Embrace a Palm Springs-inspired retro stay at Kyah Boutique Hotel

Megan Arkinstall Megan Arkinstall
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In the bohemian village of Blackheath lies Kyah, a sleek and stylish hotel that is just as ideal for families as it is for cool and young travellers.

Australia’s iconic Blue Mountains region isn’t known for contemporary and chic accommodation. Stately and elegant? Yes. Traditional and heritage? Certainly. But hip and cool? Not so much. The Kyah Boutique Hotel in Blackheath, however, has turned that idea on its head. The former 1970s motel was given an astonishing makeover making it the Blue Mountain’s coolest hotel, fit for travellers of all kinds. Here is all you need to know about this stylish Blackheath accommodation.

Pastel pink hallways at Kyah Boutique Hotel
Pastel pink hallways greet you on arrival. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Location

Kyah Boutique Hotel  is located on the edge of the Blue Mountains’ town of Blackheath, a charming hub with many cafes, restaurants and stores located less than 20 minutes’ from the Three Sisters and Scenic World. Blackheath has some of the best bushwalking in the Blue Mountains, with the towering Cliff Top walking track from Evans Lookout to Govetts Leap and the Grand Canyon Track accessed just down the road from the Kyah.

Kyah Boutique Hotel Blackheath
Find Kyah in the bohemian village of Blackheath. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Style and character

The Kyah Boutique Hotel was transformed from a run-down 1970s motel that was completely gutted and renovated to ultra-chic Palm Springs-inspired accommodation. The building was reimagined by Sydney-based design firm MKD Architects with a fresh monochrome facade with potted cactus at its entry, accentuated curves and arches, and a colour palette of pastels and earthy tones. The Art Deco detailing add “twist of Hollywood glamour".

Room details feature a chair and lamp
Pops of colour against a pastel palette make for a charming combination. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

The large property on which Kyah resides is beautifully landscaped allowing guests ample opportunity to breathe in the alpine air, with (allegedly) one of the oldest Japanese cherry blossom trees in the Southern Hemisphere. There is also a vegetable garden from which produce is used in the restaurant.

the room at Kyah Boutique Hotel, Blackheath
Accentuated curves and arches add to the ultra-chic style of the hotel. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Facilities

The hotel features a restaurant open for breakfast daily, lunch on weekends and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday. There is also an outdoor hot tub and firepit, a sauna, tennis/basketball court and complimentary e-bikes for guests.

Hot tub outside at Kyah
Ease yourself into holiday mode with a soak in the hot tub. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

There is free on-site parking for guests and a ‘mini market’, a cart stocked with local goodies such as chocolate, olive and soaps to purchase.

Firepit at Kyah Boutique Hotel
Cool mountain nights call for time around the firepit. (Image: Steven Woodburn)
The hotel sauna and shower
Take advantage of the onsite sauna. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

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Rooms

The Blackheath hotel has 46 rooms in three wings, each named after one of the Three Sisters, that cater to a range of travellers from families to couples.

Queen-plus-one sized room at Kyah
Sunlight-drenched rooms make for a peaceful stay. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

There’s a King Room for two; a more spacious King Suite; a Queen Plus One, which features a queen and single bed, perfect for three guests; and a Family Suite and Two Bedroom Suite that both sleep five people.

Inside the rooms at Kyah
The rooms are decked out in stylish details and spacious in size. (Image: Steven Woodburn)
Minibar inside Kyah
The minibar is stocked with local products and treats. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

All rooms feature a mini bar, tea and coffee-making facilities, free wi-fi, and bathrooms are stocked with locally and ethically made amenities. The Two Bedroom Suite has a bath.

Two bedroom suite at Kyah in the Blue Mountains
The stylish two-bedroom suite is perfect for larger groups or families. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

 

Food and Drink

Blaq is Kyah’s restaurant, bar and terrace helmed by Mate Herceg (former Hydro Majestic chef). The menu focuses on modern Australian cuisine created using hyper-local Blue Mountains produce and ingredients sourced from the onsite garden, from beetroot and kale to herbs and edible flowers.

Chickens and onsite kitchen garden at Kyah
The restaurant uses hyper-local Blue Mountains produce and ingredients sourced from the onsite garden. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

The restaurant is open daily for breakfast and serves a seasonal grazing table as well as hot breakfast dishes on the weekends. Lunch and dinner are served from an a la carte menu, accompanied by signature cocktails and wine hand-picked by award-winning sommelier Andres Aragon. The restaurant also hosts a regular calendar of events such as gin masterclasses to festive lunches.

a close-up shot of a dessert on a plate at Blaq Restaurant in Kyah Boutique Hotel
Blaq’s dessert menu will satisfy your sweet tooth. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

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Experiences

The Kyah hotel offers the use of its six e-bikes for free, which is the ideal way to head into Blackheath for a coffee or to browse the village stores or to explore the surrounding area without having to drive.

ebikes sit out front of Kyah Boutique Hotel in Blackheath
There are e-bikes available to use during your stay. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

The hotel is a short distance from the beginning of many hiking tracks in the Blue Mountains National Park, such as the Grand Canyon hike through lush green rainforest to see waterfalls.

a couple enjoying a walk along the Wentworth Falls Track in the Blue Mountains National Park
Be rewarded with views overlooking Wentworth Falls Track. (Image: Destination NSW)

There are a few accommodation packages available including a Kyah Stay with Dryridge Estate Wine Experience and a Tee-rific Golf Play and Stay, which includes 18 holes at Blackheath Golf Course.

Access for guests with disabilities?

The King Room has an accessible option with ramp access, while the restaurant is located on the ground floor and is suitable for guests with disabilities. Call the hotel to enquire.

Family-friendly?

The Kyah is very family-friendly, with rooms specially designed for travellers with kids, such as the Family Suite, which features a king bed and triple bunk and the Two Bedroom options that also sleep four and five. Families will love the multi-purpose basketball and tennis court, and the large property with gardens to explore.

Family suite bunk beds at Kyah
Families are well taken care of at Kyah.(Image: Steven Woodburn)

Details

Address: 13-17 Brightlands Ave, Blackheath

Cost: Rates start from $240 per room

Megan Arkinstall
Megan Arkinstall is a freelance travel writer who you’ll often find at the beach, bushwalking or boating with her young family. She loves reliving travel memories through writing, whether that be sipping limoncello in a sun-drenched courtyard of Monterosso or swimming with green turtles in the aquamarine waters of Tropical North Queensland.
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The tastiest new players on Newcastle’s dining scene you need to try

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

    When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle ). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

    aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw
    Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

    Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

    1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

    pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle
    Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

    Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB,  the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

    Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

    Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe .

    2. Destination dining

    Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw
    Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca , which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

    One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie , the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

    Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

    3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

    people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths
    Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

    What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

    Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach . Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen , which is open from 6am.

    Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse .

    You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach , where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

    Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

    4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

    couple eating at Flotilla newcastle
    Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

    In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

    Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

    Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

    5. Newcastle nightlife

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    Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

    As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

    If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne , Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s .

    Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.