A luxe stay at Echoes in the Blue Mountains delivers unbeatable views

Lara Picone Lara Picone
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Drop your bags and absorb the incredible Jamison Valley views from your room at the luxe Echoes Blue Mountains.

From watching the rich sandstone of the Jamison Valley illuminated at sunrise and sunset to gazing at the mist drifting across the forest below on rainy days, Echoes Blue Mountains offers guests more than a luxury stay, it also showcases the magnificence of the Blue Mountains in high definition. Rooms with views, refined dining and elegant amenities all add to an escape that heavily suggests re-booking.

Location

Dramatic valley vistas await guests at this boutique hotel where the beauty of the Blue Mountains National Park unfurls from dawn to dusk in a parade of shifting colours and light.

the view of Jamison Valley from Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel
Echoes Boutique Hotel looks out over the Jamison Valley.

Set on the escarpment at Echo Point in Katoomba, you’ll find averting your eyes from the landscape a hard task, but once you do, your close proximity to the charming mountain town places fantastic eateries, bushwalks and entertainment close at hand.

the Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel at dusk
Check into the elegant Echoes Boutique Hotel.

Just a 90-minute drive from Sydney but totally immersed in nature, Echoes Boutique Hotel makes slipping into a relaxed state of mind entirely attainable for weekend jaunts.

the garden steps at Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel
Relax in the gardens that overlook the sprawling valley below.

Style and character

The incredible site at Echo Point has been occupied since the 1940s, when it was built as a retreat for Christian Nurses. Falling into disrepair in the ’80s, the homestead was eventually demolished and the three-storey Echoes guesthouse built in its place, embodying a contemporary style with Federation flourishes.

the cliff top gardens at Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel, Katoomba
The three-storey boutique hotel embodies contemporary style with Federation flourishes.

Since then, there have been a handful of iterations of the guesthouse until it evolved into the luxurious 4.5-star boutique hotel it is today. Each room is bequeathed vast panoramas of the Jamison Valley beyond and the onsite restaurant and function room also make the most of the hotel’s extraordinary position on the precipice of the escarpment. 

the corner view suite balcony overlooking the Blue Mountains
Every corner boasts panoramic views of the scenic Blue Mountains.

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Facilities

Hedonistic pleasures are catered for here at the onsite day spa, where weary limbs can be indulged in massage therapy, soak therapy and other treatments to enhance wellbeing.

the couples treatment room at the day spa in Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel
Get yourself pampered at the spa.

Naturally, with its boundlessly beautiful location, Echoes also caters to weddings, where the views may threaten to upstage the bride. There are also conference facilities for discerning corporate events.

the lobby and staircase at Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel
The lobby features a majestic staircase.

While the hotel doesn’t have its own pool or gymnasium, guests are welcome to complimentary access to the facilities of next-door sister hotel, Lilianfels Resort & Spa.

Rooms

There are no bad rooms at Echoes, with each opening out onto that scene-stealing Blue Mountains panorama. Whether you’re in a Corner View, Suite or Cliff View, Deluxe View or Grand Deluxe View room, you’ll awake to serenity beyond.

scenic views of the Blue Mountains from the Cliff View Room Balcony, Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel
Take in the sweeping views of the Blue Mountains from your Cliff View balcony.

Elegantly styled in a contemporary aesthetic and mountain charm, every room is named after a notable Australian explorer and differs slightly in colour palette and furnishings.

a look inside the Corner View Suite, Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel
The Corner View Suite comes with contemporary furnishings.

All enjoy the expected mod-cons of a 4.5-star hotel, including wi-fi and Appelles bathroom products, marble bathrooms and rainhead showers.

the bathroom at the Cliff View Room, Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel
Complete with marble bathrooms, the Cliff View Room is a luxe lover’s dream.

Food and drink

Although Echoes’ attention-seeking vistas are an undeniable drawcard for a stay here, it’s not the only reason to check-in. The hotel is also home to the wonderfully worthy fine dining Echoes Restaurant and Bar, where guests and day-trippers can sit down to well-executed modern Australian fare, such as grass-fed Riverina lamb backstrap and five-spiced duck breast.

the Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel restaurant terrace
Dine at Echoes Restaurant and Bar for incredible views and food to match.

Of course, meals are backdropped by that eye-drawing view and served alongside a fine wine list. Also open to non-guests, the popular restaurant can quickly fill up, so make sure you book ahead.

a close-up shot of the Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel restaurant terrace
Eye-drawing views provide scenic entertainment during your meal.

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Experiences

Stays here are often aglow with the aura of a special occasion, be it a honeymoon, babymoon, event birthday or engagement, so to make the experience as special as possible, Echoes has a range of packages to lean into the moment. From an Indulgence Package to a Babymoon Package and Gourmet Getaway Package, these bundles ensure you don’t miss out on any of the best bits. 

Access for guests with disabilities?

Unfortunately, there’s no access to rooms, suites or the restaurant for those with limited mobility.

Family-friendly?

The suites and grand deluxe rooms can sleep up to two adults and two children, however, while the hotel is family-friendly to a point, there’s not a lot to entertain young kids, making it more of a couple’s escape.

the external view of Echoes Boutique Hotel
Echoes Boutique Hotel is the perfect couple’s escape.

Details

While check in time isn’t until 3pm, on the flipside, you have until 11am to check out, which means you can enjoy those views from your bed with a lazy sleep in.

the corner view suite bedroom with a window
Enjoy the views from your bed.

Address: 3 Lilianfels Avenue, Katoomba; echoeshotel.com.au
Contact: (02) 4782 1966
Cost: Rates for the Deluxe View Room start at $386 per night.

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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Your guide to what’s new and exciting this summer on the Central Coast

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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    From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

    Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

    Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

    1. Gosford’s glow up

    room at voco gosford
    Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

    Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

    Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

    Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG). Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery, the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

    Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

    2. Newcomers to the dining scene

    table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal
    Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

    The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

    Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

    Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

    Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

    3. New Central Coast experiences

    winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery
    Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

    It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

    Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

    Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast, which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

    For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

    4. Central Coast accommodation

    view from a cottage at Noonaweena
    Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

    There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

    Allawah, a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

    In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

    To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort. This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

    5. Shopping on the Central Coast

    Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast
    Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

    For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

    Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets, where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

    Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

    Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics, or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

    For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co. This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

    Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com.