Southern Ocean Lodge on Forbes' 'Edge List'

Baillie Lodges’ Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island was revealed as one of just 20 Hotels and Cruises globally recognised by Forbes Travel Guide, making it’s first-ever Edge List.

The Edge List is a collection of hotels, resorts and cruises that, as FBT says, “redefine the boundaries of travel”. This year’s Edge List spans 15 countries, including Australia, and include a trio of Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties and three luxury ships.

‘Edge’ is an acronym that celebrates: Exceptional access to remote, awe-inspiring destinations; Daring innovation in providing boundary-pushing adventures and once-in-a-lifetime experiences; Global stewardship that prioritises conservation, while minimising impact and maximizing care for the community; and Elevated experience, delivering excellence even in far-flung environment.

There are several subcategories on the list, including Animal Encounters, Beach Adventures, Cultural Immersion, Natural Wonders and Ocean Expeditions.

“This prestigious accolade recognises properties that provide access to remote, awe inspiring destinations while delivering uncompromising service and comfort,” the South Australian ultra-luxury property said on social media.

Southern Ocean Lodge fell into the Beach Adventures category, alongside Nujama, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Red Sea; The Brando in French Polynesia and Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Krabi, Thailand.

NIHI Sumba in Indonesia; Giraffe Manor in Nairobi and Solio Lodge, between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains, both in Kenya; Elephants Hills in Khao Sok National Park, Thailand; and One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Rwanda were those luxury properties on the Animal Encounters field.

The Natural Wonders field included Argos in Cappadocia, Turkey; Turneffe Island Resort, Belize; Hotel das Cataratas, A Belmond Hotel, Iguassu Falls. While Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Urubamba, Peru; Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Bali and Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland in Canada were listed in the Cultural Immersion segment.

Two North American properties were listed under the Wilderness Retreats portfolio; Wickaninnish Inn on Vancouver Island, Canada and Cloud Camp in Colorado Springs in the US Rocky Mountains.

Meanwhile, Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot was one of three ships that comprised the Ocean Expeditions field. (Ponant’s icebreaker, and NIHI Sumba, were revealed as Edge List recipients back in February at Forbes Travel Guide’s Summit in Monaco). Alongside Charcot was Silversea’s Galapagos expedition ship, Silver Origin and Four Seasons Explorer, which is based in Palau in the western Pacific Ocean.