Hydro Majestic channels its golden age

Hydro Majestic channels its golden age
By admin


The renowned Hydro Majestic Hotel in the Blue Mountains has been refurbished in the hope of recapturing the essence of its golden age when it reopens in mid-December.

The revitalisation of the NSW holiday spot, which opened 110 years ago, has peeled back the layers to rediscover the history of what was once a playground for the rich, famous and fashionable.

About $30 million has gone into the redevelopment of the Hydro with its casino, ballroom and wintergarden returned to their former glory.

Additions include a provedore's market, which will sell regional foods against a panoramic lookout.

Huong Nguyen and George Saad bought the property in 2009 and are behind its revival.

Peter Reeve, the designer behind the redevelopment, says he wanted to return the hotel to its glory days.

"The Hydro was alive and vibrant," he said.

"We want to bring a lot of that back in 2014."

The Hydro resounds with Australian history. In 1901, Australian hospitality pioneer Mark Foy sold almost all his shares in his family-owned department store to pay for the creation of what was Australia's first health retreat.

In 1903, Foy began construction of the Hydro Majestic. That year he also successfully changed the name of the township to Medlow Bath.

The Hydropathic Establishment officially opened in 1904, with its first guests arriving at Penrith to be driven by a fleet of cars to the hotel.

Artwork from around the world adorned the walls of a special gallery while entertainment took place in the Casino Ballroom under a dome that remains in place today. The dome was made in Chicago and specially shipped to Australia.

A walk through the gallery led guests to the grand dining room, with a magnificent half-barrel vault ceiling, which is still stands today.

The Hydro was known for its elegance and style.

Hotel guests danced in exquisite vaulted ballrooms, men played billiards and women gossiped on the sofas in the long corridor known as the Cat's Alley.

Cat's Alley will be made into a salon by day and a jazz bar by night. The ballroom will be refurbished and the wintergarden will become a restaurant and the Mark Foy pavilion will have interactive historical displays.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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