Sometimes you just need a staycation, and after visiting the Kimpton Margot Sydney for a dinner event with chef Luke Mangan in his restaurant within the hotel, I thought it was worth heading back to check out the rooms. Would Australia’s first Kimpton Hotel (IHG) deliver the same levels of luxury found in Europe, Asia, and North America? Let’s find out.
I’ve always been impressed by Kimpton Hotels’ simplicity and cleanliness. For work, I’m lucky enough to have stayed in some of the most expensive and sought-after accommodations in the world, but I often choose to stay (and pay) at those hotels that nail the basics. Yeah, it’s nice to have a complimentary mini-bar and lights that are controlled by a tablet, but I’d forgo all those tricks for a comfortable bed with good linen, a quiet, isolated room, and block-out blinds.
Thankfully, Kimpton Margot Sydney is one of those hotels that puts the glitz and glamour to the side to ensure it nails the basics.
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For this trip, I stayed in a King Bed Suite, which costs around $499 per night. It measures 58 square metres and comes with an additional living area with lounge seating, a separate bath and walk-in shower, Mr Smith bath products, a stocked minibar, an in-room Nespresso machine, a work desk, an in-room safe, free WiFi, and a Smart TV with Chromecast streaming. Again, it ticks all the boxes.
I would, however, recommend upgrading to a Margot Suite if you’re planning on visiting for a special occasion. The King Bed Suite isn’t much on the eyes. It’s simple, which I like, but it’s a little old-school with no ‘wow’ factor and generally lacks natural light with only one window at the end of the room. Still, it’s quiet, insulated, and highly recommended for business travel, with spaces to work, sit and relax and a well-stocked bar. You also get a quality iron for your suit shirts and a large bathroom with a large vanity.
You’re guaranteed a good night’s sleep, especially in room 427, where I stayed. The bed is comfortable, the linen is quality, and there’s no outside noise leaking inside. If you’re concerned about sound, I’d ask for a room towards the back of the hotel as there’s construction happening across the street (at the time of publishing).
Food-wise, breakfast can be included for an additional charge, but we’d probably spend your time and money at one of the nearby cafes or one of those on our list of the best cafes in Sydney. For dinner, check out Luke’s Kitchen in the downstairs lobby. It’s highly rated online, but I wasn’t able to check this out during my stay.
I did, however, make my way up to the Harper Rooftop Bar, which could easily rival any of the best in Sydney. We tucked ourselves under a rug in one of the booths and got stuck into a half-price oyster and a $99 bottle of Taittinger Champagne during happy hour, which runs from 4-6 pm on weekdays. Of course, we couldn’t help ourselves and also snagged a bowl of guacamole and some fried calamari.
That would put a close to our time at the Kimpton Margot Sydney. Would we recommend staying here? Yes. It’s a great option for business travellers and those who want comfort, no frills, and great service.
It’s not top-tier when it comes to special occasions as the rooms are a little basic. However, the rooftop bar, restaurant, and shared areas do enough heavy lifting to put it back onto our shortlist of the best hotels in Sydney.
DISCLAIMER: The author of this article was provided with one night of accommodation and a food and drinks voucher to facilitate this review of Kimpton Margot Sydney. He paid for the second night of accommodation.
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