Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 4 . NEW SOUTH WALES
Echo Point Holiday Villas These are the closest self-contained accommodations
to the Three Sisters Lookout. The two front-facing villas are the best
because of their beautiful mountain views. Some villas have one double and two
single beds, plus a foldout double bed in the lounge room. Bathrooms contain
a shower, with no tub. There are barbecue facilities in the backyard. The two
cottages here are also fully self-contained, sleeping up to eight, and have a tub,
central heating, and access to nice gardens.
36 Echo Point Rd., Katoomba, NSW 2780. & 02/4782 3275. Fax 02/4782 7030. www.echopointvillas.com.
au. 5 villas, 2 cottages (all with shower only). Fri–Sat and public holidays A$140 (US$91) villa; Sun–Thurs
A$105 (US$68) villa; A$150 (US$98) cottage for 2. Minimum 2-night stay required. Extra person A$12
(US$7.80). AE, DC, MC, V. In room: TV, kitchen, fridge, hair dryer, iron.
Katoomba Mountain Lodge This two-star property is quite cozy, with rooms
looking out across the mountains. Dorm rooms are clean and come with three to
six beds. Doubles are basic and lack a TV, but are adequate for a couple of nights.
All share bathrooms. On the premises you’ll find a TV lounge with a log fire, a
BYO dining room, and a game room. The staff can arrange tour packages. Breakfast
costs an additional A$9 to A$10 (US$5.85–US$6.50) per person, and dinner
and breakfast costs an extra A$30 to A$32 (US$20–US$21) per person.
31 Lurline St., Katoomba, NSW 2780. &/fax 02/4782 3933. 23 units, none with bathroom. Sun–Thurs A$58
(US$38) double; Fri–Sat A$78 (US$50) double. A$11–A$15 (US$7.15–US$9.75) dorm bed. Ask about packages.
AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: Tour desk; coin-op laundry.
Katoomba YHA Hostel This brand new YHA is set in a former cabaret club,
and it still retains its fun atmosphere. It’s very roomy, modern, friendly, and
clean, and also well located in the heart of Katoomba. There’s a log fire in the
living room, a communal kitchen, dining room, game room, reading room, and
a television. There’s a nice balcony and barbecue area. The more expensive double
rooms, and the family rooms, come with an attached bathroom. The dorm
rooms accommodate 4 to 8 people.
207 Katoomba St., Katoomba, NSW 2780. & 02/4782 1416. Fax 02/4782 6203. www.yha.com.au. 57
rooms (27 double/twin rooms). A$62–A$70 (US$40–US$45.50) double/twin; A$100 (US$65) family room.
A$19–A$23 (US$12.40–US$15) dorm bed. MC, V. Amenities: Tour desk; coin-op laundry; bicycle hire.
Worth a Splurge
The Carrington Hotel Finds Construction started on this grand Victorian
hotel in 1880, and it reopened in 2000 after a major renovation. A ramshackle
building, The Carrington is a must-stay if you’re into buildings of the
British-Raj style. Downstairs is a restaurant/breakfast room (once a ballroom), a
couple of lounges scattered with antiques, and a gorgeous wood-paneled billiard
room. Chandeliers and 1930s-style lamps reflecting off silver trophies won by
the local Rifle Club give everything a warm glow. Unfortunately, heavy plexiglass
doors greet you as you enter each of the many corridors—a necessary fire
precaution. All the rooms are delightful, with royal gold and blue carpets and
drapes which would probably be considered gaudy if they didn’t seem to fit in
with the overall style. Traditional rooms share bathrooms; Colonial rooms come
with a deep tub in the bathroom (with a noisy fan) and no view to speak of;
Deluxe Colonial rooms have a balcony and mountain views; Premier rooms
have spa baths and great views; and the suites are fit for a duke and duchess.
Dinner here costs A$100 (US$65) per person, and the full breakfast is one of
the best I’ve encountered.
15–47 Katoomba St., Katoomba (P.O. Box 28, NSW 2780). & 02/4782 1111. Fax 02/4782 1421. www.the
carrington.com.au. 63 units. Traditional rooms Mon–Thurs A$100 (US$65), Fri–Sat A$155 (US$101); Colonial
rooms Mon–Thurs A$150 (US$98), Fri–Sat A$225 (US$166); Deluxe Colonial rooms Mon–Thurs A$185