Goodaay Mate! A gorgeous hotel perched on a cliff you say? I’m down. Luxury and culture do collide here at the Southern Ocean Lodge on Australia’s Kangaroo Island. It might be a bit of a trek for US jet setters, (After you reach the Australian continent, it’s either a 30-minute flight followed by a 50-minute drive, or a 45-minute ferry journey then a 90-minute drive) but it is so worth it. The room rate includes all tours, activities, meals and drinks- did I mention koalas, kangaroos, Tamar wallabies, echidnas, sea lions, seals, sea eagles and more right on your doorstep? The lodge insists its guests to feel at home because of such amenities as an open bar- all day, every day. Here guests dine on local artisan cuisine, unwind with indigenous spa treatments, and sleep in suites with floor-to-ceiling views of the shockingly blue Southern Ocean.
Kangaroo Island, with its 4,500 square kilometers of diverse wildlife, is known as Australia’s Galapagos. The island is quickly becoming the hottest travel destination for European jetsetters, due in no small part to the Southern Ocean Lodge’s burgeoning reputation as Australia’s premier luxury lodge.
The Lodge boasts 21 luxurious suites with King-sized beds, spacious lounges, glass-walled bathrooms and outdoor terraces with ocean views. Artwork from Kangaroo Island artists adorns the recycled spotted gum walls and sandblasted limestone floors add to the hotel’s naturally exquisite feel. The open, light rooms display Australia’s majestic landscape in unadulterated glory, an oasis of refined comfort tucked in a lush paradise.
Southern Australia’s Mediterranean climate and rich soil provide an abundance of fresh produce and incredible wines. Three gourmet meals, snacks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included for lodge guests. The menu changes daily according to seasonal ingredients. The chef’s daily selections feature four courses of Kangaroo Island’s finest delicacies, from a fresh free range omelette with the finest local sheep’s milk cheeses to a dinner of recently caught Suzuki Mulloway bursting with sweetness when paired with the island’s most exotic fruits. Staff is on hand to recommend the best pairings for all dining selections and a cellar master’s list of vintage wines and fine French Champagnes are also available. Guests can even choose to explore the lodge’s wine cellar and uncork the wine of their choosing.
Southern Ocean Lodge is second-to-none in its diverse and constantly changing array of activities for families and honeymooners alike. The lodge has planned experiences for two to five nights, offering guests a sample of the best that Kangaroo Island has to offer. Guests choose between dozens of activities, from the main breeding colony of the Australian Sea Lion to the island’s sand boarding hotspot of Little Sahara. Those looking for a more tranquil experience can unwind in the lodge’s blissful spa. The earthy serene setting is the perfect backdrop for indigenous spa treatments, like the Kodo massage’s use of Aboriginal techniques. Southern Ocean Lodge, opened in March 2008 as the most recent addition to the Baillie Lodge group. Business partners James and Hayley Baillie founded the company with the goal of creating premium vacation experiences in locations of unparalleled natural beauty. The Lodge enables guests to embrace Australia’s native culture in style, while all the time feeling like a friend of the family. A getaway at this incredible hotel? Yes please.