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A stay at the Hydro Majestic Blue Mountains is one for the books

Megan Arkinstall

Sub-Editor & Journalist

11 March 2024

As far as legendary hotels go, the Hydro Majestic Blue Mountains is one of the best known, with accommodation that blends history and glamour.

When you look up grand historic hotels in the Blue Mountains , chances are the Hydro Majestic will be high up on the list. This historic hotel has welcomed guests since 1904, initially offering weird and wonderful hydropathic treatments as the first health retreat in Australia and attracting famous guests such as Dame Nellie Melba and Sir Edmund Barton.

The hotel is positioned in the picturesque Blue Mountains.

The following century saw it repurposed as a hospital during the war, destroyed by fire and rebuilt with buildings added, and then it fell into disrepair. The once famous Blue Mountains hotel lay dormant for a while until a multi-million-dollar refurbishment restored the glamour of its heyday, and in 2014 the Hydro Majestic reopened to much fanfare. Here, all you need to know about the Hydro Majestic hotel.

The Hydro Majestic has one of the Blue Mountains’ best views, sitting on the edge of an escarpment in the town of Medlow Bath , a name that nods to the hotel’s history as a health and wellness resort. The hotel affords panoramic views over the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park and Megalong Valley. Medlow Bath is located between the towns of Blackheath and Katoomba ( home to the Three Sisters and Scenic World ), an easy five- and 10-minute drive respectively.

The hotel sits on the edge of an escarpment with commanding views of Megalong Valley. (Image: Destination NSW)

Style and character

A stay at this historic Blue Mountains hotel will transport you to the early 20th century through a mix of architectural designs, from Victorian to Art Deco, and opulent interior styling.

The Hydro Majestic was originally built in 1903 for Australia’s rich and famous, with the ornate domed ceiling of the Casino Ballroom shipped in from Chicago, gilded features and artworks collected from all over the world.

When the Hydro Majestic reopened in 2014, much of these original features had been restored by a team of heritage experts, its grand façade painted a fresh white, and its public spaces filled with velvet furniture, bespoke pendants, decorative carpets and wallpapers, and touches of gold.

The art deco-inspired Hydro Majestic Hotel is rich in heritage. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Hydro Majestic features four dining and drinking venues, the Hydro Majestic Pavilion, which doubles as a history space for Hydro Majestic memorabilia and a providore that sells Blue Mountains gourmet food and wine.

Explore the interactive living history on display at the Hydro Majestic Pavilion. (Image: Destination NSW)

The hotel doesn’t have a swimming pool, spa or other fitness facilities, however its sister hotels do – Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa and Parklands Country Gardens & Lodges, which are part of The Escarpment Group.

The perfect setting for a romantic escape.  (Image: Tourism Australia)

The Hydro Majestic reception is open from 7am to 11pm daily and complimentary parking is available on-site.

The Medlow Bath hotel has 67 guest rooms, all designed with a monochromatic palette, Appelles bathroom amenities, free wi-fi and tea and coffee-making facilities.

Step into the elegantly refurbished Hydro Majestic Hotel in the Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

In the Belgravia Wing, accommodation ranges from the Heritage Rooms, which feature a queen bed or two singles and a walk-in or shower over bath and the cosy Heritage Valley View Rooms that have views over the Megalong Valley.

The Belgravia Rooms are larger with views of either the gardens or valley. The Belgravia Valley View Suite has a corner spa and sitting area, and The Belgravia Deluxe Room features a bay window and a separate shower.

In the Hargravia Wing, there are Hargravia Valley View Rooms that have a more traditional heritage style, which continues in the Majestic Wing where an extra touch of glamour is added with chandeliers and gold trimmings. The Majestic Valley View Rooms feature a marble bathroom, while the Majestic Valley View Suite is the largest on the property at 38 square metres and features a king bed, spa bath and separate living area.

The Delmonte Wing was the last section of the hotel to be renovated and sits adjacent to the Hydro Pavilion. The rooms in this section are styled in an Art Deco aesthetic and feature a king bed, with shower over the bath.

Food and drink

Full buffet breakfast is served in the Belgravia Lobby Lounge; also a cosy spot for an aperitif.

Take in panoramic views while enjoying a remarkable high tea experience at the light-filled Wintergarden. (Image: Destination NSW)

The light-filled Wintergarden is the Hydro Majestic’s premier restaurant. With lavish interiors and panoramic windows capturing views over the Megalong Valley, the setting can’t be beat for fine dining with a set menu of modern Australian cuisine. It’s one of the Blue Mountain’s best high teas too, with an eastern, western and children’s version served daily, with tea, cocktails or sparkling.

The chic Salon Du Thé bar and lounge is renowned for Oriental-inspired tea displays. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Salon du The is a tearoom and bar that runs along a corridor of the hotel that was infamously once called Cat’s Alley – named for the mistresses who would linger here. It has a rich red colour scheme and oriental design, views over the valley, and serves bar snacks and beverages. (This bar was closed at the time of publishing, please check directly for updates.)

The tearoom and bar was formerly known as Cat’s Alley.

The Boiler House Restaurant is a casual dining spot, serving pizzas, pastas, fish and chips and the like. As with most of the public areas, it also boasts incredible views over the Megalong Valley.

Experiences

The Hydro Majestic Pavilion is described as a ‘living history space’ and is where you can enjoy or take home unique food and wines from the Blue Mountains and surrounding regions. There’s also a display of the Hydro Majestic’s fascinating history, featuring old photos and stories of the hotel, as well as memorabilia including tableware, art, furniture and even bizarre hydropathic instruments used during the early days.

The old Casino stage where Dame Nellie Melba would have performed.

There are daily history tours that run at 11am and 3pm from the Casino Lobby. Learn about the hotel’s history, hear about its eccentric founder Mark Foy, and see its grand rooms and spaces. The guided tour runs for 45 minutes and costs $10 per person; bookings are essential.

There are also packages available, which include touring around the Blue Mountains in a vintage car to really immerse yourself in yesteryear.

One of Hydro Majestic’s highlights is the ornate domed ceiling of the Casino Ballroom. (Image: Destination NSW)

Access for guests with disabilities?

Accessible rooms are available in the Delmonte Wing, which has lift access. Contact the hotel to enquire about booking one of these rooms. The Wintergarden, Belgravia Lobby and Boiler House are located on the ground level and are suitable for people in a wheelchair.

Family-friendly?

The hotel is family-friendly, with children’s menus available at the restaurants, however, the rooms are very small and can only accommodate two people.

Address: The Hydro Majestic Blue Mountains , 52 – 88 Great Western Highway, Medlow Bath, NSW

Cost: Rates start from $229 per room

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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Comments (3)

Totally disapointed. High tea low quality. You can get better scones of the shelve at Coles or Woolworth We do not know where is the atmosphere of the Majestic before “reconstruction Service is almost non existent

Excellent review. Honest, no frills, no euphemisms. Thankyou

I stayed there in the early 70s. At that time it was grand. Had a ballroom, the food was wonderful, and it had an old world elegance. It had an outdoor heated pool, and an indoor gym. Thoroughly enjoyed my stay there at that time.

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 'A Taste Of Christmas'  

Saturday 16th Dec 2023, Saturday 23rd Dec 2023 and Sunday 24th Dec 2023

Make this year’s Christmas celebration a special one! The Wintergarden will host a decadent 5 course degustation experience with all the trimmings to help you celebrate with your family and friends. 

Christmas Day Celebrations

Monday 25th December 2023

Our award winning team have created a range of magical taste tiers to help you celebrate this festive season. Feast your senses and take a moment to unwind this Christmas overlooking the beautiful Megalong Valley.

New Year's Eve Celebration

Sunday 31st December 2023

Come and celebrate New Years Eve with us at the iconic Hydro Majestic and experience dining in The Wintergarden Restaurant overlooking the magnificent Megalong Valley. Indulge in a fabulous degustation dinner and enjoy live music as you count down in style to another exciting year ahead!

Stay Dine & Save Deal

SAVE 15% when you stay two nights at The Hydro Majestic nestled on top of the Megalong and Kanimbla Valley. Inclusive of one 3 course dinner at our Hatted Wintergarden restaurant for 2 people.

Blue Mountains  Restaurants

Renowned for its innovative cuisine and fine wines, the Blue Mountains is one of Australia’s most famous foodie destinations. 

Gift Vouchers

Hydro Majestic Gift Vouchers make the ideal Birthday and Christmas gifts for friends, family or corporate incentives. It can be applied to dining or accommodation services at the Hydro Majestic in the heart of the Blue Mountains.

Seasonal Escape Deal

SAVE 10% when you stay two nights at The Hydro Majestic nestled on top of the Megalong and Kanimbla Valley. Enjoy the magnificent uninterrupted valley views whilst immersing in the quintessential regional escape . 

Blue Mountains Dream Weddings

Create your dream wedding at our stunning Blue Mountains reception venue at Hydro Majestic.

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Hydro Majestic Hotel Blue Mountains

The Hydro Majestic is an iconic and historic hotel stretching 1.1 kilometres along the escarpment edge of the spectacular World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains overlooking the picturesque Megalong Valley.

Escape to the world-famous Blue Mountains and take a journey through time to re-discover the elegance that is The Hydro Majestic. Just one hour and 45 minutes drive from Sydney the Hydro Majestic features art deco inspired accommodation and is an unrivalled escape into the luxury and grandeur of yesteryear.

With 82 guestrooms to choose from, Hydro Majestic Blue Mountains offers several accommodation options to meet the needs of every guest. Accommodation at the Hydro Majestic is located across 5 different wings; Belgravia main building, the Belgravia Gallery wing, the Hargravia wing, the Majestic wing and the newly renovated Delmonte wing. Within each wing of the hotel, the art deco-inspired rooms have been designed to reflect the rich heritage of this iconic hotel and of the Blue Mountains with the glamour of yesteryear.

Accessibility

Disabled access available, contact operator for details.

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Hydro Majestic Hotel Blue Mountains

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" This high tea caters to the Asian palate, tourist trap. No french patisserie "

" Traffic was very heavy on the Saturday, and currently roadworks out front. Minor inconvenience. "

" Very expensive and yet unreliable "

" Don’t go "

" Get a valley view room. "

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HYDRO MAJESTIC HOTEL BLUE MOUNTAINS (AU$200): 2024 Prices & Reviews - Photos of Hotel - Tripadvisor

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See the blue mountains, local attractions, explore activities across the blue mountains.

The Hydro Majestic Hotel

Historic blue mountains escape overlooking the megalong valley with fine dining.

Discover a world beyond modern luxuries, to a palace full of glamour and grandeur, with an opulent stay at The Hydro Majestic Hotel. Tucked away in the Blue Mountains, this wellness retreat-turned-hotel boasts dining options, including the award-winning Wintergarden restaurant, with breathtaking views of the lush Megalong Valley. Brimming with a natural elegance and filled with an incredibly romantic atmosphere, this Art Deco-inspired destination is the perfect escape.

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Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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