Southern Ocean Lodge

Everything about this place is special. It’s so remote, yet there we were having finger lime sorbet on oysters when it would be a 90 minute drive for a local resident to buy a packet of corn chips. If you’re thinking of going, do. It was a splurge for a significant birthday, and unforgettable. Here are some suggestions: -Three or four nights is ideal. Two is too few and five is too many. Four nights gives you a spare day in case of bad weather. -We stayed three nights and it was just right, but we were lucky with weather. Your stay starts when you arrive on the morning flight, meaning three nights gives you three full days. -Fly, don’t drive. The resort will create a personalised itinerary for you. The tours are excellent and cover all the local experiences- the caves, seals, wildlife and Remarkable Rocks. They’ll collect you from the airport and drop you back, for free. Many of the KI roads are unsealed. A car is frankly a liability.

We recently stayed at Southern Ocean Lodge, part of the Baillie Lodges and Tierra Hotels collection (now known as Beckons). Having previously visited Tierra Atacama and Tierra Patagonia, we came in with high expectations. Getting There & Arrival: Reaching Kangaroo Island required a flight from Melbourne to Adelaide and then onto Kangaroo Island (a ferry is also an option). We were warmly greeted at the airport and driven about an hour to the lodge, where the staff handled everything seamlessly—from luggage to check-in. Room: We stayed in a Flinders Suite (Room 15, “You Yangs”), named after a historic shipwreck. The room was spacious and comfortable, with stunning ocean views and a private patio. The minibar was well-stocked with non-alcoholic drinks, wine, beer, and snacks—nice touches that added to the experience. Food: This was one area that didn’t quite meet expectations. While the meals were good, the menus for breakfast and lunch remained largely the same each day, with limited variety. Given the lodge’s reputation, we had hoped for a more dynamic and memorable dining experience. The absence of room service was also surprising. Bar: The self-service bar in the Great Room is a highlight. It’s fully stocked with everything you need, including an excellent selection of Australian wines—some local to Kangaroo Island. Whether you enjoy wine, cocktails, or sparkling options, this aspect does not disappoint. Spa: We both had massages, but unfortunately, this fell short of expectations. The therapists were skilled, but the limited menu—particularly the lack of deep tissue options—was disappointing, especially after days of hiking. Service: This is where SOL truly shines. The staff are exceptional—friendly, attentive, and genuinely invested in your experience. This is where SOL truly stands out. A special thank you to Gaia, who was consistently welcoming, always smiling, and did a fantastic job. Trinity, our guide, was just wrapping up her training, but it was clear she’s (and will continue to be) an outstanding addition to the team—engaging, knowledgeable, and deeply passionate about the island. Keep up the great work! And a final shout-out to Simone, who was incredibly helpful in organizing our activities and truly listened to our feedback. If only she’d offer me a job so I could relocate to Australia! :-) Activities: • Day 1: We reviewed the pre-planned itinerary and customized it to suit our pace. • Day 2: We hired a private guide to explore beyond the lodge’s standard offerings, visiting Clifford’s Honey Farm, The Islander Estate Vineyards, and Kangaroo Island Wool. The wool shop is especially worth a stop for high-quality sweaters and scarves. • Day 3: We joined the “Wonders of Kangaroo Island” tour through Flinders Chase National Park, including Admirals Arch (great for spotting seals), Cape du Couedic Lighthouse, and Remarkable Rocks. While scenic, we would recommend the self-guided walk at Remarkable Rocks for more active travelers. In the afternoon, the Koalas and Kangas tour took us to Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, where we saw koalas and kangaroos in their natural habitat, ending with a relaxed “bush bar” experience. Overall: While some aspects—particularly food and spa offerings—did not fully meet expectations, the lodge’s setting and, most importantly, its people make it a memorable destination. I would also mention if you are looking for an active experience, this may not be the place. Unlike Tierra Atacama and Tierra Patagonia, the active experience offerings are lacking. It may be that most folks stay at SOL to experience the relaxation it can bring and are not seeking any additional active pursuits. The staff are truly the standout feature and elevate the entire experience. Highlight: The exceptional service and genuine hospitality from the team.

There are places you visit, and then there are places that stay with you. Southern Ocean Lodge is firmly in the latter category — an utterly spectacular retreat that earns every superlative thrown at it. Let's start with the rooms. Each one is a masterpiece of design and placement, with views so dramatic they almost don't feel real. What struck us was that every room is essentially equal — no jockeying for a better suite, no sense that someone else got the superior experience. That quiet egalitarianism turns out to be one of the lodge's most inspired touches, because it creates an atmosphere where guests naturally come together, bonded by the shared recognition that everyone here is extraordinarily lucky to be in this place at this moment. Conversations spark easily, strangers become fast friends, and the communal spirit becomes as much a part of the experience as the landscape itself. And what a landscape. The clifftop nature walks are breathtaking in the most literal sense — wild, windswept, and humbling. But the curated activities go well beyond the views: the Seal Bay Safari is unforgettable, spotting koalas and kangaroos never gets old no matter how many times you do it, and the bike riding rounds out a roster of experiences that feels both adventurous and deeply relaxed. Everything is thoughtfully organized so that guests can do as much or as little as they like, always with expert guidance close at hand. The food is outstanding — fresh, creative, and beautifully presented — and the cocktail program is genuinely something to write home about. Special mention goes to Ben, the master mixologist, whose specialty drinks were a highlight of every evening. The bar became a gathering place in the best possible way. Yes, Southern Ocean Lodge is an investment. But with nearly everything included — meals, drinks, and most excursions — it's far more generous than the sticker price suggests. When you add it all up, it's not just worth it. It's one of the great travel values hiding behind a luxury price tag. We will absolutely be back. Without question.

The resort is beautiful as are the rooms , but not much to do around there, after you have done a few walks, and seen the few local sights. The most disappointing thing is that they dont make it clear, the resort is 2 hrs away from the main hub. Its very isolated. So only go, for a few days, unless you like being bored and paying $4k per night. We went for much longer, and so ended up driving hours to get to the main hub Kingscote and back. We left after 3 nights, and forfeited the other paid nights as we were over it. The restraunt - breakfast was great, luch was good. And dinner was disappointing as they try to be a michelin style restraunt. And the desserts were pitiful. Staff were excellent. Would we go back - no.

This is a positive review. The hotel is lovely and the staff friendly and helpful. I want to share information that will make you expectations realistic. Mobility issues. This hotel is not for you in you have difficulty with mobility. The hotel is built on the side of a hill. Each room is about 5 feet lower than the room next to it. If you are in a low numbered room you have a very long walk up a long sloping ramp. Not suitable for wheel chairs or walkers. Although this hotel is a new construction there are dangerous unmarked stairs that do not have dark markings on the treads. It is easy to trip or fall on these. All meals at taken in the hotel. There is no other restaurant withing 20 miles. The food is OK but pretentious and not to American tastes. Menu explanations are long and often use terms unfamiliar to Americans. Portions are small. The bar is open and self service 24 hours a day. Alcohol is served with every meal. If you like to drink you will love this place. Roads around the hotel are primitive and bumpy. Transportation is via van. The staff is friendly. Mostly European. Add their accents to Australian English and they can be difficult to understand. Service is good, but not attentive. Be prepared to wait for food. Kangaroo Island is a fantastic natural reserve and worth you visit. This hotel is the best and most expensive on the island. They have four seasons here, all in the same day so bring cold and warm weather clothes.