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The Schwartz Family Company has wrapped up a $25 million acquisition of Leura Gardens Resort in the Blue Mountains, consolidating its presence in the region and extending its agreement with independent Australian hospitality group Trilogy Hotels announced earlier this year.
Schwartz, the largest privately owned hotel group in the country, already operates the award-winning Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains nearby, with the latest deal for Leura Gardens Resort growing its network to 15 properties.
The property was acquired from the Elanor Hotel Accommodation Fund and it will be managed by Trilogy Hotels, which was founded late last year by hospitality veterans Scott Boyes, Tony Ryan and Grant Alchin.
Trilogy struck the management deal with Schwarz earlier this year, kicking off with four existing properties in the family’s portfolio - Mercure Sydney, Ibis Sydney World Square, Mercure Canberra and Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains.
Leura Gardens Resort opened in 1970, but its famed gardens were created in the 1920s by Lady Mabel Fairfax and her gardener Hector Hood.
The gardens remain a feature of the property’s four-and-a-half acres of landscaped grounds, which are located just a few minutes from the picturesque village of Leura, the gateway to the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park.
The recently refurbished property has 92 studio and family rooms and self-contained apartments, as well as resort amenities such as a solar-heated outdoor swimming pool, fitness room, guest lounge, and the Olive Tree Restaurant, with the Schwartz-owned Leura Golf Course across the road.
The resort also boasts conference and events spaces, which support a strong events business comprising weddings, conferences and corporate retreats.
Schwartz Family Company plans to operate the resort in association with Fairmont Resort and Leura Golf Course.
Dr Jerry Schwartz, director of Schwartz Family Company, says the acquisition is “well timed” with the announcement that the NSW Blues rugby team will establish a training base in the Blue Mountains, using the facilities at both the Fairmont and Leura Gardens.
“The Blue Mountains is Sydney’s holiday playground and one of the most popular destinations for weddings, retreats, leisure groups, conferences and events, and by bringing these three venues together, we can offer a complete tourism solution,” says Schwartz.
“Leura Gardens Resort’s 3.5-star accommodation will complement the 4.5-star accommodation at the Fairmont, while we can also offer multiple different venues for functions along with the renowned outdoor activities that the Blue Mountains is famous for.
“While cost-of-living pressures are likely to impact longer and more expensive holidays, short-haul holidays and conferences are likely to be far more resilient.”
Sschwartz notes that Leura is less than two hours from the Sydney CBD, adding that the company can offer “great value accommodation and memorable stays across the two properties”.
“The NSW Blues recently showed just how rejuvenating it can be to set up camp in the Blue Mountains, and we aim to make every stay at Leura Gardens Resort or Fairmont a winner,” he says.
The Schwartz Family Company was established in 1973 and currently has assets in Sydney, Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Canberra, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.
The company’s portfolio of 15 hotels comprises a total of 4,300 rooms operated under brands such as Sofitel, MGallery, Novotel, Mercure, Ibis, Rydges, and Hilton.
It also owns Paradise Resort Gold Coast which it acquired in 2019 for $43 million from the collapsed Ralan Group, adding to its earlier acquisition of the Surfers Paradise Hilton.
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