Sidneys Retreat

They cancelled our booking on the day we were due to arrive and gave no explanation, just a bland offer of somewhere else in a completely different town. After all the planning and travel, being left to scramble was stressful and unacceptable. There was no accountability or appreciation for the trouble caused. Completely unreliable. Book at your own risk.

We spent 48 rainy hours curled up by the log burner with books and Scrabble. The fresh flowers were lovely and brightened the place. A perfect way to spend that wet weekend.

The back porch was lovely, and I especially liked all the windows and natural light in the living room. The Nespresso machine was great in the mornings, and there was a large fridge for food and drinks. It’s a spacious, comfortable home in a quiet Katoomba neighbourhood, a couple of blocks off the main street, with shops, restaurants, bars and groceries all walkable. There was plenty of street parking, and the living room ceiling fan was useful in the warm weather. It was too warm to use the nice-looking fireplace. The house seems well set up for colder days, with a fireplace, space heaters and electric blankets on the beds. Jenny communicated really well. The internet connection was flaky during my short stay, but Jenny was already working with the service provider to fix it.

The back deck has a terrific view, and the house has a real 1920s feel, with decor to match. Sidney's Retreat is right in the heart of Katoomba, just a short walk from shops, cafes, restaurants and transport if you need it. It rained solidly for five days, which dampened our enjoyment. Such is life!