Salter Brothers Add Hydro Majestic to Blue Mountains Listings

Three years after its acquisition by Salter Brothers, the 84-room Hydro Majestic Hotel is up for grabs, joining the investment manager’s Spicers Sangoma Retreat in a sales campaign led by HTL Property’s Nic Simarro. Dramatically overlooking the Megalong Valley in the Blue Mountains, the 1904-vintage hydropathic therapy spa and resort has a storied history and comes with a 91.92ha land portfolio, and licenses and approvals for expansions. While no price guide is attached, Simarro told The Urban Developer that there have been “limited comparable transactions in the region”. “I believe one of the key attractions of this opportunity is the substantial surplus land, coupled with an approved DA providing an opportunity to develop 91 additional suites and a dedicated conference wing,” Simarro said. The resort also carries a hotel license for a detached roadside bar, which is currently operating as offices, as well as six existing restaurants. Land holdings at the base of the mountain have the potential to be developed, tying in to Megalong Valley hospitality businesses. Simarro likened the concept to Scenic World’s funicular and cable-car in Katoomba. “Salter has investigated a zipline and gondola, and it's a really good idea,” Simarro said. ▲ The resort stretches for a kilometre across the clifftop, and land holdings extend to the valley floor. “There are wineries and walking tracks at the foot of the mountain, creating the potential for a broader food and beverage precinct. There are so many possibilities here for someone with the right vision.” The Urban Developer understands that occupancy at the Hydro Majestic remained stable during a three-year roadworks project on a 1.2km highway upgrade directly outside the hotel. Per-spend stay declined, but has recovered quickly since the roadworks were completed in early 2026, adding lanes and a new pedestrian bridge link to Medlow Bath train station. Simarro said that Salter has continued to invest in the asset during that period, “although a full refurbishment program has not been undertaken”. ▲ The hotel includes six operational restaurants and a ballroom among other facilities. “For a new owner, this presents an exciting opportunity to further enhance the property. The Hydro was acquired as part of a portfolio, and Salter Brothers continually review their portfolio to identify opportunities to recycle capital into other investments.” Salter Brothers also owns and operates the Spicers portfolio, as well as the historic Lilianfels resort and the Echoes Boutique Hotel in Katoomba. Blue Mountains tourism recovers despite road woes Years of heavy rainfall have contributed to road and bushwalking trail chaos around the mountains. Among other popular attractions, the Jenolan Caves have been shut since April 2024. After a visit from K-pop star Jennie, Lincoln’s Rock also suffered a surge of selfie-seekers and remains closed to visitors until at least December 2026. Simarro said that Blue Mountains tourism has rebounded since Covid, with “annual visitation now around 2.9 to 3 million people — effectively half of Sydney’s population”. “The longer-term outlook is even stronger, with projections suggesting visitation could reach around 6 million by 2038.” ▲ The Blue Mountains National Park is the most-visited in Australia. In 2024, the Leura Gardens Resort was acquired by Jerry Schwartz , who also operates the Fairmont Resort in the Blue Mountains. In January this year, Emirates appointed Marriott International to re-launch the long-shuttered Wolgan Valley Resort . In Katoomba, Yuri Rudi’s $92-million Mountains Blue Alpine Retreat and Residences project is using the HDA pathway to apply for 218 homes and 52 serviced apartments. The scheme is the target of a council and community campaign against the tourism component, among other objections. The western fringe of the mountains is undergoing a prolonged, unplanned closure of the Great Western Highway , with additional federal funding for a fix announced this week . However, plans continue for an additional 1200 homes at Lithgow . Resort was deathbed of Australia's first Prime Minister The Hydro Majestic was developed by retail kingpin Mark Foy, known for his eponymous department store. The resort was designed in a mixture of Edwardian and Victorian architectural styles, and was generating its own electricity four days before metropolitan Sydney. The nearby town of Medlow was renamed Medlow Bath at Foy’s request, but investigation revealed that the supposed mineral springs on the resort land did not exist. Instead, Foy imported spring water from Baden in Germany, and Swiss doctors to apply hydropathic health treatments. Australia’s first Prime Minister Edmund Barton was staying at the hotel when he suffered a fatal heart attack in 1920. A fictionalised version of the hotel also featured in Sumner Locke Elliot’s 1969 novel Edens Lost .

Hotels
Patrick Lau
Fri 21 Aug 26

Salter Brothers Add Hydro Majestic to Blue Mountains Listings

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HotelsPatrick LauFri 21 Aug 26

Salter Brothers Add Hydro Majestic to Blue Mountains Listings

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