Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island in South Australia was the higher of the two Baillie Lodges properties on the list, coming in at number 69.
The 25-suite luxury lodge reopened in late 2023 following a total rebuild after being destroyed in the 2019-2020 bushfire season.
Southern Ocean Lodge also received the American Express Travel One To Watch Award.
Meanwhile, Baillie Lodges’ recently renovated New Zealand property Huka Lodge on Waikato River in Taupo was placed 88th.
The property reopened in March after an NZ$25 million renovation with 20 suites and two cottages, alongside multiple spaces suitable for boutique events.
Baillie Lodges acquired Huka Lodge in 2021, following the renowned lodge creator and operator being acquired itself by specialist travel and leisure investors, KSL Capital Partners.
Baillie Lodges has had a good week of accolades, with several of its properties across Australia and New Zealand also receiving Michelin Keys last week, in a major expansion of the program by the same tyre company that awards coveted Michelin stars to restaurants.
Longitude 131° at Uluru, Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island, Silky Oaks Lodge in the Daintree Rainforest, Southern Ocean Lodge and Huka Lodge all received two Michelin Keys.
The top 50 hotels globally, according to World’s 50 Best, will be announced on October 30 in London.
In 2024, two Australian properties made the top 50 – The Tasman, a Luxury Collection hotel from Marriott International, in Hobart came in at 49, while The Calile in Brisbane – part Collection by TFE Hotels – came in at 25 and marked a second consecutive year on the list.
Hotels cannot apply to be considered for a spot on the World’s 50 Best Hotel list – a panel of more than 800 people, including hoteliers, travel writers, hotel educators and business and leisure travellers, vote for hotels they have stayed at within a two year period.
