This Blue Mountains favourite just got a multimillion-dollar makeover - and it’s the perfect escape
As a long-time Sydneysider, I am almost ashamed to admit it took me 32 years to visit the Blue Mountains.
Nestled a stone’s throw away from famous Echo Point, is the beautifully transformed heritage-listed resort, Ardour Lilianfels. This place alone has convinced me to plan a return trip to the region.
You couldn’t stay closer to the highlights if you tried. Ardour Lilianfels Blue Mountains
The historic Katoomba hotel, set against the cliffs of Jamison Valley, has officially unveiled its vibrant, multimillion-dollar redesign.
So, what was one a summer residence built in 1889, has been newly transformed under a charming yet luxurious revamp of the hotel lounge and all 89 guest suites and rooms.
After a hearty long lunch in neighbouring town Leura, we slowly pulled into the resort.
Greeted by lush manicured grounds and a cherry blossom-lined driveway, it felt less like checking into a hotel and more like stepping into an opulent private estate. Fancy, I know.
One thing I wasn’t expecting…
The guest room wasn’t what I was expecting, and maybe because luxury stays these days are all about being minimal, grand, and beige.
But it was a welcome surprise, one that felt nostalgic and new at the same time.
Think striking Art Deco details and bespoke bedheads paired with gorgeous green marble-topped joinery throughout.
All 89 guest suites and rooms have been refreshed. Ardour
It’s the mismatched lamps, I’m obsessed. Nine
What to do next? Pop a bottle of bubbles, take a seat by the window, and take in the sprawling views. Or be tempted by one of the many walking tracks outside your hotel door.
Where to unwind…
Whether you’ve spent the morning tackling bush walks or simply came to relax, the resort’s spa and pool caters to every season.
In Spring, the outdoor pool surrounded by day beds is the perfect place to catch the afternoon sunlight. In summer, I can only imagine how popular this exact spot will be.
If only there were a poolside bar. Who knows, in summer there might be.
You’ll find me here. Nine
During the cooler months, head indoors to the heated pool, lined with gorgeous tiles and marble-inspired pillars. Here, I could have happily spent hours wrapped in my pool robe, reading a book while dipping in and out for a warm plunge.
Or be like the guests next to me, and grab an outdoor lounge and bottle of wine.
If relaxation and restoration is your vibe, head to the hotel’s newly opened luxury day spa, Èliva Blue Mountains.
For $55, you can book a 45-minute thermal experience where at your own pace, move between the spa, sauna and steam room.
Or upgrade and indulge in one of the many full-body massage packages with a botanical oil blend of your choice.
Now isn’t this just pure bliss? Nine
The food
When it comes to dinner, you don't even have to leave the property. With three restaurants on site, you can enjoy your night out then walk back to your room.
At the heart of the hotel is The Lounge, a newly introduced bar and dining experience that offers a roving cheese station (I know!), high tea and the most incredible wagyu steak frites.
Or choose between Darley’s Restaurant for a taste of fine dining, and Miss Lilian for relaxed Southeast Asian bites.
The hotel’s sophisticated new bar, The Lounge, sitting at the heart of the hotel. Ardour Lilianfels Blue Mountains
And as the sun goes down...
Once night falls, you have to do the Katoomba Falls night-lit walk.
It’s a short three-minute drive from the hotel, where a lit-up path will guide you through the most spectacular night-time views.
Standing at the lookout to see the Three Sisters and Katoomba Falls illuminated by giant spotlights against the deep dark valley below, makes you appreciate the sheer scale of it all.
There’s an eeriness and grandness you just can’t capture during the day.
But during the day is spectacular too! Nine
Planning the next day
After a well-deserved sleep in, wake up to a complimentary buffet breakfast downstairs with made-to-order eggs, pancakes and Campos barista coffee.
Be sure to dip into the fresh honey or make a Nutella croissant before you go.
Then, leave the parked car and take an easy stroll down to Echo Point, where you can explore the national park’s most famous boardwalks and walking tracks.
Take the sandy path if you want to see the Three Sisters up close, or if you prefer a trail track, the Prince Henry Cliff Walk will lead you to a lookout…
...where you just might get proposed to.
The most magical end to a perfect weekend. Nine
The verdict
For someone who has hiked the Grand Canyon, wandered through Yosemite, and grown up alongside Australia’s best beaches, I admit, I’ve underestimated Katoomba and the Blue Mountains region.
So if you’re looking for a luxurious mountain escape about two hours from Sydney, an experience like this is definitely worth looking in to.
The writer stayed as a guest of Ardour Lilianfels.
