Review: Kimpton Margot Sydney - a hotel worth dressing up for

Introduction

What was once the headquarters for the Sydney Water Board - built in 1938 during a turbulent period of economic vitality and identity-shaping - stands today as the home of Kimpton Margot Sydney.

You'll find Kimpton Margot on the corner of Pitt and Bathurst Streets in the CBD.

From the IHG Hotels stable, it’s the first Kimpton in Australia, harmoniously blending a classic moderne, ornamental decor with eclectic lobby seating, ringed by heritage marble columns to create a vibrant social scene which also happens to be a luxury hotel.

Kimpton's Bathurst St entrance is a little disguised by a residential tower but you should find it.

Each Kimpton hotel carries a unique name reflecting the history of its location. In Sydney’s case, the name ‘Margot’ was chosen as a tribute to the artistic women of influence that played a leading role in shaping Australia’s design scene in the 1930s.

Executive Traveller recently donned its Bowler hat and hit the town at Kimpton Margot Sydney.

Location & Impressions

History is everywhere to see as you walk Sydney’s streets. Some buildings date back to convict times as the city took its first steps; others reflect its adolescence and emergence; and there are ultra-modern skyscrapers directing the NSW capital’s exciting future.

Perfectly suited to its beguiling image, Kimpton Margot Sydney is right in the centre of town, on the corner of Pitt and Bathurst Streets.

It's easy to get swept up in the 1930s style that Kimpton exudes.

One step out the door puts guests bang in the city’s busy business district, a one-block jaunt to Town Hall, the QVB and the luxe boutiques of Pitt Street Mall. Two blocks east will take you to Hyde Park while west sees you arrive at Darling Harbour. 

The hotel is working on introducing a valet arrival service. Currently, cars and taxis can only stop momentarily in the loading zone on the hotel’s Pitt Street approach. 

Car owners will also find themselves out of luck if looking for the hotel car park – there is none. Sadly, there is also no arrangement with a nearby parking facility with a special overnight rate for guests.

There are two car parks nearby. If approaching the hotel northbound on Pitt Street, try Wilson Parking at 14 Wilmot Street, or First Parking at 100 Bathurst Street. Both are around a one-minute walk from the street to the hotel entrance.

Room

Spanning only six floors (excluding the roof), there’s rarely a wait for any of the three elevators to take you to one of the hotel’s 172 rooms. As the room category - 1 King and Living Area High Floor - clearly indicates, our room is on a high floor which in this case is level six.

The 1 King Living Room High Floor room is incredible spacious.

Our suite is much longer than it is wide and measures 90 square metres all up - almost three times the size of Sydney’s average hotel rooms and a solid step count from end to end.

The door opens to a spacious living area with three huge windows masked with both a sheer and opaque curtain, a six-seat dining table and a living space furnished with a lime green sofa. Near the door is the first of two bathrooms.

Workers have their choice of a desk nook or the dining table.

In a clever twist reflecting the grandeur of Kimpton’s period elegance, each room offers either a poker, backgammon or draughts game for guests to enjoy during their stay or to purchase and take home. In our case, we’re setting up for a royal flush with a no-stakes poker showdown.

Through the doorway is a well-appointed bedroom complete with a king bed and main ensuite with semi-translucent walls which project human figures on the other side as a wavy blur.

High ceilings improve the hotel's roomy feel.

Unfortunately, this wall amplifies bathroom lights, no matter how dim, into the bedroom itself, virtually certain to wake anybody else sharing the room.

The bathroom features a double vanity, large bath and walk-in shower.

Another negative, albeit thankfully temporary, is the construction of a new tower taking place during our stay.

Builders in the 1930s had not heard of double glazing and soundproofing, meaning the heritage building doesn’t mask noise well, as this early morning construction made evident. This building is due to finish construction in 2023 and not a moment too soon.

Work

While it lacks a traditional business centre and executive lounge, rooms at Kimpton Margot feature a navy blue wooden desk for business travellers needing a space for their daily 9-5, with a few moderate stationary items and a tablet to interact with hotel staff.

The living room features on-theme sculptures and artworks.

Kimpton prides itself on its ‘Forgot it – we’ve got it’ menu of everyday essentials available on request to guests who have left theirs at home.

Designed to save guests from a dash to a supermarket (although there are numerous nearby), the hotel can supply items such as international power adaptors, shaving kits, deodorant and lint rollers through to the more indulgent like a lit makeup mirror, humidifier and a curling iron.

There's plenty of room for all your toiletries in the main bathroom.

The hotel is also pet friendly and welcomes guests travelling with dogs, cats or anything that “fits through the door”.

Pre-booked pets will be provided with a plush bed (if needed), along with food, water bowls and mats, waste bags and a list of nearby parks, groomers and even pet-friendly restaurants.

Eat

Acclaimed Australian ‘celebrity’ chef Luke Mangan helms Kimpton’s culinary offering, with the eponymous ‘Luke’s Kitchen’ marking his second hotel restaurant in Sydney.

Luke's Kitchen is Kimpton's showpiece ground-floor restaurant.

On the menu is a selection of modern Australian fare, comfort foods expertly prepared, served as share plates and delicious from the first bite. The spiced lamb was tender and juicy, while the prawn toast and pan-fried gnocchi with mustard cress complemented the meal beautifully.

Don't forget some sides. Parmesan and truffle fries go with any main dish.

Breakfast is also available at Luke’s on an a la carte basis from 6:30-10am Monday through Saturday, closing at 11am on Sundays.

The Wilmot Bar menu features classic and some forgotten cocktails.

After dinner, the perfect migration is just outside at the Wilmot Bar where you can channel your inner Jay Gatsby and toast your company over a libation menu of 35 gins and 40 whiskeys, which along with wine and beers can be enjoyed on courtly velvet lounges.

Relax

While not a tall hotel, Kimpton Margot is surrounded by skyscrapers.

As a consequence, the rooftop swimming pool at the summit on Level 7 is very exposed and overlooked; something of an amphitheatre for surrounding residents and workers. The pool itself is small and narrow, but surrounded by plenty of lounges and tables for guests to relax in the sun.

Still, it's refreshing after a big day exploring Sydney.

Mark your diaries for 5pm, with another staple of Kimpton’s social schedule being the daily ‘Social Hour’ taking place either in Wilmot Bar or on the first floor mezzanine. Hosted by a rotating member of staff, guests are invited to mingle and share travel stories with their fellow dwellers.

Ask reception staff for a helmet and off you pop.

If you’d rather see the sights, grab a helmet from the front desk and borrow one of the hotel’s Lekker bicycles complete with its cute little basket and bell.

The latest gear to help you break a sweat can be found in the lower-ground gym.

The hotel also offers a fitness centre on the lower ground level with the latest machinery and Peloton bikes, while a separate yoga studio hosts scheduled classes.

The Verdict

‘Meet me at Margot’ is a phrase bound to find its way into Sydney’s social vernacular.

While always an elegant building, interior designers have done a masterful job with Sydney’s take on 1930s extravagance, reminiscent of The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless classic novel set on the Long Island shores.

Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway, the Buchanans and others of their ilk would have wanted to be seen at Kimpton Margot. And you will too.

Also read: Our review of the Oakwood Premier Hotel in Melbourne

Matt Lennon stayed as a guest of Kimpton Margot Sydney.

UpUpAndAway

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UpUpAndAway

QF

11 Jul 2014

Total posts 1006

Similar first name to one of my favourite world wide hotels, looks to be a similar style as well. 

Friday, 03 Jun 2022, 11:26:06 am

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