{"id":35064,"date":"2014-10-23T07:11:58","date_gmt":"2014-10-23T07:11:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/blog\/?p=35064"},"modified":"2018-05-14T08:02:30","modified_gmt":"2018-05-13T22:02:30","slug":"blue-mountains-getaway-picture-perfect-parklands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/blue-mountains-getaway-picture-perfect-parklands\/","title":{"rendered":"Hotel review | Picture Perfect Parklands Gardens and Lodges"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It doesn\u2019t take much to convince a Sydneysider to take a mini-break. Sure we love our big city \u2013 the beaches, the Harbour, the restaurants \u2013 but sometimes you find yourself saying \u201cI really <\/em>need to get out of Sydney<\/a>!\u201d<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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Throw in the temptation of a brand-new hotel to check out and it\u2019s pretty much a done deal. So, it\u2019s on a gloriously sunny Wednesday that Mr LML and I embark on a spontaneous midweek getaway to the Blue Mountains<\/a>. Just one hour and 45 minutes from the CBD, one big, deep breath of fresh country air is enough to leave thoughts of the big smoke far behind.<\/p>\n

\"Fresh<\/a>

Fresh country air<\/p><\/div>\n

We make our way up the long gravel driveway to Parklands Garden and Lodges<\/a>, a secluded retreat in Blackheath. Having only opened in mid-September 2014, you might not have heard of it (yet!), but chances are you\u2019ve heard of its sister property.\u00a0Lilianfels<\/a>\u00a0in nearby Katoomba<\/a>\u00a0is\u00a0a five-star property with a chef hat restaurant and an impressive reputation.<\/p>\n

\"Parklands<\/a>

Parklands Garden and Lodges<\/p><\/div>\n

With company like that, we have high expectations as we\u2019re met by Ray in\u00a0reception and ushered personally to our cottage. The smell of fresh paint still vaguely lingers (in that new-car kind of way) as we open the door and make our way up a\u00a0staircase to reveal our stunning open-plan suite. There\u2019s a lounge area complete with fireplace and flat-screen TV. A window perch, perfect for admiring the afternoon sun. And, of course, a bedroom alcove with queen bed and another flat-screen TV. It\u2019s all beautifully decorated with a Hamptons-meets-the-Mountains vibe \u2013 warm and inviting, but oh-so-stylish.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The bedroom<\/p><\/div>\n

\"View<\/a>

View from our window<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Hello<\/a>

Hello, welcome treats<\/p><\/div>\n

The style stakes continue as you enter the bathroom. The simplicity of the white tiles is complemented with the wow-factor of a massive double-head shower, plenty of natural light (courtesy of a skylight), and organic toiletries. The shampoo and conditioner are to-die-for!<\/p>\n

\"Organic<\/a>

Organic toiletries!<\/p><\/div>\n

However, we only have time for a quick perusal of our cottage because the day spa is calling\u2026 Located in the main house, there’s single and joint treatment rooms available. I opt for a remedial massage, but next time I\u2019ll be trying the signature Ginger Renewal.<\/p>\n

\"Day<\/a>

Day spa<\/p><\/div>\n

We retire to our room for the night, quietly happy the warm spring day has cooled down enough to justify starting up the fire. Yep, it\u2019s going to be hard to leave this place \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

\"Champagne<\/a>

Champagne by the cosy fire. Hello, relaxation!<\/p><\/div>\n

The next day, a good night\u2019s sleep and a sparkling Blue Mountains day creeping through the window have us ready and raring to go. First stop, breakfast! The main house is also home to the on-site restaurant. It’s currently open for breakfast and lunch daily, with dinner service on Fridays and Saturdays.<\/p>\n

\"Yep<\/a>

Yep, the main house has luxe country manor written all over it<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Chill<\/a>

Chill time in the main house lounge area<\/p><\/div>\n

We take our pick from the tempting continental breakfast offerings – pastries, fruits, yoghurts, cereals, juices, and breads – and order eggs from the a la carte menu. With the coffee and tea flowing and newspapers to be slowly digested, it\u2019s easy to imagine you\u2019re living the life in your very own country manor.<\/p>\n

\"Tempting<\/a>

Tempting breakfast options<\/p><\/div>\n

Well-fed and caffeinated, we take the opportunity to explore some of the 28 acres of grounds Parklands calls home, all manicured to perfection. If you\u2019re a sucker for adorable animals, the ducks are ridiculously cute.<\/p>\n

\"Doing<\/a>

Doing my best \u2018I totally live here\u2019 pose.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Exploring<\/a>

Exploring the grounds<\/p><\/div>\n

We reluctantly check out, but our mini-break isn\u2019t over yet. After all, a visit to the Blue Mountains isn\u2019t complete without a bushwalk<\/a>. A short drive away, we make our way to Wentworth Falls to embark on the National Pass Walk. Well worth the effort (and all the stairs!) for the gorgeous views\u2026<\/p>\n

\"National<\/a>

National Pass Walk<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Wentworth<\/a>

Wentworth Falls<\/p><\/div>\n

\"How<\/a>

How about the serenity<\/p><\/div>\n

Exercise done, it\u2019s time to eat! Leura Garage<\/a> has been on my hit list for a while and I\u2019m happy to report it doesn\u2019t disappoint. Tucked away just off the main drag, it\u2019s a funky option compared to the more traditional caf\u00e9 offerings of much of the region. Located in (you guessed it) an old garage, references to its former life are everywhere – from the spanners and pliers embedded in the concrete floor to the uniforms of the staff.<\/p>\n

The vibe is casual-cool with a focus on local produce. Case in point, a Pear Hillbilly cider from nearby Bilpin kicks things off as we read the menu.<\/p>\n

\"Did<\/a>

Did somebody say cider?<\/p><\/div>\n

We can\u2019t go past the Garage Sub (lamb meatballs with minted yoghurt, tomato and red pepper relish on a house-made bun) and the Chicken Souvlaki \u00a0(eggplant caviar, garlic yoghurt, sumac pickled onions and rocket on house-made dukkah bread). Both dishes pack a flavour punch.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The chicken…<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\u2026Or<\/a>

\u2026or the lamb?<\/p><\/div>\n

A stroll around the corner, Leura Mall is another must-do. Boutiques, gift shops, homewares, and antiques are all on offer.<\/p>\n

\"Leura<\/a>

Leura Mall<\/p><\/div>\n

Your No.1\u00a0go-to, though, has to be Josophan\u2019s Fine Chocolates<\/a>. With no preservatives or\u00a0artificial flavours, these gems need to be consumed within seven days, but, trust me, once you try one that won\u2019t be a problem. My hot tip: the signature lime and basil.<\/p>\n

\"Josophan\u2019s<\/a>

Josophan\u2019s Fine Chocolates<\/p><\/div>\n

And if you get a taste for Josophan\u2019s treats, the good news is they have a store in the Sydney CBD. So with the promise of a little taste of Leura on our doorstep and a sugar high, it\u2019s happily home to the big smoke we go.<\/p>\n

Nicole stayed as a guest of the Parklands Gardens and Lodges.<\/em><\/p>\n

Have you been to the Blue Mountains? Share your #traveltips in the comments! <\/b><\/h3>\n