Location – Behind the Coca-Cola Sign

Nestled just behind that iconic Coca-Cola sign (the one that’s been winking at Sydney for decades), Hotel Indigo Sydney Potts Point struts its stuff. Formerly The Larmont by Lancemore, it has been transformed to the cool kid at the party who knows all the local legends. Like all Indigo Hotels, this one absorbs its neighbourhood and amplifies the best.  Oh! and dogs are welcome (as long as they are not over 30kgs – so hold yourself back from the dog treats!)

From here, it’s a glitter ball throw to Kings Cross station. Whether you’re exploring Potts Point, hitting the theatre scene, or strolling down to Rushcutters Bay, the world is your oyster. And speaking of oysters, there’s no shortage of bars, restaurants, and pubs to explore.

Arrival & Impressions

As Mr. G and I step into the lobby, it feels less like a hotel entrance and more like the opening of a whimsical play. A central chandelier hangs dramatically overhead, curated art collections of black and white photos adorn the walls and spinning light projections add a touch of magic. But it’s the red velvet curtains—reminiscent of an old cinema—that steal the show.

The reception team look more like theatre goers, hanging out by a table I could put a drink on – they quickly check us in. Our room cards mean we can jump back in our car, swipe, park and head straight from the carpark ($60 per night) next door. I press ‘6’ and zoom up in a the lift to our suite.

Hotel Room: One Bedroom apartment – 612. Kitsch, Colour, and Vibes

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Purple LED room numbers illuminate carpeted corridors. We find Suite 612 at the end.

Lounge – The main lounge room looks like someone recently hosted a yoga or a dance class in here with a dusky pink rug in the middle and the furniture pushed aside. Aubergine walls set the tone, and a wild neon pink sponge desk chair adds a playful touch. Oh, and there’s an extra bathroom—because why not?

Now, about that minibar. It’s conspicuously empty apart from sachets of milk. Nope, no booze, chips, chocolates or Pringles. Instead, a QR code promises room service 24/7. I wonder if it’s because this place is so hip that minibars are passé?

Unlike some other rooms which offer private outdoor terraces or balconies, we have something better. A double barrel gun view of uban energy onto William Street. The Westfield Tower, churches, Universal House—all part of the intoxicating midtown CBD skyline. At night, the city pulses with life, and below, people scurry like ants while revellers laugh and sashed hen parties parade.

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Bedroom – A sliding door reveals the main bedroom – it’s gorgeous, staged with blue and black striped walls, an illuminated image of a woman, and what looks like a Dr Who style travel portal with neon infinity circles. I can’t help but smile at an adorable rotary phone that makes me want to spin that dial. Instead I push its buttons and order champagne glasses, —voilà!—they arrive within minutes, accompanied by a cheery smile, though I could have reached for the complimentary espresso martini cocktails instead.

The clothing rack in the bedroom is adorned with a thigh skimming terry towelling Bambury robe resplendent with palm trees, in mustard yellow. I wonder if I should don high heeled fluffy slippers, put my hair in rollers and get down with the Palm Springs vibe.

Bathroom – Double vanities and a viewing circle through to the double shower—marked with the cheeky word “PEEP”—cater to every shower efficonardo. Rainfall, power, rectangular shower heads—it’s a symphony of water. Biology full size toiletries grace  purple walls. Yep, nothin’ beige about this room!

Sleep quality – We know this is important to you! Moody blue curtains mean that the room stays dark even with the morning sunrise. The mattress is firm and a range of different pillows avoid the pain of needing to dial down to get my perfect fit.  The room does have a constant white noise to it with high pitches, which is most noticeable in the bathroom, but nothing that my earplugs can’t dull. I fall asleep to the hum of the world below. There is no noise from rooms above, the side, or the corridor. So it’s a good quality of sleep and the heating cooling system is responsive and quiet.

Dinner: Luc-San Restaurant

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Just around the corner is Luke Manghan’s newest venture, a rendezvous of French and Japanese – which just so happens to marry two of his favourite cuisines from his classic training under Michel Roux and his time owning Salt, Tokyo. 

It’s got a subterranean vibe where cherry blossoms flirt with murals of vintage French posters. Darn! We miss social hour(4-6pm) where you can get snacks such as robata skewers for $6 a pop and cocktails for $12. 

It’s 6.30pm on a Saturday night and the restaurant is surprisingly quiet. A family is having fun in one corner and we nestle ourselves street-side so we can P&P (People & Pooch watch) from the large windows. We meet Ink, our bubbly Thai server who exudes happiness and service. 

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First to arrive is a single skewer or robata grilled pork. It’s all smokey and the addition of sansho pepper, apple and ginger puree means Mr G is now ordering two more. Meanwhile a velvety roasted eggplant with a ‘Dengaku’ miso sauce painted with a squiggle of black garlic, sauce vierge and coriander gives it a delicious sweet and savoury kick . For mains, two pieces of spatchcock accompanied with chou farci (stuffed cabbage) is artfully sliced along with pickled cocktail onions. We fall head over heels in love with the side of sushi – a decadent furikake fried rice bowl brilliantly executed with Japanese mushrooms, and topped with a golden sun of confit egg yolk. We accompany it with a #2 ‘Rich and Textural’ Sake flight. Starting with Mioya Shuzo YuhoYamaoroshi Moriki Shuzo (our favourite) ‘Tae no Hana Kimoto’and Naka Shuzo Asahi Wakamatsu Omachi 2018.

Next Day…

The Gym – Hotel gyms are often places lycra goes to cry. This is not that place. My Peloton workout gear is doing a happy dance. Hotel Indigo gives me a pass to Anytime Fitness next door and this gym is phenomenal. I was guessing that 7am on a Saturday people would be lying in. Ummm, no! It’s buzzing and I love the diversity of the crowd, from LGBTQI gym bunnies, single females to 80 year olds working out. There are lots of running machines, (not many bikes), ellipticals  and more machines than I have muscle zones, plus a really great range of open areas for pilates, stretching and more. 

Breakfast – The X

I love breakfast. Nothing says ‘staycation’ more than a decadent hotel buffet breakfast. This, my friends, is not that vibe. Instead X is a little nook nestled into the corner of the ground floor, with pre-cooked breakfast items in a small glass cabinet which is a bit sad for all the effort the hotel has created around the experience. You can choose from a B&E roll, a frittata and a few others, but nothing sets my world or even a day on fire. The continental offering is short and commercial, with 2 options of bread (white fluffy/ brown), three cereals which includes honey loops and muesli, standard ham, pre-sliced cheese and some feta and a nice touch of freshly shelled avo. There are little glass jars of greek, natural and coconut yoghurt – great to see these are being recycled and not plastic pots. The barista coffee from Will & Co is great. 

The Verdict:

What are we addicted to? : Hotel Indigo doesn’t do bland. Nope. Their 105 rooms are a kaleidoscope of culture —kitsch, colourful, and with a wink to the neighbourhood. I love how quiet the rooms were, access to a great gym and fantastic dining at Luc San. The location close to the station means I have Sydney at my fingertips. Great service from friendly staff and on site parking.

What we need to be more addicted?: The lounge area of the suite needs a little restyling to make it a more interesting and relaxing space. A few additions such as occasional tables to sit your glass of wine on would help. I do like a mini bar. Having to order down for a beer or just a glass of wine takes the sparkle away from spontaneity. Oh and I miss having a proper restaurant freshly cooked breakfast.

Hotel Indigo Sydney Potts Point, an IHG Hotel,  02/14 Kings Cross Rd, Potts Point NSW 2011
Luc-San, Cnr Pennys Ln & Kings Cross Rd, Potts Point NSW 2011