PRESS RELEASE
Baillie Lodges: Creating iconic luxury lodges for an exclusive Australian experience
Baillie Lodges is an intimate collection of Australian luxury lodges in exclusive locations of natural significance. Capella Lodge on World Heritage listed Lord Howe Island was the first property in this exciting premium accommodation portfolio. The globally celebrated and multi-award winning Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island opened in 2008 as Australia’s first true luxury wilderness lodge. The boutique properties appeal to the discerning global traveller seeking a remarkable Australian experience.
A dynamic company created by the business and life partnership of James and Hayley Baillie, Baillie Lodges sets new benchmarks for premium experiential travel in a unique Australian style.
Together, James and Hayley bring a wealth of high-end tourism experience to this dynamic venture, founded in 2003. James was instrumental in the set up of exceptional nature-based tourism properties in locations such as Lizard, Heron and Bedarra Islands, the Daintree and Tasmania, whilst Hayley sought adventure as leader on the world’s best expedition ships.
The celebrated Capella Lodge rests at the southern end of Lord Howe Island above picturesque Lover’s Bay and at the foot of the island’s iconic twin-mountains Gower and Lidgbird. Subtropical Lord Howe Island has a history as a family favourite holiday destination for the Baillies, who opened the luxe new Capella in 2004. The only accommodation on Lord Howe Island that offers ocean and mountain views from all lounging areas as well as its guest suites, Capella commands spectacular views that unite ocean, lagoon and mountains in one sweeping vista.
A ‘glamover’ for the property in late 2009 brought a new level of luxury to the tiny, ‘best-kept-secret’ Lord Howe Island, reminiscent of French Polynesia and which welcomes just 400 visitors at any one time, making it an exclusive, treasured destination. Home to the world’s southern-most coral reef, a visit to Lord Howe Island opens up a wealth of nature-based experiences including palm-forest and mountain walks, snorkeling, fishing, bike-riding and boating. Capella Lodge offers a true lodging experience, an authentic beach house from which to explore this treasure island at one’s own pace.
In creating Capella Lodge, the Baillies perfected the universally appealing concept of ‘barefoot luxury’, a feeling of welcome, of relaxed sophistication unique to premium Australian luxury accommodation. Nine boutique suites are styled to welcome the outside in, and to reflect the island’s natural environment; generous sleeping areas invite indulgent retreat, chic basalt bathrooms draw from the sheer cliffs rising on Mounts Gower and Lidgbird, wide doors welcome cool sea breezes and the ‘ssshhh’ of endemic Kentia palms. Custom designed furnishings and quirky Lord Howe artworks offer a sense of relaxed island style.
The winning elements of the premium lodging experience so integral to the Baillie Lodges product are very much present at Capella; relaxed, understated luxury in cool beach-house style, unforgettable first name service, a small and personable team, breathtaking views, signature Capella Spa range and exceptional island cuisine.
Southern Ocean Lodge opened in 2008, the second in the Baillie Lodges portfolio and the realisation of a dream for James and Hayley Baillie, who had stood together on the sweeping Kangaroo Island coast overlooking the Southern Ocean and imagined creating Australia’s first true luxury wilderness lodge.
The culmination of five years’ planning and development, Australia’s luxury accommodation icon is Southern Ocean Lodge, now globally celebrated and multi-award winning. The Lodge was awarded Tatler’s ‘Hotel of the Year’ in 2008, Australian Travel & Tourism Awards ‘Best Lodge’ in 2010 and the Australian Gourmet Traveller ‘Best Lodge Accommodation’ in 2009 and 2010.
Southern Ocean Lodge is graced with a generous and ongoing global acclaim from media, trade and a dedicated, growing following of guests seeking extraordinary Australian experiences, world class accommodation, exceptional dining and ‘first-name’ service. Together with Capella, Southern Ocean Lodge joins such Australian luxury accommodation icons as Lizard Island and Longitude 131, along with newer entrants qualia, Wolgan Valley and Saffire, all members of the prestigious Luxury Lodges of Australia collection as a must-visit on any premium Australian experiential itinerary.
Kangaroo Island, South Australia is home to an abundance of native wildlife, and is widely regarded as Australia’s Galapagos. Located on the Island’s south west coast, Southern Ocean Lodge adjoins both the Flinders Chase and Kelly Hill National Parks and is at the heart of the Island’s major attractions such as Seal Bay, Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks.
With signature guided experiences included in the nightly tariff and a new selection of bespoke adventures also available, Southern Ocean Lodge delivers a complete Kangaroo Island experience. Guests can be as active as they please with a personalised experiential itinerary tailored on arrival, each allowing guests a hands-on wilderness encounter.
Sensitively designed to blend with this pristine environment, the Lodge is a ‘luxe base camp’ allowing visitors to experience the unique coastal wilderness and plentiful wildlife for which Kangaroo Island is renowned. An intimate twenty-one suites feature generous sleeping areas, stylish lounging, glass walled bathrooms and outdoor terraces. A contemporary architectural design promotes majestic Southern Ocean views from every suite, and the use of organic local materials such as recycled timbers and limestone invites a real sense of place.
Dining at Southern Ocean Lodge affords guests a regional culinary adventure. The Lodge’s culinary philosophy is dedicated to Kangaroo Island’s small scale, high quality local food producers and the use of the freshest Island and local seasonal produce. The island is famous for its pure Ligurian honey, sheep’s milk cheeses, free-range chickens and eggs, farmed and fresh seafood, organic lamb and rare breeds pork. A world-class menu of Kangaroo Island and South Australian beverages is designed to complement unforgettable Lodge dining.
The clifftop Southern Spa offers a signature menu of Aboriginal massage techniques using Dreamtime-inspired Li’tya spa treatment products, and complemented by Kangaroo Island’s natural beauty ingredients: mineral salts, pink clay, eucalyptus, lavender and Ligurian honey. Combined with the cleanest air, fresh from Antarctica and with pounding surf below, the Southern Spa provides a pure natural environment in which to chill out.
Both Capella and Southern Ocean Lodge are honoured as part of the ‘first 15’ founding members of Luxury Lodges of Australia, created in 2010 as a collection of independent luxury lodges and camps offering unforgettable experiences in Australia’s most inspiring and extraordinary locations. The collection of accommodations spans experiences across Australia’s unique landscape including its reef-rich tropical islands, the outback, wilderness and food, wine and spa country. James Baillie sits as Chair of the organization.
The Baillie Lodges properties are highly regarded in both domestic and international markets for their exceptional natural locations, architectural integrity, locally sourced fine cuisine, first name service and dynamic approach to ecological sustainability. Capella and Southern Ocean Lodge together deliver a unique and exclusive Australian luxury experience.
Capella Lodge rates commence at AUD$650 per person per night (twin share), including gourmet breakfast, sunset drinks, three course dinner daily with selected wines, non alcoholic beverages and island airport transfers.
Southern Ocean Lodge rates commence at AUD$990 per person per night (twin share), including all dining, open bar with premium wines and spirits, in-suite bar, selected guided Kangaroo Island experiences and island airport transfers.
Reservations: T (61) 2 9918 4355 | E reserve@baillielodges.com.au
Media Enquiries: E media@baillielodges.com.au |W baillielodges.com.au/media.asp
Images: A selection of Southern Ocean Lodge and Capella Lodge images is free for download
Editors Notes: Baillie Lodges is a collection of intimate luxury lodges in unique wilderness destinations. Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island launched the portfolio and continues to capture guests in its magic. Southern Ocean Lodge is Australia’s first true luxury lodge offering a premium nature-based escape. Both Baillie Lodges properties are honoured as founding members of Luxury Lodges of Australia.
