Above: A view from the restaurant at Echoes.

Starwood has extended The Luxury Collection to Australia. The high-end brand now includes two properties in the Blue Mountains outside Sydney: Lilianfels and Echoes.

“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,” said Sean Hunt, regional vice president of Starwood Pacific Hotels & Resorts.

The Luxury Collection brand is a collection of over 75 hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries. It recently added the Hongta Hotel in Shanghai to its fold.

DestinAsian covered the surprisingly sophisticated food scene in the Blue Mountains in the August/September 2011 issue.