My first Trip Report, so here goes!
I apologise now as I'm having difficulties with attaching more than 5 photos, so I'll split this up over a few posts within this thread.
In a somewhat last minute stroke of luck, my wife and I happened to be in Sydney at the same time last friday, and after convincing work to move our Friday night flights back to Sunday night flights, we thought we would try and make a weekend of it.
As I had never been to the Blue Mountains before, and the novel idea of actually putting a jumper on this winter and sitting in front of a fireplace took hold, we started to investigate some local accommodation out there. Due to the fact that we'd left it relatively late, a lot of what we were looking for had already disappeared.
Then, whilst I was at the pub with a few mates, my wife sent me a link to Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley. I don't know whether it was the amazing photos of the property, or the 6 beers I'd consumed, but found myself agreeing to one of the biggest "YOLO" moments of my life.
After sobering up the following day, and realising that my credit card had just taken a beating, I convinced myself that it would be all worth it. "But it includes all food, wine, beers, and 2 tours a day" I found my inner voice trying to re-assure myself, and "you would've spent $350 hiring an average car, yet you get to drive a brand new 5 series BMW" was another one of those justifications.
At the end of the day, these weren't required. This was hands down, the most expensive 40 hours I had ever experienced... BUT IT WAS WORTH IT!!!
After battling the crazy Sydney Traffic, we finally pulled in through the gates at around 7.15pm on Friday night. After driving 200m into the property, we pulled up at Security where a lovely gentleman let us through the gate, and showed us where to park the car for the weekend. To be honest I was slightly confused as to why I had to park all the way up here and transfer into Land Rover just to get to the main building. After a couple of kms of dirt road, and 2 water crossings, I worked that one out.
After "Checking In", which entailed essentially a relaxed chat with guest services over a glass of Sparkling Rose in front of a fireplace in the main bar, we were then put in a golf cart and transferred down to our villa to freshen up before Dinner. I use the word "villa" loosely, as the accommodation was only slightly smaller than my house at home. In fact the Walk In Robe was about the same size as one of my spare bedrooms!
Fireplace in the living room
Beautiful King Bed
Living room not taken at check in, but the next day as the photo from the night before was terrible!
Indoor heated pool also taken the next day
I apologise now as I'm having difficulties with attaching more than 5 photos, so I'll split this up over a few posts within this thread.
In a somewhat last minute stroke of luck, my wife and I happened to be in Sydney at the same time last friday, and after convincing work to move our Friday night flights back to Sunday night flights, we thought we would try and make a weekend of it.
As I had never been to the Blue Mountains before, and the novel idea of actually putting a jumper on this winter and sitting in front of a fireplace took hold, we started to investigate some local accommodation out there. Due to the fact that we'd left it relatively late, a lot of what we were looking for had already disappeared.
Then, whilst I was at the pub with a few mates, my wife sent me a link to Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley. I don't know whether it was the amazing photos of the property, or the 6 beers I'd consumed, but found myself agreeing to one of the biggest "YOLO" moments of my life.
After sobering up the following day, and realising that my credit card had just taken a beating, I convinced myself that it would be all worth it. "But it includes all food, wine, beers, and 2 tours a day" I found my inner voice trying to re-assure myself, and "you would've spent $350 hiring an average car, yet you get to drive a brand new 5 series BMW" was another one of those justifications.
At the end of the day, these weren't required. This was hands down, the most expensive 40 hours I had ever experienced... BUT IT WAS WORTH IT!!!
After battling the crazy Sydney Traffic, we finally pulled in through the gates at around 7.15pm on Friday night. After driving 200m into the property, we pulled up at Security where a lovely gentleman let us through the gate, and showed us where to park the car for the weekend. To be honest I was slightly confused as to why I had to park all the way up here and transfer into Land Rover just to get to the main building. After a couple of kms of dirt road, and 2 water crossings, I worked that one out.
After "Checking In", which entailed essentially a relaxed chat with guest services over a glass of Sparkling Rose in front of a fireplace in the main bar, we were then put in a golf cart and transferred down to our villa to freshen up before Dinner. I use the word "villa" loosely, as the accommodation was only slightly smaller than my house at home. In fact the Walk In Robe was about the same size as one of my spare bedrooms!
Fireplace in the living room
Beautiful King Bed
Living room not taken at check in, but the next day as the photo from the night before was terrible!
Indoor heated pool also taken the next day
