Things You Need to Know / FAQs
Don't forget to check out our other services to maximise your visit
Blue Mountains Bag Storage, just a one-minute walk from Katoomba train station, open 8am-5pm (may get later in the warmer months) with FREE storage for No.14 guests before check in, and until 1pm after check out.
The most useful guide to everything else the Blue Mountains has to offer, Out of the Blue is the essential guide to walking guides, and it more than pays for itself with special offers!
We also have Out of the Blue - Blue Mountains Experiences offering simple transport from A to B (like from the station to No.14 with your bags, or to free you up to start the Grand Cliff Top Walk at Wentworth Falls station, Grand Canyon walk at Blackheath when the bus times don't suit you), or more involved itineraries created just for YOU to YOUR timetable!
Full Booking Terms & Conditions
Below are the most common questions. When making a booking, remember to check our full terms & conditions. You'll seem them on the booking page. Full house private rentals are sent a separate rental agreement.
Minimum Night Stays
During peak periods, and for advance Friday & Saturday night bookings, we have a minimum 2 night stay. We also have no checkouts on Saturdays in advance. You can check out on Friday or Sunday. Last minute, we may have single night or Saturday changeovers available. Our booking page will update automatically if this is the case..and our Insiders list is often given a heads up first.
How to Find Us from Katoomba Railway Station
We are on a residential street 550m (6-8min walk) from Katoomba station. We have made a video of the walk from the station to help you find us: Click here to see video or go to our website's contact page.
Remember - we also have Blue Mountains Bag Storage open from 8am-5pm daily, just one minute walk from the station!
Parking
If you are driving, there is plenty of free street parking. We are on the raised side of the street, so there is no on site parking.
Accessibility
If you need additional assistance, or would to share anything privately for us to be aware of, please feel free. We will do our very best to accommodate your needs.
Unfortunately our 110 year old house, nor the street access, was not designed with accessibility in mind. We have a temporary ramp that can be installed to assist from the front path to the verandah. However, the front gate itself has not direct flat access as we are on the raised side of the footpath. There are stairs up from the street parking near 10 Lovel St, or a small ramp rather than gutter on the very corner of York St and Lovel St, outside 18 Lovel St. Inside the house, stairs lead to upstairs four bedrooms. The downstairs rooms are level entry with inward opening doors. Bathroom has small step into showers, or over a bath. Toilets are not wheelchair accessible.
Peace & Quiet
We are a relaxed and quiet place to stay. There are no TVs or radios etc. on purpose. Please don't play your stuff on speaker. Our house is a traditional weatherboard and not soundproofed. Definitely not a party place - do not stay here if you want to stay up late. All guests being considerate of others is essential, especially during quiet hours 10pm - 7am. The verandah and deck are off limits after 10pm, unless you're silent. This is in respect of nearby rooms, and our neighbours.
For full house private bookings, you may bring your own music system. However, noise restrictions still strictly apply for the verandah / noise transfer outside after 10pm, in respect of our neighbours.
Contactless Check In from 2pm
You do not need to see Reception to check in. We will probably not even be there. We'd love to say hello during your stay, but we also want to give you the flexibility to come and go when it suits you, not tied to reception desk hours. We have an easy contactless self check in system. You may check in from 2pm. Late arrival is no problem, although we'd prefer by 10pm for dorms, to be respectful of your room mates. We'll email you instructions & the code, and you'll get the code by SMS to your mobile for 2pm check in.
You may drop off your bags from 8am at our Katoomba Street shop - "Blue Mountains Bag Storage" - 7 Katoomba Street, Katoomba. Bookings include FREE bag storage before 2pm check in & after check out until 1pm, then discounted rates until close.
Full house private rentals always have a 10am checkout.
We need access to the house to get housekeeping done in time.
Check Out - Bag Storage / Hang Out (individual bookings)
By 10am - check out. Return your key and be out of your room. You can store bags at Blue Mountains Bag Storage (7 Katoomba St, Katoomba) until 1pm for FREE, and then discounted rates. You can also hang out at No.14 in the common areas until 1pm.
By 1pm* - Unfortunately, time to get your bags and leave No.14, unless you...
Want to store bags longer? 50% discounted rates for No.14 guests from 1-5pm at Blue Mountains Bag Storage, 7 Katoomba Street, Katoomba. One minute walk from Katoomba train station.
*Why 1pm? Because we think free bag storage / being able to use all shared facilities until 1pm after checkout is more than fair when you haven't booked another night.
No Children <16yrs - unless Full House Private Rental
Children and babies are welcome for private full house bookings only.
For hostel bookings, teenagers 16 years and over are OK for private room bookings only. Proof may be required. There'll be no refund if you choose to disregard this advice.
Bathroom & Laundry
We include towels for all guests (per booking not per day, please reuse). Click here for a video of the bathroom and click here for a video of how far it is from the upstairs bedrooms.
We also have a washer/dryer for guests' use, at additional cost. To maximise use of solar electricity, during the day is best time to use them. Also, they are not to be used during our quiet hours of 10pm-7am so as not to disturb upstairs bedroom with vibrations.
For full house private bookings, laundry use is also included in your rental.
Breakfast & Kitchen
In respect of other guests, leave the kitchen tidy. Wash, dry and PUT AWAY whatever you use.
We do not include 'breakfast' in our rates, because people got confused. We do have a free simple choice of oats/muesli/cornflakes with milk (including soy), tea & instant coffee to get you started.
Shared kitchen has gas stovetops, oven, microwave oven, rice cooker, pizza and baking trays, a small Bialetti type stovetop espresso, and a few small cafetieres, if you'd like to buy your own ground coffee. Salt, pepper, canola oil, plastic wrap and aluminium foil are also supplied. Click here for a video of the kitchen.
Supermarkets are about 10-15min walk (2min drive) from us.
Heating & Cooling
There are fans in each room for the warmer nights. Central heating throughout...and of course our fireplace in the main living room for cooler nights. We do not have air conditioning.
Click here for Blue Mountains weather throughout the year and click here for current weather forecast for Katoomba... and don't forget to check out our webcam, too!
Long Term & Work for Accommodation
We have a maximum booking for individuals of 7 nights. Full house private rentals do not have a limit. We don't do long term. This is not to say that we don't love return bookings, but separate bookings don't change this policy. If you're essentially living in the area, we suggest you try co-living or larger hostels.
We don't do 'work for accommodation' swap arrangements.
Why book direct?
Online travel agents (OTA) are useful (we use them, too!) and we appreciate the business. However, don't misunderstand benefits of booking:
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The cancellation policy is NOT better with OTAs. You're better off direct - our cut off is 9am two days prior, and we'll do our best to help you.
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It's not all about price. You are speaking directly to us, usually Annette. Any OTA will follow their script and defer to us anyway.
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Direct booking discounts mean we guarantee the best price.
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Even cheaper non-refundable rates are not available to online travel agents - because they would/could not match us. There are conditions to these rates, but if you're set on your dates, they are another option. Only available directly.
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Sometimes, we have extra bonuses we can offer, we'll offer them to direct bookings first.
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You can also join our Insiders list, from which you may unsubscribe at any time, which gives even more special offers (weekly - sometimes up to 50% off!) and seasonal updates.
Privacy Policy
Click here to view our privacy policy. Please note that we reserve the right to ask for photo ID for any guest, at our discretion.