Perched on a cliff’s edge at Medlow Bath with sweeping views of the Megalong Valley, the Hydro Majestic Hotel stands as a jewel of Edwardian architecture—and a hotspot for paranormal activity. Known for its luxurious past and distinctive Art Deco charm, this grand hotel also harbours chilling tales of tragic deaths, spectral figures, and eerie encounters that have become part of Blue Mountains folklore.
A Brief History of the Hydro Majestic
Established in 1904 by retail tycoon Mark Foy, the Hydro Majestic was originally designed as a hydropathic retreat, offering mineral water therapies and strict diets in the European spa tradition. Foy imported marble, mirrors, and even a dome from Chicago, installing them in the now-famous Casino Lobby and Grand Dining Room.
Over the decades, the hotel transitioned into a glamorous high-society getaway, hosting politicians, socialites, and international performers. But beneath the glitz, strange events whispered through the hallways—events that many believe were shaped by the tragedies that unfolded behind closed doors.
The Tragic Nurse and the Haunted Hall
One of the most frequently reported spirits is believed to be a nurse who died during the Spanish Flu pandemic after treating sick patients isolated in the hotel. Witnesses have seen a woman in a white uniform gliding silently along the corridor leading to the former staff quarters. Guests have heard soft coughing, footsteps trailing behind them, and the distinct scent of antiseptic—though no one is there.
A former employee once reported that she was walking past the hallway late at night when she felt someone brush past her. Turning around, she caught a glimpse of a woman in white disappearing through a closed door. “She was there one moment and gone the next,” she said. “But the air stayed cold for minutes afterwards.”
The Mysterious Man in the Smoking Room
Several guests and night staff have reported seeing a well-dressed man in a smoking jacket, seated alone in the hotel’s former gentlemen’s lounge. He’s often spotted with a drink in hand, gazing out the window as if lost in thought.
One staff member recalled: “I thought he was a guest who had snuck in after hours. I approached him, but he didn’t move or respond. Then, as I reached the chair—he just wasn’t there anymore.” Paranormal investigators speculate he may be a former guest who died tragically during the hotel’s roaring 1920s heyday, possibly by suicide.
Phantom Music and Ballroom Shadows
The Casino Lobby, with its breathtaking dome and marble finishes, is considered one of the most active paranormal sites at the Hydro. Multiple reports mention hearing phantom piano music echoing through the lobby—especially around 3 a.m.
Guests attending wedding receptions have captured strange shadowy figures on their photos, standing just outside the frame of the party. One bride reported hearing someone whisper her name, only to find the entire hallway empty. “It felt like the hotel was watching us,” she said, “but not in a hostile way. Just… observing.”
Mark Foy Himself?
Some believe the spirit of Mark Foy still lingers in the building he loved so much. Staff have reported hearing footsteps pacing around his former office area, doors opening and closing on their own, and a man's voice murmuring near the library late at night. A medium who visited the hotel in 2019 claimed that the "energy of a proud but frustrated man" was still present—perhaps Foy, unhappy with the changes made to his original vision.
A Living Monument to the Past
Whether you’re drawn by the architecture, the breathtaking views, or the chance to encounter the supernatural, the Hydro Majestic offers more than just a luxurious stay—it offers a direct connection to Australia’s haunted past. These stories, whispered through generations of guests and staff, keep the mysteries alive.
So, the next time you walk the echoing corridors of the Hydro, listen closely. The wind may be carrying more than mountain air—it might be a ghostly echo of the past, waiting to share its story.
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