CBD (Town Hall)

Kimpton Margot Sydney

★★★★★

Kimpton Margot Sydney brings the American boutique brand's playful hospitality to one of the most handsome buildings in the city centre. It opened in February 2022 as Australia's first Kimpton, inside a heritage-listed Art Deco building on the southern side of the CBD, close to the Queen Victoria Building, the State Theatre and Town Hall, and within walking distance of Surry Hills and Darlinghurst. The 172 rooms and suites spread over nine floors, and the design leans into the building's history, with Art Deco touches carried through the suites and public spaces. The lobby's Wilmot Bar is a 1930s-style cocktail bar that has become a destination in its own right for after-work drinks. Food is led by chef Luke Mangan: Luke's Kitchen serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Cellar by Luke is a more intimate, wine-focused dining room. Up top, an open-air rooftop pool is a rare treat in the middle of the city, open to guests from 7am to 7pm, and a 24-hour fitness centre has cardio machines and free weights. Kimpton's signatures are all here, including an evening social hour for guests and a pet policy that is one of the most generous in Sydney: pets stay at no extra charge with no weight limit, and the hotel provides a bed, water and treats. The location makes it a good all-round base: Town Hall station is close, Darling Harbour and Chinatown are a short walk west, Hyde Park and the Australian Museum are a short walk east, and Circular Quay is a quick train or light rail ride away.

Where it fits: Sydney's luxury hotels cluster around the harbour, and they price accordingly. Kimpton Margot sits a little south, in the shopping and theatre district, which gives you a real city-centre feel and better access to the restaurants of Surry Hills, Chinatown and the CBD laneways, with the harbour a ten-minute train ride away. It is a strong choice for couples who want style and good food, and for business travellers who like a hotel with character.

Room craft: standard rooms are well designed and comfortable for a few nights; the suites, with their Art Deco flourishes, are worth it for a special occasion. Ask for a higher floor for a better outlook over the city. Make time for the rooftop pool in the late afternoon, then a drink in the Wilmot Bar before dinner at Luke's Kitchen or out in the neighbourhood. If you are travelling with a dog, this is the hotel to book.

Who it suits and the trade-offs: couples, food lovers, design fans and pet owners. There are no harbour views, and the immediate streets are busy rather than scenic. Parking is off site at nearby car parks. Rates sit in the upper-mid range, below the harbour-front five-stars, and the combination of rooftop pool, heritage building and strong dining makes it good value for what you get.