The atmosphere of the Carrington Hotel enchanted me from the first moment I entered the door. Not long ago we went for a weekend trip to the Blue Mountains and we were just about to finish our sightseeing tour when the bus driver recommended us to have a drink at the Carrington before going home, right opposite the bus station where we get off after the last stop of the tour. What a pleasant surprise, we have found ourselves in a totally different world. The grace, elegance and charm of the place could not let me go.
One month later, we have decided to go back for a romantic getaway. Jumped in the car conveniently on a Saturday morning in Sydney, being in the Blue Mountains in brief two hours. We have quickly made a booking for our long-awaited dinner in the Grand Dining room for 8 pm and left to Clarence to take another step back in time filled with sights, sounds and smells of a bygone era. We bought two tickets for the Zig Zag Railway, which is a heritage railway winding its way through the remarkable Blue Mountain’s scenery, offering glimpses of grand sandstone viaducts and a guided tour where we have learnt about the challenges the builders had to face when bringing the railway down into the valley in the 1860s. After this three hours long journey in the crispy mountain autumn we were quite excited about the dinner but still had some time to refresh ourselves before going downstairs. I used this time to walk around the hotel and discover the fabulous decor of the building.
I was very impressed by the number of awards the hotel gained during its operation: “No 1 in Australia for Hotel Wedding Reception”, “Winner Best Hotel Reception Venue” and “Best Wedding Caterer”. I especially liked that the hotel aims to not only collect the recognition but also give back to the community. They are sponsoring local events, provide student learning opportunities and support organizations with ill people in need.
Following my little discovery tour we headed towards the Grand Dining Room. It felt like having a dinner on the Titanic. Featuring soaring columns, lofty gilded ceilings and stained glass, it is one of the last Victorian dining rooms still operating in the country.
The dinner was excellent. The food, the ambience, the service, everything was just as beautiful as I expected. The 3 course menu was delicious with taste and art perfectly combined, we were never lack of bubbles in our glasses of sparkling wine and the live piano player has just rocked us into a special mood, far away from the everyday reality. Here is what we had for dinner:
Entree
Goats curd cigars: globe artichoke, roast walnut salad and olive tapinade
Main course
Fish of the day + Grain fed beef fillet
Dessert
Creme caramel moscato jelly and pineapple ice cream + Mint and white chocolate mousse
I must mention the “popping effect” we experienced when eating the ice cream. When the waiter told us about it I looked at him suspicious as I think popping candy is for kids only .. however, I have to admit it was the right amount and intensity of popping which just made the dessert extremely exciting as you couldn’t decide what to focus on: the little tickling sensation on your palate or the pleasant taste of the ice cream.
To crown the evening we had a last drink in the elegant and cosy Lounge of the hotel enjoying the warmth of the fireplace and the ambience of the heritage decor. When we arrived that day, my husband was asked by a couple to make a photo of them. It has turned out that they had their wedding at the Carrington and now they are coming back each year on the same date to celebrate their marriage, taking a photo at the very same place as on their wedding day: right there on the stairs in front of the building. What a sweet idea!
I would not mind setting up a tradition like this. I will suggest to my husband to go back every year. Just like that. To hug each other and celebrate the warmth inside despite the cold outside..