Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced it has reached an agreement with Lilianfels Hotel Blue Mountains Pty Ltd and Echoes Hotel Blue Mountains Pty Ltd to rebrand Lilianfels and Echoes resorts in Blue Mountains, Australia. Under The Luxury Collection brand, the two hotels will become Lilianfels, A Luxury Collection Resort, Blue Mountains, Australia and Echoes, A Luxury Collection Resort, Blue Mountains, Australia.

“We are thrilled to introduce The Luxury Collection brand to Australia with the signings of two renowned resorts,” said Sean Hunt, Regional Vice President, Starwood Pacific Hotels & Resorts. “As we welcome Lilianfels and Echoes to The Luxury Collection’s esteemed portfolio, we celebrate their distinctive character, indigenous charm and unparalleled service that allow guests to experience the scenic Blue Mountains in a unique way.”

“The Luxury Collection is experiencing a great wave of global growth this year in the Asia Pacific,” continued Paul James, Global Brand Leader, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts. “This is a significant milestone for the brand and continues Starwood’s expansion in Australia and the Pacific region where we currently operate 13 hotels.”

The Luxury Collection brand is an ensemble of more than 75 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries. All of these hotels are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. As the newest members of The Luxury Collection brand, Lilianfels and Echoes join a portfolio of celebrated and iconic properties around the world including The Gritti Palace in Venice, Hotel Alfonso XIII in Seville, Hotel Pulitzer in Amsterdam, The Romanos in Costa Navarino and The Chatwal in New York City.

“Lilianfels has been synonymous for luxury in Australia for more than 20 years. Our partnership with Starwood Hotels marks a new chapter for the iconic Blue Mountains Collection,” said George Saad, Lilianfels and Echoes Director. “The Luxury Collection will reaffirm our positioning as the ‘indigenous luxury’ destination where guests can expect uncompromised service in one of the most well-preserved settings in Australia.”

Located on the bluff of the Three Sisters and the World Heritage Area, Lilianfels is the former residence of New South Wale’s Chief of Justice, Sir Frederick Darley, dating back in 1889. Lilianfels features 85 guest rooms and suites, 235sqm of meeting space, 2 restaurants including the award winning “Darley’s”, lobby lounge, bar, outdoor swimming pool, indoor heated pool, floodlit tennis court and an impressive luxury spa. Lilianfels was named the Leading Resort in Australia by World Travel Awards in 2011 in addition to being honored on Travel & Leisure’s Top Five Resorts in the Oceana region.

Adjacent to Lilianfels, Echoes is a former retreat for a renowned Australian writer Thomas Keneally. Perched at the very edge of the Jamison Valley at Echo Point in the Blue Mountains, the resort offers guests an intimate experience with 14 contemporary-designed rooms and suites featuring an uninterrupted and panoramic view of the National Park. Refined facilities include award-winning Echoes Restaurant, the private spa and sauna.

Under The Luxury Collection brand, Lilianfels and Echoes will introduce the signature Luxury Collection Concierge service, which will provide extraordinary access Blue Mountains’ indigenous charms and treasures.

The signing of Lilianfels and Echoes follows The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts recent opening of The Hongta Hotel in Shanghai. The renowned brand continues its plans to grow globally with four new hotels and resorts opening in Asia within the next six months, including The Royal Begonia in Sanya, Twelve at Hengshan in Shanghai, ITC Grand Chola in Chennai, India and Keraton at The Plaza in Jakarta. Starwood continues to lengthen its lead in luxury hospitality, with nearly 150 luxury hotels under its St. Regis, Luxury Collection and W Hotel brands, offering guests and residents exceptional levels of service and luxury experiences in a wide range of destinations around the world.