March 29, 2024

Hotels I love: Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island

I know I’ve said this before – but I am not a budget traveller. For me, the physical aspect of the travel is an important part of the entire experience. Which means, no roughing it out in overnight buses and cheap hostels. In fact, both my husband and I love to stay in unusual properties, sometimes just to enjoy that experience. I have been thinking of blogging about a few of the special places I have stayed in – and this is a beginning. Perhaps the most special place I have ever spent a night in.

Southern Ocean Lodge – it sits dramatically on a cliff overlooking the Southern Ocean, in Australia’s Kangaroo Island. The island itself is off the beaten track for most travellers to the country and this luxury lodge, located at one end of the island, all the way across from the small airport is truly a ‘get-away-from-it-all’ experience.

The lodge had only 21 suites, each of them with the entire outer wall in glass – including the bathroom and shower area – giving gorgeous views of the sea and its ever changing colours. There is a small sitting area outside and the room comes with a fully stocked minibar, complete with champagne and chocolates.

In fact, the entire common space in the hotel has glass walls and a small terrace leading out from the main bar / reading area, the perfect place for a tall, cool drink at sunset. All meals are included in the tariff (at those rates, they better be!) and the lodge prides itself on using produce sourced locally from within the island – the honey, cheese, wine, all of it are Kangaroo Island’s own.

The SOL experience is about splendid isolation and pampering – there are walkways leading to small tables looking out on to the sea, organized walks and treks and a spa where I got a massage from a magician who made my muscles sing in relief. A honeymoon or just a special indulgence holiday? Here is where I would recommend you head for.

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Also read: A guide to Kangaroo Island – published in Conde Nast Traveller, July 05, 2012

9 thoughts on “Hotels I love: Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island

  1. SOL is not a cheap get away weekend but it is a very special spot with the staff ready to take care of every need. The lodge itself is in a perfect setting. Our room #7 was a nice walk down from the lobby. We felt as though we were the only couple in the lodge. The service is 5 stars, the food and wines match that level. We enjoyed the daily wild life experience with the best being the afternoon walk with the seals at Seal Bay. Having cocktails and canapes with the kangaroos ran a close second.

  2. Wow the lodge sounds wonderful……pls do write about other such lodges you have visited…..those very special place…..I have been to many myself but would love to hear from you…

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