Hotel Indigo Sydney Potts Point Review

IHG recently introduced its first Hotel Indigo in Sydney, bringing the creative neighbourhood-inspired brand to the diverse streets of Potts Point. As the fourth Hotel Indigo in Australia, joining locations in Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne, the quirky hotel offers 105 rooms, with some of those including outdoor terraces and harbour view balconies.

Hotel Indigo Sydney Potts Point can be found just behind the iconic Coke Billboard in Kings Cross, an area once known for its thriving culture, nightlife and red lights. The hotel features vibrant art, striking textures and quirky fittings, with neon lighting guiding guests through the hallways. Given the location, it’s fitting for the design to incorporate these bold elements, but I did get the feeling that more could have been done to capture the area's cultural essence.

Design opinions aside, Hotel Indigo is well-connected with Kings Cross Station just across the road, and only 15 minutes by car from Sydney Airport. Exploring further, a leisurely walk leads to the waterfront, past charming cafes and toward the Botanic Gardens, with the Opera House reached within half an hour.

Check-In & Status Recognition At Hotel Indigo Sydney

• Status during stay: IHG Platinum Elite
• Honoured: room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out
• Not honoured: welcome amenity

Hotel Indigo’s lobby exudes charm and personality through a retro theatre theme. The space is adorned with a confident palette of bold colours, with black and white portraits, grand red velvet curtains and glowing Broadway-style lights guiding guests towards the lifts. By night, the experience transforms with an interesting NFT dance projection.

I was booked into the One Bedroom Suite City Skyline View Terrace Access. When returning to my room later in the evening, I had been left a printed note and water.

The Room – One Bedroom Terrace Suite

My suite was tucked away at the end of the hall, clad with deep purple walls, carpet and neon lighting that gave off an unexpected, somewhat garish vibe.

There’s a little less purple on entry, with a tiled hall leading past the guest bathroom to the lounge area. Rooms are filled with a spirited mix of colours and materials in line with Hotel Indigo’s eclectic style.

Inside the mirrored cupboard is a kettle and coffee machine, but no available plugs. As I didn’t want to get brewing in the bathroom, the bedside table transformed into my coffee station. Unbranded coffee pods and LMDT tea bags are provided, but there is no minibar.

More hanging space is found further along, with a huge surface perfect for luggage. Tropical bathrobes drape from quirky ‘rock on’ hooks.

The guest bathroom lacked vibrancy and was dominated by beige tiles. It did serve its purpose but also felt like an afterthought when renovating the building.

The lounge area is spacious, featuring a modular lounge with a chaise and two neon pink sponge chairs arranged around a small table. The TV is opposite and equipped with Chromecast for easy streaming.

Floor-to-ceiling windows extend the space, with a door leading out to the terrace.

The bedroom was centred around a king zip-together bed that was quite comfortable with decent linens. Feature wallpaper celebrates Potts Point’s Deco architecture, with local books on the side tables and a blue neon infinity mirror. There’s even a rotary dial phone, although this had convenient buttons instead of the satisfying twist and release option.

Like in the lounge, there is a Chromecast-enabled TV and glass doors leading out to the terrace.

The ensuite bathroom is tucked off to the side, with a purple splashback adding a welcome pop of colour. It’s a clean and minimal space, perfectly acceptable albeit slightly dated. I did appreciate the double vanity and oversized shower, which boasts three nozzles. Amenities by Australian brand Biology were also a nice touch.

A terrace wraps around the entire suite, offering an impressive amount of outdoor space. From my east-facing vantage point there were some delightful skyline views of Sydney’s CBD.

A number of chairs were gathered at one end, creating a cozy corner for lounging and even watching the sun rise over the city.

My room was pleasant overall, with the spacious layout and terrace views clear highlights. Some wear and tear was hard to overlook including noticeably worn carpet and a few cracks, dents, and fingerprints on various surfaces. Based on feedback from others who’ve stayed at Hotel Indigo, it seems my room might have been an exception in terms of renovations and upkeep, especially in the bathrooms.

Dining & Drinks At Hotel Indigo Sydney

Dinner At Luc-San

The highlight of my entire stay was dinner at Luke Manghan’s Luc-San restaurant. That name would likely ring a bell for loyal Virgin Australia frequent flyers, as it did for me. Mangan developed the airline’s highly-regarded Business meals for many years before cost-cutting took him off the menu.

You’ll need to exit the Hotel Indigo lobby and walk twenty paces down the road to access Luc-San, a blend of French and Japanese cuisine with sharable plates and a quality drinks menu. It’s surprisingly quiet this particular Friday night, with just six guests dining, resulting in an intimate atmosphere and attentive service.

My meal kicked off with a single pork skewer, delivered with a vibrant apple and ginger puree. Tender and packed with flavour, it was impossible not to order another. The main Westholme Wagyu flank was equally memorable and delivered on every level. Melt in your mouth and served in a Japanese whisky jus, it was a simple dish but packed with flavour.

Finishing up with the coconut blancmange was another great choice, both luxuriously rich and light at the same time.

Breakfast At The X

Hotel Indigo serves breakfast in a corner of the lobby that’s smaller than my room. Described as a local cafe, The X (pronounced The Cross) offers hotel guests a choice from the menu or buffet access, in addition to barista drinks and juice. Although I’m rarely a buffet fan, the uninspiring selection of toast, a single plate of fruit, three cereals and a few hot items is still disappointing. Given its scale, The X would do well to scrap the buffet altogether and focus on enhancing the a la carte offerings.

That said, my toasted granola was a pleasant surprise. Freshly prepared and served with fruit and a choice of coconut or plain yogurt.

Hotel Indigo Sydney Facilities

Gym

Guests have access to a 24/7 Anytime Fitness located on the same block as Hotel Indigo. As a standalone gym, this is of course better than most hotel spaces.

Parking

Parking is a reasonable $40 nightly for hotel guests, with unlimited access via your room keycard. I’d recommend reserving this in advance, as there is only space for around ten cars.

Summing Up: My Take

The design of Hotel Indigo Sydney Potts Point is undoubtedly impressive, offering a fresh and vibrant take on local heritage with its bold colours and artwork. While the property captures the essence of the Potts Point and Kings Cross, the execution feels somewhat restrained by Hotel Indigo standards.

The One Bedroom Terrace Suite was spacious and offered lovely city views, providing excellent value at this price point. I appreciated the quirky touches and playful design, with the creative lobby a standout that set the tone for the Indigo’s unique vibe. But the true highlight of my stay was dinner at Luc-San. The dining experience here was outstanding, offering a brilliant fusion of French and Japanese flavours that left a lasting impression.