Retro right through to the garish pink neon sign that has been startling weary travellers since 1965, the Three Sisters Motel in Katoomba has been named as one of the three best-value hotels in the Asia Pacific region by Britain’s Sunday Times magazine.

Compared to large, eco-friendly, 300-a-night resorts, the Three Sisters comes as a refreshing antidote by being a charming, family-run motel that prides itself on just looking after the guests well.

The neon sign plays tricks on you though – the hotel has no kitsch décor or chenille bedspreads. Rather, the simple décor is comparable to other clean, roomy, pleasant motel-rooms at other 3 ½ star motels around Australia.

Where the Three Sisters differs, however, is that it is charming, unpretentious and hospitable. It offers a home style of accommodation that many of us take for granted and is fantastic for a budget weekend holiday in affordable comfort.

3 Sisters Motel

• 348 Katoomba Street, Katoomba.
• $140 for Saturday night, $125 for Friday night
• Situated about 90 minutes away from the Sydney CBD
• Close by to Echo Point and Blue Mountains’ shopping district with many antique and vintage stores