High Tea at the Hydro Majestic Hotel

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing high tea at the aptly named Hydro Majestic in Medlow Bath - a small township nestled in New South Wales' Blue Mountains. The hotel has a very long and rich history, having opened its doors as Australia's first health retreat back in 1904 and even serving as US military hospital in 1942.

It is not surprising that this icon of the hospitality industry is heritage listed, because even without its historical tales, it is architecturally stunning. The hotel's most recent refurbishment cost $30 million as its new owners (who paid $11 million for the property) sought to restore it to its former glory. It is absolutely stunning as the photos below indicate and had us in awe as soon as we stepped through the doors. You truly feel like you're stepping back in time to a Great Gatsby-esque era.


 The Casino Lobby must be seen in person to be appreciated. Source

The elegantly fitted out Wintergarden Restaurant that hosts High Tea every day.
Photo credit: Ramona/Charlize.

Panoramic views of Megalong Valley, accessed by large windows along the length of the
Wintergarden Restaurant are just stunning.
Coupled with the gentle background music of the resident piano player, it proved a very relaxing afternoon.

There is nothing more delectable than high tea with wonderful friends, and the Hydro does not disappoint. You literally step off a busy highway and escape into a peaceful and enchanting world that harks back to old fashioned gatherings. Whilst these days high teas take many forms, and can even include extensive buffets, the Hydro's sweet and savoury treats are served at tables on tiered trays with pots of tea or other beverage choices.

 

 

 

High Tea is served daily from 11am to 5pm and starts at $55 per person on weekdays and $65 per person on weekends. Reservations are essential.

 

It includes a selection of finger sandwiches, with traditional fillings like chicken or cucumber as well as delicious savoury pikelets and tarts.

 

 

The scones, topped with homemade jam and clotted cream, just melt in the mouth...

 

And of course, no high tea would be complete without sweet treats and I'm pleased to say that nothing on this top tier was sickly sweet...which meant we could fit more in! I find that macaroons often fall into the too-sweet category but these lavender coloured, passion fruit-filled and chocolate dipped ones were just perfect!

 

Special dietary requirements can also be accommodated. One of our party was served a gluten free 3-tier selection of delicious food which looked just as wonderful as ours.

 

Not to be left out, the children who were with us were served from the children's high tea menu. At $35 per person for ages 3-12 years, it included a selection of sandwich soldiers, sweet treats and pikelets with jam and cream.

 

I must give a special shout out to the staff that served us as well, for no request was too much hassle. We even had them move us from a large table to a smaller one so we could gossip more effectively :)

 

We loved our afternoon at the Hydro Majestic so much that we plan to return for a stay, perhaps sometime in Winter. What would be nicer than sitting by a large open fire, looking across at that beautiful view?