Where Is It: Near Govett’s Leap in Blackheath, Blue Mountains, NSW.
Why Go: It’s a luxury boutique hotel well suited to a romantic getaway.
Best For: Couples who want options for dining and spa at other venues.
Three Things We Loved: The gardens, the ducks, the location.
The Ultimate Factor: The spacious rooms with a cozy gas log fire.
Overview:
Sydneysiders have enjoyed a love-affair with the Blue Mountains for decades. Although it’s only a couple of hours drive from the CBD, it’s a world away from the city; a place of fresh air and dramatic vistas, combined with a laid back vibe which is alluring, especially for couples in need of a romantic getaway. And now there’s another reason to visit. Parklands Blue Mountains is a revitalised boutique luxury hotel with a long history, established originally as a retreat by the wealthy businessman John Pope in the late 1800s. Today it’s still a quite spot for sophisticated travellers with plenty to offer including spacious accommodations and spa treatments, coupled with fine dining options at its sister properties including the newly remodeled Hydro Majestic. Along with the iconic Lilianfels and Echoes in Katoomba, they’re at all part of the Escarpment Group, and as a guest of one you have seamless access to all; have dinner at one property or a spa treatment at another, and you can bill it all back to your room at Parklands.
The Accommodation:
There are 28 guest rooms divided between seven garden cottages, with two spacious garden suites on the ground level, and two loft suites on the upper level of each. The cottages are individually named with historic links, and they all offer views of the gardens. The decor is contemporary with luxury furnishings, and features including a large bathroom with a rain shower, a gas log fire, limited free Wi-Fi access, tea and coffee making facilities, plush bathrobes, a hairdryer, Appelles bathroom amenities, and an LED TV with Foxtel. All accommodations benefit from a lovely spacious and open plan design, with the Loft Suites accessed from a private entrance from an open staircase, and the garden suites enjoying a private outdoor space. All guests have complimentary parking outside their cottage.
Where We Stayed:
Our home for the night was a ground floor Garden Suite which had the benefit of a quiet and secluded outdoor garden courtyard with seating for two. The entrance lobby leads into a large, open plan space. To the right there is a spacious marble bathroom with a huge walk-in rain shower and a small vanity, with a simple, neutral decor. The sitting area opens out to the garden through lovely French windows, and is an airy space with a large and comfy cloth couch placed strategically in front of a coffee table and the fireplace and flat screen TV. Behind is a long cabinet which is home to a complimentary mini bar stocked with water and soft drinks, and your tea and coffee making facilities. At the other end of the room at the front of the cottage is the sleeping area next to a bay window, with a large, comfy king sized bed adorned with plush linens and a fabric headboard and a work station opposite. The decor overall is neutral tones, with plenty of cream, soft gray and biscuit colours, silver drapes, and lovely splashes of colour in the emerald green cushions, and some attractive artworks including a large retro wall clock.
What Else Is There:
Besides the lovely expansive gardens, which include ponds, ducks and a kitchen garden growing vegetables and more, there is a small spa with two double and two single treatment rooms. If breakfast is included in your stay, you’ll enjoy it in the Lakeview Restaurant which has lovely views of the gardens and is part indoor, part conservatory with outside seating in good weather. The breakfast options include continental, full cooked or a la carte.
Read our restaurant review of the Wintergarden at the Hydro Majestic.
The Verdict:
Parklands has a lovely location, just far enough away from the action to be serene but not too far for you to get about and enjoy Blackheath’s attractions and the rest of the Blue Mountains. The only thing missing which would have enhanced the experience, particularly in winter, would have been a bathtub for a warming wallow after a long hike around Govett’s Leap, but otherwise it offers contemporary, boutique accommodation in a relaxed environment ideal for couples.
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