Australian hotels Southern Ocean Lodge and The Louise in world’s best according to Travel + Leisure

Forget Sydney and Melbourne. This amazing region is home to the only two Australian places included in a prestigious global list.

The Louise, Barossa Valley.

Forget Sydney and Melbourne. South Australia is the “it” destination wowing international travellers.

Two SA hotels have been named among the world’s top 100 in new list - the only Australian properties to be included.

Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island (No.47) and The Louise in the Barossa Valley (No.53) have been recognised among the most prestigious hotels on the planet in the Travel + Leisure awards.

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It’s the latest in a swag of wins for South Australia, which was named one of Lonely Planet’s top 10 regions to visit in 2017 - again the only Aussie entry to make the list.

And Adelaide was named this year’s world No.1 rising star destination by travel website Trip.com.

Kangaroo Island’s luxurious Southern Ocean Lodge.

The hotels that made the list not only check off all the basics for a five-star stay - a prime location, impeccable service, and well-appointed rooms - but also “bring something extra-special to the table”, according to Travel + Leisure.

It’s not the first time the luxury accommodation at Southern Ocean Lodge has been named in the top 100. In 2012, it peaked at No.3, with Travel + Leisure praising it as “contemporary in design and green in attitude”.

“We’re just thrilled to announce Southern Ocean Lodge has once again made the grade for the world’s most envied travel to-do list,” the lodge’s owners said of the latest accolade.

Osprey Pavilion, Southern Ocean Lodge.

Meanwhile, The Louise’s location, surrounded by lavender and wineries, and Appellation restaurant, were the major drawcards for the judges.

The hotel is described as “a low-lying stone lodge in South Australia’s vineyard-studded Barossa Valley, where guests can blend their own vintage, sample fresh produce at the area’s farmers’ market, or even do a picnic breakfast with a family of kangaroos.”

Both properties are members of Luxury Lodges of Australia, an exclusive collection of accommodation in Australia’s most beautiful settings.

If you’re tempted to make a booking, be warned stays at the award-winning properties also come with luxury price tags. Nightly rates at Southern Ocean Lodge start from $1200 per person while packages at The Louise start from $625 a night for two.

Appellation Restaurant at The Louise, Barossa Valley.

Besides its top 100 hotels list, Travel + Leisure also released category awards for world regions.

Sydney was named the best city in the Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific region, ahead of Queenstown, Melbourne, Wellington and Auckland.

And QT Sydney was named the best city hotel in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific region, followed by The Langham in Sydney, Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, Sydney’s Park Hyatt and Melbourne’s Crown Towers.

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