awesome.