The jewel in the Mountains crown opens officially on Friday but 200 curious locals had a sneak preview at a high tea last Saturday.
The Hydro Majestic at Medlow Bath was the venue for the tea, hosted by TAFE Western Sydney as part of the SMH Good Food Month. While the students put on a top-class event, the real star of the show was the Hydro.
It has been given a $30-million refurbishment and, from the opinions of those who were there on Saturday, has been returned to its former glory.
Michael Small, who runs a photography business in Leura, was one of four tables of Rotarians at the high tea.
"It is just exquisite," he said. "I don't usually carry on about things like that, I'm not usually all that fussed, but it is really quite delightful.
"We didn't get to do a tour, we only had our high tea in the Wintergarden room, but the decor was lovely, so light and bright and airy. And the view is just magnificent."
He was also full of praise for the hospitality and events management students who served a sumptuous selection of sweet and savoury favourites created from regional produce.
"I couldn't fault anything," Mr Small said.
Director Education for TAFE Western Sydney Institute, Anne Goonetilleke, said that events such as the high tea were an important mode of engagement with the community and industry.
"We want to be able to showcase not only local food producers and sustainable fare but also let the community discover for themselves the very high quality of our hospitality and events professionals in development."
TAFE Western Sydney and the Escarpment Group enjoy a close relationship due to their roles in a collaborative venture, the Hotel Management Institute, which combines first class hospitality training, accommodation and work experience.
The Hydro was built originally as a health retreat by retailer Mark Foy and opened in 1904.
It has had many incarnations since but fell into disrepair before being bought six years ago by the Escarpment Group, which owns Lilianfels and Echoes at Katoomba, as well as Parklands in Blackheath.
The premier, Mike Baird, and other guests - including the Gazette - will be given a guided tour of the hotel tomorrow. The opening will be celebrated with a series of high teas from Friday.
