Kimpton Margot Sydney blends Art Deco charm with modern sensibilities

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Five-star excellence meets laidback charm at Kimpton Margot Sydney.

Housed within a sensitively revamped heritage-listed building, Kimpton Margot Sydney celebrates Art Deco design and generous hotel amenities. This pet-friendly accommodation strikes the perfect balance between approachable and luxurious and boasts Sydney’s largest open-air rooftop bar, generously sized rooms and top-notch dining facilities. Here’s everything you need to know.

Kimpton Margot Sydney
Art Deco-inspired design is at the forefront of this accommodation.

Location

Kimpton Margot is a 20-minute drive from Sydney Airport. It is conveniently located in the south end of Sydney’s CBD on bustling Pitt Street, making it a prime spot to explore the CBD, iconic landmarks and inner city suburbs such as dining destination Surry Hills. For those looking to venture further, Town Hall Station is a three-minute walk away, and Central Station is a nine-minute walk away. 

Guests can also borrow one of the custom Lekker bikes with picnic baskets from the lobby for a more eco-friendly way to explore the city.

Style and character

Designed by Henry Budden & Mackey, the historic building dates back to the 1930s and was once home to The Sydney Water Board office. After several iterations, IHG Hotels & Resorts acquired the building in 2021 to transform it into an eclectic hotel that pays homage to its Art Deco roots. Many of the original features have been retained including a grand safe, original tiling and a hidden underground trove, all of which bring a unique character to the hotel.

Kimpton Margot Sydney foyer
The hotel showcases a range of botanical displays.

From the Scagliola pillared lobby to the spacious guestrooms, interior design and architecture studio Stack Studio has dressed each space with bold 1930s-inspired furnishings and light fixtures, brass detailing, and an eclectic array of artworks from over 600 artists. The result is an elevated and warm design that feels equal parts stylish and welcoming.

Five Foot One Design introduced a cool beach club vibe to the rooftop which has been outfitted with colourful coastal furniture, a pastel-pink tiled bar and lush plants.

Harper Rooftop bar
Harper Rooftop Bar is a sunny spot for an afternoon tipple.

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Facilities

Kimpton Margot Sydney has a fully equipped 24-hour gym and a swimming pool. They also offer rooftop yoga with a top Sydney yogi and on-demand yoga in your room with a mat brought to your door.

Harper rooftop swimming pool
Lap it up at the rooftop swimming pool.

Rooms

While hotel rooms in any CBD are notorious for being on the smaller side, Kimpton Margot’s accommodations stand out for their generosity. There are 172 rooms and suites that range from a comfortable King Bed Essential to a luxurious Hammond Suite. They all feature plush king-sized beds (rooms with twin beds available), plenty of storage, Nespresso machines, local teas and bathrooms with luxurious bathrobes, potted plants and Mr Smith Amenities – most also have bathtubs. 

Kimpton Margot Sydney
The spacious guestrooms blend Art-Deco charm with modern sensibilities.

While you’ll find plenty of space in the rooms, the specialty suites feel like sophisticated apartments. The Hammond suite is a glorious 160 square metres of pure luxury with a separate open-plan dining and living area with lounge seating, a powder room and a butler’s kitchen.

Travelling with pets? The Kimpton’s ‘if it fits in the lift’ policy promises no additional charge for bringing your animal companion(s) with you. Expect pet-bed loaners, food, water bowls and mats.

Food and drink

Kimpton Margot Sydney has five drinking and dining spaces onsite: Modern Australian restaurant Luke’s Kitchen, lobby bar The Wilmot Bar, Harper Rooftop Bar, wine destination Cellar by Luke and lobby cafe Pantry at Margot’s .

Luke's Kitchen at Kimpton Margot Sydney
Indulge in delicious modern Australian fare at Luke’s Kitchen.

Helmed by renowned Australian chef Luke Mangan, Luke’s Kitchen serves breakfast, bottomless drag brunch (a dazzling affair held every second month on Saturday) and dinner. The breakfast menu features all the classics such as smashed avo, bacon and eggs, and some elevated dishes such as crumpets with poached strawberries, cheesy truffle toasty and a spanner crab omelette. 

For dinner, the modern Australian menu will see you indulging in dishes such as Spencer Gulf Hiramasa kingfish sashimi, potato and garlic ravioli, and profiterole with yuzu and chocolate sauce. We recommend ordering a side of the parmesan and truffle fries – you won’t be disappointed by the serving size.

Wilmot bar at Kimpton Margot Sydney
Swing by for an after-dinner cocktail at the Wilmot bar.

The 1930s-style lobby bar Wilmot is the perfect spot for a post-dinner tipple. Sink into velvet chairs and sip on experimental cocktails like the ‘Lady Marmalade’ with calvados, pear liqueur, ginger liqueur, Cointreau, cranberry juice and apple juice. Alternatively, though we recommend you visit both, a boutique wine collection with an impressive selection of drops awaits at Cellar by Luke .

Fancy a cocktail during the day? Escape the daily grind at Harper Rooftop Bar . Sit poolside and work through the playful cocktail menu, including the ‘Summer Holidaze’ cocktail with vodka, pandan, pinot grigio and lychee. Luke Mangan has designed these to be paired with tasty Mediterranean-inspired bites such as tempura zucchini flowers, cajun spiced prawns and artichoke ravioli.

Harper Rooftop Bar
Nibble on Mediterranean-style snacks and drinks at Harper Rooftop Bar.

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Does Kimpton Margot Sydney have access for guests with disabilities?

All rooms are accessed via a lift, and easy-access rooms are available.

Is Kimpton Margot Sydney family-friendly?

With its 22 interconnecting rooms, swimming pool and city location, Kimpton Margot Sydney is ideal for families.

Details

Best for: Design-savvy travellers

Address: 339 Pitt St, Sydney

Phone: (02) 8027 8000

Cost: From $289 per night

Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
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Your guide to a summer staycation in Sydney

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
    Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

    Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

    Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

    Where to stay

    The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

    the Fullerton Hotel Sydney
    Sleep inside a 151-year-old icon.

    Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

    Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

    the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom
    Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

    Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

    The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

    Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

    Where to drink & dine

    1. The Bar

    the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar
    Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

    Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

    Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

    The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of  Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

    On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

    Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

    2. The Place

    the Fullerton Hotel the place dining
    Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

    On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

    3. Local gelato

    Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks
    Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

    What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

    What to do/see

    1. GPO Heritage Tour

    the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby
    Be awed by the building’s history.

    Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

    From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

    2. Circular Quay

    aerial of circular quay sydney
    Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

    An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

    3. Royal Botanic Gardens

    view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden
    Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

    It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

    4. Theatre Royal

    a show at Theatre Royal
    Take in a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Daniel Boud)

    Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

    Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.