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

Megan Arkinstall Megan Arkinstall
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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)

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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)

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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

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Megan Arkinstall
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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9 of the best Sydney hotel bars for a local adventure

(Credit: Nikki To)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
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    A great night out doesn’t need a road trip, just the right bar. Swap the long drive for an evening at these standout Sydney venues.

    If you’re thinking of a staycation or a long weekend (with foodie benefits), you can’t get much better than the bright lights and beautiful vistas of Sydney. From tucked-away bars to late-night hidden hangs, Australia’s (unofficial) favourite city is packed full of venues that make staying local feel like an adventure.

    1. El Vista, Circular Quay

    bar tender at El Vista, Circular Quay sydney hotel bars
    Enjoy tasty cocktails and gorgeous Sydney views. (Credit: Mario Francisco)

    This welcoming bar by the Maybe Sammy team offers a fun buzz and jaw-dropping harbour views. Part of the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, this lounge bar sits above Circular Quay with the harbour on one side and the Botanical Gardens on the other. You may start here for pre-dinner drinks, but you won’t want to leave before the early hours. If the 1960s Acapulco vibe isn’t enough, the views will be – the Sydney Harbour Bridge is so close it hardly fits in the window, while ferries glide by all night.

    2. Bar Allora, CBD

    Bar Allora, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Settle in for a taste of Italy.

    Inspired by Milan in the 1980s, Bar Allora brings Italian style and culture to the CBD. Although it’s officially part of the Mantra 2 Bond Street hotel, it’s designed to look and feel like you’ve travelled to Italy for all-day dining. Think espresso in the morning, aperitivo in the afternoon and Negronis late into the night. Accompany your liquid diet with Italian-style small plates and pastas with a modern twist.

    3. Percy, Pyrmont

    Percy Sydney hotel bars
    Spanish-style tapas and wine is the name of the game. (Credit: Steven Woodburn)

    Taking centre stage in the luxe foyer of the Woolstore 1888 Hotel in Pyrmont, Percy is a popular Spanish-style tapas and wine bar serving food that makes you want to linger. The restored 138-year-old wool store creates an atmospheric backdrop to your glass of merlot with exposed timber beams, brick and the echoes of Sydney’s past. With an air of Barcelona, expect low conversations, creative dining and the city moments away.

    4. The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD

    The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Seafood lovers should head to The Crudo Bar. (Credit: Nikki To)

    Grab a seat at the beautifully designed crudo bar, taking centre stage in Giovanni Pilu’s latest CBD restaurant, Flaminia. Enjoy a glass of chilled Vermentino from Sardinia or prosecco from the hills of Treviso, matched with freshly shucked oysters. Complement your seafood with a range of special dressings, influenced by iconic Italian port cities. It’s the perfect spot for a pre- or post- glass of wine before visiting the Sydney Opera House.

    5. Mee So, Sydney Central

    Mee So sydney
    Enjoy Japanese-influenced food and drinks.

    For something a little different, Mee So is a modern, neon-lit Japanese-influenced bar in the Ibis Sydney Central. Serving bold flavours and umami-heavy dishes alongside sake and yuzu-infused cocktails, this Tokyo-esque venue offers an escape from the busy streets outside. Order steaming ramen, a Japanese whisky, and make a corner of Mee So yours for the night.

    6. Bar Morris, Haymarket

    Bar Morris sydney
    Settle into old-world European glamour.

    Housed in a 1929 heritage-listed building, Bar Morris brings old-world European glamour to the Hotel Morris Sydney, part of Accor’s Handwritten Collection. More of a destination than a pitstop, this bar leans into its Art Deco past with velvet features, intimate lighting and bold brass finishes. Here you can order smaller plates like burrata, cured meats, and seasonal seafood to match your martini.

    7. Pumphouse, Darling Harbour

    Pumphouse sydney
    Enjoy a tipple inside a building from the 1880s.

    When you first walk into Pumphouse, you’ll quickly notice the high ceilings, exposed brick and industrial-style decor. Officially part of the busy Novotel Darling Square, this busy local hang doesn’t feel like it; it’s housed inside a former hydraulic pumping station from the 1880s – hence the name – and is a local institution. Grab a seat if you can and order off the classic modern Australian menu, before trying one of the many craft beers on tap to wash it down.

    8. Wentworth Bar, CBD

    Wentworth Bar sydney hotel bars
    Drink where the celebrities once did.

    Designed for big groups and late-night cocktails, this open-air terrace bar is part of the Sydney Sofitel Wentworth – one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels. Once the watering hole of royals and celebrities, this mid-century building has recently been refurbished to be sleek, modern and inviting. The stunning rooftop bar attracts Sydneysiders who love to watch the sunset with a table full of Vietnamese and French-inspired dishes.

    9. Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington

    Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington sydney
    See the city skyline, drink in hand.

    Sitting pretty on top of a restored 110-year-old theatre, Monica is a Hollywood-style rooftop bar with views across Paddington and the city skyline. Part of the 25hrs The Olympia hotel, this isn’t a quick drink kind of place; it’s a ‘let’s stay all night’ kind of venue. Weekend DJs will take you from sunset to late-night conversations, while you graze on ceviche, grilled meats or sharing plates.

    For more information on how to enjoy Sydney for a long weekend, visit ALL.com.