The iconic Hydro Majestic Hotel will be a magnificent host to the Blue Mountains Charleston Challenge on February 7, 2015.
Words by Ellen Hill Photos by David Hill
The refurbished Hydro Majestic Hotel at Medlow Bath will be the ultimate period party palace at which to launch the annual Roaring 20s Festival and all that Jazz on Saturday, February 7.
Hydro Majestic co-owner Huong Nguyen said: “The Hydro in its heyday was the place to be for people who wanted to have fun.
Cats Alley at the Hydro Majestic will come alive with colourful characters.
“The Escarpment Group has refurbished the buildings back to their original elegance but what really makes a building come alive is people.
“So we invite everyone to dress up in their most sophisticated 1920s-style costumes to celebrate the return of colourful characters into the venues and hallways of the Hydro Majestic Hotel.’’
The day will begin with the Blue Mountains Charleston Challenge on the lawns at 11am. Practice onsite from 10.30am and register on the day or pre-register at www.roaring20s.com.au.
Participants are encouraged to arrive by train and alight at Medlow Bath railway station conveniently located opposite the hotel.
The challenge aims to break its own Guinness World Record for the greatest number of costumed people to dance the Charleston. It set the record with 276 in 2013, 319 in 2014 – let’s make it 350 in 2015.
After the dancers have high-kicked their way into history once more, indulge in decadent local fare at the Majestic Long Lunch in the Majestic Ballroom.
Immerse yourself in the era during a long afternoon of informal grazing, promenading on the lawns and dancing to the 1920s-style band.
The Majestic Long Lunch will be held in the Grand Ballroom at the Hydro Majestic Hotel.
Hydro Majestic head chef Maté Herceg and other Blue Mountains food heroes will prepare a feast from regional food.
An antipasto platter from award-winning Princess Pantry will feature meats and locally grown vegetables. Maté will showcase his culinary skills with a memorable main course, followed by delicious cheeses from the Carrington Cellars & Deli. The finale of the feast will be a wicked, indulgent dessert from Josophan’s Fine Chocolates.
Guests will meet Australian food and wine identity and Majestic Long Lunch ambassador Lyndey Milan OAM, who has visited the region often and features the Blue Mountains in her Taste of Australia TV series and accompanying book.
“The glorious Blue Mountains continue to raise the bar with fun events, showcasing the increasing number and standard of local producers,’’ she said.
“The Long Lunch was great fun in its inaugural year in Leura and promises to ramp it up in the newly restored Hydro Majestic.’’
The Majestic Long Lunch and the Charleston Challenge will begin Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism’s Roaring 20s Festival held throughout the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon region from February 7-22. (Details: www.roaring20s.com.au)
Take the opportunity to explore the magnificent hotel on a guided tour and stock up on local produce in the newly opened providores pavilion during your visit.
End the day with another Australian icon, music legend Richard Clapton when he performs some of his hits including Girls On the Avenue, I Am an Island, Capricorn Dancer and Best Years Of Our lives. Cost: $57.50 + booking fee (show only). Doors open at 6pm, support act Chris Rose will perform at 8pm with Richard Clapton onstage at 9pm.
Dinner, show and accommodation packages available. Details and bookings: www.hydromajestic.com.au.
The Hydro Majestic Hotel has long been associated with fun.
#BlueMountainsCharlestonChallenge #HuongNguyen #Hydro #tourism #LyndeyMilan #JosophansFineChocolates #PrincessPantry #Roaring20s #HydroMajesticHotel #BlueMountains #NewSouthWales #iconicbuildings #weekends #CarringtonHotel #Roaring20sFestival #travel #Australia #DeepHillMedia #gourmetfood #GuinnessWorldRecords #NSW #HydroMajestic #MajesticLongLunch
Comments