Capella Lodge

Australia

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Overview

Located on the secluded southern end of Lord Howe Island, Capella Lodge offers a refined “beach house” atmosphere immersed in nature, with uninterrupted views of the iconic twin peaks, Mounts Gower and Lidgbird. The island was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1982, and visitor numbers are restricted to just 400 guests at any one time, preserving its pristine landscapes and unique biodiversity.

A stay at Capella Lodge is generously inclusive, featuring gourmet breakfasts, sunset drinks with canapés, inspired three-course dinners, premium wines and spirits from 6pm, selected in-suite refreshments, and complimentary mountain bikes to explore the island at a slower pace.

Environmentally conscious, with sustainable initiatives, nearly carbon neutral.

Amenities

Experiences included in your stay

Rooms

Capella Lodge features nine contemporary, light-filled suites that blend “beach house” chic with understated luxury. Designed for 2 to 4 guests, all accommodations offer king beds, private decks, and signature basalt stone bathrooms with rain showers. For those seeking the ultimate retreat, select premium lofts and pavilions elevate the experience with private heated plunge pools, cozy fireplaces, and luxurious outdoor bathtubs nestled beneath frangipani trees

dining

The Capella Restaurant provides a dramatic backdrop of the island’s lagoon and mountains, serving contemporary Pacific-inspired menus. Dining is a highlight of the stay, with three-course dinners that change daily to showcase the best available ingredients. While breakfast and dinner are included, guests can also enjoy daily lunch menus in the restaurant or arrange for gourmet barbecue packs and walkers’ lunches for island outings

Experiences

Lord Howe Island is a subtropical sanctuary for rare plants and marine life, often described as a “National Geographic expedition”. Guests can tackle the world-renowned guided climb to Mount Gower’s summit or explore the world’s southernmost coral reef directly from the beach with complimentary snorkeling gear. Other aquatic adventures include glass-bottom boat tours, fish feeding at Ned’s Beach, and trips to the awe-inspiring Ball’s Pyramid sea stack.

Location

Lord Howe Island is a short two-hour flight from the Australian mainland.

How to get there

SUSTAINABILITY

Environment

The lodge collaborates closely with the Lord Howe Island Board to uphold World Heritage listing standards.

Revegetation: Ongoing efforts involve planting two acres of land surrounding the lodge with endemic species—such as Kentia Palms, Hopwood, and Sallywood—to prevent erosion and restore natural habitats.
Protection: Guests are educated on the local environment through interactions with staff and guides, fostering a deeper understanding of the island’s rare and endemic species.

Community

Controlled Access: To protect the island from overcrowding, visitor numbers are strictly limited to 400 at any one time, matching the 400 permanent residents.Local
Collaboration: The lodge supports the community by working with local tour operators for various island expeditions, ensuring that tourism benefits the broader island economy.

Local Produce

Regional Sourcing: The culinary team prioritizes premium regional produce, reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transport.
Seasonal Menus: Menus are “inspired daily,” allowing chefs to utilize the freshest ingredients currently available on the island and from the surrounding seas.

Energy

Passive Design: The lodge’s architecture maximizes natural weather patterns; it does not require air conditioning, instead using flow-through ventilation, ceiling fans, and generous verandas to channel cool breezes.
Solar Power: A 40-panel solar system generates approximately 14,100kWh annually, reducing the lodge’s draw on the island’s supply and feeding back into the grid during low-use periods.
Clean Fuel: Public areas and in-suite fireplaces are heated using green energy ethanol for EcoSmart fires.
Efficiency: A 2018 refurbishment saw all lighting replaced with energy-saving LED globes.

Water

Rainwater Harvesting: Around 75% of the lodge’s water needs are met by harvesting regular rainfall from the roof into 290,000-litre storage tanks.
Conservation: Guests are encouraged to opt for linen changes every third day, a practice that can save up to 250,000 litres of water annually per lodge.
Efficiency: The lodge utilizes accredited bathroom and shower fittings to minimize daily water usage.

Waste

Onsite Treatment: A state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant manages wastewater to prevent any negative impact on the island’s groundwater or sensitive marine environment.
Advanced Recycling: Staff separate all compostable materials, paper, glass, plastic, and aluminium. Organic waste is sent to the island’s Vertical Compost Unit to be recycled into compost for environmental projects.
Eliminating Single-Use Plastics: The lodge uses refillable water bottles for guest adventures, offers no single-use plastic straws, and provides guest amenities (shampoo, soap, etc.) in stylish, refillable vessels.

Awards & Certifications

Offers

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