Maplewood

Description

Maplewood was so named because of the 80 year old Maple tree that dominates the gorgeous cottage front garden. The original cottage was built C1890 and has seen two sympathetic additions to the rear of the house since then. The gourmet kitchen is fully equiped with the latest appliances and the fridge even has its own filtered water and ice maker.
With it's five bedrooms, three bathrooms and separate studio, Maplewood is the perfect getaway for families or large groups, although the design of the house allows the formal dining and two of the bedrooms to be closed off, allowing a cosy retreat for couples or smaller groups.
The Fifth Bedroom contains two single beds, while The Studio/Teenagers' Retreat, which is next door to the house, contains a Queen size bed and radio/c.d. player.
French doors from the formal dining room lead to a covered west facing deck that overlooks the lawn. Perfect for watching the sunset while cooking on the bar-b-que. Blackheath Village, a 5 minute drive from Maplewood, boasts a selection of cafes, art galleries and antique shops but, if you want something a bit more energetic, you could try some of the great walks with awe-inspiring views, go horseriding in the Megalong Valley, visit the Jenolan Caves or play golf at the local club.
Maplewood is the ideal place to get away from it all for a couple of nights or a couple of weeks.
Gift Vouchers Available


FOLLOWING IS A REVIEW FEATURED IN THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Review dated 12/11/05
"Reasons to celebrate"
Sacha Molitorisz finds a cosy cottage with everything - except the naked nymphs.
No, this can't be right. Via the internet, we have booked a place for the weekend we hope will be moderately comfortable and inviting. In the Blue Mountains town of Blackheath, we simply want a cosy base for a bunch of friends to spend two nights away.
But then we arrive to find this. Even in the dimming light of a Friday evening, Maplewood looks too nice, a rustic but perfectly restored timber cottage surrounded by a beautiful garden with sandstone detailing and blooming flowers. Unlike so many mountain retreats, the effect is stylish, not twee.
For a moment we're convinced we're in the wrong place. Still, the key and security code seem to work. This must be right.
In all, 10 of us will stay at Maplewood, including a three-week-old heartbreaker named Edie. We've come to the mountains for the wedding of two close friends, Jules and Josh.
Inside Maplewood there are lovely polished floorboards and every room is generously and tastefully furnished. Each of the five bedrooms has comfortable beds and fine white linen; the three bathrooms are spacious and neat; the opulent dining room, with seating for 10 and a colonial red decor, is worthy of a magazine shoot; the living room includes a large-screen TV hooked up to pay TV, a DVD player and surround sound; there are board games; the cottage has two slow-combustion log fires; and the kitchen is a marvel, a large and well-designed space with an industrial-strength gas cooktop and enough heavy-duty pots and pans to cater for, well, a wedding party.
Outside, there is even a separate studio in case someone wants a bit more privacy.
Named after the 80-year-old maple tree in the front yard, the cottage was originally built in about 1890. Two extensions have been added, but they're true to the cottage's history.
In all, Maplewood exudes a level of comfort that extends to the smallest detail. You'll find Vegemite, jams, coffee and tea for breakfast; there are several heaters for those cold mountainnights.
In many guesthouses, it can feel as if you're imposing; as if the hospitality is being afforded begrudgingly. The opposite is true here. For instance, several coffee-table books are sprinkled about, and some of them you might even want to read. That is, they're not the cheap, generic variety found in bargain bins.
After spending most of Friday evening discussing wardrobe, we awake to a beautiful Saturday of sunshine and birdsong. The sort of day that has everyone discussing moving out of Sydney permanently.
In the backyard, we eat a hearty brunch on a spacious deck,where there's a barbecue, an outdoor setting and a soothing view.
It makes a change from the semi-industrial inner-city suburb we call home, where the only thriving flora is the Neighbourhood Watch phone tree. Here, sloping down towards a valley, you can imagine fairies, goblins and Norman Lindsay-style naked nymphs. Sadly,these sirens never cross from the realm of imagination into reality during our stay.
It's a terrible shame that we have to drive home on Sunday, back to our home among the phone trees, where the only coffee tablebooks are the cheap, generic variety found in bargain bins.

* Establishments featured in Weekends Away are visited anonymously by Herald writers, who pay their own way.

Visitors' bookMaplewood190 Hat Hill Road,Blackheath

Bookings:Phone , http://www.stayz.com.au/12193 orhttp://www.maplewood.worldstays.com.

How far is it: About 120 kilometres west of Sydney.
Wheelchair access: No.
Smoking: Outside.
Pluses: Just about everything. Nearby activities include bushwalking, horse riding and golf.
Minuses: The rear garden is still being landscaped; the lack of naked nymphs.
Rating: 19/20

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