A trip to Sydney wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Blue Mountains. About an hour and a half drive is all it takes to travel from downtown Sydney to the Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains – MGallery by Sofitel, which is located just a short drive from most attractions at the Blue Mountains.
In fact, it is one of the stops on the hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus.
Upon arriving at the property, I was amazed at the expanse of the grounds. Of course, this was also due to the golf course that the property plays host to.
I was unsure if my room was ready as I had arrived way ahead of the check-in time. Thankfully, the staff at the front desk acknowledged my Accor Plus Gold membership, which was great for me to settle into my room before heading out to explore the sights in the afternoon.
Before heading to my room, I decided to explore the lobby area for a bit. While the building itself isn’t new, the interiors were refurbished with new furniture and carpeting, while retaining the overall cabin feel to the hotel, where wood is featured very prominently throughout the property.
Across the lobby was a large glass facade that allowed loads of natural light to stream in during the day.
The lobby was beautifully decorated for the festive season as well.
My room was located on a high floor, with a beautiful tapered ceiling. The lack of wooden beams typical of older buildings made the place look a lot larger too.
The choice of earthy tones and wooden finishes made me feel one with nature.
The bed was large and comfortable, and the reading lamps on either side were of the right intensity for a comfortable read in bed.
At the front of the room was a sofa that I found oddly positioned, with a nice wooden working desk with a traditional reading lamp with a green lampshade. A high resolution flat screen television was also mounted neatly on the wall.
There was an armchair in the corner of the room. It seemed that this was an adjoining room so the armchair would have to be repositioned if the use of the adjoining room door was required.
The minibar was stocked with snacks and drinks, and was replenished on a daily basis.
The wardrobe came equipped with an ironing board, pillows, a safe, and bathrobes to use for a more comfortable stay.
The bathroom was quite spacious, with a 2-in-1 shower and bathtub.
Towels and toiletries were replaced everyday, and housekeeping did a good job keeping everything spick and span.
Once I was ready to head out, I decided to first explore the property. There were long corridors with artwork, and a little room with train models.
On the way to the fitness centre and pool, I chanced upon a pretty large playroom, perfect for guests with kids.
The fitness centre was fairly decent, where you’ll find almost everything you need for a wide range of workouts.
As for the pool, the property boasts both an indoor and an outdoor pool, and guests have the option of using the indoor pool if it gets too cold outside.
Oh I forgot to mention that I was presented with some drink vouchers that I could use at anytime during my stay, at any of the onsite bars or restaurants.
If possible, do give Embers Restaurant a try. Not only will you enjoy an awesome view of the surroundings, the menu was pretty diverse to cater to different tastes and preferences.
Do remember to make a reservation in advance, as the restaurant can get a little packed in the evenings, especially during the peak travel seasons.
Overall, the Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains – MGallery by Sofitel is great if you wish to have a comfortable stay right at the doorstop of the Blue Mountains. Not only did I find the property well maintained, the staff were very friendly, and you can always find something to eat onsite throughout the day. The property is also kid friendly, which means families with kids will feel pretty much at home during their stay.