The Sprawling Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains Has It All

For the ultimate family-friendly accommodation in the Blue Mountains or a getaway with friends, the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains can’t be beat.

When travelling with kids, there are often a few more checkboxes to your accommodation search. The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains ticks all those with its epic offering of family-friendly facilities, from an indoor playground to an ice-skating rink to a treetop adventure course.

But it’s not just the kids who have the fun: there’s also a hip underground whiskey bar and fine dining, a golf course and a day spa, and the pretty village of Leura just a short drive away. You could say that the Fairmont Blue Mountains is a people-pleaser with all you need at your fingertips, making it the ideal place to stay with a group of friends too.

the lake at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains in autumn — The resort is adjacent to a serene lake. (Image: James Horan; Destination NSW)

Location

Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is nestled in the quaint village of Leura, high up on a ridge overlooking the Jamison Valley, in the UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains National Park. Leura is regarded as the prettiest town in the Blue Mountains, with its leafy town centre, heritage buildings and charming cafes and boutique stores.

an aerial view looking over the Fairmont Resort in Leura and across the Jamison Valley — The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains sits atop a ridge with views overlooking Jamison Valley. (Image: Destination NSW)

The town is also home to Leura Cascades and Sublime Point, a lookout with panoramic views over the blue-hazed landscape. Neighbouring suburb Katoomba, the main hub of the Blue Mountains, is an eight-minute drive away. Here you’ll find the famous Three Sisters rock formations and Scenic World, where you can take a ride on the world’s steepest passenger railway to the valley floor.

sunrise over the Jamison Valley and the Three Sisters, Blue Mountains, Katoomba — Catch incredible sunrise views over the Jamison Valley and the Three Sisters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Style and character

Part of the M Gallery Hotel Collection, Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is a sprawling resort that has a cosy mountain chalet feel from the moment you enter the lobby. Think high ceilings with exposed beams, warm timber floors, red plaid rugs, alpine stone features and a fireplace, with floor-to-ceiling glass framing the mountains in the distance.

The decor and styling in the public spaces and guest rooms (a mix of black leather lounges, striped fabric lounges, heavy red curtains and beige carpet) may be a little dated, however it’s comfortable and well-kept.

a look inside the lobby at Fairmont Resort in Leura — The lobby evokes a cosy mountain chalet feel. (Image: Destination NSW)

Facilities

The Fairmont is a fully serviced resort that caters to travellers of all kinds, but it really stands out as an excellent family-friendly resort. The resort features indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, a basketball court, an indoor kids’ zone of soft play equipment and arcade games, an outdoor hedge maze, miniature train rides, a treetops adventure park with a climbing course and an ice-skating rink.

an outdoor pool with sun loungers at Fairmont Resort in Leura — The indoor and outdoor pools are great family-friendly additions to the resort. (Image: Destination NSW)

Phew! After all the fun with the kids, there’s a day spa to unwind. Leura Golf Club is also located on-site and features an 18-hole golf course and clubhouse. There are seven other restaurants and bar on the property, too, so there are plenty of choices to explore during your stay.

Reception is open 24 hours, there is free parking on-site and electric car charging stations, and there’s also a boutique shop where you can pick up everyday items, gifts and souvenirs.

Rooms

There are 224 rooms at the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, boasting views over the Jamison Valley or the resort’s beautiful gardens.

Accommodation includes Standard Rooms, which feature a king or twin beds, Superior Rooms which feature a king or two queen beds, and a Courtyard Room with a king or two singles and an enclosed courtyard on the ground floor overlooking the gardens. The more spacious Deluxe Balcony Rooms have high chalet ceilings and a balcony. There is also a Deluxe Spa Room with a corner spa in the bathroom.

an aerial view of the Jamison Valley from Fairmont Resort in Leura — The rooms feature breathtaking views of the Jamison Valley. (Image: Destination NSW)

Families can choose the Family Suite, which comprises interconnecting rooms – a king bedroom and a twin room (sleeps four). Other suites offer more space, such as the Junior Suite, which has an open-plan lounge room with a balcony (sleeps two), a Luxury Suite, which has a lounge room and dining area (sleeps two), and a Deluxe Suite with one or two bedrooms and a marble fireplace (sleeps up to four). The Deluxe Grand Suite also has a fireplace and features two balconies (sleeps two).

The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is a pet-friendly resort too. The Pet Rooms are on the ground floor and feature an enclosed courtyard for your furry friend to stretch their legs.

Food and Drink

Jamison’s Restaurant is where buffet breakfast is served alongside an outlook of the sprawling valley and sandstone escarpments in the distance. Bi-fold windows can be opened to allow a fresh breeze in the warmer months. High tea is also served in this space daily, with kids options available.

Embers Grill is located just off the lobby and has soaring windows for captivating valley views. The intimate restaurant keeps cosy during the winter months with a fireplace and serves a steakhouse menu for lunch and dinner.

dining at Eucalypt Restaurant inside Fairmont Resort in Leura — Enjoy fine dining at Eucalypt Restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another dining venue with – you guessed it – unbeatable views is No.1 Sublime Point. This fine dining restaurant offers a five-course degustation with matching wines, inspired by seasonal produce.

Contemporary Italian cuisine is served in Azzurro Trattoria, which has a casual atmosphere and a kids’ menu for the little diners. Think family favourites such as pizza and pasta.

the Embers Restaurant inside Fairmont Resort in Leura — Dine at Embers for captivating valley views. (Image: Destination NSW)

Sublime Lounge is adjacent to the lobby and is a cosy spot for a coffee and cake or a cocktail. It has a fireplace and is open all day. While down in the basement, Two Doctors Whiskey Tavern is filled with leather chesterfields and velvet chairs and vintage curios. You can come for a drink or stay for dinner, with late night live music from Thursday to Sunday.

Leura Golf Club also features a bistro that’s open for lunch and dinner. The whole family will love the pub-style menu of burgers, steaks, salads and the like. There’s a kids menu too.

guests dining at Eucalypt Restaurant inside the Fairmont Resort & Spa, Leura in the Blue Mountains — The elegant Eucalypt Restaurant delivers meals and views to remember. (Image: Destination NSW)

Experiences

The resort features Ubika Day Spa and salon, which has a range of wellness experiences for some R&R, such as massage, facials, pedicures and more.

The Blue Mountains Ice Skating Rink is also located at the resort. You can book regular ice-skating sessions here or time your visit with special events such as disco nights and ice-skating shows.

a woman getting a spa treatment at Ubika Day Spa — Pamper yourself at Ubika Day Spa. (Image: Destination NSW)

As well as the ample family-friendly facilities – such as the kids’ zone, miniature train rides and treetops adventure park – the resort holds a school holiday program. The schedule is packed with fun activities such as magic shows, face painting, kids’ golf clinics and pony rides.

The resort also offers accommodation packages including a Wellness Package with day spa treatments and a Stay and Play golf package.

a morning yoga session at Fairmont Resort & Spa, Leura in the Blue Mountains — Join a morning yoga session. (Image: Destination NSW)

Accessibility

The Fairmont has accessible rooms available for guests with disabilities, located on lower ground or accessed via a lift. Guests will need to contact the resort directly to book these room types. They feature a walk-in shower with handrail. All restaurants and bars are accessible.

Family-friendly?

The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is the most family-friendly resort in the area, with a roster of fun activities and facilities for young and old alike, as well as room types to accommodate up to four guests.

Details

Best for: Family friendly accommodation with the views to match

Address: 1 Sublime Point Road, Leura NSW

Whales breaching, fires crackling and slow-cooked feasts that make the cold so cosy, one might wish it lasted longer. Winter is no time to stay at home in NSW.

When the mercury drops, winter in NSW comes into its own. Beaches are quieter, the air is crisper and hearty food tastes even better when there’s ice on the windows.

Winter here isn’t for hiding away. It’s for long walks, deep baths, deeper reds and the kind of fireside lounging that feels simultaneously indulgent and entirely deserved after a day of exploring. From whale-watching up north to moodily lit bushwalks and pastry pilgrimages, we’ve mapped out your new favourite season.

a beach winter in nsw — From coastal walks to tasty delights, winter in NSW is a time to get out and about.

The Tweed

In winter, the NSW north coast has a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest migrations. From May to November, humpbacks cruise past the Tweed coast between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Spot them from the Cabarita Beach headland or get up closer with a boat cruise.

Inland, find the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre , which is home to a rotating cast of big-name exhibitions (including Monet).

Later, grab a table at Bistro Livi , where the modern Spanish menu features whipped salt cod on toast and spanner crab with curry butter and spelt flatbread. Stick around to poke through the artist studios and indie boutiques of M|Arts Precinct .

visitors at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre — Browse the art. (Image: Destination NSW)

The next day, jump aboard the Indigenous Lunch Cruise with Tweed Escapes. You’ll cruise upriver listening to yarns from local Indigenous guides, stop at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Museum and tuck into lemon myrtle-crusted snapper.

Next, drive out to Farm & Co to pull apart some juicy smoked lamb shoulder with green olive tapenade while gazing out over the macadamia fields and avocado groves of this working farm.

End the day at Mantra on Salt Beach where you’ll enjoy beach access, a heated rock spa and a lagoon pool.

dining room at Bistro Livi — Taste modern Spanish at Bistro Livi.

Blue Mountains

The cold season is hands down the best time to visit the Blue Mountains. Temperatures are perfect – sunny enough for hikes, and crisp enough at night for snuggling up.

For a trip that equally soothes and stirs, start with a meditative meander through the national park’s eucalypts and Australian wildflowers. Brave the steepest passenger railway in the world, Scenic Railway , then hop the Skyway aerial cable car for unrivalled Three Sisters views.

Thaw out at the Japanese Bath House in South Bowenfels. Soak in steamy outdoor onsens filled with natural mineral water and mountain views, wander the rose and zen gardens, or sip hot drinks in the tea house.

group leader at Blue Mountains Stargazing — Rug up for Blue Mountains Stargazing. (Image: Destination NSW)

Afterwards, head to Ates in Blackheath, where everything revolves around a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven – like the wood-roasted duck with nectarines and Szechuan spice. Or visit Tempus Katoomba , which leans experimental and sustainable, serving up dishes like braised fennel with cumin, spiced yogurt and Aleppo pepper.

Rug up and head into the night with Blue Mountains Stargazing . Sessions are guided by astrophysicists, helping you understand what you’re looking at as you look into deep space.

Wrap it all up at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection . There’s a whiskey bar in the basement (and crackling fires that make a dram taste even better), indoor and outdoor pools and a day spa. Kids will love the mirror maze and ice rink, too.

dishes laid out on table at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains — End the day with delicious meals at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

Southern Highlands

Good food and wine by the fire, experienced between sifting through second-hand treasures, is a winter vibe in Bowral.

Start with a lap around Dirty Janes , an antique and vintage market. Recover from your shopping frenzy at Bendooley Book Barn , where floor-to-ceiling shelves and a roaring fire set the tone for an afternoon of red wine or hot coffee.

When it’s time to eat, head to Hickory’s Restaurant & Bar , Peppers Craigieburn Bowral’s onsite restaurant. Try the crispy pork belly with Granny Smith crisps and apple gel, or ocean trout with wakame, lemon gel and pickled radish.

couple looking through Dirty Janes in bowral — Wander the antiques at Dirty Janes. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another option, Onesta Cucina , does Italian with flair. For something more casual (with cocktails), Flour Bar swings between brunch and dinner, with an onsite bakery, over 400 wines and a hidden deli in the old bank vault.

Later, clamber Mt Gibraltar , where trails wind through eucalypt forest to views over Bowral and Mittagong.

Stay at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral , a century-old estate with open fires, elegant lounges and a nine-hole golf course.

woman and her dog winter in nsw at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral — Stay cosy at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral.

Penrith

Shake off winter inertia with an adrenaline boost out in Penrith. Kick things off with a kayak paddle on the Nepean River with Horizon Line, or head to Cables Wake Park , where cold-weather wetsuits take the edge off a wipeout.

For something a bit more cruisy, opt for the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for slow-floating views and a hot cuppa.

kayakers on the nepean river in penrith — Head out on the Nepean River. (Image: Destination NSW)

Refuel at Marcel Bar & Bistro , where reimagined European comfort food – like seafood risotto in bisque with little neck clams and Moreton Bay bugs – is king. Then check in at the Pullman Sydney Penrith , the area’s first international five-star hotel, to enjoy your well-earned rest.

Start planning your NSW winter getaway at all.com.

The sprawling Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains has it all