Enjoy a bygone era in an historic hotel

The mountain-top town of Katoomba has been synonymous with tourism ever since its founding in the late 19th Century. The advent of the Carrington Hotel and the nearby Hydro Majestic at Medlow Bath has ensured a steady stream of visitors trickle in at all times of the year, with this famous Blue Mountains town one of Australia's most popular holiday destinations.

The Carrington Hotel has shaped the town's destiny ever since it first opened as The Great Western in 1882. Occupying a prominent position at the top of Katoomba Street, this sprawling, oft-restored mansion is a mainstay of Blue Mountains accommodation. This charming colonial-era property contains countless historic rooms and stunning vistas across the town and surrounding mountainside, as well as an on-site spa in which you can soak up the splendour of your opulent surrounds.

Rest and rejuvenate on a spa holiday

Founded at the tail-end of the spa-craze which swept through European society throughout 19th Century, it's no surprise genteel Katoomba boasts some of Australia's most highly regarded spa resorts. While the famous Carrington Hotel boasts spa facilities, perhaps the best known of Katoomba's spa accommodation is Lilianfels Resort and Spa.

Perched dramatically atop jagged cliffs next to Echo Point in the heart of the mountains, Lilianfels Resort and Spa is a 5-star luxury resort set amongst acres of impeccably maintained English gardens. It offers not only unforgettable views over the lush Blue Mountains valleys below but also some of the region's most decadent accommodation, replete with marble bathrooms, lush interiors and stunning period-era decor.

Consider a cottage stay

Katoomba has been a popular artists' retreat for decades, with its cooler climes, carefully-clipped gardens and quaint country air attracting countless creative types over the years. Their presence has helped maintain a bountiful stock of pretty English-style cottages, many of which comprise some of the most popular types of Blue Mountains accommodation.

Virtually every street in Katoomba and its small surrounding suburbs contain an abundance of self-contained cottages, many of which come complete with meticulously maintained gardens. Grab a book, stoke the open fire and soak in the ambiance of a unique mountain town located just 100 kilometres from the hustle and bustle of the Sydney city centre.