Blue Mountains Guest House History
An historic Blue Mountains guest house with a reputation for friendly service and home cooked meals...
Glenella Hotel & Restaurant is more than just an accommodation and restaurant venue; it represents some of the best Blue Mountains Guest House history around. Now listed as a heritage building, Glenella was built in 1905 by George Phillips, a carpenter by trade. A south Australian born of Welsh parents, the Philips family moved to the Blue Mountains with his family on account of delicate health of one of his eight children. He purchased three allotments over the years which accounts for the spectacular land and gardens that now surround Glenella Hotel & Restaurant.
Glenella displays some of the characteristics of the Federation Queen Ann Style and has features such as:
- A hipped roof covered with corrugated iron
- Walls lined with rusticated timber weatherboards
- A verandah with a bullnosed corrugated iron roof
- Turned timber posts
- Timber window joinery
- Beautiful stained glass windows
Glenella Blue Mountains Guest House has been an important focus of tourist activity in Blackheath since 1915.
Glenella was extended by 1915 and became a Blue Mountains Guest House managed by Elizabeth Phillips and her five daughters. A two story section was later added in 1917 to accommodate 60 guests as the tourism trade flourished in the Blue Mountains. Glenella was built, owned and run as a guest house for many years by the Phillips family however the title was transferred into Glenella Pty Ltd in 1939. In 1984, George and Elizabeth, both in their eighties, died but the Blue Mountains Guest House was run for many years by their daughter Leila and then by one of their daughter-in-laws, Laurel.
In 1973 Glenella was passed out of the possession of the Phillips family when it was sold to Michael and Monique Manners during the early part of the 1980’s and its reputation for fine dining was established.
Now Glenella has new owners, Welsh descendents just like George Phillips. Katherine Strong and Gareth McAuliffe have acquired this beautiful, historic Blue Mountains Guest House set in the streets of Blackheath. History has shown that over time and with loving care and dedication, Glenella gained an excellent reputation for friendly service & good home cooking. When it was sold to the Manners they concentrated on serving fine food and Glenella became famous for its gourmet meals.
Katherine and Gareth wish to continue both the friendly service, excellent accommodation and outstanding fine dining……please join us one night, one weekend or for an extended holiday to enjoy everything that Glenella has to offer.
Glenella Hotel & Restaurant is your best Blue Mountains accommodation choice with luxury guest rooms and quality touches that are ideal for those Blue Mountains romantic getaways or weekend escapes. Located at the summit of the Blue Mountains, Glenella also offers guests, and all visitors to our remarkable region, one of the leading Blue Mountains restaurants with exceptional dining, quality Australian cuisine and warm and friendly service. Close to all the Blue Mountains attractions and things to do, Glenella is also perfect for your Blue Mountains wedding reception venue and is one of the best Blue Mountains venues for corporate events, conference or gala dinners. Check out our Blue Mountains hotel and restaurant packages and deals and then Contact Us today.