Kimpton Margot Sydney hotel review: Live out your Great Gatsby dreams

If you've ever thought the opulent Art Deco style would look good on you, this Sydney hotel gives you the chance to try the era on for size.

Luke's Kitchen at Kimpton Margot hotel in Sydney. A light and bright space for breakfast (or an after-theatre supper). Image: Supplied

The opening of the Kimpton Margot hotel is one that will stick in my mind. Mainly because there were actual live alpacas wearing bow-ties roaming the foyer. 

They weren't just cute guests - they were there to illustrate the hotels impressive pets policy - "if you can fit the animal in the hotel lift, you can bring it".

Two years later I headed back to check-in for two nights and see how the hotel experience is since the alpacas departed. I missed them, but you just can't have everything in this world ... 

The history

Marble, flowers, and excellent light fittings at the check-in counter.

This building is - pardon the pun - dripping with history. It used to be the Sydney Water Head Office and designers have done an excellent job of retaining many of the gorgeous 1930s features – from the Art-Deco tiling around the lift lobbies to a grand safe.

The building was taken over by Kimpton Hotels – a boutique designer brand of IHG Hotels and Resorts. They threw the doors open to Kimpton Margot (the brand’s first Aussie hotel) in 2022.

Location

The hotel is located in a convenient spot in Sydney CBD – about a block from Hyde Park, the restaurants of Chinatown and the QVB building for shopping. Gadigal station on the new Metro line is a stone’s throw from the front door, making it an easy and quick connection from Sydney airport. It’s also super close to the Capitol Theatre, so is a great pick for theatre-goers.

Rooms

A suite at Kimpton Margot Sydney.

There are 172 rooms and suites. Thanks to the tasteful Art Deco touches, the rooms feel classy as soon as you enter.

We stayed in a suite with apartment sized proportions, with a separate sitting room with two lounges and a good desk for working.

Extras that we loved included an excellent Bluetooth speaker, Nespresso machine, and Smart TVs in both the bedroom and lounge with Chromecast streaming.

The hotel has a rotating collection of 600 artworks that you'll find in the rooms and shared spaces. Picture: Supplied

The bathroom had a double-vanity, and a glorious free-standing bath (though word to maintenance, something needs to be done about the water pressure … It was so slow I gave up trying to fill it up). Mr Smith amenities are a good time, but the real winner is the bathrobes, that feature cute little drawings of the neighbourhood.

We did have a slight technical malfunction on our second night, which mean we couldn’t turn one of the bedroom lights off when we retired at 2am, and I slept with a pillow on my head. That was, undeniably, a bit of a buzz-kill.

Rooftop

Soak up the sun at Harper rooftop at Kimpton Margot.

Some of Sydney’s best people-watching can be experienced at the hotel's Harper rooftop.

Especially on Thursday - the CBD's new Friday - you can watch office workers from the nearby buildings getting flirty with each other while you sit by the pool drinking a martini and eating fries. It’s the perfect past-time when the mercury rises.

The area directly around the rooftop pool is reserved for hotel guests.

Lobby

This is actually one of the most inviting hotel lobby spaces I have been in and is one of the biggest drawcards. The sprawling, atrium style space has grand columns, plenty of natural light, cosy couches, interesting object d’art, huge botanical displays at the check-in counter, and gorgeous Art Deco bar Wilmot, serving up top-notch cocktails.

The Wilmot Bar at the Kimpton Margot Sydney.

There’s also a barista-helmed espresso machine at the lobby café, where you can also grab freshly baked pastries if you want to grab breakfast on the go.  During the day you’ll find people on their laptops sipping a latte, or a tea from the complimentary tea trolley. Between 5 and 6 in the evening the hotel also has a social hour, where guests can enjoy complimentary bubbles or wine from the drinks trolley before heading out for the evening.

In the lobby you’ll also find cute Lekker bikes that are free to borrow for a little city exploration.

The light-filled lobby at Kimpton Margot Sydney ... a fabulously social space.

Dining

Summer flavours at Harper rooftop at Kimpton Margot Sydney.

Luke’s Kitchen (from chef Luke Mangan) is the main eatery on site.

We started with a fresh and zingy kingfish sashimi and moved on to a perfectly cooked roast duck breast with tamarind dressing. The service was the real winner though, with one of the bubbliest, most charming maître d's I have ever encountered in a hotel.

Breakfast is also served in this space. Guests with breakfast included in their tariff can help themselves from the small buffet with fruit, cereal and pastries, and order a hot meal a la carte. They also do a decent looking bottomless brunch here on Saturdays.

Fitness

As well as a 24 hour gym, there is a strong yoga program at the hotel – rooftop yoga and private yoga classes are offered,  as well as yoga mats available in the rooms with on-demand classes that can be streamed from the in-room tablets.

What’s hot: The heritage details and the social spaces – in particular the vibrant lobby and rooftop spaces. Also, the hotel is very pet friendly, if you're wanting to bring a friend. Their general rule with pets? "If it fits in the lift, you can bring it". 

What’s not: The lighting system in the rooms and the water pressure for the bath.

The verdict: 7.5/10 – a hotel with just the right amount of personality, a handy location, and a buzzy energy that reflects the harbour city

Room rates start at $240 and suites are available from $500.

The writer stayed as a guest of Kimpton Margot

Originally published as Kimpton Margot Sydney hotel review: Live out your Great Gatsby dreams