Exceptional. The only hiccup was an Indian waiter who seemed quite pleased that he didn't have to serve us being that 22 minutes wasn't enough time to get us breakfast before a scheduled tour.....poached eggs take longer in Australia, I suppose. All of the others.......tour guides, drivers, wait staff.....ere exceptional. We especially enjoyed Liam, Jake, Hannah, Niko, Johnathan, and I apologize to the others whose names slip our memory. This was the finest place we have had the chance to stay at for any trip to date. Great food, great hospitality, nice patrons, spectacular rooms, exceptional open bar and wine selection! read more

Southern Ocean Lodge - View from our room at sunrise! - Hotels Near Me - Kingscote, SA

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Forget the spectacular scenery, luxurious rooms, over the top service and let's focus on the food and the true delight at experiencing one of my favorite things...extravagant excess. The dining room is massive to accommodate the ceiling to floor windows. Look up from the menu if you can and take in the view all the way to Antarctica. Tables are set as perfectly as the graduating class would do for their final exam at CIA. They are so far apart the servers could roller blade like Car Hops to your two top. The down side...no eavesdropping. Nothing more than a passing nod and wan smile from others you think might have had to sell a kidney on eBay to get here. Natural wood flooring compliment the bleached rugged white stone walls and both highlight the unbearably beautiful view. The Staff: Gap years going through the gears, hospitality pros on their toes, those interning and yearning to fine tune their formal education skill set and all of them sweet, interested, smart, helpful, and as genuinely warm as the Southern Sun. The servers line up in a Conga Line as soon as you sit down and begin to bring a stream of snacks to keep your custom cocktail company while you marvel at the menu. The Vibe: Who goes here? Money, Big Money, F. U. Money. Blue hairs, Greenbacks and Silverbacks. No one lacks funds to enjoy the fun here. Both are required. The general public need not apply as dining here is reserved for guests only. No wife beater shirts hoisting a pint driving to the point where little Pixies are making damper in a camper. That ain't this. The Bar Program: Bottomless. DIY cocktails if you fell like repeating Chem Class or better, just ask and moments later the mixer of your dreams is your reality. The Food: Okay, often hotel food is nothing mare than fuel, prepared for a bivouacing army. Over feed a guest and they'll be too full to complain. Marie Antoinette said, "Let them eat cake" and I did along with Pork, Poultry, Beef, Lamb, Beef and Fish and anything else I could reach with a fork. Here, a World Class Chef (Asher Blackford) and his superb crew send out a long laundry list of magnificent dishes from an ever changing menu at all three meals. Yes, the Lodge's greatest hits are always available if your stuck in a delicious rut. Dining here is like watching Ted Williams at batting practice. Everything served up is a home run. Chef Asher could truly stand in any kitchen in the World and have respect. Maybe you'll get a Quail Egg, Puffed Quinoa in an Arugula Emulsion as an Amuse Bush Tucker. K. I. Maroon Tailed Lobsters napped with Creamy Herb Sauce look down at Moreton Bay Bugs and East Coast Maines with scorn and disdain. Barramundi on house made cool Soba in Dashi Broth was aromatic dramatic, and redefined Webster's definition of "perfect". A Classic Caesar elevated the concept to mythic heights. Dotted with Skara (cold smoked Bacon), Rye Crisps, hand torn Romaine and a spot on Dressing redolent with Garlic (the Lodge has never had a Vampire make it through the night) and topped with freshly shredded Parmesan Cheese plus a Poached Egg. This dish alone had me on my knees bowing towards the Kitchen like Mecca. Each and every plate humbled me and honored the Chef. Think I enjoyed it? Chef Asher graciously accepted the glowing praise on behalf of his creative culinary crew until they finally escorted me off the property. One lunch offered a starter of brunoise Avocado bathing in Macadamia Milk, a frozen Chive Sorbet Cabochon and a split Red Grape. This was followed by a locally caught Snook (not to be confused with Chinook of the North or a schnook from the country). Once again Chef Asher rose to the bait and prepared fish as if he was sired by a Chilean Sea Bass. Brilliant, it was, served with Cauliflower florets dusted with Tumeric, toasted slivered Almonds, Green Olives to balance the delicate fish and Spring Onions just because they worked so well. I could go on describing four days of paradise. But here you just get a taste. Now I can say I have danced on the Moon and summited Everest in my gym shorts and flip flops after 12 glorious meals at SOL. Fail to come here? You'll be SOL. read more

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Are you old enough to remember the American TV show from the 80's called "Fantasy Island"? You know the one where the people land at a mysterious island to be greeted with a drink by Mr Rourke and Tattoo and then guests were indulged with their every fantasy? Well the opening scene from that show kept running through my mind at every turn at the Southern Ocean Lodge as this is pure fantasy and luxury. As the team welcomes you and pulls open the large front doors, your eyes are riveted to the view of the sea beyond the windows. Stunning! A flute of champagne is pressed into your hand and a tray of canapés somehow makes it within your line of sight, all effortless, all perfection. This property has it all with breathtaking views, outstanding service, gourmet food, spa and activities for you to partake in. Like other properties owned by this group, you are warmly greeted and called by name by everyone you come in contact with. I was picked up at the airport in nearby Kingscote and whisked away for an hour's drive to the resort. Perched on a cliff overlooking the water , there are only 21 suites that beckon to you with opulence, class and luxury. You are presented with your itinerary for your visit with activities scheduled that are already included in your nightly rate. Also included are 3 meals, snacks, drinks and pretty much everything you can think of. Spa services are additional as are any outside excursions. Kangaroo island is lovely. . Some call it the Galapagos island of Australia. There is a ton of wildlife to discover and natural beauty to enjoy. The rooms are lovely, overlooking the water and with high end amenities such as plush towels warmed by warming racks, wonderful smelling soaps and lotions. large sitting areas, private patios and more. In a word? Stunning! And some rooms even have fireplaces. You feel like a valued guest from the second you are greeted be it by the managers, John and Alison, Chelsea, Fred, Vi or Pan. And those are only the people I met in the first couple of hours! Add to that the two Ben's and Sam who took us on our excursions and within a day I felt like I was a member of the family! A couple of things to note. I highly encourage you to go on the scheduled activities. The canapés and kangaroos will have you marveling at the abundance of wildlife nearby. The wonders of KI tour was fantastic, offering up plenty of pictures to post on your FB page that everyone will remark on. And the Seal Bay tour will give you an up close and personal look at the Australian sea lion. And those are all included in your room rate. I splurged and went with one more additional tour ($70) which was the nocturnal tour and worth every penny. Ben took me out at dusk and we saw a ton of koalas, kangaroos, and wallabies. This was a great optional tour for 2 hours if you have the time one night. The other important thing to note is that all of the food and wine is local to the island. I didn't know this when I got here so I was curious about the uniqueness of the menu each night. But it makes more sense when you know that the chef is "going local". There are plenty of choices each night but know if you don't like what the chef has prepared, there is a "classics" menu that can be brought to you with more traditional things like steak, chicken and salmon. There is even a cheeseburger and fries on there for your kids if you need it. Also know that the gathering room is open all day long for you so feel free to try one of the amazing wines, or mix yourself a drink while you gaze out on the vista presented. It's all included. And while there is no tv in the room ( can I say Yay to that?)there is a TV in the lounge area which is located out the front door to the left but who needs TV when you have all this nature around? This is a definite splurge because service like this doesn't come cheap. But roll in the meals, views, amenities, service and activities and this is an amazing value. Sometimes a splurge is a good thing. Makes all the hours you spend working worth it. And this, my friends, is definitely worth it!! Fantasy Isalnd. You may have never seen the American TV show, but you can live it for yourself at the Southern Ocean Lodge. Amazing! read more

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No words to describe it. If heaven exists on earth it could be there. Ecofriendly Lodge with all services, food and beverages complementary. Nice gourmet restaurant with many fish dishes. read more

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