5 Best Hotels in Katoomba, The Blue Mountains

Perched on the edge of the Jamison Valley, this stylish boutique hotel has one of the best views in the Blue Mountains. The marble lobby is impressive, and the glass-enclosed terrace and restaurant are great places to take advantage of the spectacular views. A day spa with plenty of indulgent treatments is also on the premises. Rooms are cozy (in the good design–related way, not the cramped way); the corner suites are the most stylish, but all hit the right notes (and all have free Wi-Fi). If your wallet allows it, stay in-house and dine at the romantic hotel restaurant, which serves a Mod-Oz Asian fusion menu, featuring warming main course dishes such as seared five spiced duck breast. Each dish is given a recommended wine pairing on the menu. If you're dining out, at least try to have a drink at the bar first.

This iconic and much-loved cliff-top hotel in Medlow Bath recaptured its former art deco splendor when it reopened a few years ago and is once again a destination hotel. Built in 1904 by Sydney businessman and former department store owner Mark Foy, the property was Australia's first health retreat. No expense was spared, and Foy filled the hotel with artwork from around the world. The dome of the hotel's Casino Ballroom was made in Chicago and shipped to Australia. The Hydro (as the hotel was later affectionately known) was a favorite with honeymooners from the 1930s to the 1950s. The heritage rooms are small, but a stay here is more about enjoying the atmosphere and views over the Megalong Valley. Sit down for at least one wonderful high tea in the Wintergarden restaurant, which also serves dinner. The delightfully decadent Salon du Thé is the perfect place for predinner drinks and snacks, including charcuterie and cheese boards. The Boiler House and Pavilion both do a good value casual lunch, all with knockout views. Cat's Alley, a long corridor furnished with original art deco sofas, is a great place for a sunset cocktail—tables 100 and 110 have the best view.

Teetering close to the brink of Echo Point, this glamorous boutique hotel adds a keen sense of manor-house style to the standard Blue Mountains guesthouse experience. This hotel has a lush, European ambience, and both guests and day visitors alike love to indulge in afternoon tea or a drink by the open fire. Rooms are spacious and luxuriously furnished, with rich fabrics, silk curtains, English flock wallpaper, and elegant marble bathrooms with deep baths. The upscale Darley's Restaurant, in the Heritage-listed original 1889 homestead, serves a cutting-edge menu. The first-class spa is the ultimate place to relax after exploring the Jamison Valley. There is a two-night minimum stay on weekends, and good packages are available midweek.

Established in 1880, this is one of the grande dames of the Blue Mountains, a Victorian-era relic that, in its heyday, was considered one of the great hotels of the British Empire. Its public areas are a reminder of its glorious past—the bar contains a mezzanine balcony where the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother)—visited in 1927. A permanent conservation order stipulates that 10 of the 59 rooms be kept in their original 1880 style, so they do not have private bathrooms, but at A$195 a night they're a cheaper option. The other rooms (added in 1927) are a mix of colonial-style rooms, and the deluxe rooms have access to the terrific balcony on the first floor where you can take in the great valley views. The enormous, chandelier-lighted grand dining room serves modern Australian and traditional dishes every night except for Sunday. Carrington Cellars, open in the hotel's former boiler room at the rear, opens every evening from 5:30 pm except for Sunday, and has a wonderful wine collection and delicious deli items.

Perched above the Jamison Valley, this hotel boasts a rich historical pedigree: once a renowned "coffee palace" during the temperance movement, a haven for the British navy in World War II, and a tranquil retreat in the 1970s. Discover a captivating collection of rare 1880s photographs showcasing the Blue Mountains and Sydney. Many rooms offer breathtaking valley vistas, with select accommodations featuring both hot tubs and fireplaces. For a luxurious experience, consider indulging in the Tower Suite, resembling an oval-shaped castle tower, or one of the two Valley View suites, each featuring a private veranda, kitchen, living room with fireplace, and hot tub.