ST RAPHAEL , The Property - It is a former convent and local landmark. Today it boasts three elegant, self-contained holiday accommodations set in a 6000sq. metre private estate with a rambling serene garden and views to Sydney & the Blue Mountains.
THE PRIESTS COTTAGE The charming, sunny Priest’s Cottage sits in the leafy St Raphael grounds. It sleeps one couple (queen bed) and is ideal for a romantic escape. It also makes a cosy and peaceful retreat for one. - The cottage has been refurbished for style and comfort with quality furniture and fittings - eat-in Kitchenette / dining room - Bed-sitting room and bathroom with shower - Parking is conveniently close to the private front entrance. - Heating is generous and under guests control & an electric blanket for cold mountain nights! - TV/ DVD / USB Dock/ Free WIFI
Your accommodation package also includes a 2 for 1 (or 50% off) Devonshire Tea at Bygone Beautys Treasured Teapot Museum & Tearooms in Leura.
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
About the area
Leura
Located in Leura, this holiday home is in the mountains. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Blue Mountains National Park and Katoomba Scenic World. Everglades Historic House & Gardens and Blue Mountains Cultural Centre are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby swimming, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours, mountain climbing and hiking/biking trails.
Everglades Historic House & Gardens - 2 min drive - 1.6 km
Fortress Rock - 4 min drive - 2.7 km
Prince Henry Cliff Walk Trailhead - 5 min drive - 4.3 km
Leura Cascades - 6 min drive - 5.0 km
Getting around
Leura Station - 6 min walk
Western Sydney Intl. Airport (WSI) - 60 min drive
Restaurants
Cafe Leura - 8 min walk
Freudian Sip - 10 min walk
Lily's Pad Cafe - 9 min walk
Bygone Beautys - Antique Centre & Tearoom - 12 min walk
Leura Gourmet - 7 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is St Raphael - Priest's Cottage Leura pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at St Raphael - Priest's Cottage Leura?
As of 29 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at St Raphael - Priest's Cottage Leura on 30 May 2026 start from NZ$287, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at St Raphael - Priest's Cottage Leura?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at St Raphael - Priest's Cottage Leura?
Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.
What time is check-out at St Raphael - Priest's Cottage Leura?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is St Raphael - Priest's Cottage Leura located?
Situated in the mountains, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Leura Mall and Everglades Historic House & Gardens. Fortress Rock and Prince Henry Cliff Walk Trailhead are also within 2 miles (3 km). Leura Station is 6 minutes by foot.
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Hosts were fantastic answering late in rhe day. Very nice clean cottage, all the amenities needed, provided soap and shampoo and they even left us some easter chocolates.
Fraser E.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 7 April 2026
Thank you for the review We trust you had safe travels homewards and you enjoyed the Easter Bunny calling !
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Melinda
14 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
We had a lovely stay at the Priest’s Cottage. Cute and charming. Great location. Thanks for having us!
Accomodation was excellent and well kept in good condition. Appeared as described in listing. Host was very helpful and easy to reach when reached out to about concerns that arose or questions needed answering
Cosy stay i9s pretty spot. Amnesties worked and the residence was quiet and comfortable.
Driveway in/out is a rough and could be made more 'friendly' with very little work.
John G.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 July 2022
Thank you for taking the time to write a review. Pleased you enjoyed your stay
The driveway will be attended when we have a week of dry weather as the ground is fairly wet and the stones unstable
Archival
8/10 Good
9 October 2008
We had a wonderful long weekend experience at the Priests Cottage. It was cosy, very well laid out a
We had a wonderful long weekend experience at the Priests Cottage. It was cosy, very well laid out and Kay was a wonderful host.The proximity to the Leura Mall ( a 5 min walk) made for a liesurely stroll to cafes/shops for meals and shopping.Beautiful gardens and very well presented.We will be back.
My partner and I enjoyed our stay. The property itself is very clean, comfortable and very quiet.
The shower needs a curtain or door if it’s own due to the toilet being in the same room. The fridge is also in an odd position, partially blocking a doorway.
An overall comfortable stay, so close to town.
Smith H.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 4 June 2023
Thank you for taking the time to place a review The comments are appreciated.
The Priests Cottage is exactly that a very small cottage separate to the main convent
We see the bathroom as larger than the average ensuite and the brick wall provides adequate privacy to the toilet.
The refrigerator is placed proximal to the kitchen bench and when cleaning I am fairly large and have no difficulty in going. Through the adjoining space I mention these points as I do not want you to think they are not considered simply not agreed
Booked a midweek stay at The Priests Cottage and will DEFINITELY be back. Got an early check in and cottage was warm and welcoming. Communication with host was easy and friendly. Excellent rate for our stay as well. Bed was super comfy. Kitchen was great and had everything we needed. Shower was AMAZING!! Plenty of extra blsnkets and heaters for colder nights. Thank you Maurice! Was fantastic!
All are good , except kitchen appliances utensils have room to improve
All the categories mentioned are 5 stars … we appreciate that the cottage is an aged property, with good maintenance standard. The kitchen facilities and utensils can be improved on the cleanliness and quality.
Charlotte L.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 March 2025
Dear Charlotte,
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience! Your feedback truly means a lot to us. We hope to welcome you back again!
Thank you!
This property was perfect for me and my partner. It was a very close walk to the Leura Mall. There was plenty of room for two people to settle into the space, a smart layout design, and the surrounding of the Priest's Cottage was picturesque, green with a beautiful garden. Thank you for the restful stay!
Alexandra B.
Stayed 1 night in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 29 May 2022
Dear Alexandra,
Thank you for sharing your stay at the Priest Cottage.
I am pleased to hear that you had an enjoyable stay.
I hope you had safe travels home.
Regards
Jason
for
Maurice G Cooper OAM
Very good. Communicated directly with the owner, who was helpful and cheery.
Rodney M.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 20 January 2022
Dear Rodney,
We like to thank you for taking the opportunity to review your experience at the Priest Cottage.
We hope you enjoyed your stay & we look forward to greeting you next time.
Regards
Jason
for
Maurice G Cooper
Very clean and tidy cottage well-equipped just what you need for a short stay beautiful views of the garden and bushland shower had amazing water pressure thank you very much for our stay we will surely be back again
Excellent cottage. Very neat and had everything we needed. Would gladly stay here again - so close to the centre of the village. Very quiet.
Anthony S.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Graham B.
17 December 2018
Great location and facilities top draw - just us messing up number of nights should have been 2 but
Great location easy walking to centre of Laura- The tea museum definitely worth a visit- would definitely stay again
Graham B.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 23 March 2020
Thank you ..Safe travels
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Judy H.
16 November 2018
Just beautiful- everything we needed - would loved to have stayed for a week!
Excellent
Judy H.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018
Verified
8/10 Good
Claire R.
10 May 2018
Cute and cosy, convenient. Poor wifi.
Beautiful grounds, close to shopping mall. Good parking.
Claire R.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Lorrie B.
22 April 2018
Priest's Cottage
We loved it thankyou Maurice! Wouldn't change a thing!
Lorrie B.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 23 March 2020
Hi Lorrie,
Pleased it all went well and look forward to your next visit. Thank you for the great review.
Archival
6/10 Okay
Katrina E.
25 September 2017
Great place to stay!
We thought the cottage was great! It had everything you needed to make the stay lovely! Just need a new bed! The most uncomfortable bed we have ever sleep in!!
It was close to town, easy walk, great location!
Katrina E.
Response from VrboOwner on 23 March 2020
Dear Katrina, Thank you for taking the time and effort to create a review with your comments being most favorable. In regards to the bed, I will certainly do a review, however we recently placed a bamboo cover over all our queen beds for greater comfort. They are used in 5 star hotels and were fairly expensive. We have had some great comments from guests that they simply drifted away... So your comment needs further investigation and I will certainly undertake to do this when the current guest leaves although I saw them this morning and they commented on a good nights rest after their travels... Regards Maurice
Archival
10/10 Excellent
14 June 2015
A beautiful place to stay
We had a great time. A lovely place to stay for a week or weekend. We stayed in the chapel and it was great. A high chair and travel cot were provided for our baby and the heating was very cozy. Close to all the main attractions and it was nice and quiet to stay.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Celia C.
6 June 2015
Perfect little cottage
A perfect spot for a two night getaway - far better than a hotel or B&B room elsewhere.Great quiet location but so close to the the Leura Mall for shopping and eating treats.
The accommodation was very clean, cosy, warm and comfortable and equipped with all you need for a couple
Look forward to returning in the spring to see the lovely garden will definitely be back for another stay
Celia C.
About the host
Hosted by Maurice Cooper
A collection of teapots begun in 1974, when Ronald Hooper, a previous owner of my business 'Bygone Beautys' came across a special teapot. In 1992, we joined forces to create 'Bygone Beautys' and continued from there to grow the collection. This Treasured Teapot Museum reflects and preserves the diversity of Australian tea-drinking culture. We have now become the largest private teapot collection in the world and have a reputation in the Blue Mountains. In 2009, 2010 and 2011, Bygone Beautys have been awarded the Hall of Fame award for both peoples choice as well as community contribution on behalf of CR Daniel Myles (Mayor of Blue Mountains City Council), Dave Garner (President, BIZNET) and Randall Walker (Chair, BMLOT).
Why they chose this property
This property hold historical value in the Blue Mountains.
What makes this property unique
This property is at a prime position in Leura, Blue Mountains. Positioned at the highest point in this town, comes with a stunning and immaculate view of the World Heritage 'Blue Mountains' site. We hope to form a unique and unforgettable stay for you here.
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests