Embrace a Palm Springs-inspired retro stay at Kyah Boutique Hotel

By Megan Arkinstall
hero media
In the bohemian village of Blackheath lies Kyah, a sleek and stylish hotel that is just as ideal for families as it is for cool and young travellers.

Australia’s iconic Blue Mountains region isn’t known for contemporary and chic accommodation. Stately and elegant? Yes. Traditional and heritage? Certainly. But hip and cool? Not so much. The Kyah Boutique Hotel in Blackheath, however, has turned that idea on its head. The former 1970s motel was given an astonishing makeover making it the Blue Mountain’s coolest hotel, fit for travellers of all kinds. Here is all you need to know about this stylish Blackheath accommodation.

Pastel pink hallways at Kyah Boutique Hotel

Pastel pink hallways greet you on arrival. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Location

Kyah Boutique Hotel is located on the edge of the Blue Mountains’ town of Blackheath, a charming hub with many cafes, restaurants and stores located less than 20 minutes’ from the Three Sisters and Scenic World. Blackheath has some of the best bushwalking in the Blue Mountains, with the towering Cliff Top walking track from Evans Lookout to Govetts Leap and the Grand Canyon Track accessed just down the road from the Kyah.

Kyah Boutique Hotel Blackheath

Find Kyah in the bohemian village of Blackheath. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Style and character

The Kyah Boutique Hotel was transformed from a run-down 1970s motel that was completely gutted and renovated to ultra-chic Palm Springs-inspired accommodation. The building was reimagined by Sydney-based design firm MKD Architects with a fresh monochrome facade with potted cactus at its entry, accentuated curves and arches, and a colour palette of pastels and earthy tones. The Art Deco detailing add “twist of Hollywood glamour".

Room details feature a chair and lamp

Pops of colour against a pastel palette make for a charming combination. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

The large property on which Kyah resides is beautifully landscaped allowing guests ample opportunity to breathe in the alpine air, with (allegedly) one of the oldest Japanese cherry blossom trees in the Southern Hemisphere. There is also a vegetable garden from which produce is used in the restaurant.

the room at Kyah Boutique Hotel, Blackheath

Accentuated curves and arches add to the ultra-chic style of the hotel. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Facilities

The hotel features a restaurant open for breakfast daily, lunch on weekends and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday. There is also an outdoor hot tub and firepit, a sauna, tennis/basketball court and complimentary e-bikes for guests.

Hot tub outside at Kyah

Ease yourself into holiday mode with a soak in the hot tub. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

There is free on-site parking for guests and a ‘mini market’, a cart stocked with local goodies such as chocolate, olive and soaps to purchase.

Firepit at Kyah Boutique Hotel

Cool mountain nights call for time around the firepit. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

The hotel sauna and shower

Take advantage of the onsite sauna. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Rooms

The Blackheath hotel has 46 rooms in three wings, each named after one of the Three Sisters, that cater to a range of travellers from families to couples.

Queen-plus-one sized room at Kyah

Sunlight-drenched rooms make for a peaceful stay. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

There’s a King Room for two; a more spacious King Suite; a Queen Plus One, which features a queen and single bed, perfect for three guests; and a Family Suite and Two Bedroom Suite that both sleep five people.

Inside the rooms at Kyah

The rooms are decked out in stylish details and spacious in size. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Minibar inside Kyah

The minibar is stocked with local products and treats. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

All rooms feature a mini bar, tea and coffee-making facilities, free wi-fi, and bathrooms are stocked with locally and ethically made amenities. The Two Bedroom Suite has a bath.

Two bedroom suite at Kyah in the Blue Mountains

The stylish two-bedroom suite is perfect for larger groups or families. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

 

Food and Drink

Blaq is Kyah’s restaurant, bar and terrace helmed by Mate Herceg (former Hydro Majestic chef). The menu focuses on modern Australian cuisine created using hyper-local Blue Mountains produce and ingredients sourced from the onsite garden, from beetroot and kale to herbs and edible flowers.

Chickens and onsite kitchen garden at Kyah

The restaurant uses hyper-local Blue Mountains produce and ingredients sourced from the onsite garden. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

The restaurant is open daily for breakfast and serves a seasonal grazing table as well as hot breakfast dishes on the weekends. Lunch and dinner are served from an a la carte menu, accompanied by signature cocktails and wine hand-picked by award-winning sommelier Andres Aragon. The restaurant also hosts a regular calendar of events such as gin masterclasses to festive lunches.

a close-up shot of a dessert on a plate at Blaq Restaurant in Kyah Boutique Hotel

Blaq’s dessert menu will satisfy your sweet tooth. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Experiences

The Kyah hotel offers the use of its six e-bikes for free, which is the ideal way to head into Blackheath for a coffee or to browse the village stores or to explore the surrounding area without having to drive.

ebikes sit out front of Kyah Boutique Hotel in Blackheath

There are e-bikes available to use during your stay. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

The hotel is a short distance from the beginning of many hiking tracks in the Blue Mountains National Park, such as the Grand Canyon hike through lush green rainforest to see waterfalls.

a couple enjoying a walk along the Wentworth Falls Track in the Blue Mountains National Park

Be rewarded with views overlooking Wentworth Falls Track. (Image: Destination NSW)

There are a few accommodation packages available including a Kyah Stay with Dryridge Estate Wine Experience and a Tee-rific Golf Play and Stay, which includes 18 holes at Blackheath Golf Course.

Access for guests with disabilities?

The King Room has an accessible option with ramp access, while the restaurant is located on the ground floor and is suitable for guests with disabilities. Call the hotel to enquire.

Family-friendly?

The Kyah is very family-friendly, with rooms specially designed for travellers with kids, such as the Family Suite, which features a king bed and triple bunk and the Two Bedroom options that also sleep four and five. Families will love the multi-purpose basketball and tennis court, and the large property with gardens to explore.

Family suite bunk beds at Kyah

Families are well taken care of at Kyah.(Image: Steven Woodburn)

Details

Address: 13-17 Brightlands Ave, Blackheath

Cost: Rates start from $240 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.
See all articles
the Hydro Majestic Pavilion in the Blue Mountains
Blue Mountains

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

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

Read more
a woman dipping in the tub at Spicers Sangoma, Bowen Mountain
Blue Mountains

Blue Mountains accommodation: 14 stunning places to book now

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

Read more
Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort and Spa
Blue Mountains

Indulge in peaceful luxury at Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa

Perched at the edge of the breathtaking World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains, Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa offers idyllic accommodation for those looking to explore the region and recharge.

Read more
Orchard Cottage in Leura
Blue Mountains

10 charming country stays in Leura to escape to now

From a retreat in a historic nunnery to sprawling resorts and contemporary builds with jaw-dropping views, Leura accommodation is bursting with country charm from all angles.

Read more

The sprawling Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains has it all

    By Megan Arkinstall
    hero media
    Continue
    For the ultimate family-friendly accommodation in the Blue Mountains or a getaway with friends, the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains can’t be beat.

    When travelling with kids, there are often a few more checkboxes to your accommodation search. The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains ticks all those with its epic offering of family-friendly facilities, from an indoor playground to an ice-skating rink to a treetop adventure course.

    But it’s not just the kids who have the fun: there’s also a hip underground whiskey bar and fine dining, a golf course and a day spa, and the pretty village of Leura just a short drive away. You could say that the Fairmont Blue Mountains is a people-pleaser with all you need at your fingertips, making it the ideal place to stay with a group of friends too.

    the lake at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains in autumn

    The resort is adjacent to a serene lake. (Image: James Horan; Destination NSW)

    Location

    Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is nestled in the quaint village of Leura, high up on a ridge overlooking the Jamison Valley, in the UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains National Park. Leura is regarded as the prettiest town in the Blue Mountains, with its leafy town centre, heritage buildings and charming cafes and boutique stores.

    an aerial view looking over the Fairmont Resort in Leura and across the Jamison Valley

    The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains sits atop a ridge with views overlooking Jamison Valley. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The town is also home to Leura Cascades and Sublime Point, a lookout with panoramic views over the blue-hazed landscape. Neighbouring suburb Katoomba, the main hub of the Blue Mountains, is an eight-minute drive away. Here you’ll find the famous Three Sisters rock formations and Scenic World, where you can take a ride on the world’s steepest passenger railway to the valley floor.

    sunrise over the Jamison Valley and the Three Sisters, Blue Mountains, Katoomba

    Catch incredible sunrise views over the Jamison Valley and the Three Sisters. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Style and character

    Part of the M Gallery Hotel Collection, Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is a sprawling resort that has a cosy mountain chalet feel from the moment you enter the lobby. Think high ceilings with exposed beams, warm timber floors, red plaid rugs, alpine stone features and a fireplace, with floor-to-ceiling glass framing the mountains in the distance.

    The decor and styling in the public spaces and guest rooms (a mix of black leather lounges, striped fabric lounges, heavy red curtains and beige carpet) may be a little dated, however it’s comfortable and well-kept.

    a look inside the lobby at Fairmont Resort in Leura

    The lobby evokes a cosy mountain chalet feel. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Facilities

    The Fairmont is a fully serviced resort that caters to travellers of all kinds, but it really stands out as an excellent family-friendly resort. The resort features indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, a basketball court, an indoor kids’ zone of soft play equipment and arcade games, an outdoor hedge maze, miniature train rides, a treetops adventure park with a climbing course and an ice-skating rink.

    an outdoor pool with sun loungers at Fairmont Resort in Leura

    The indoor and outdoor pools are great family-friendly additions to the resort. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Phew! After all the fun with the kids, there’s a day spa to unwind. Leura Golf Club is also located on-site and features an 18-hole golf course and clubhouse. There are seven other restaurants and bar on the property, too, so there are plenty of choices to explore during your stay.

    Reception is open 24 hours, there is free parking on-site and electric car charging stations, and there’s also a boutique shop where you can pick up everyday items, gifts and souvenirs.

    Rooms

    There are 224 rooms at the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, boasting views over the Jamison Valley or the resort’s beautiful gardens.

    Accommodation includes Standard Rooms, which feature a king or twin beds, Superior Rooms which feature a king or two queen beds, and a Courtyard Room with a king or two singles and an enclosed courtyard on the ground floor overlooking the gardens. The more spacious Deluxe Balcony Rooms have high chalet ceilings and a balcony. There is also a Deluxe Spa Room with a corner spa in the bathroom.

    an aerial view of the Jamison Valley from Fairmont Resort in Leura

    The rooms feature breathtaking views of the Jamison Valley. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Families can choose the Family Suite, which comprises interconnecting rooms – a king bedroom and a twin room (sleeps four). Other suites offer more space, such as the Junior Suite, which has an open-plan lounge room with a balcony (sleeps two), a Luxury Suite, which has a lounge room and dining area (sleeps two), and a Deluxe Suite with one or two bedrooms and a marble fireplace (sleeps up to four). The Deluxe Grand Suite also has a fireplace and features two balconies (sleeps two).

    The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is a pet-friendly resort too. The Pet Rooms are on the ground floor and feature an enclosed courtyard for your furry friend to stretch their legs.

    Food and Drink

    Jamison’s Restaurant is where buffet breakfast is served alongside an outlook of the sprawling valley and sandstone escarpments in the distance. Bi-fold windows can be opened to allow a fresh breeze in the warmer months. High tea is also served in this space daily, with kids options available.

    Embers Grill is located just off the lobby and has soaring windows for captivating valley views. The intimate restaurant keeps cosy during the winter months with a fireplace and serves a steakhouse menu for lunch and dinner.

    dining at Eucalypt Restaurant inside Fairmont Resort in Leura

    Enjoy fine dining at Eucalypt Restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Another dining venue with – you guessed it – unbeatable views is No.1 Sublime Point. This fine dining restaurant offers a five-course degustation with matching wines, inspired by seasonal produce.

    Contemporary Italian cuisine is served in Azzurro Trattoria, which has a casual atmosphere and a kids’ menu for the little diners. Think family favourites such as pizza and pasta.

    the Embers Restaurant inside Fairmont Resort in Leura

    Dine at Embers for captivating valley views. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Sublime Lounge is adjacent to the lobby and is a cosy spot for a coffee and cake or a cocktail. It has a fireplace and is open all day. While down in the basement, Two Doctors Whiskey Tavern is filled with leather chesterfields and velvet chairs and vintage curios. You can come for a drink or stay for dinner, with late night live music from Thursday to Sunday.

    Leura Golf Club also features a bistro that’s open for lunch and dinner. The whole family will love the pub-style menu of burgers, steaks, salads and the like. There’s a kids menu too.

    guests dining at Eucalypt Restaurant inside the Fairmont Resort & Spa, Leura in the Blue Mountains

    The elegant Eucalypt Restaurant delivers meals and views to remember. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Experiences

    The resort features Ubika Day Spa and salon, which has a range of wellness experiences for some R&R, such as massage, facials, pedicures and more.

    The Blue Mountains Ice Skating Rink is also located at the resort. You can book regular ice-skating sessions here or time your visit with special events such as disco nights and ice-skating shows.

    a woman getting a spa treatment at Ubika Day Spa

    Pamper yourself at Ubika Day Spa. (Image: Destination NSW)

    As well as the ample family-friendly facilities – such as the kids’ zone, miniature train rides and treetops adventure park – the resort holds a school holiday program. The schedule is packed with fun activities such as magic shows, face painting, kids’ golf clinics and pony rides.

    The resort also offers accommodation packages including a Wellness Package with day spa treatments and a Stay and Play golf package.

    a morning yoga session at Fairmont Resort & Spa, Leura in the Blue Mountains

    Join a morning yoga session. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Accessibility

    The Fairmont has accessible rooms available for guests with disabilities, located on lower ground or accessed via a lift. Guests will need to contact the resort directly to book these room types. They feature a walk-in shower with handrail. All restaurants and bars are accessible.

    Family-friendly?

    The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is the most family-friendly resort in the area, with a roster of fun activities and facilities for young and old alike, as well as room types to accommodate up to four guests.

    Details

    Best for: Family friendly accommodation with the views to match

    Address: 1 Sublime Point Road, Leura NSW