Blue Mountains near Sydney

Lilianfels is like a big Victoria sponge – grown-up and childish and wonderfully tasty all at the same time. You’re in the Blue Mountains slothing about on a massive sofa, feet up, reading The New York Times with a tottering tower of tiny cakes before you, as you tick off things to buy at the nearby antiques-crazy village of Leura. But activity is the flipside to Lilianfels’ old-school indolence. So it’s a quick stroll to check out the amazing Three Sisters rock formation and the glorious Jamieson Valley and then back to the cocoon of the hotel. The staff are wonderfully good and wonderfully good-looking. Most of the 85 sunny rooms have valley views – dramatic and forbidding. There are two swimming-pools – inside for the demure, outside for the splashy – a bright restaurant called Tre Sorelle (book the far-corner table to view fellow guests) and the original house built in the 1880s, home to the lovely Darleys restaurant. Don’t forget the spa – just wonderful
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Explore the wonderful Blue Mountains - named for the blue haze caused by the fine droplets of oil which rise from the eucalypts covering the area. This is real Jurassic Park landscape, older then the Grand Canyon, and criss-crossed by bush-walking and mountain-biking trails (there are complimentary bikes at the hotel). Don't miss the Katoomba Falls, the sandstone crevice of Devils Hole, and the endless vistas of the Jamison Valley


Gawp at the spectacular Three Sisters rock formation at Echo Point, a short walk away. Abseiling and rock climbing can be arranged locally; the amazing limestone formations of the Jenolan Caves are an hour’s drive away


The World Heritage Listed bushland boasts excellent birdlife; the hotel can arrange guided walks


Golf - there are four 18-hole courses in the area


The nearby Scenic World has 4 fun rides for the family: the 'cableway' (an aerial gondola above the jungle), a railway (the steepest incline in the world) which takes you down to a lush valley, a wooden walkway which links the two, passing through ancient rainforest, and a new glass-floored 'Skyway' which soars 250m above ravines and waterfalls


If that's too tame, try a 4WD safari, or take a back seat on a Harley Davidson mountain cruise


Give your body a break at the highly-rated spa, with its indoor pool and 4 treatment rooms; there are all-day pampering packages, super stress-buster massages, four-handed poultice massages, even mens' grooming treatments - but do book at least a week before arrival


There are several local art galleries nearby


Keep fit in the health club, play tennis on the hotel's court set in the pine forest, relax by the outdoor pool, or book a yoga lesson


If you're interested in themed team building events, there are opportunities for abseiling, rock climbing, horse riding, golf and canyoning