There are times when we need to just escape for a couple of days to recharge. With two teenagers to keep happy while hubby and I could relax, we looked for a place that could meet certain criteria. The parents (we who work, get paid, save money, spend money on beloved children) wanted accommodation that was not too far to drive from Sydney, spacious rooms with preferably two bedrooms and a TV. And importantly, not expensive for a family getaway. If we had a view, that would be a bonus. The teenagers had two criteria for joining their parents in this escapade – it must have a pool and it definitely had to come loaded with a buffet breakfast.
A place to relax
We trawled the internet looking for our "perfect" place to stay. We narrowed it down to the Blue Mountains area and Leura kept coming up as a pretty place to visit. After focussing our search for accommodation in Leura, we chose the
Waldorf Leura Gardens Resort.
This place met our criteria. It has an inviting outdoor solar-heated swimming pool, table tennis room, a billiard room (though the felt on the table was cut up a bit – must be very boisterous players), two squash courts, a gymnasium and yes, a free buffet breakfast included in the cost of accommodation.
Solar-heated swimming pool
Oh, did I also mention free wi-fi? And a golf course opposite this resort? There are special discounts to guests to play a round of golf.
Hotel gardens opposite the golf course
We were in the two bedroom family suite, which means a main bedroom and two single beds in the living room. The suite was rather dated in its style of furniture but it was spacious. The beds and couches were very comfortable. Each room had a TV. We had a balcony but it had no view. But considering we had access to the hotel facilities and short drives to spectacular mountain scenery, we didn't lounge around our hotel room for too long.
Breakfast overlooking the magnificent gardens
Each morning we took advantage of the free buffet breakfast which overlooks the beautiful gardens.
Buffet breakfast
There were the usual hot and cold offerings found in most hotels such as bacon, eggs, sausages, tomatoes, a variety of cereal, tea and coffee and lovely hot chocolate.
Breakfast
The surprise at this buffet was a pancake machine. Dough is deposited into the machine by staff and the guest presses a button. Within a few seconds, two pancakes appear over the rollers of the machine then drop down to the waiting plate. We had not seen anything like this. Condiments were nearby to coat the pancakes. They were indeed very tasty pancakes.
Play chess after breakfast
This lovely resort is situated within 4 ½ acres of stunning landscaped gardens. There are tours of the gardens at 10 am most days which takes only 20 – 30 minutes, just enough for little kids and big kids to be focussed and engaged in walking around this beautiful setting.
Relax in the gardens
When guests stay two nights, they get 10% off the rate. When guests stay three nights, they get 15% off the rate. This hotel is ideal for families and couples. This was confirmed at the buffet breakfast each morning by the mix of guests staying at this resort.
Peaceful
We had a very relaxing time at the
Waldorf Leura Gardens Resort and enjoyed our 'eat-fests' at the cafes and restaurants in Leura.
Gardens to admire
On our way home to Sydney, we stopped by at
Nana's Teddies & Toys at Blaxland and were gobsmacked at the amount of teddies and fantasy creatures found in one store.
