Robb Report has compiled a selection of luxury properties for its coveted 50 Greatest Luxury Hotels on Earth list. This list of classic hotels around the world transcend trends to achieve genuine greatness.
Pelorus Private Island | Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
Rising from the clear coral seas near the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Townsville, the newly opened Pelorus Private Island is accessible only by helicopter charter or private yacht. It gets better from there. It’s home to a single residence made up of five luxurious suites. While the white-washed exterior sports a modern coastal aesthetic (by Melbourne-based firm Dubois), inside the suites are filled with handmade designer furniture and textiles, French linen, duck down pillows, and LaGaia amenities. If bragging rights are of top concern—of course they are—check this out: It’s the only luxury private island home in the region. Your stay includes meals created by your private chef, Veuve Clicquot Champagne (as well as everything else), and a slew of activities, including snorkeling, Jet Ski tours, fishing, and, of course, reef excursions. “You enjoy a brand-new, purpose-built private villa and exclusive-use of a whole island,” says Rigg. “This is the ultimate way to enjoy privacy, privilege, and personalisation on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.”
Mt. Mulligan Lodge | Northern Outback Queensland
Though this Australian Outback lodge has been around since 2019, our Travel Masters rate Mt. Mulligan an underdog that consistently exceeds expectations. Southern Crossings’s Stuart Rigg loves it because it’s one of the few luxury Outback lodges to welcome children of all ages, offering a deep activity menu that can keep everyone entertained. Guests can go hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, barramundi fishing, tour an old gold mine, or enjoy a guided tour of the cattle station. Junior Rangers can learn about animal tracks and traditional bush medicines while their parents can kick back and enjoy a chef-prepared picnic, followed by sundowners overlooking the cliffs. Thanks to some strategic upgrades, including new glamping tents in 2023, this is now properly a top-tier property, says Maury: “It’s always had that wow factor, being totally remote and wild . . . but the experience is now wonderfully considered. It’s a real outback adventure, without sacrificing comfort.”
Southern Ocean Lodge | Kangaroo Island, South Australia
It was never any secret in Australia that Kangaroo Island was home to one of the world’s best resorts. It’s just taken a devastating fire and dramatic rebirth for the rest of the world to take notice. In 2020, the wildfires that incinerated nearly half of the island took the Southern Ocean Lodge, too. Four years later, it reopened in December. Max Pritchard, the property’s original architect, has created a near replica of the original. With 25 suites projecting from a central lodge—with the exception of a new four-bedroom suite looking over the entire property down toward the dramatic oceanfront—the mood here is serenely residential. The restaurant is ultra-refined, serving hyper-local ingredients, and the central bar is self service (as is the entire wine cellar, just grab what you want). Most come here for island excursions focused on stunning formations, rugged views, and unique wildlife, from penguins to koalas. “It’s the epitome of Australian contemporary coastal style and a luxurious gateway to uniquely Australian nature and wildlife experiences,” says Rigg. “Not only are there spectacular Southern Ocean views from every room but exclusive signature experiences included in every stay—like guided cliff top walks, stargazing, sundowners, and canapes served with the local kangaroos.”
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