Hotel owner and entrepreneur Dr. Jerry Schwartz and independent management company Trilogy Hotels are pioneering a premium sports hospitality offering through the integration of high-performance training facilities within a luxury resort setting at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains.
Nestled in the Blue Mountains community of Leura, the secluded Fairmont resort has been transformed into an elite training retreat, serving as the training camp for state rugby league team the New South Wales Blues this year.
A AU$600,000 investment from Schwartz saw the development of the facility including a private gym with top-of-the-line equipment and a significantly upgraded field at Blue Mountains Grammar School.
With the assistance of Trilogy Hotels CEO Scott Boyes, the team gains access to state-of-the-art facilities alongside the amenities, premium hospitality and peaceful surroundings of a nature-based hotel.
A 15-year friendship between Boyes and the Blues coach Michael Maguire was the catalyst for the creation of this dedicated training camp.
“Late last year, Michael Maguire called and asked for advice on his plan to shake things up and move the team out of Sydney to somewhere more private for team bonding,” said Boyes.
“The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains came top of mind and seemed fitting for the ‘Blues’. I knew that Dr Jerry Schwartz would be the right person to help make this vision happen.”
Since May this year, the Blues have been stationed at the resort on camp weeks, partaking in rigorous training and team-building activities.
Players also gained access to the resort’s six restaurants and bars, golf course, sauna, pool and an ice-skating rink.
Throughout their stay, the team – which celebrated a State of Origin win over the Queensland Maroons last week – has experienced the hotel’s premium hospitality with guards of honour upon arrival and the Blues’ theme song playing in the hotel.
Head Chef, Emilo Llaussas, crafted a bespoke high-protein menu and schedule for the players, complete with supplement stations to ensure top nutrition.
“We owe a huge thank you to Scott, Jerry, the Fairmont team and the entire Blue Mountains community for supporting us in the way that they did – they really went above and beyond, we couldn’t have done this without them,” said NSW Coach Michael Maguire.
“The combination of intense training and moments of respite and relaxation has been key to our preparation. I wanted to unite all the players, whether it was in the gym, on the field or sitting around the dinner table, I wanted them to use every available moment to bond and build trust on and off the field.”
Following the team’s recent win, the field has been adorned with the writing, ‘2024 State of Origin Winners, The Blue’s Field of Dreams’.
“The players said it was the best field they had ever played on, and it has now become a cherished gift from Dr. Schwartz to the Blue Mountains Grammar School,” said Boyes.
Just the beginning
As the largest privately owned hotel group in Australia, Schwartz Family Company is taking a lead on sports hospitality, with this venture with Trilogy Hotels – which now operates four of its hotels – just the beginning.
The Fairmont resort is intended to serve as the ultimate all-inclusive training destination, for the country’s elite athletes and sporting teams, with plans underway to build a new rugby field next to the resort.
“Pending council approval, we are eager to get it underway as soon as possible, we are ready to start construction, and grass grown before next winter,” said Schwartz.
There are also plans to expand the current gym facilities to include a recovery wing featuring ice baths among other elements.
“We look forward to building a beacon for elite sports teams for years to come,” said Boyes.
“Just over an hour and a half from Sydney, teams can privately train with exceptional facilities, under a canopy of stars, surrounded by the purest air, and without distraction.”