Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island, Australia
Capella Lodge is a luxe interpretation of the classic Australian beach house, spectacularly located beside the soaring mountains and clear waters of World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island. Lord Howe Island is a subtropical ‘treasure island’ preserved in time located in the South Pacific Ocean, 800 km north-east of Sydney, Australia. An intoxicating blend of pristine beaches, verdant pastures, lush rainforests and sheer volcanic peaks, Lord Howe is a sanctuary for rare plants, sea birds and marine life. Its light-filled and open architectural design makes the most of the ocean air and stunning panoramas, while custom furnishings and contemporary interior styling give the relaxed but sophisticated feel of a private coastal retreat. With a population of just 360 people and a limit of 400 visitors at any one time, Lord Howe Island is perpetually laid-back and uncrowded.
Facilities & Activities:
Designed to offer the care-free spirit of an Australian beach-house, offering superb luxury in a contemporary coastal style. The Capella Lodge offers communal areas like the stylish lounge, the outdoor Gower Terrace with horizon plunge pool, a light and open restaurant and bar, and the secluded Kentia Lounge. The petite Capella Spa offers a menu of rejuvenating treatments. Capella’s fleet of bicycles and electric buggies are the chief form of transport, connecting guests to a wealth of experiences. Forest walks, palm groves, hiking trails and superb beaches are easily accessible, while the island’s many sustainable tourism operators offer expeditions on land and sea to explore the natural riches that make Lord Howe famous. Lord Howe is home to the world’s southern-most coral reef, warmed by currents from the Coral Sea to the north.
Rooms & Suites:
Inspired by the carefree spirit of the authentic Australian beach house, Capella Lodge has 9 contemporary, island-styled suites designed to reflect Lord Howe’s pristine natural environment. Each provides a private and relaxed retreat, extending the easy feel of the main lodge with timber floors, marine-inspired finishes and expansive windows to welcome in the sea breeze. Spacious, light-filled interiors feature stylishly appointed king beds, bespoke furnishings and specially commissioned artworks to create a feeling of understated luxury. Generous basalt stone bathrooms offer a rain shower and signature spa amenities while a well-stocked in-suite bar offers a range of gourmet treats for lazily indulgent moments. Private decks with lounging areas take in views of ocean and mountains. Each suite offers a king bed with superior cotton linens, an in-suite bar, a Bose music system, TV, DVD player, telephone and wireless internet. Capella Lodge welcomes children 10 years and over.
Dining:
Dining at Capella Lodge is at once refined and generous, sophisticated and relaxed, international and island-inspired. It’s a celebration of fine local produce, with an abundance of fresh line-caught fish, island-grown greens and foraged coastal herbs. The restaurant opens to spectacular views of the lagoon and mountains, offering an idyllic backdrop for dining at every occasion throughout the day. Sunset drinks and canapés at the evening’s open bar cap off the day as the sun slips behind a pink-skied horizon and segues easily to dinner. A generous selection of premium wines includes hand-chosen labels from Australia’s finest wineries to complement the fresh island flavours. Breakfasts and dinners at Capella Lodge are included in the tariff, along with an open bar (from 6pm) and premium wines and spirits (cellarmaster’s list additional).
Hotel Rating: *****
Hotel Website
Hotel Address: Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island, Australia
Our Opinion: A close-kept secret among stylish insiders, Capella Lodge is Lord Howe Island’s premium retreat and a haven of understated luxury.
Hotel Location:
Lord Howe Island NSW 2898, Australia