One of Australia’s most famous tourism landmarks, the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains at Leura had a $10 million renovation last year and is now one of the jewels in the crown of Accor’s exclusive MGallery collection of hotels.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year (2013), the original Fairmont Resort was launched in 1988 and was the first major upscale hotel in the Blue Mountains. For almost two decades the resort was a favourite destination for luxurious holidays, weddings and conferences. A multi-award winning hotel with a peerless location overlooking the Jamison Valley, the Fairmont attracted guests from all over the world seeking refined accommodation in the heart of this World Heritage site.
Fairmont Resort BM
The hotel’s major renovation program has seen an upgrade to facilities and services to meet the demands of today’s travellers. With a particular focus on catering to the family market, the resort has launched a new kids’ club, a new indoors merry-go-round, a full activities program including film nights, enhanced recreational facilities, and has introduced the ‘Fairmont Express, a life-size replica toy train to take people around the resort.
For couples there are upgraded day spa facilities, four dining options and upgraded suites for special occasions.
A new-look outdoor swimming pool is a major feature of the resort, as are the sprawling manicured gardens and new decking area which sits in front of Embers Restaurant, making the most of the panoramic views.
Blue Mountains By Michelle Karaman-Jones
The MGallery Fairmont Resort is perched on the edge of Australia’s World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, just a 90-minute drive from Sydney.
The NSW Tourism Awards, in Royal Randwick’s grand ballroom, set a benchmark for best practice within the tourism industry and publicly recognised the state’s finest tourism operators.
Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, an MGallery hotel, was awarded the best business tourism and best deluxe accommodation award, capping off a milestone year for the resort as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.
General Manager of Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, Bernie Boller (2nd from left) with team
After completing a $12 million dollar renovation where guest rooms, public areas and facilities were upgraded, and with further expansion plans in place which include the building of a state-of-the-art day spa, the resort continues to go from strength to strength.
Resort general manager Bernie Boller says winning the awards is a testament to the staff and hotel owners in bringing first-class service and authentic experiences to guests.
FAIRMONT RESORT MGALLERY
Featuring 210 deluxe rooms, the Fairmont Resort is a destination in itself. Set in 10 hectares of grounds, the property has three lakes and walking tracks, and boasts views over Jamison Valley and adjoining Leura Golf Course. There is an extensive range of leisure facilities including four dining options, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and squash courts, table tennis, a gymnasium, indoor theatre and spa treatment facilities. The resort’s famous paddle boats have been reintroduced and a carousel added to make it even more family-friendly. Segway tours around the resort grounds have proven popular with guests; tours can be booked at reception.
Upon joining the MGallery Collection in 2012, the 4.5-star Fairmont Resort became part of a highly distinctive set of upscale hotels which posses an exceptional personality through one of three principal atmospheres: Heritage, Serenity and Signature. Serenity hotels in the MGallery Collection are often hidden away in natural surroundings: be it by the water, countryside or mountains.
With the Fairmont Resort’s serene and tranquil setting coupled with boutique finishes, the resort was a perfect addition to the Serenity collection of MGallery hotels. Other hotels in the Serenity category of MGallery hotels include Hotel St Moritz in Queenstown, New Zealand; Songstam Retreat in Shangri-la, China, and the Grand Hôtel Roi René in Aix-en Provence, France.
Fairmont Resort By Michelle Karaman-Jones
The 18-hole Leura Golf Course is adjacent to the resort and has some of the best golf in the Blue Mountains. The Fairmont Resort is a great base to explore attractions including Leura Village, Wentworth Falls, the Three Sisters, Zig Zag railway and award-winning gardens.
Guests have one of Australia’s most dramatic natural wonders at their doorstep, with rainforests, canyons, hidden caves and endless bushland to explore. From bushwalking and mountain biking to canyoning and abseiling the region is perfect for nature lovers.
Rates at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains start from $269 a night;
bookings: www.fairmontresort.com.au or (02) 4758 0000.
MGALLERY is the high-end hotel collection of the Accor group, first worldwide hotel operator, with 4400 hotels and 145,000 employees in 92 countries. Each hotel of the collection stages with talent a unique personality and story, experienced by guests through its architecture, interior design and services. There more than 60 hotels in the MGallery collection spanning five continents.
Each hotel is inspired by one of the three typical atmospheres of the collection. Some hotels present ”Heritage” origins, places filled with history; others reflect an aesthetic universe, a style, the “Signature” of a personality who contributed to their creation or decoration; others finally promise a relaxing time, “Serenity,’’ in a natural or urban retreat. All hotels of the collection invite guests to experience “Memorable Moments”.
Details: mgallery.com