The Carrington

The Carrington Review

Established in 1880, this is one of the grandes dames of the Blue Mountains, a Victorian-era relic that, in its heyday, was considered one of the four 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$129 (mid-week) and $149 (weekends) a night they're a good deal. 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, while the new Carrington Cellars (open in the hotel's former boiler room at the rear) has a wonderful wine collection and delicious deli items.