Sydney joins the likes of Barcelona, London, Tulum, Grand Cayman, Tokyo, San Francisco and 50 or so other cities around the globe where you can stay at a Kimpton Hotel, with the opening today of its first Aussie property: Kimpton Margot Sydney.
While it now has more than 75 hotels dotted around the globe, the Kimpton was founded in 1981 by Bill Kimpton, who pioneered the accommodation game by launching one of the first boutique hotel groups in the US. It’s now owned by the IHG Hotels & Resorts (which also operates Intercontinental, Regent and many more), and it has big plans for expansion.
Margot is in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, on Pitt Street, not far from Town Hall and Hyde Park. It’s taken over the former Primus Hotel building, preserving its striking art-deco features – most specifically its scagliola-pillared lobby.
There are 172 rooms and suites, most with bathtubs, and the hotel features eye-catching 1930s-style light fittings, bold patterns, brass and cosy furniture. Almost 600 pieces of artwork are dotted around the nine-level property, including an installation in the lobby by Sydney artist Tony Twigg.
There’s also a handsome lobby bar, The Wilmot, where you can recline on velvet lounges drinking cocktails. Long-time Sydney chef Luke Mangan (Glass Brasserie) gets naming rights at the restaurant, Luke’s Kitchen. It’s open from breakfast to dinner, serving dishes such as prawn toast with Tasmanian wild-caught spanner crab and its signature dry-aged Wollemi duck with a fragrant Indonesian curry.
The building’s rooftop swimming pool has been retained, and guests can take in the sunny weather lazing on lounges on its timber decking. You’ll also find Lekker bikes for use around town, and in-room yoga and meditation classes led by inner-west studio Egg of the Universe, which can be accessed via your room’s smart TV.
Kimpton Margot Sydney is at 339 Pitt Street. Rates start at $339 per night.
