10 charming country stays in Leura to escape to now

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From a retreat in a historic nunnery to sprawling resorts and contemporary builds with jaw-dropping views, Leura accommodation is bursting with country charm from all angles.

The stunning Blue Mountains region is a natural playground for all seasons, from frosty winter escapes to wildflower walks come spring, admiring changing leaves in autumn and relishing the cool summer breeze. Charming and historic Leura is a beautiful base from which to explore nearby towns and national parks. With adorable cottages set in manicured gardens, Leura accommodation is all about country charm, both contemporary and restored. Here’s our pick of the best stays.

1. Greenleaf Cottage

Best for: Rekindling romance and enjoying the town centre.
$$$

This gorgeous, two-bedroom cottage  has been tenderly renovated throughout with a respect for the dwelling’s original style, while bringing a more contemporary feel.

the living room door opened at Greenleaf Cottage, Leura
The bright and airy dining space overflows onto the deck.

A luxe Victoria + Albert bath begs to be slipped into and the incredible kitchen suggests dinner enjoyed in, while a cosy fireplace clinches the deal for a cosy night spent by flickering flames. A generous 1pm checkout time makes this Leura Mall spot perfect for weekend escapes.

the exterior of Greenleaf Cottage, Leura
Slip into the charming and cosy Greenleaf Cottage.

2. Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains

Best for: Those looking for an all-in-one escape to suit everyone from couples to families and groups.
$$$$

Part of the M Gallery collection, this sprawling resort  is angled to take in dramatic Jamison Valley views in the World-Heritage Blue Mountains National Park.

the pool at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains
Unwind in the pool at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

The captivating backdrop sets the scene for a stay attuned to the finer things, such as elegant dining and bars, the Ubika Day Spa, 18-hole golf club, indoor and outdoor pools and gymnasium. The vast resort also caters to families with school holiday programs, a Kidszone and ice-skating rink.

women relaxing at Ubika Day Spa inside the Fairmont Resort &Spa, Leura in the Blue Mountains
Relax in the pristine surrounds at Ubika Day Spa. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Brightlands Retreat, Leura

Best for: Those seeking to rest, recover and restore.
$$$$

Set in a breathtakingly beautiful and historic nunnery, this retreat will enliven tired souls  with fresh mountain air and a rotating timetable of nurturing yoga and wellness classes, as well as an onsite spa and all-inclusive nourishing meals. Guests can choose to design their own retreat or join a scheduled program and combine their stay with a guided, educational walk or group bushwalk, or excursions to potter the boutiques at Leura or Katoomba.

4. Old Leura Dairy

Best for: Those who enjoy a well-appointed time warp and appreciate the love put into this historic stay.
$$

Evident by its name, this restored former dairy  is rich with Blue Mountains heritage and charm. Now a collection of cottages, guests can opt to stay in the Milking Shed, The Studio, Buttercup Barn, Moo Manor, The Workers Cottage or The Straw Bale House, each deeply enriched and styled with bygone country grace.

the Old Leura Dairy Studio bedroom
Old Leura Dairy is rich with heritage and charm.

Step back in time at this bewitching stay just a 15-minute walk into Leura and right on the doorstep of the Blue Mountains National Park.

the bedroom at Straw Bale House, Old Leura Dairy
Bed down in the charming Straw Bale House.

5. Orchard Cottage

Best for: Appreciators of interior design and those who love to cook and entertain.
$$$$

Elegant and luxe, this white-washed cottage  takes style cues from the Hamptons and is beautifully detailed with tactile and warm finishes that anchor the abode in its Australian bush setting. With herringbone brick and hardwood flooring, elegant panelling and marble benchtops, this chic stay has even featured in Home Beautiful magazine.

the exterior of Orchard Cottage, Leura
Orchard Cottage is an elegant retreat within an Australian bush setting.

The five-bedroom retreat features open fireplaces, an outdoor pizza oven and entertaining space, integrated speakers, an incredible kitchen with a butler’s pantry and high-end amenities. You’re also just five minutes’ walk from the centre of town, should you find a reason to leave this dream home.

an outdoor dining area at Orchard Cottage, Leura
The white-washed cottage is beautifully detailed with tactile and warm finishes.

6. Banksia Cottage

Best for: Groups looking to retreat to nature amid serenity.
$$

A tranquil, bush-hemmed escape, this contemporary, self-contained three-bedroom cottage  is ideal for mountain retreats with friends or family.

a bedroom with windows at Banksia Cottage, Leura
Sleep next to scenic nature views at Banksia Cottage.

A sun-drenched deck is the perfect place to inhale the scented mountain air as you savour your morning coffee, while the indoor heating ensures winter stays are entirely cosy. Directly across the road, you can access the Lyrebird Dell scenic walk that meanders down to Gordon Falls.

the dining table facing a window at Banksia Cottage
Take in the lush views as you savour your morning coffee.

7. Abbey House

Best for: Sleek stays with mates.
$–$$$$

Light, bright and newly renovated in a modern aesthetic of blonde wood tones and open-plan layout, this fresh, garden-enclosed house is a short walk to Leura Mall and Gordon Falls Lookout.

a garden with trees and pink flowers at Abbey House, Leura
Settle into the charming garden-enclosed Abbey House.

Perfect for group escapes, the three-bedroom abode  sleeps eight people who will relish crowding around the outdoor firepit on cool evenings and huddling by the living room fireplace on wintry nights.

the bedroom at Abbey House
The three-bedroom abode sleeps eight people.

8. Varenna, Leura

Best for: Jaunts to relish the past and those who love Edwardian-era architecture.
$$$

If you’re looking to retreat into an era long past, a stay at this character-filled cottage  will suit you well.

the fountain outside Varenna cottage, Leura
Check into the heritage cottage at Varenna. (Image: Mountain Whispers)

Built in 1906, this Edwardian mountain-positioned gem has been meticulously restored to its former elegance and retains historic high points amid a more modern interpretation.

the bedroom at Varenna, Leura
Cosy up in the elegant bedroom. (Image: Lorraine Autumn)

Claw-foot bathtubs, rich tapestries, ornate embellishments and beautiful private gardens will have you feeling like a governor(ness) of old.

a vintage bathroom at Varenna, Leura
Nothing screams vintage more than this chic bathroom at Varenna. (Image: Mountain Whispers)

9. Strawberry Patch Cottage

Best for: A stay that feels worlds away from it all.
$$

This 1912 weatherboard, two-bedroom cottage  is just 100 metres from Leura Village and is artfully crammed with antique-edged glamour, from the four-poster beds to the French doors that open out to a garden courtyard, and the large spa bathrooms.

the vintage red bedroom at Strawberry Patch Cottage
The vintage vibe at Strawberry Patch Cottage says it all. (Image: Mountain Whispers)

This is the place to do very little. Stretch out by the fire with a good book or cradle your cuppa on the front deck as you listen out for local birdlife.

the kitchen at Strawberry Patch Cottage, Leura
Strawberry Patch Cottage is artfully crammed with antique-edged glamour. (Image: Mountain Whispers)

10. Cloud Parade

Best for: Contemporary stylings and attention-seeking views.
$$$$

Walk in and absorb those utterly astonishing Blue Mountains vistas from this loftily perched Leura stay. Featured in InsideOut magazine, this is a sleek ensemble of interior loveliness, which works hard to compete with the views of the Three Sisters and Mount Solitary that dominate the living room.

the living room at Cloud Parade with views of the Three Sisters and Mount Solitary
Find stunning views of the Three Sisters and Mount Solitary from the living room.

The five-bedroom house has a brand-new kitchen with a showpiece island bench, stunning herringbone wood floors throughout, contemporary art, and light-flooded bedrooms with garden outlooks.

the contemporary living room interior at Cloud Parade, Leura
Contemporary art flows throughout the charming abode.
Looking to stay in Katoomba? Find our accommodation guide here.
Lara Picone
Working for many of Australia’s top publications, Lara Picone has had the distinct pleasure of writing, editing and curating content about the finer things in life for more than 15 years. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, her editorial foundation began at Qantas: The Australian Way magazine, before moving on to learn the fast-paced ropes of a weekly magazine at Sunday Magazine and picking up the art of brand curation at donna hay magazine. Pivoting a near-problematic travel lust into a career move by combining it with storytelling and a curious appetite, her next role was as Deputy Editor of SBS Feast magazine and later Online Editor of SBS Food online. She then stepped into her dream job as Editor of Australian Traveller before becoming Online Editor for both International Traveller and Australian Traveller. Now as a freelancer, Lara always has her passport at-the-ready to take flight on assignment for the Australian Traveller team, as well as for publications such as Qantas Magazine, Escape and The Weekend Australian. As ever, her appetite is the first thing she packs.
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Harbour views and seasonal luxuries: this Sydney hotel is elevating Christmas

Luxury meets hyper-local hospitality with an exclusive Christmas stay package and menu you’ll want to be present for.

An Aussie Christmas is like no other. December signals the start of summer, celebrations and festive cheer. While Mariah Carey might not have defrosted just yet, we’ve got less than 100 days left of the year. So it’s time to start planning. Christmas at Park Hyatt Sydney is reimagined with a luxurious festive stay package. Celebrate with a curated summer tote, a special seasonal menu that captures the flavours of a Sydney summer and cocktails crafted to capture the spirit of a harbourside Christmas.

This is your sign to skip the end-of-year chaos and let Christmas be taken care of for you.

A stay at Park Hyatt

couple with champagne on the balcony of their park hyatt sydney room
Gaze out from your balcony to see Sydney’s icons.

If you love a room with a view, imagine waking up on Christmas Day to the sound of waves and a sunrise over the iconic Sydney Opera House. Step out to your private balcony to soak in the sun, and you’ll find you’re on the doorstep to the coastal cobblestone charm of Sydney’s very own Christmas boulevard, The Rocks.

Enter Park Hyatt Sydney, a 155-room harbour-side hotel, centered in the beating heart of a historic neighbourhood, seamlessly blending life’s little luxuries with living like a local. Spend long, summer days lounging by the rooftop pool with 360-degree views of this harbour city or indulge in tailored treatments at The Spa.

aerial of park hyatt sydney rooftop pool
Spend summer days by the rooftop pool.

Be seated in The Dining Room, overlooking sparkling waters, to taste the vibrancy of an Australian summer. Led by Executive Chef Tyson Gee, discover a lunch and dinner menu that heroes coastal ingredients.

The festive stay package

Park Hyatt Sydney has introduced a festive stay package to up the Christmas spirit. Guests will enjoy an overnight stay in a guest room or suite with uninterrupted views, valet parking and a full breakfast for two in The Dining Room.

The Summer Kit

branded tote bag of park hyatt sydney with the sydney opera house in background
Take home a branded tote bag.

Because it’s an Aussie Christmas, guests booking the package will also receive a curated, limited-edition Summer Christmas kit stocked with seasonal luxuries, including the hotel’s first-ever branded merch.

Think a signature Park Hyatt Sydney sun cap and Aesop sunscreen valued at $300, all in a branded luxury tote bag. This kit will also be available for purchase throughout December, if you’re in need of any gift ideas.

The details

The festive stay package applies to stays from 1 – 27 December, with a limited number of suites available. Guests can book using the exclusive offer code XMAS25 on parkhyattsydney.com . They can also call +61 2 9256 1234 or email sydney.park.accommodation@hyatt.com.

Christmas dining

christmas menu at the dining room restaurant in park hyatt sydney
Taste a special Christmas menu at The Dining Room.

For the gourmands who want to participate in the festivities but are unable to stay as an overnight guest, Park Hyatt Sydney can still be your Christmas go-to. Taste Chef Tyson Gee’s themed culinary creations throughout December .

From 1 – 24 December, diners can book a Christmas Afternoon Tea from $95 pp. Prepare for Christmas flavours like braised turkey pie with cranberry gel, plus gingerbread and salted vanilla bûche de Noël and a chocolate hazelnut bauble for dessert.

On Christmas Day, The Dining Room and The Living Room will both offer a five-course menu from $425 per person. Start with a glass of NV Taittinger Champagne on arrival – accompanied by Sydney’s finest seafood – and end with a reimagined mango pavlova, with rice pudding and pink peppercorn.

“Our vision was to capture the flavours of a harbourside Australian Christmas,” says Gee. “Guests will enjoy seafood at its best, from fresh oysters to cured ocean trout, paired with tropical fruit accents and festive touches like glazed Berkshire ham and roast duck. Every dish has been imagined for a harbourside Christmas celebration.”

Guests can also enjoy a range of seasonal cocktails crafted by Head Mixologist Kevin Botte, including the Christmas Negroni, Christmas Mulled Wine and a Christmas Cocktail/Mocktail.

Exploring Sydney

woman drinking festive cocktail in the dining room restaurant of park hyatt sydney
The best of Sydney is right on your doorstep.

For those planning a visit, Christmas at Park Hyatt Sydney means you’re perfectly situated to explore the best of Sydney.

The hotel is mere steps away from the icons, from Sydney Opera House to the Harbour Bridge, along with the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Add open-air galleries full of murals and explore the nearby cobblestone streets.

Head to the charming Rocks Markets, where the streets transform with seasonal Christmas creations, of the artisan and foodie variety. Then head over to Dawes Point Park for a picnic under the bridge.

Find more 360-degree rooftop views at the Glenmore, or listen to live music at Brewhouse at Squire’s Landing from Wednesday to Sunday (times vary). There’s something for everyone.

For more details on Christmas at Park Hyatt Sydney, visit parkhyattsydney.com or call +61 2 9256 1234.