Weekend Away: Leura, Grand Vista review.

At Grand Vista, Leura, Nick Galvin finds his destination literally sublime.

THE SETTING

Grand Vista is situated on Leura's Sublime Point Road, which winds south out of Leura, past the golf course and along the escarpment before coming to an abrupt dead end at, predictably, Sublime Point. The house is a couple of hundred metres from the end of the road, keeping company with some very ritzy looking real estate.

THE SPACE

The clue is in the name. With the moniker Grand Vista, you'd hope there's something decent to look at. And you won't be disappointed. Not that there are any clues about the staggering view when you first arrive. From the road all you get is an insanely steep, clutch-shredding driveway terminating in a garage door with a wooden door leading to the house itself. But after that modest entry, brace yourself for something rather special. You'll probably fail to notice the polished wooden floors, the striking curved central staircase and the wood stove in the open-plan living area, such is the effect of the stunning view of the Three Sisters, the Megalong Valley and beyond through the picture windows that run along one wall. Tear yourself away from the view and you'll also find an open-plan kitchen, double bedroom and room with bunk beds on the ground floor. Upstairs is the master bedroom and the strangely oversized bathroom, complete with sauna and spa bath with valley views. Downstairs is a large, empty room with a double sofa bed.

THE KIT

For such a grand place the equipment is only so-so. The television and stereo are old and temperamental and the kitchen equipment is just adequate. The wood stove is a fine addition, but it's strictly BYO wood, which seems a little mean. Overall, there is a slight air of neglect about the place.

COMFORT FACTOR

A roaring fire, a glass of red and that view. Why would you ever want to leave?