If you follow AllThingsMomSydney on Facebook or Instagram you’ll know that we love the Fairmont Resort in the Blue Mountains. We try get up there at least once a year, it’s one of the true child-friendly hotels in New South Wales and the location is absolutely magnificent. It helps that it is close to Sydney and so makes for an easy weekend getaway.

The Blue Mountains has taken a huge hit in the last year. It started with the bush fires, then the first wave of Covid lockdowns and international visitors not being able to visit. And then the second wave of lockdowns and isolation directives for Sydney. The Blue Mountains travel and tourism industry has been badly effected.

We are in lockdown in Sydney’s Northern Beaches at the moment so travelling is not an option for us. If like us, you’re in lockdown I’m not advocating for travelling now or in violation of any public health orders. This is for those looking for somewhere lovely to go either because they are able to travel or for when we can return to normal, whenever that may be.

Just looking at all the photos I took makes me want to go back asap. I actually even saw a good price on Luxury Escapes recently so maybe thats a sign…?

If you’re thinking about visiting the Fairmont Resort and you have kids, please think about booking a visit. You could always book for a few months in advance or the last school holidays of the year, maybe even Spring. It’s absolutely gorgeous in the Blue Mountains in Spring.

The Fairmont Resort

I am by no means a “mountain person”, I am 100% a beach person but I do really love it up in the Blue Mountains. As do the kids. That beautiful clean fresh air seems to make everyone a little calmer and relaxed. We have had a number of special family weekends in the Blue Mountains, specifically at the Fairmont Resort. I usually drive the kids up after school and my husband comes up on the train, the kids are so happy the whole drive because they know that a great weekend is in store.

As I said above, the location of the Fairmont Resort is fantastic but it is the resort itself and its staff that really make it the best. In the years we have been visiting the kids have always been treated with kindness and warmness, even when I find them to be a little frustrating. This year when we visited all the kids visiting were given gorgeous big fluffy chickens, typical of the Fairmont to go the extra step.

I’ve put together everything you would need to visit so just follow the table of contents. If you need any additional information, please please get hold of me and I will happily direct you.

Where is the Fairmont Resort

The Fairmont Resort is just outside Leura, in the upper Blue Montains. It is also very close to Katoomba. The actual address is 1 Sublime Point Road, Leura, NSW, 2780.

If you’re trying to find the Fairmont Resort in your GPS – the actual name is Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel.

Our GPS always tries to make us turn right into Sublime, don’t!! You turn left and drive along Sublime until you see the hotel entry.

Why is the Fairmont Resort so great?

Kids Activities at the Fairmont Resort

There are so many things for the kids to do. From the ad hoc facilities to the planned activities.

Families can get together and go on a Segway tour or have a game of tennis. Spend time together in the heated indoor pool or kick a ball in the expansive grounds. If you’re exhausted from the drive like I was (two hours of being told what the speed limit was the whole way) you can sit in one of the indoor play areas and let the children run around while you gather your shattered mind.

Inside play areas

There are two indoor play structures, a little bowling alley and a mirror maze. The two play structures are called “Dane’s Room” and “Magic Kingdom”.  Danes room is the smaller structure which is suited to under 4s and the Kids Magic Kingdom is a larger structure  for 5 to 13 year olds.

I won’t lie this is not my favourite part of the hotel, I would much rather my kids were outside running around or swimming. But, when my kids were little this was a great distraction.

The two downsides are that the play areas are a little dark and there are games machines close by.

Swimming Pools 

The outdoor swimming pool has finally opened!! We have been waiting and waiting for the pool to open and would you believe it, it was rainy and overcast when we last visited.

The outside main pool looks awesome.

Apart from the two outdoor pools, there is also a big indoor heated pool and an indoor spa. So even in winter the kids can still get into their costumes and burn off some energy.

The Maze and other Outdoor Activities  

The grounds are huge and encompass, the swimming pools, tennis courts, the golf course and ponds. There are little ponds, park benches and bronze sculptures hidden around the gardens to be discovered. It’s a really beautiful and expansive setting.

We would sit outside overlooking the mountains, drink in hand while the kids ran around and kicked a footy ball. It was just lovely being in that space.

Now the maze is not very big. Probably best suited to younger kids. But, my kids just loved running through the maze and trying to work out ways to get through it quicker than each other.

Pony Rides

During the weekend and on school holidays, the Fairmont runs pony rides and specific times. This is one of my daughter’s favourite things to do.

The pony rides are at the stables down at the bottom of the front lawn and the kids get to go on a short loop. They are constantly in sight, are led and its a relatively smooth surface.

It costs $10 per child per ride and Bookings are essential. It’s easy enough to get tickets, just chat to the Concierge or Reception.

Just remember that the minimum age 3 and the maximum weight is 35kgs per child.

Important Tip: If you want to do one of the planned activities, especially the pony rides, advise the hotel in advance. Book and pay as soon as you get there and get on the list because there is a long wait.

Ride On Activities 

There are three different ride on activities. A mini train that circles the hotel, electric cars and a merry-go-round. You can pay per ride or for all three. Each activity is $5 per child per ride or $10 for all three.

These activities generally run late Friday afternoon (from 4pm), twice on Saturday and then on Sunday morning (around 9am).

Movies 

There are kids movies shown in the auditorium at various times of day over the weekend. Friday has two sessions, Saturday four sessions and Sunday a single session.

For the adults 

The Fairmont Resort isn’t just for kids. There are a lot of activities for couples or adults visiting sans kids.

If you’re visiting without kids, I am so jealous!! I would love to come to the Blue Mountains with my husband and just take in the scenery, do some walks and enjoy a glass of red wine in front of a fire.

There are activities for adults:

• my top of the list is Ubika Day Spa is open from Thursday through to Monday. It’s absolutely stunning but I can never get a booking in time;
• golf, of course, I can almost guarantee that we will play next time we visit;
• tennis;
• segway tours (these are done in small groups and within the grounds of the resort); and
• Weekend Morning Yoga (from 8am to 9am) and for only $10.

If you’re going to visit the spa, make sure you book at the same time that you make your hotel booking, it does get booked up on the weekends.

Restaurants at the Fairmont Resort

There are 4 restuarants within the hotel and then another at the golf club.

I don’t know a lot about the golf club food because we have never eaten there. We’ve popped in once or twice but never for long. Anyone can eat at the Golf Club and there is an affordable, relaxed, pub style menu. You will need to sign in.

Jamison’s Restaurant

This is the go to for breakfast. My kids absolutely love this place and its all because of the food on offer. I reckon they would sit here all day partaking of the offerings and watching the world go by if they were allowed to.

You will find it also on the lower level, to your left as you go down the stairs.

What an awesome spread. Everything you want from banana bread and fresh juices to hash browns and pancakes. I love breakfast. With the vittoria cuppachino’s on tap, this is my happy place.

It also runs a buffet dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. During school holidays it is open 7 nights.

It’s a very very family friendly environment but still with gorgeous views. If you would prefer to have your breakfast in a quieter environment, away from the families bustling by then you can take your breakfast to Embers restaurant which is right next door.

Sublime Lounge

Sublime Lounge is more of a café than a restaurant. It’s the first eatery you’ll see when you enter the hotel. It’s on your immediate left while the reception is on your right.

Sublime offers Cakes and Treats home made by the pastry chef. Having said that, it does also serves light snacks such as a Classic Club Sandwich, a Australian cheese board or a bowl of chips.

This is a great place on a rainy afternoon to sit and play a few board games with the kids. You can get board games from the front desk and set up near the fire or on the couches there. Maybe mum and dad could even enjoy a glass of wine at the same time.

Eucalypt

Beyond the fish tank (that you cannot pass without inspecting if you have children) is Eucalypt.

The mimimum age for dining is 14 years old so it is a nice spot to go when you don’t have to worry about high chairs and loud diners. We have not got to that point in our lives just yet.

Eucalypt is open for dinner on Friday and Saturday outside of school holidays. During school holidays, the restaurant is open Thursday to Saturday.

Embers Restaurant

This the restuant at the bottom of the staircase backed by the bar and in front of the tall fireplace. We actually took our breakfast because it was quieter.

The lunch and dinner menu are slightly fancier but they do have a kids menu. Now that my kids are over 5 I feel like it’s okay that they eat here, before I have not been able to relax with them running around.

Thank you so much for following AllThingsMomSydney and joining us in our adventures.

If you have any suggestions or tips for other families visiting the Fairmont Resort or the Blue Mountains area, please drop them in the comment section below.