ellaslist Reviews: A Tween Connection Weekender at the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains

Tween girl life these days is a tough gig; school pressure, hormones, friend drama, and occasional blow-ups on the many, many, MANY WhatsApp groups they belong to. And when those moments collide with busy working mums in peri-menopause? It can be more than a heady mix!

Strapping in for the challenging teen years ahead, my tween and I have set a plan to have regular reconnection weekends, away from digital life (and life in general), where we head out of Sydney for a few days and throw ourselves into the trees (and a nice hotel, obviously.)

Enter the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – our family go-to for over 15 years, and the ultimate escape for a wintery weekend of reconnection, relaxation and festive flair to lift everyone's spirits. 

ellaslist Reviews: A Tween Connection Weekender at the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains

Perched high above Jamison Valley, the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is the kind of place that feels a world away but is just 90 minutes from Sydney’s CBD.

The moment you step into the grand entryway with its soaring wooden beams, crackling fire and that unmistakable Blue Mountains scent (a mix of gum, fireplaces, and fresh air), you know you’ve arrived somewhere special.

A Grand Entrance

It has the vibe of a cosy Canadian ski lodge, with sweeping mountain views and open fires that instantly invite you to slow down.

And during winter? It really comes into its own. Christmas in July celebrations run throughout the property, with decorations, trees, twinkling lights, mulled wine specials, and of course, Yulefest dinners every Saturday night in July.

Family-Friendly Fairmont: The Understatement of the Century

The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is famously family-friendly. Iconic, in fact. Their offering really is unsurpassed. Think pony rides, a mini train, a warren of arcade rooms and games, softplay, an indoor ice rink, a bowling alley, multiple pools (indoor and outdoor), tennis and basketball courts, and even a golf driving range.

It’s an absolute paradise for younger kids; there are so many active things to keep the littlies entertained all day, but it also worked beautifully for a weekend away with a tween. We chose more grown up girly chill time – lots of lounging in robes, ordering room service, binge watching movies, a splash in the pool and hot spa, walking the grounds, but she couldn't resist the onsite icerink and happily put her old rollerskating skills to good use, while I built a lifelong relationship with a childs stability penguin. 

A Spa Experience to Remember

I indulged in a luxurious 1-hour spa experience at the Ubika Day Spa, and was completely enamoured with the gorgeous interiors, which well and truly set the scene for relaxation. 

The spa is over 16s only, but so my daughter didn't miss out, we brought some beauty goodies from home and arranged our own little in-room pamper party, which left us feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, and most importantly, put the highly anticipated hotel robes to good use. 

Food, Glorious Food

Dining was another highlight throughout our weekender at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. Embers Restaurant is their signature grill, serving up generous portions with delicious flair.

We loved the hearty winter menu, and the atmosphere around the open fire made it feel really festive. The breakfast buffet at Jamison's Restaurant was a crowd-pleaser for both of us, offering an impressive selection of options including eggs made to order, a huge selection of fruit, bircher muesli, cold meats, pastries, muffins, cereals, make-your-own fresh juice, hot drinks and more. 

Suffice it to say, we didn't go hungry.

The Location of Dreams

While you truly don’t have to leave the property (everything is right there on your doorstep), we opted for a little adventure, popping into Scenic World to ride the trains and explore the cliffs.

We followed it up with a stop at our favourite Leura bakery for pastries and hot chocolate. But honestly? We could have just stayed put.

There’s something beautifully nostalgic about the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains in winter. It’s traditional and homely. It invites you to lean in and enjoy the moment, which completely met the brief of our self-dubbed "connection weekender." 

School Holidays at the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains

If you're thinking of heading to the Blue Mountains this winter, word on the street is that the school holidays are bursting with exciting things to do.

From face painting and magic shows to cookie decorating and hair braiding, there’s plenty of hands-on fun indoors. Outdoors, the adventure continues, and families will love gliding across the Blue Mountains Ice Skating Rink, hopping aboard the colourful Fairmont Express train, whizzing down the giant rainbow slide, or joining a golf clinic with a golf pro. Plus, archery is on offer for the first time these holidays! 

Why We Love It 

To sum up what sets the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains apart for families, we've rounded up the reasons we love it most. 

• Cosy lodge vibes with wood beams, real fires and mountain views

• Everything on-site: ice rink, bowling, train rides, pony rides, pools, spa, mini golf

• Seriously kid-friendly, especially for under-10s, but still really fun for tweens and teens

• Spa treatments galore

• Ember Restaurant's generous winter portions and festive feel

• Yulefest every Saturday in July with themed dinners and decorations

• Easy 90-minute drive from Sydney – perfect for a spontaneous weekend away

The Verdict

A trip to the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is the perfect pick for families needing a screen break, mums and tweens craving connection, or anyone who wants a dose of wintery magic without the long-haul flight.

For more information and to book your stay, visit Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains.

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