Two hotspots for your summer staycation
This summer it’s all about swapping the time we used to spend in airport queues for more time by the pool with a spritz in hand. And these two trending hotels with rooftops to boot are the place to do just that this season.
Roy Morgan figures show domestic travel intention is up more than 50 per cent on last year. This is no surprise, as local ‘flop and drop’ holidays mean we can do away with boarding passes, jet lag, and the uncertainty of ever-shifting circumstances around the globe.
Here are two staycation locations to add to the list.
Kimpton Margot Sydney
At Kimpton Margot Sydney, Art Deco glamour meets five-star service. This CBD stay knows how to keep things interesting, with leafy “plant pal” roommates, custom Lekker bikes for exploring, and a pet-friendly policy that means furry or scaly plus-ones don’t have to miss out.
But when the weather heats up, the star of the show is the rooftop. Harper Rooftop Bar is Sydney’s largest open-air rooftop bar, a chic poolside escape perched high above the city with skyline views, cocktails and Mediterranean bites. Seasonal specials include Harper’s Golden Hour ($15 Aperol Spritzes, $16 Sour Gummi Worms cocktails), and Puppy & Pinot Sundays, where guests score a complimentary glass of Pinot Noir or Pinot Grigio with any meal purchase when they bring their dog along. Add in a “buy two spritzes, get one free” deal until the end of October, and you’ve got one of Sydney’s most playful summer hangouts.
For those planning a night out, The Book of Mormon is showing at the nearby Capitol Theatre until January. What’s better than starting the evening with a dip in the pool, sitting down to the pre-theatre dining menu at Luke Mangan’s Luke’s Kitchen - where the team is well-versed in having you fed and out the door before the curtain rises - and then strolling a few minutes to watch a hilarious, Tony Award-winning musical?
Address: 339 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
More info and bookings: www.kimptonmargotsydney.com
Voco Brisbane City Centre
An easy, breezy riverside escape in the Sunshine State? Yes please. Voco Brisbane City Centre is right in the thick of the North Quay precinct, combining city energy with resort-style touches, and its rooftop pool is the crown jewel. Perched high above the river, it’s the perfect place to cool off with a dip, cocktail in hand, while soaking up sweeping views of the skyline.
When feeling peckish, savour riverside dining at Zuma Bar & Grill, where the menu includes delicious items such as stone-baked garlic bread, salt and pepper calamari, Wagyu beef burgers, woodfired pizzas, slow-roast lemon pepper chicken, and quirky desserts like Tim Tam cheesecake. With views across the Brisbane River and South Bank, Zuma is the perfect spot for casual bites, hearty mains or indulgent feasts.
And when it’s time for some downtime, the hotel’s playful Family Nook awaits with arcade games, foosball and a reading corner. Whether it’s a family adventure or a quick friends’ getaway, voco Brisbane proves you don’t need to leave the city for a chic poolside break.
Address: 85-87 North Quay, Brisbane City QLD 4000
More info and bookings: brisbanecitycentre.vocohotels.com
