Lilianfels Resort & Spa - Blue Mountains

Antonia H7 months ago

It is very sad to see what has become of Lilianfels in the years since it was managed by the Orient Express Group and was one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Sadly the hotel is a shadow of its former self. It once exuded the feeling of quiet luxury and exclusivity, however now feels cheap and run of the mill with cost cutting by the current owners (Escarpment Group). The bathrooms being almost 30 years old are chipped, and have mould and cobwebs. The furniture in the rooms is shabby and chipped, and the plush pocket spring bedding with cloud mattress toppers has been replaced with cheap hard as a rock mattresses. ||We were once frequent guests at Lilianfels however the years and a change of ownership has not been kind to this once lovely property. Sadly you couldn't pay me to return to Lilianfels now. The hotel has completely lost it's luxurious country guesthouse feel where in house guests could relax for hours by the fire in the lounge and have afternoon tea, read, or enjoy evening cocktails. I was mortified to learn that the lounge is now closed to in house guests for the purpose of leisure, and only open to the hordes of 'paying day trippers' to use the lounge for high tea! Clearly the guest lounge has become just a money spinning venture by the greedy owners. Breakfast was also once a highlight in the Orangery restaurant with freshly cooked meals to order served by the delightful Judy. The current staff are woeful, rude and some barely speak English.||Judging by some other reviews on trip advisor there are those who remember the hotel as it once was and share in my disappointment. Shame on you Escarpment Group for destroying this once lovely property!||Fortunately we have found another gorgeous place to stay when we visit the Blue Mountains. To other discerning travellers reading this review, try the new lodge in Blackheath (and no it's not not the terrible half renovated motel that opened a few years ago).