Kimpton Margot Sydney blends Art Deco charm with modern sensibilities

hero media
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.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

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.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

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

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is a freelance travel journalist. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love, Bed Threads and Australian Traveller/International Traveller. 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 is Lord Howe Island.
View profile and articles
hero media

After dark: 6 experiences along the Murray lighting up the night

(Credit: Serena Munro)

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
    See the Murray region in an entirely different light by exploring its night-time experiences and attractions.

    By day, the mighty Murray River is a majestic and ever-changing sight, with river red gums and wetlands stretching along 2500 kilometres. But by night, its cities, towns, villages and landscapes totally transform.

    From Albury Wodonga to Mildura, and everywhere in between, you’ll be in for a multi-sensory and memorable treat encompassing mesmerising light shows, guided ghost tours and vibrant celebrations that capture the nocturnal magic of the river.

    This is no ordinary nighttime adventure; the region becomes an entirely different world when the sun sets. Discover six must-do activities along the Murray that can only be enjoyed after dark.

    1. Share in ghostly tales

    Port After Dark tour Murray at night
    Hold on to your nerve when learning local ghost stories. (Credit: Campaspe Shire Council)

    If you’re up for something a little more spine-tingling, Port After Dark in Echuca is your best bet. Rumour has it that the Port of Echuca Wharf and the buildings around it have long been home to lingering ghosts and mysterious events – like the vengeful woman said to haunt an old tramway bridge and spirits searching for stolen money through the town centre.

    You can hear all about them on this guided lantern tour, which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday nights after dark. The stories are atmospheric and intriguing – you may even spot a ghost or two yourself. If you’d like a more intimate experience, private tours are also available to groups of 15 or more.

    2. Wander art installations

    Bruce Munroe's Fibre Optic Symphoinic Orchestra Murray at night
    See Bruce Munro’s immersive art installation. (Credit: Serena Munro)

    Right near the Perry Sandhills, sits an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Artist Bruce Munro (of Uluru’s Field of Lights fame) has created a Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra, a network of 80 Hills Hoists illuminated with fibre optic light combined with the sounds of an orchestra. The clotheslines glow and pulse in time to the specially composed score, immersing you in a dreamscape of light and sound.

    For a different light experience, you’ll find stillness at Trail of Lights, also curated by Munro. Located just 30 minutes away on Lock Island in Mildura, thousands of lights stretch over the landscape, spotlighting both the river and a series of Munro’s sculptures. The trail is intended to be a peaceful and meditative setting for wandering and reflecting.

    3. Learn through lasers

    Heartbeat of the Murray at night
    Travel 30 million years into the Murray’s past at Heartbeat of the Murray. (Credit: Ewen Bell)

    Discover a fascinating history in this dual act of lights and projections on the banks of the Little Murray River. Legends of the Mallee is a multimedia show in Swan Hill combining lasers and lights, which tells the story of the region’s rich past. Learn about the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi Peoples who first inhabited the area, as well as the figures and events that shaped the Mallee of today.

    The river steals the spotlight in the Heartbeat of the Murray, a multimedia spectacle inside the Pioneer Settlement encompassing lights, lasers, sound and special effects against the natural backdrop. Through a sequence of large-scale animated projections, you’ll go back 30 million years to explore the Murray River’s formation before travelling to the present to learn how it supports modern communities.

    4. Light up the lake

    Lake Mulwala Laser Light Show Murray at night
    Watch the lights and lasers of Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Mulwala Water Ski Club)

    Travelling with kids? Head to Yarrawonga Mulwala and nearby Lake Mulwala for the family-friendly Laser Light & Sound Show. Lights and lasers are projected over the lake and onto curtains of fog, creating a colourful and high-energy visual display. The show suits all ages and tastes, set to a mix of songs that everyone knows and loves.

    You can take in the spectacle from either the grassy banks of the lake or book a table at the Mulwala Water Ski Club’s Malibu Deck Cafe, serving pub-style food and refreshing drinks, including excellent classic cocktails. If you’re watching from the foreshore, the show is entirely free, making it a great budget-friendly option.

    5. Be captivated by local culture

    Bullanginya Dreaming Murray at night
    Soak in the culture of the Bangerang People. (Credit: Laser Vision)

    Set aside an evening to explore Bullanginya Dreaming in Cobram Barooga – you’ll want ample time to take in the stories and symbolism of this immersive laser light and sound trail. The 1.8-kilometre trail explores the storytelling and culture of the Bangerang People, who have long cared for the lands around Bullanginya Lagoon in Barooga. The trail features 12 activations – each telling a different story – and combines dramatic lights and lasers with water and fire.

    Intertwined with the visual displays are Bangerang narratives, giving you meaningful insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage. It’s designed to be explored over 90 or so minutes, encouraging you to move slowly and thoughtfully.

    6. Discover a winter glow

    winterglow festival
    See the streets of Albury Wodonga come to life after dark. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)

    Albury Wodonga comes alive as the weather drops, with an annual celebration of the season on Saturday, 15 August. WinterGlow takes over the CBD and features a vibrant program of things to see, do, learn, eat and drink.

    Take part in hands-on workshops that let you try different art forms and crafts. Feast on street food and winter warmers from local eateries. Browse for artisan wares at the night markets. Watch musical acts on the main stage. Or get involved in different activations, including a silent disco and giant maze. Artificial snow will be falling to add to the festive atmosphere.

    Even wandering the streets and laneways and soaking up the late-night energy will leave you feeling enchanted.

    Start planning a day-to-night adventure along the Murray at visitthemurray.com.au.