3 Blue Mountain Stays to Make You Forget About the City
The picturesque Blue Mountains are one of Australia’s most treasured regions. Tantalisingly close to Sydney and full of unique and historic sites, they are the perfect holiday destination. Winter or Summer, for a couples retreat or family holiday, the Blue Mountains boasts a range of options so that you and your loved ones can recharge your batteries in any way you like.
While taking your time to reconnect with nature, why not do so in luxury and style?
Keep reading to discover the top three most idyllic resorts in the Blue Mountains that you'll want to visit on your next getaway.
Top 3: Blue Mountains Luxury Accomodation
1. One&Only Wolgan Valley
Image: One&Only
The Emirates One&Only resort is nestled in the breathtaking Wolgan Valley in the Blue Mountains. True to its name, this resort offers a uniquely immersive and luxurious experience of nature and Australia's settler history.
One&Only combines conservation with luxury and occupies just a fraction of the 2,800 hectare World Heritage Area on which it sits. With only a handful of guests at any time and boundless open space to roam, this resort is the perfect retreat from your busy life. Somewhere you can reconnect with the simple pleasures and relax in luxury.
The Accommodation
The private, self-contained villas range in size from one to three bedrooms, and each comes fully equipped with a heated pool, fireplace and gourmet kitchen, stocked with fresh, local produce. With soothing, rich timber decor and private ensuites for each room, the villas are an idyllic place to relax and enjoy serene valley views.
Each villa also comes equipped with a smart water catchment and conservation system, which is used to irrigate the paddocks and produce gardens.
The Food
Image: One&Only
The One&Only resort is home to three unique and enchanting places to eat, drink and take in all of the flavours and atmosphere of the historic farmstead at Wolgan Valley. By day, the Country Kitchen serves a hearty lunch from a seasonally updated menu.
By night, the Wolgan Dining Room with renowned chef James Viles boasts a spectacular à la carte menu comprised of locally sourced ingredients, from both the produce gardens at the resort and trusted suppliers from the valleys beyond.
The Valley Bar and Terrace offers a carefully curated list of premier Australian and international vintages, as well as the resort's very own Wolgan Valley Gin to enjoy while taking in the spectacular open view of the valley.
Be sure to visit One&Only's website for a full look at their luxury offerings. My suggestion: Book well in advance, as this coveted mountain retreat has limited accommodation available.
2. Spicers Sangoma Retreat
Image: Spicers Retreats
Spicers Sangoma Retreat in the foothills of the majestic Blue Mountains offers the very best luxury in harmony with nature. Located at Bowen Mountain amidst the swaying eucalypts, Sangoma Retreat is a tranquil bush retreat that will make you want to awake every morning to this storied, primeval landscape.
The Accommodation
Spicers Sangoma Retreat offers a range of private suites, each with its own thematic design and a spectacular view of the region. The tent suite brings luxury directly into the heart of the forest, with a beautiful open-plan living area that overlooks the lush canopy below. With walls and ceilings that open to the sky, this room offers the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, while luxuriating in premier comfort and style.
The stately Chief Suite is a more traditional villa with the look and feel of an old-world cigar lounge with its smart, contemporary design elements. With commanding views of the valley below and the city skyline of busy Sydney in the far distance, this private villa provides the utmost comfort and luxury and a fresh perspective that places the humdrum a million miles away, where it should be.
The Food
Image: Spicers Retreats
The Amara restaurant at Sangoma Retreat makes fine-dining sustainable with an exciting and innovative menu that changes daily based on available produce. Partnering with organic growers and farmers from the Hawkesbury region, chef Will Houia brings his experience and Sydney’s renowned pastiche of cuisine cultures into one organic, sustainable kitchen to delight and impress.
Amara serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day to guests of the retreat, so you can enjoy all of the flavours the historic Hawkesbury region has to offer throughout your stay.
No matter how busy and fast-paced your life is, this exclusive bush retreat is sure to soothe and make you appreciate the tranquil pace of nature.
3.The Peak at Mt Kanimbla
Image: Booking.com
If you’re in the market for private and romantic chalet-style accommodation amidst some of Australia’s most beautiful scenery, The Peak at Mt Kanimbla is the right place for you. Located outside the scenic mountain village of Little Hartley, The Peak offers just two luxurious chalets over 32 acres of prime land.
The Accommodation
Each chalet on the property is nestled in its own secluded corner of the property, so you can expect free roam of your natural surroundings. Each with a charming, country-style interior, and a full suite of luxury inclusions, the chalets offer premium comfort and luxury for couples to enjoy.
The Wallaby is the cosier of the two chalets and sits beneath crowned eucalyptus trees and among spectacular native flora. Nature loves can delight in the fact that this getaway is frequently visited by wallabies, birds and kangaroos. After you get a chance to show off your knowledge of Aussie animals to your significant other, the two of you can unwind in the jacuzzi with a glass of champagne and enjoy the spectacular view of the Kanimbla valley.
The other chalet, aptly called The Eagle, sits at the highest point of the valley, with a breathtaking panorama of the Kanimbla and the imposing Blue Mountains escarpment. This impressive vantage point captures the true majesty of the mountains from the comfort of the king-sized master bed.
The Experience
Image: National Parks NSW
The Peak offers an in-chalet spa experience for its guests, with a range of therapeutic services for you and your significant other to savour. Personalised treatment options will ensure that your mountain getaway is both pampering and luxurious.
Located in the heart of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, The Peak offers easy access to a range of outdoor activities for the nature enthusiast and is the perfect base to experience all the region has to offer. With the unfathomable Jenolan Caves, the Three Sisters and Pulpit Rock sites just a short scenic drive in each direction, you won’t for a moment be at a loss for incredible activities during your stay.
The Blue Mountains truly have so much to offer the discerning holidaymaker, as well as a slew of luxury offerings to suit all tastes. After all, who wouldn't want to experience one of Australia's most regarded scenic regions in style?
Not sold on the Blue Mountains? See our suggestions for Byron Bay accomodation, here.