From luxury hotels to family-friendly resorts and stylish holiday homes, this is the best accommodation in the Blue Mountains.

Named for the subtle blue haze that has settled over its landscape – from the evaporating oils of the eucalypt trees in its lush forests – the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains is a must-visit destination. Families will have a fun-filled stay, visiting the famous Three Sisters and riding the steepest passenger train in the world; it’s an idyllic place for a romantic getaway with crisp mountain air and cosy fireplaces to snuggle by; it’s a bushwalking mecca, with sheer sandstone escarpments, deep valleys and gushing waterfalls; and the perfect location to take a reset.

In short

If you only stay at one place in the Blue Mountains, make it Gang Gang Cabin. With its cosy, hidden haven vibes encircled by bushland and with wood-fired hot tub and firepit, you can’t get a more mountain-perfect stay to help you truly rewild.

1. Ardour Lilianfels, Katoomba

Best for: Couples, heritage charm, central location

When it comes to the best location to stay in the Blue Mountains, Ardour Lilianfels can’t be beat. This historic hotel sits on an escarpment overlooking the Jamison Valley, just a 500-metre walk to the Three Sisters and Scenic World and in Katoomba, where you’ll find plenty of places to dine, too. The hotel is housed within a heritage-listed homestead and its style reflects this old-world charm, with decorative wallpapers and traditional furnishings. While there are ample things to do in Katoomba, the hotel has two swimming pools, a tennis court, day spa and handful of places to dine and drink, so you’ll be forgiven for not wanting to leave.

Address: 5-19 Lilianfels Avenue, Katoomba

2. Kyah Boutique Hotel, Blackheath

Best for: Families, couples, design-savvy travellers

This could be the Blue Mountains’ coolest accommodation. The Kyah Boutique Hotel opened in 2022 in Blackheath, which has some excellent dining options and some great bushwalks. But the best bit about Kyah is its range – with affordable and stylish rooms for families and groups of friends. With a style inspired by Palm Springs but with its Australian mountain surroundings in mind, The Kyah is all soothing earthy and pastel tones, curves and accents of gold. There’s a restaurant onsite, which has a menu centred around local produce and ingredients from the garden.

Address: 13-17 Brightlands Ave, Blackheath

3. Hydro Majestic, Medlow Bath

Best for: Heritage charm, luxury, mountain views

Teetering on the edge of an escarpment with breathtaking views of Megalong Valley, Hydro Majestic is the mountain’s most iconic stay. Reopening in 2014 after years of abandonment, the historic hotel was restored to its former glory, with a range of stylish guest rooms. It’s well worth a visit, even if only to enjoy high tea in the Wintergarden or a cocktail in the notorious Cats Alley. The hotel is located in Medlow Bath, between the towns of Katoomba and Blackheath, and is a great base to explore the best things to do in the Blue Mountains.

Address: 52-88 Great Western Hwy, Medlow Bath

4. Parklands Country Garden & Lodges, Blackheath

Best for: Heritage charm, families, couples

Set on 11 hectares of manicured gardens, Parklands in Blackheath is both a romantic escape for couples and a comfy stay for families. The suites can sleep up to four people and ooze country charm, with fireplaces and bay windows overlooking the leafy grounds.

Breakfast is served in the sun-lit Lakeview Breakfast Room and there is also a tranquil day spa onsite. The lodge’s location is central to the village of Blackheath and is close to many bushwalking tracks, such as the spectacular Govetts Leap Lookout just down the road.

Address: 132 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath

5. Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, Leura

Best for: Families, mountain views, affordability

Located in the charming town of Leura, the Fairmont is arguably the most family-friendly resort in the Blue Mountains. You could easily spend your entire stay at the resort, flitting between the pool, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, jungle gym, arcade games and miniature train. There are many room types to choose from, including an epic Family Suite, multiple dining venues, a cosy lobby lounge and an underground whisky bar. There’s also an 18-hole course for golf lovers.

Address: 1 Sublime Point Road, Leura

6. Love Cabins, Bilpin

Best for: Couples, seclusion, unique accommodation

Step into a real-life fairytale at the Love Cabins, set across 240 hectares of private bushland near Bilpin. The Treehouse is a favourite stay, set high in the treetops and resplendent in natural woods, with an incredible outdoor spa, too. From Sydney, the Love Cabins can be reached via the scenic Bells Line of Road, an idyllic Blue Mountains road trip that will take you past apple cideries, roadside shops and lookouts with incredible views.

Address: The cabins are located on two properties in Mountain Lagoon and Berambing, near Bilpin

7. Spicers Sangoma, Bowen Mountain

Best for: Couples, adults-only, luxury

Sangoma is named after the Zulu word for healer, which indicates what a stay at Spicers Sangoma is all about. Wedged between the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury River, the seclusion of this adults-only retreat is all part of the charm. There are just eight suites, each with deep baths and fireplaces, an onsite restaurant serving local produce and a restorative spa. Guests can spend their time with zen activities such as yoga and meditation or bushwalking and canyoning.

Address: 70 Grandview Lane, Bowen Mountain

8. Mt Kanimbla Retreats, Mt Kanimbla

Best for: Couples, families, mountain views

Mt Kanimbla Retreats is set on 14 hectares atop Mt Kanimbla, located west of Blackheath. There are two cabins, Hilltop Cabin and Woodlands Cabin, both perfect for a romantic getaway. Each cabin features warm timbers and stone walls, a deep indoor bathtub, fireplace and mineral plunge pool with sweeping views. The Lodge can sleep up to eight and has a barbecue with outdoor dining, billiards table, fireplace, kitchen and private plunge pool.

Address: 43 Megalong Place, Kanimbla

9. Cloud Parade, Leura

Best for: Families, mountain views, style

Its name will give you a hint to its location, located high on an escarpment in the Blue Mountains with views of Mt Solitary and the Three Sisters. Cloud Parade is a short walk to the quaint town of Leura, which is home to an abundance of boutique shops, and Gordon Falls is just down the road. Sleeping 10 guests, this uber-stylish stay is great for groups of friends and families, with a full kitchen, laundry and open fireplace for the cooler months. It’s also a quick drive to Katoomba, where families can spend the day at Scenic World.

Address: Leura (address given upon booking confirmation)

10. Echoes Boutique Hotel, Katoomba

Best for: Mountain views, central location, affordability

Echoes Boutique Hotel sits atop one of a sheer escarpment on the edge of Katoomba. Welcoming guests since the 1990s, the guest rooms are simple and comfortable, with panoramic views from private balconies making up for the style. Echoes Restaurant and Bar is located onsite and serves a menu of Australian cuisine with Asian influences.

Address: 3 Lilianfels Ave, Katoomba

11. Little Black Cabin, Blackheath

Best for: Couples, seclusion, style

This 120-year-old cottage was restored and given an architectural makeover to become a sleek tiny stay. Sleeping just two guests, the Little Black Cabin has views of the Megalong Valley, an outdoor fireplace, projector for movies, rain shower with heated bathroom floor and laundry. It’s an easy walk into Blackheath to grab a meal or browse the shops, and at the foot of many bush trails.

Address: Blackheath (address given upon booking confirmation)

12. Norwood Arthouse, Blackheath

Best for: Heritage charm, families, groups

Built in 1888, this charming home is state heritage-listed and has been restored to its original glory, with an eclectic mix of vintage furniture and curios, vibrant colours and decorative wallpapers. There are seven en suite bedrooms, which sleep 14 guests, two lounge rooms, a full kitchen, grand verandah and original indoor fireplaces. Modern comforts have been added such as air-conditioning, an espresso machine, electric vehicle chargers, solar panels and an infrared sauna.

Address: Blackheath (address given upon booking confirmation)

13. Orchard Cottage, Leura

Best for: Heritage charm, families, luxury

In the heart of Leura, Orchard Cottage is a restored heritage property that accommodates up to 10 guests. It’s a light-filled space with high ceilings and white interiors; the authentic French flooring adds warmth and the bespoke furnishings elevate the luxury.

Guests can cook in the galley kitchen, on the outdoor barbecue or pizza oven, or walk into town to dine. The adorable front verandah is just begging to be sat on with a cuppa.

Address: 112 Railway Pde, Leura

14. Eagle View Escape, Rydal

Best for: Couples, adults-only, seclusion

Dreaming of a romantic escape to the country where it feels like you’re the only two people on Earth? Eagle View Escape is an adults-only stay nestled on a 100-acre property in Rydal, 45 minutes north-west of Katoomba. You’ll be swept off your feet with vistas of Lake Lyal and Cox River. It comprises six self-contained suites with views of the surrounding valley and lake, each with cosy fireplaces and spa baths. Bunker down in your boutique suite and take advantage of the self-cook packs and picnic hampers, as well as cheese and wine platters.

Address: 271 Sandalls Drive, Rydal

15. Tiny Billy

Best for: A few close couples and their fur friend

Perfect for trainspotters and bird-watchers alike, this petite Blue Mountains escape is perched in bushland overlooking the iconic Zig Zag Railway. Although small in name and stature, Tiny Billy sleeps up to six people with a queen bed, two single bunks and a double bed in the loft. Cosy and tranquil, there’s a fire pit, hot tub that becomes a plunge pool in summer, and a hammock for lounging and listening out for the puff of the steam train or native birdsong.

Address: Clarence (address given upon booking confirmation)

16. Chalets at Blackheath

Best for: A private sanctuary in nature

Perched above the Grand Canyon in Blackheath, Chalets at Blackheath is a Hilton-owned property, so you can be assured a certain level of refinement. These four freestanding, eco-forward private sanctuaries take full advantage of the dramatic scenery of plunging escarpments and lush valley and invite you to re-luxe with daybeds and fire pits on every private deck.

Address: 394 Evans Lookout Road, Blackheath

17. Bubbletent

Best for: Stargazers

Set on a vast property dubbed ‘Bubbleland’ in the Capertree Valley, which sprawls in the Greater Blue Mountains, the six Bubbletents offer near-uninterrupted star-gazing with their transparent domes. An adults-only retreat, each tent is off-grid and has access to three cooking stations. You’re all set for celestial musings with all bubbles set up with their own fire pit and telescope, some also have a rotating bed that doubles as a ping pong table, while Ophiuchus has its own treehouse and Pisces has a tree net hammock.

Address: Capertree Valley (address sent two weeks prior to your stay)

18. The Carrington Katoomba

Best for: Heritage charm

A Katoomba icon, the heritage-listed The Carrington is a grand old dame clinging elegantly to a bygone era. Renovated with sensitivity, the 65 rooms lean into the historic beauty of the hotel’s glory days without feeling overdone. More than simply a hotel, The Carrington Precinct also houses a cocktail bar called Champagne Charlie’s, a grand dining room, Carrington Cellars and Deli, Katoomba Brewing Co, The Old City Bank & Brasserie, and a cabaret venue, The Baroque Room.
Address: 15-47 Katoomba Street, Katoomba

19. Gang Gang cabin

Best for: Bush-hemmed cabin vibes

Tucked into 25 acres of bushland in the Megalong Valley, Gang Gang is a two-bedroom stay that removes all barriers to syncing with nature. Stargaze from the wood-fired hot tub, make your own pizza with the provided ingredients, and snuggle up by the fire pit. Stylish timber-clad interiors place the greenery outdoors in the spotlight, while an indoor fireplace and coffee machine make cold mornings feel like a treat.

Address: Megalong Valley (address given upon booking confirmation)

20. Wondernest

Best for: Lounging in design-led comfort

A woodland cottage of your mountain dreams, the Scandi-inspired black-hued Wondernest will make the hearts of design lovers skip a beat. Inside, it’s a monochromatic delight with high ceilings and timber floors warmed by an indoor fireplace. The two-storey, two-bedroom stay is a true chalet-style ‘nest’ with a box window inviting cosy cups of tea and a good book. A fully equipped kitchen and laundry ensures you can truly bunker in for the weekend or longer.

Address: Blackheath (address given upon booking confirmation)

21. Rustic Pines Escape

Best for: Large groups

This boutique home sleeps up to 10 people across three bedrooms and a sofa bed, making it perfect for a celebratory family getaway or group trip with the mates. Beautifully styled in a contemporary black-heavy palette, this Medlow Bath stay gives alpine vibes with a full kitchen, outdoor fire pit and pine-hemmed private setting.

Address: Medlow Bath (address given upon booking confirmation)