EXCLUSIVE: The ultra-luxurious Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in the Greater Blue Mountains of NSW will be searching for a new operator after One&Only ended its long-standing partnership with the property.
In a brief statement that has been posted on the resort’s website, the property states:
“Following the indefinite closure of Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in June 2023 in response to resort’s ongoing challenges with road access, a decision has been made to cease One&Only Resort’s management contract with the property.”
“The decision is mutual, agreed by Emirates, the resort’s owner, and One&Only Resorts, the management operator of the property,” the update states.
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The five-star property has suffered a series of setbacks in recent years, through no fault of its own, including closures due to bushfires, the COVID pandemic and the latest drama with limited road access following a landslide that took out the roadway into the valley itself.
That landslip occured in November 2022, closing Wolgan Road to all traffic including motorbikes and bicycles, by order of the Lithgow City Council.
The post on the Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley website continues, stating: “Both Emirates and One&Only Resorts expressed their pride in the resort’s achievements, especially in the area of sustainable luxury travel, and also deep regret for those whose businesses and livelihoods have been affected by the closure.”
Intriguingly, the image featured on the page advising of the split between Emirates and One&Only doesn’t feature the property itself but the resort’s surrounding escarpment.
The sudden split between the companies means One&Only no longer has a presence in the Australian market in terms of property assets, with the Dubai-based hospitality company terminating its association with Hayman Island seven years ago. That three-year arrangement was terminated following Hayman Island’s closure due to Cyclone Debbie.
