Looking to splash some cash and live it up on your next getaway? You don’t need to travel too far for such an experience, as two Australian hotels have clinched spots on a recent list of the world's glitziest five-star retreats and resorts.
National Geographic's team of travel writers and explorers revealed their top hotel picks around the globe, with Victoria's Hara House and South Australia’s Southern Ocean Lodge making the cut.
Set amidst the picturesque mountains of the High Country region, the tiny 20-room boutique Hara House is designed to evoke the nostalgia of tropical 80s motels, with a bright blue curved pool, luxe day spa, tennis court and sweeping nature views. Guests can indulge in a meal at the hotel's onsite Pepperberry restaurant, which spotlights homegrown native Aussie ingredients like wattleseed and blood lime.
“It’s a destination that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and connect with the natural rhythms of life,” says Hara House owner Shannon Crawley. You can even borrow a bike to pedal to Bright 10 minutes away, or if you're feeling a bit more ambitious, the 62-mile-long Murray to Mountains Rail Trail.
Southern Ocean Lodge on South Australia’s wildlife-filled Kangaroo Island was the only other Aussie accommodation to make the list. This dreamy eco-hotel which was destroyed by the 2019 and 2020 wildfires, was recently rebuilt with 25 suites boasting floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the sparkling Indian Ocean. Guests can soak in their private plunge pool, take in sweeping coastal views from the brand-new restaurant and cosy up by the fireplace with a nightcap in hand.
Other top picks on National Geographic's best hotel list included an eco-friendly sprawl of stone-built lodgings in Chile, a Honduran resort perched on the world's second-largest barrier reef, and an artsy Berlin hotel that's lived past lives as a courthouse and women's prison. You can check out the full list here or stay closer to home with our guide to the best luxe hotels in Australia right now.