Blue Mountains Heritage Motel

The piano player, Alan, was a five-star highlight on the weekends. It's a shame about the heritage suite, or villa. It could have had historic charm, but it was filthy, with dead bugs on the dishes, counters and in the bathroom. The sheers were stained, the furnishings were old, worn and marked, and there was an overwhelming musty smell. The glass door wasn't secured, the wood was rotted and there were gaps, so there was little privacy.

The staff really made our stay. Molly at reception welcomed us warmly and went out of her way to help make sure our older parents, in their 70s and 80s, were comfortable and enjoyed themselves. The restaurant food was wonderful, the views were spectacular, and the sitting areas felt cosy and welcoming. Walking through the halls and up the spiral staircase feels like stepping back in time, and it was lovely to have a cocktail at the ground-floor bar. A unique, welcoming place, and one I'd definitely recommend.

The view from the front balcony is amazing, and it's a lovely spot to spend the evening. Jamieson restaurant is expensive but worth it, with incredible food. Staff are friendly, there's plenty of free parking at the rear, and e chargers for the greenie. The location in Katoomba is perfect, with an off-street walkway into the village. The hotel has an old Victorian feel, but the rooms are small and dated. Showers and toiletries are adequate. I'd give it three stars: there's no in-room safe and the old analogue TV gets only two working channels. Rooms without a mountain view have no view at all. Breakfast was mediocre. The peaches were canned in summer, pastries weren't fresh, coffee was filtered, and they'd run out of food halfway through service. Better to head into town for a fresh pastry, fruit and coffee from one of the many bakeries than pay an extra $6 for barista coffee.

The room was big and spacious, and I loved staying there. The king bed was super comfortable, the linen and pillows were excellent, and the gourmet cookies on the bed and extra biscuits with the tea and coffee were a lovely touch. The carpeted floor creaks a lot, which suits the old heritage atmosphere but could bother some guests. I stayed in the Spa and Fireplace room on the first floor. The narrow stairs made carrying bags difficult, though staff offered to help. There's no lift. The bathroom was good, but the shower pressure was weak and getting the temperature right took patience. There was a huge lag after adjusting the tap, so I got frozen, then scalded, several times before it settled. The cocktail menu is limited now to about six signature drinks, and the barman couldn't make the ones I requested because ingredients were missing. Management used to let you order any cocktail but has restricted that. The few cocktails they do serve were delicious, though a simple mix at $25 felt a bit expensive. Breakfast has changed too. There used to be a mimosa to start, but that's gone, and the continental spread has been cut back badly. There was no fresh or stewed fruit or berries, no yoghurt, and the croissants were gone by 8:45 on a Friday morning. The à la carte hot breakfast was superb and made up for the meagre continental options, though it could use some tomato sauce, in a bottle or single serves.