Guide to the Best Accommodation in The Blue Mountains
The spectacular Blue Mountains sits just outside of Sydney. The area is ideal for travelers, adventurers, and those who want to explore unique places. Its mix of nature, history, and vibrant arts and food scene make it a must-see place for travellers worldwide.
Whether you decide on a hotel stay, a luxuary retreat, or one of the charming little cottages for your accommodation - there is something suitable for everyone in the Blue Mountains. Here we have Katoomba Slow, a calm retreat located between Katoomba and Leura. Image copyright by Bec Willox @bec_willox
Discover the Blue Mountains: A Traveller’s Paradise
The Blue Mountains is a treasure trove of natural beauty. It’s host to endless pristine waterfalls, rugged mountains, and lush forests. The area’s diverse landscapes offer a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, those seeking solitude and time out from the world or simply an adventure they will never forget. The allure of the Blue Mountains extends beyond its natural wonders. It's steeped in history and mystery, an area so pristine it’s renowned for its fresh produce and craft beverages, and is a melting pot of creativity, festivals, music and culture.
The Blue Mountains offers a rich tapestry of experiences, and choosing the right accommodation can serve as a gateway to our area's many delights.
Let’s dive into our top picks in this incredible area to delight any traveller. It's not just about finding a place to rest your head. It's about finding a base that allows you to access the gems spread far and wide, with a host who will guide you in the right direction.
The Blue Mountains rugged scenery is enough to surprise and delight any Traveller and the views alone attract millions of visitors every year. Photo courtesy of Vladimir Haltakov @haltakov
The Best Hotels in the Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains hotel scene is diverse, catering to a range of tastes and budgets. From luxury resorts to charming boutique hotels, there's something for everyone. Here’s our personal list of Hotel go-to’s.
The Carrington Hotel - Katoomba
The grand old heart of Katoomba. Built in 1883, The Carrington brings all the romance of a bygone era — stained glass, deep armchairs by the fire, and that unmistakable heritage charm. Its location couldn’t be more central: step straight out to cafés, galleries, dinner spots and clifftop walks.
Rooms range from snug and character-filled to spacious suites, and the bar downstairs is a beloved local haunt. A little whimsical, a little grand — and entirely Katoomba.
Lilianfels Resort and Spa - Katoomba
Perched right beside Echo Point, Lilianfels is where classic elegance meets that fresh mountain air. A luxurious country house at the edge of the escarpment, it’s all plush comforts, slow breakfasts, and leafy gardens that feel a world away from everyday life.
Wander to the Three Sisters lookout in minutes, laze by the indoor pool, or settle into a lounge chair with tea and scones after a day exploring the clifftops. Rooms are soft and calming, with a hint of old-world romance.
The Hydro Majestic - Medlow Bath
Dramatic, iconic and full of stories, the Hydro Majestic stretches along the clifftops with sweeping views over the Megalong Valley. There’s a touch of Art Deco glamour and a feeling of grand escapism — like you’ve stepped into a postcard from another time.
Afternoon tea in the Wintergarden is a must, with mist rolling through the valley below. Wander the long, elegant hallways, soak up sunset from the viewing terrace, and explore nearby lookouts just moments away.
Fairmont Resort - Leura
A resort perched right on the edge of the Jamison Valley, the Fairmont gives you those big, sweeping views with all the comforts close at hand. There’s space to slow down — pools, a spa, cosy lounges and walking tracks just outside the door.
It’s relaxed, family-friendly and a great base for exploring Leura and the nearby lookouts, with the mountains always in sight.
Spicers Sangoma Retreat - Bowen Mountain
A secluded, luxury escape wrapped in bushland and calm. With only a handful of intimate suites featuring king beds, private decks, soaking tubs and fireplaces, Spicers Sangoma is designed for deep rest and privacy.
Unhurried days unfold with bush walks, the pool or sauna, and evenings are centred around seasonal, all-inclusive dining in the onsite restaurant — a slow feast under the trees.
There are hotels and guesthouses for every traveller on every budget in the Blue Mountains area. Image courtesy of Nepography @tasbirwala
Luxuary Accomodation for the Discerning Traveller
For those seeking luxury, the Blue Mountains doesn't disappoint. Its luxury accommodations offer a blend of comfort, style, and personalised service. Here are 3 we pass on to every one of our guests looking for the area’s best.
Chalets - Blackheath
A luxurious hideaway tucked into the bushland above Evans Lookout. With only a handful of beautifully crafted Chalets, this eco-retreat blends privacy, comfort and wilderness in a very Blue Mountains kind of way. Think fireplaces, soaking tubs, natural materials and decks that open straight onto eucalypt and sky.
It’s quiet, considered and restorative — perfect for those who want to truly slow down and sink into nature.
Mt Kanimbla Retreats - Kanimbla Valley
Hidden away in the quiet folds of the Kanimbla Valley, Mt Kanimbla Retreats is a peaceful escape from the well-trodden tourist paths. Think bushland surrounds, open skies, gentle hills — a place to really breathe and reconnect with the slower rhythm of the mountains.
Cottages sit on spacious grounds where the birdsong and wind through gum leaves become your soundtrack. Wake to quiet mornings, walk trails that feel your own, and settle in for nights under clear, star-spattered skies.
It’s simple, soulful and free of fuss — a spot for slowing down, unplugging, and letting nature do the talking.
The Machinery Shed, Logan Brae Orchard - Blackheath
A former 1919 orchard shed transformed into a rustic-luxury hideaway. Logan Brae Orchard’s Machinery Shed features soaring ceilings, timber beams and sweeping bushland views. Cosy interiors include a king bed, fireplace and full kitchen — the perfect setting for slow mornings and long, quiet evenings.
Step outside to the deck or the dreamy outdoor “tree-top” bath for sunsets and starlight among the apple trees. A secluded, romantic escape designed for doing very little — beautifully.
How dreamy to stay in an apple orchard on the edge of the escarpment! The Machinery Shed at Logan Brae Orchards has been tastefully renovated into a stay that oozes modern rustic luxuary. Image courtesy of Brian Wegman @trytoscareme
Boutique and Unique: The Blue Mountains’ Most Charming Stays
Our top picks of the Blue Mountains boutique accommodations that offer charm, character and unique experiences. Here are three that aren’t just a stay, they are an experience destination all in themselves.
Katoomba Slow - Katoomba
Known, loved and quietly celebrated by those who find it, Katoomba Slow is a humble 1870s miner’s cottage restored with care and craft at heart. Perfectly placed between Katoomba and Leura, it’s an easy choice for travellers deciding which village suits them — because here, you can wander to both.
A favourite with couples, creatives and slow-living travellers, it’s a beloved backdrop for weekends away and for those seeking something real and full of soul in the Blue Mountains.
There is no other stay quite like it — a place to breathe, reconnect, and feel the magic of the mountains settle in.
Solstice - Blackheath
A gently restored 1890s cottage at the heart of Blackheath, Solstice combines heritage charm with modern comfort: four bedrooms, a dreamy kitchen, fireplaces, and lush gardens waiting for slow afternoons.
Just minutes on foot from village cafés, galleries and shops — but with the bush trails and ridge-top air of the Blue Mountains right on the doorstep.
Perfect for friends, families or couples craving relaxed village-meets-mountain calm.
Two Maples - Blackheath
A warmly restored 1940s cottage nestled beneath its grand old maples, Two Maples is the kind of place where you slow down the moment you arrive. Cosy rooms, a crackling fire and a kitchen made for comforting meals invite unhurried days. The garden shifts with the seasons — autumn colour, dappled summer shade, and those soft, misty winter mornings.
Sleeping up to four guests, it offers quiet comfort just a short wander from Blackheath’s cafés, antiques and clifftop lookouts — a peaceful retreat with village life close by.
Perfectly placed between Katoomba and Leura, Katoomba Slow is possibly the most charming stay in the Blue Mountains — full of history, soul and slow-living comfort. Image courtesy of Bec Willox
