Thousands of new hotels open their doors to fanfare all over the world every year. But only a select few are worthy of being called ‘the best’. Southern Ocean Lodge is top of the list for Esquire’s selection complied by Richard Clune.

“It was an emotional journey. At first, it was devastating. But that soon turned to optimism as we began the process of planning for the rebuild.”

The words of Hayley Baillie – co-owner of Bailie Lodges’ Southern Ocean Lodge – come wrapped in a blanket of emotion. Having witnessed the flagship South Australian property being razed by fire in January 2020, it would have been easy to walk away.

“We were overwhelmed with messages of sympathy and support from our guests, the tourism industry and media,” Baillie tells Esquire. “And we committed to rebuilding just days after it had been lost.”

That commitment to this internationally celebrated luxury lodge informs the very fibres of its second coming. SOL 2.0 – which opened last December – is very much a remodelling, with some necessary updates, particularly in respect to materials and fire-retardation. The 23 new guest suites draw in the raw beauty of this southern corner of Kangaroo Island, boasting views of cliffs and vast stretches of ocean.

Elsewhere, high on the hill, is a new ultra-premium ‘owners’ residence, so too an expanded day spa with gym and both hot and cold plunge pools, as well as an extended deck with wet-edge pool attached to the communal Great Room.

For further information on Southern Ocean Lodge, click here.

To view the full list of Best New Hotels for 2024, click here.