This is my last stop in Sydney and the last hotel that I stayed at in Sydney and Australia. So exciting as this is my very first Kimpton stay. I am on a crusade to check off more and more IHG properties as am still a Diamond member. Sydney has an enclave of top properties and you can find footprints of all the usual brands. As usual, I am on the hunt for the best deal out there. I decided to stay 2 nights over here. The Kimpton Margot is one of the top properties for IHG in Sydney. I was considering between this and the recently renovated InterContinental. I went for this since it is slightly cheaper. I was also coming from the Hilton and the Kimpton is just down the road. The Kimpton Margot is in a reinvented Art Deco building with an electric style. It is originally designed by Henry Budden and Nicholas Mackey. This is a heritage building. This used to be the Former Sydney Water Head Office. The retro vibes from the 1930s make me think of The Grand Central in NYC.
Booking Process & Pre Arrival
I booked an IHG Luxury and Lifestyle rate for the first night and used points for the second night. For my stay, the Essential base level room cost 416 SGD including including taxes. By booking a Luxury and Lifestyle rate, which is the same as the Flexible Rate, I will also get to enjoy extra benefits such as a 100 USD credit and breakfast. You will also get priority for early check-in and late check-out. I was upgraded to the Premium Room with Living Space on account of my Diamond status and the rate. This would have cost around 500 AUD a night. A couple of days out from my stay, I also got an email from Kenza, the Guest Relations Manager seeking my preference and to pre-welcome me. I was also preemptively offered a 2pm check out Kimpton Margot Sydney features 172 rooms and suites spread across 6 categories. You can find the breakdown below.
| Rooms | Bathtub | Room Size |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | No | 33 Sqm |
| Premium | No | 40 Sqm |
| Premium with Living Space | Yes | 46 Sqm |
| 1 King Bed Suite | Yes | 58 Sqm |
| Margot Suite | Yes | 61 Sqm |
| Corner Suite | Yes | 74 Sqm |
Checking In
I got to the hotel rather early in the morning. It is just a short stroll down from the Hilton where I was staying before. The hotel has two entrances. They do not have a proper driveway or so but you can just stop for a short while curbside to unload. The hotel was quiet at this hour. The bellboy came over to help me with my bags. I was warmly welcomed by a friendly associate and thanked for being a Diamond member. My room is already ready at this hour. The manager also came over to welcome me and we had a lovely chat about the property. I was also informed of all the information and offered a 2pm late checkout. I only require 1pm since my flight is rather early. The 100 USD credit was converted to the equivalent of 130 AUD in local currency. That was rather stingy and a bad rate. You can use the credit across all of our food and beverage outlets, and even with in-room dining. I was also informed of the Social Hour, a Kimpton Classic.
The lobby comes with plenty of seating and you can find the restaurant to the side as well as the Wilmot Bar around the lobby area. I love the high ceilings and retro feel of the place. They even had some drinks by the lobby area for guest’s use. You can also rent some bikes to explore the city. I was then ushered to my room.
Premium Room with Living Space
I was assigned a room on the sixth floor, the highest floor of the hotel. Room 623 to be exact. It is quite some walk from the elevator and the last room on the floor. The place is renovated but still shows some of the heritage aspects. it is quite some walk from the elevator since it’s the last room on the floor. Immediately upon entering, you can find the wardrobe right at the entrance. There are a couple of spacious ones and it comes with everything that you may require for your stay with plenty of hangers and an ironing kit. Anything else is available upon request. Inside the wardrobe, you can also find a luggage rack that can fit a small cabin-size suitcase. I did wish that they could preemptively provide some portable stands. This will be available upon request.
The minibar set-up is next to it and fully stocked. You can find all sorts of snacks and drinks including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. There is also a proper Nespresso coffee machine in the room which I appreciate. They also provide some artisan mineral water. All sorts of glassware are available too.
On the other side of the entrance, you can find the bathroom. This is one of my favourite parts of the room. It is so spacious and I love what they did with the retro all-looking kind of glass screen. This adds tons of flair to the entire place. I am usually not a fan of the tile design but it fits in so well with the profile. The bathroom comes with a single sink and both a separate standing shower as well as a bathtub.
The bathtub is super spacious and could fit two people. The tap is in the middle and can be pivoted to the side. The water pressure is excellent. It would be great if they had some bath salt. The bathroom only comes with a single sink when there is plenty of space for two. Toiletries are from Mr Smith and in large pump-size bottles. I love those light bulbs look. The standing shower only comes with a handheld shower head and I wish that they had a rainforest one. Water pressure and temperature control are excellent.
Due to it being a historical building, the room’s layouts are slightly different from one another. I must have got one of the more spacious ones as the rooms feel much larger than 46 Sqm. I love the high ceilings and spacious rooms. With that being said, I am not a fan of the design and look. The placement of the furniture makes it very asymmetrical and I am very disturbed by that. It also feels very empty and under furniture.
Along the wall, you can find a long and low TV console with a high-quality smart screen television that comes with a number of both local and cable TV channels. You can also cast content from your phone to the TV. It is on the smaller side. I also believe that it will be nicer if the TV is mounted on the wall and the space better repurposed. I simply use the TV console as a storage area for my huge suitcases. I guess it came in handy.
Towards the side of the window, you can find a working desk. Again, it isn’t symmetrical. It comes with a chair that provides decent back support for a short period of work. Somehow, they did not have any power outlets within reach of the working desk. How on earth did this design get cleared?
There is a tablet on the desk with a single USB port for your mobile. The tablet is very useful and provides all sorts of info on the hotel and even recommendations for the surrounding area. You can also use it to request additional amenities and items. They are very extensive. You can get things like dental floss, nail clippers and extra blankets. There isn’t much of a view to speak about even when we are on the highest floor. You are surrounded by the buildings next door and I can see right into the balcony of the apartment. I kept the curtains drawn most of the time. They are manually controlled.
In the corner, you can also find an armchair for additional seating. With the amount of space in the room. A pair should not be an issue too. They could have designed this place as a Junior Suite instead.
Right in front of the bed is the couch. This is good for 2 people. It is comfy and comes with a coffee table. Later on, the staff brought over some hot chocolates and a bottle of wine. This is alongside some sweet treats and a personalised welcome note. A very nice touch from the hotel and from booking a luxury and lifestyle rate.
The bed is naturally the centrepiece and I am glad to see that the bed is slightly on the firmer side. This is always my preference. The mattress and bedding are high quality and I have a lovely rest. They provide an array of pillows and you can also get some firmer ones for better neck support. There is no power plus on either side of the bed but they did set up some wifi pads for wireless charging. I hope they improve on this.
One of my main concerns about the room is how under-furnished it is. The room felt empty. Look at the huge amount of space right next to the TV console. The placement of furniture and how unsymmetrical the look is irking me.
Fitness Centre
The gym is located on the basement level. The gym is open 24 hours. It is well-equipped and of a decent size. It comes with the usual equipment and is very well maintained. There are no views but the vibes are very energetic. Towels and water are provided.
They even had a yoga room and you can also rent bikes to explore the city.
Pool
The pool is located on the roof. The bar was just open the day before my stay. It is always nice to have a pool in a city hotel. This will be perfect during the summer months. You can order drinks and snacks by the side. The pool is more of one for lazing and relaxing rather than one for exercise. There are sunbeds by the side of the pool.
Social Hour
This is a classic Kimpton speciality and a signature of the hotels. All guests are invited to partake in the Social Hour where guests can mingle and socialise over a wine hour. It is similar to a concept in Andaz hotels. This will take place daily from 5 to 6pm, usually on the Mezzanine level but they do change locations now and then. I visited it once during my stay. This is handy to wind down and have some pre-dinner drinks. It is a rather simple affair and hosted by the guest relations manager. This rotates around and sometimes the GM does it too.
You have various types of wines including red, white and sparkling.
Luke’s Kitchen
This is the hotel’s signature restaurant and is helmed by one-hatted and three-goblet-awarded Australian chef, Luke Mangan. You can find the restaurant just off the lobby. I had dinner here to use up the credits. Reservations are highly recommended since the restaurant is popular with both locals and guests. Check out the menu over here. It offers a fine dining experience. I was warmly welcomed in and shown to my table. The service is very polished and professional. It starts with my server coming over to introduce himself and then giving recommendations. We got the prawn toast, duck and chicken to share.
This is the most expensive curry chicken that I have ever had in my life. Thankfully, the curry chicken was the preferred dish of the evening. Prices are rather high here and the credits don’t go a far. The presentation was top notch and the dish was finished table-side. I would love for some bread to be provided.
Breakfast at Luke’s Kitchen
Breakfast is served at Luke’s Kitchen. Breakfast is ala carte style and served from 6.30am to 10.30am. This is extended till 11am on weekends. While I appreciate the food being freshly prepared and served ala carte, they are rather stingy with it. You get a set which consists of a fruit plate and pastry plate, then you get your choice of main and one beverage. They could have at least included unlimited drinks. Barista coffee is provided. You are also recommended to make a reservation ahead. I am not a fan of this policy. In reality, it is rather quiet and you will have no issue walking in.
Upon sitting down we were welcomed with orange and apple shots. The staff then brought over a pastry and fruit plate. This looks miserable.
We were allowed our choice of mains. As an IHG Diamond member, I am allowed to choose from the more extensive menu. Throughout my stay, we got the breakfast plate and the scotch egg. Both the food quality and the portions are very good. This is as good as a proper breakfast from a cafe outside. Everything is fresh and high quality. Freshly prepared food is always better than buffet.
I just wish that they could be more generous with the drinks. Perhaps add on a freshly squeezed juice. That would be a perfect breakfast for me.
Conclusion
This is a gorgeous hotel and property with a very good location. I love the Beaux-Arts style Art Deco building with electric style. The staff are polished and professional. A great hotel with nice benefits. They could certainly use a better FX rate for the credits. I am really glad that I chose this hotel over the Intercontinental. Both have their pros and cons but if you are keen to be in the heart of the city and do some shopping this will be the one to go for. With that being said, there are certainly some flaws in the set-up and design of the room. This needs to be improved. Next up, the lounge and my flight home.
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