Independent Minds: Angela O’Connell, Chalets at Blackheath

Alpine adventures await in Australia’s Blue Mountains at this ruggedly refined chalet resort

In the midst of the Blue Mountains’ UNESCO-listed beauty, adventurer Angela O’Connell came across the perfect setting for her boutique chalets – in less than perfect condition after the Black Summer bushfires had all but burnt out the National Park. Looking past the scorched earth and blackened tree stumps, O’Connell assembled a team of ecologists, bush regenerators, and an expert landscape designer to conserve what was left and encourage native plant regrowth. Today, the wilderness which surrounds Chalets at Blackheath is flourishing, and guests can go off-grid in scented eucalyptus forests, soaring sandstone canyons, and New South Wales’ epic bush-walking trails.

Our property is home to a diverse range of wildlife, and it's not uncommon for our guests to enjoy kangaroo sightings or see echidnas wandering past.

Do you have a vision for the future of the hotel?

Sustainability, or considerate travel, is at the core of our vision. We are deeply passionate about it and continuously strive to align our practices with current trends and best practices in sustainable travel. Given the current state of global tourism and the environmental challenges we face, we see it as our responsibility to be proactive in this regard. Our status as a small, independent hotel provides us with the agility to implement meaningful changes. We are excited about the future and have ambitious plans for adopting solar solutions that can significantly reduce our environmental footprint.

We aim to stay at the forefront of sustainable travel, not only because it aligns with our values but also because we believe it’s the way forward for the entire tourism industry. By integrating sustainable practices, we hope to inspire both our guests and our peers to make more environmentally conscious choices, helping to protect the natural beauty that draws travellers to our destination.

Previous

A seaside staycation in Rye, East Sussex

Next

The ultimate Porto city guide

Latest stories

The ultimate Budapest city guide

Baroque buildings, thermal baths and generous helpings of goulash. What’s not to love about Budapest? Long regarded as a drinking stop on every gap year youth’s interrailing itinerary, the Hungarian capital has a seriously grown-up side that makes for an ultra-chic city break. Thankfully, we have just the hotels to

Independent Minds: Xiaoran Zhou, Kaipuu Hotels

As the first luxury hotels in China to be certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Kaipuu on the Reef and Kaipuu Belfry are setting the eco-friendly bar in the history-steeped seaport of Quanzhou. The Jin River has welcomed trade and travellers from all four corners of the globe,

10 destination hotels to plan an unforgettable trip around

Travel wish-lists are nothing new — and in our case, never ending — but what about turning a trip on its head, and making the journey for a hotel so special that it’s become a destination in its own right? Hotel-centric holidays still come down to location, to a certain

10 of the best hotel beach clubs in Europe

The key ingredients to the perfect hotel beach club? Somewhere far from Europe’s sun-seeking crowds, yet close to the cooling water’s edge—we’re talking a few barefoot steps, or even better if there are wave-lapped loungers. Pretty parasols and towels are a plus, mellow tunes and ice-cold refreshments by day are