Latest news with #BaillieLodges
The Age
5 days ago
- The Age
Luxury lodge in one of the harshest environments on Earth reopens
Northern Chile's Tierra Atacama has just reopened after a year-long, $US20 million ($32 million) transformation. All the work at the legendary luxurious hotel was designed to preserve its close connection to the local community, descendants of the Incas and Aymaras with living heritage that dates back 10,000 years. Built in the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama, amid the driest non-polar desert on Earth, the lodge was conceived by Miguel Purcell, an Olympic skier and mountaineer. Tierra Atacama opened in 2008 with a mission to keep its environmental impact low while offering guests extraordinary experiences in one of the planet's most amazing landscapes. The 32-room retreat was built around a centuries-old cattle corral using traditional methods. It was filled with a curation of culturally relevant art, objects and materials, and each room was set with views of the Licancabur Volcano. The Purcell family went on to create Tierra Hotels, and now has two sister properties in the region under its umbrella. In 2022, it sold a majority shareholding in the company to Baillie Lodges. Founded by James and Hayley Baillie, Baillie Lodges owns and runs some of the world's most esteemed luxury adventure properties, including Longitude 131° at Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island in South Australia and Silky Oaks Lodge in Queensland. Internationally it owns Huka Lodge in New Zealand and Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge on Canada's Vancouver Island. The fit is so strong that Purcell remains involved in the property and actually led the redesign project in person. He was joined by Tierra Atacama's original Chilean architects – Rodrigo Searle and Matias Gonzalez – who again used the surrounding environment as the starting point for design. Interior designer Carolina Delpiano, who has been responsible for the original interiors at all the Tierra properties since their inception, also took part. Chilean landscape architect Teresa Moller preserved the original walls and native vegetation while integrating changes to the built environment into the existing gardens and setting. Where possible, local tradespeople and artisans were employed to realise the vision.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Luxury lodge in one of the harshest environments on Earth reopens
Northern Chile's Tierra Atacama has just reopened after a year-long, $US20 million ($32 million) transformation. All the work at the legendary luxurious hotel was designed to preserve its close connection to the local community, descendants of the Incas and Aymaras with living heritage that dates back 10,000 years. Built in the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama, amid the driest non-polar desert on Earth, the lodge was conceived by Miguel Purcell, an Olympic skier and mountaineer. Tierra Atacama opened in 2008 with a mission to keep its environmental impact low while offering guests extraordinary experiences in one of the planet's most amazing landscapes. The 32-room retreat was built around a centuries-old cattle corral using traditional methods. It was filled with a curation of culturally relevant art, objects and materials, and each room was set with views of the Licancabur Volcano. The Purcell family went on to create Tierra Hotels, and now has two sister properties in the region under its umbrella. In 2022, it sold a majority shareholding in the company to Baillie Lodges. Founded by James and Hayley Baillie, Baillie Lodges owns and runs some of the world's most esteemed luxury adventure properties, including Longitude 131° at Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island in South Australia and Silky Oaks Lodge in Queensland. Internationally it owns Huka Lodge in New Zealand and Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge on Canada's Vancouver Island. The fit is so strong that Purcell remains involved in the property and actually led the redesign project in person. He was joined by Tierra Atacama's original Chilean architects – Rodrigo Searle and Matias Gonzalez – who again used the surrounding environment as the starting point for design. Interior designer Carolina Delpiano, who has been responsible for the original interiors at all the Tierra properties since their inception, also took part. Chilean landscape architect Teresa Moller preserved the original walls and native vegetation while integrating changes to the built environment into the existing gardens and setting. Where possible, local tradespeople and artisans were employed to realise the vision.
Hospitality Net
21-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Courtney Reagan has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer at Baillie Lodges and Tierra Hotels
Baillie Lodges, the global boutique ultra-luxury lodge platform is pleased to announce the appointment of Courtney Reagan as Chief Commercial Officer, effective May 19, 2025. In this newly created role, Courtney will lead the integrated sales and marketing teams for Baillie Lodges and Tierra Hotels. With an extensive background in luxury experiential travel and a career spanning high-end tour operators and boutique properties, Courtney brings a wealth of strategic insight and leadership experience to the group - expertise that will be instrumental in elevating commercial performance and expanding brand presence globally. Most recently, Courtney was Chief Marketing Officer for Explora Lodges, giving her strong insights into the Chilean market. Before that, she led marketing at Eleven, known for its exceptional adventure lodges. She also has extensive experience with Abercrombie & Kent and previously held multiple roles at Hilton in international partnerships as well as customer loyalty - an area of increasing focus for Baillie Lodges. Baillie Lodges has seen significant growth over the last six years. The company has expanded from four lodges in Australia to nine lodges across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Chile. With the recent appointment of Michael Crawford as CEO and now Courtney as CCO, the company continues to build momentum, strengthening its commitment to sustainable growth and seeks further opportunities to expand its experiential luxury ecosystem with new destinations and travel verticals. In 2025, Baillie Lodges has celebrated the return of two flagship lodges following major renovations: Huka Lodge, set on the banks of the Waikato River in Taupō, New Zealand, reopened on March 1, and Tierra Atacama in the northern desert of Chile welcomed guests again from April 1. Each reaffirms Baillie Lodges' reputation for design-led luxury and immersive, place-based experiences.
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Forbes
Australia's Southern Ocean Lodge Is The Ideal Restful Getaway
The Great Room and view at Southern Ocean Lodge. It's not uncommon to walk into the circular Great Room at Australia's Southern Ocean Lodge and see guests just staring at the view of Hanson Bay through the floor to ceiling glass. 'The next land mass you'll see is Antarctica' is the way this expanse of the Southern Ocean is described and the panorama of that water, lapping waves in some parts, crashing on the rocks in others, is simply mesmerizing. It's one reason that this room was duplicated exactly as it was in the original lodge when the 2.0 lodge opened 18 months ago. The bedroom of the Flinders Suite. In the scorching summer of 2019-2020, the lodge, one of the country's luxurious Baillie Lodges and a star of Luxury Lodges of Australia, burned to the ground in the wildfires that destroyed half of the island on which it's located, Kangaroo Island. But Baillie Lodges founders James and Hayley Baillie were determined to rebuild it and broke ground two years later, bringing back original architect Max Pritchard who apparently relished the opportunity to replicate but with some improvements. There are now 25 rooms, slightly up from the original 21, elongated, expanded and angled so that there is a complete view of the ocean and total privacy from neighboring rooms since all are laid out on a string extending from the main building. All feature natural elements such as limestone floors and blackwood walls, custom furniture, works by Australian artists and either a terrace or in the two bedroom Remarkable Suite, a plunge pool and an infinity pool in the Osprey Suite. Just above the lodge, the new Baillie Pavilion with two wings, four bedrooms and a plunge pool on one wing and an infinity pool on the other can be reserved as either one unit for a group or as individual rooms. The East Lounge of the Baillie Pavilion. Dining here is an exploration of the vibrant artisan food culture of the island since so many of the ingredients that comprise the two menus are locally sourced: one menu is a three course assortment of that day's chef created selections; the other a lineup of classic dishes for guests who are more in the mood for something simple such as pan seared local fish, char grilled Coorong sirloin or a ham and cheese toastie. Among the dishes of the day that might come out of the kitchen on any given night: the freshwater crayfish marron with miso bearnaise, finger lime and salmon roe, pork with tamarind glaze, cucumber and sesame emulsion and duck breast with kale, local sticky fig mostarda and beetroot. And if you're there at lunch or before sunset, an extra reward is the view since the restaurant is next to the Great Room with similar glass walls. Sunset at Admirals Arch on Kangaroo Island Apart from the activities on site, most revolving around the new spa, the lodge excels in providing island activities, many demonstrating the dense concentration of wildlife that has earned the island the name The Galapagos of Australia. One tour to Flinders Chase National Park west of the lodge, surrounded by foliage that is regenerating from the wildfires, shows off the massive rock formation The Remarkable Rocks composed of black mica, blue quartz, and pink feldspar; the natural grotto Admirals Arch, site of a thousand selfies, and the fur seal colony on the nearby beach. An even larger group of sea lions is seen swimming or lolling on the beach at another site, Seal Bay on the island's southeast coast. A tour at sunset shows off the country's most famous wildlife, kangaroos, koalas and wallabies, along with other species at their most active (if koalas, drowsily perched in trees can be considered active apart from, obviously, cute.) A koala in a tree on Kangaroo Island. As part of this nocturnal walking safari, a table is set up in the forest for cocktails and snacks as a prelude to dinner back at the lodge. Afterward, even if the darkness obscures all but the most robust waves, lodge guests still take their seats by the windows of the Great Room facing the sea and Antarctica in the distance listening to the sounds of this soothingly remote place. The setting of Southern Ocean Lodge
Forbes
29-04-2025
- Forbes
Huka Lodge,New Zealand's Best, Reopens In Stunning, Expanded Form
The setting of New Zealand's Huka Lodge on the rushing Waikato River. You hear the river before you see it: the rushing sound of the Waikato River heading downstream to Huka Falls. Huka Lodge, New Zealand's first luxury lodge which opened 101 years ago as a fishing camp near Taupō on the North Island, was built in a prime spot along this river with its original tents and later cottages facing the briskly flowing waves. But even a place regarded as the grande dame of the country's lodges, now owned by Australia-based Baillie Lodges, can get better and it has. Last month, the lodge reopened after a 10 month, US $13.5 million investment enlarged, redesigned and with offers of new experiences to take advantage of the singular surroundings. The Main Lounge and River Room You enter the 17 acre property in an appropriately grand way, through electric gates up a curving driveway past lush foliage extending down to the banks of the river. But once you enter the main house, past the portraits of visiting royals (including Queen Elizabeth II who visited four times) the tone isn't regal or pompous; it's rustic, relaxed, cozy in a handsomely designed way. Virginia Fisher, the premier designer of the top lodges in the country, designed it when it became a luxury lodge in 1984 and returned to create this sharp new look but one that still resonates with the original tone. The Library, Queen Elizabeth II's favorite dining space during her four visits. During the renovation, some changes to the original lodge were made: new terraces were created, floor to ceiling windows were added to enhance the views of the river, a new room, the River Room, was added on the other side of the main lounge, also with floor to ceiling river views. Fisher artfully filled the spaces with forest green, gold and slate blue couches, tartan pillows and wool throws, brass light fixtures suspended from the ceiling, lush wall colors and a wealth of interesting, witty details including framed oil paintings including a very patrician one of a dog. Roaring wood fires complete the scene. One of the 20 Lodge Suites. The 20 Lodge Suites, private two-bedroom Alan Pye Cottage (named for the owner who opened the fishing camp in 1924) and four-bedroom Alex Van Heeren Cottage (named for the previous longtime owner who upgraded the property to a luxury lodge) also were redesigned as part of the renovation. The 646 square foot Lodge Suites now feature four poster beds, a cream and white color scheme with accent wool throws and pillows, spacious bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and heated wood floors along with glass doors leading to a terrace on the river. The living room of the Alan Pye Cottage. The 3,498 square foot Alan Pye Cottage is set above rolling lawns with views of the river and decorated with antique pieces, Māori artwork and vivid colors such as teal and gold. The expansive living room also has a vaulted ceiling and fireplace; outdoors, it has a private garden, heated swimming pool and spa pool. The 3,918 square foot Alex Van Herren Cottage is set just above the river looking downstream to Huka Falls. This cottage also has a vaulted ceiling and fireplace in the living room, a more subtle white and gold color scheme with antique pieces, a plunge pool and spa overlooking the river and a courtyard with a fireplace. The Dining Room with glass walls facing the river. Dinners can be taken in a variety of places: the expanded main dining room with its windows overlooking the river; the wine cellar surrounded by 4500 bottles of elite wine; the terrace off the dining room with a fireplace; the upstairs Loft surrounded by country antiques; the Library, Queen Elizabeth's preferred dining space or outdoors surrounded by leafy walls or fruit trees in the orchard. Local ingredients are showcased by chef Ryan Ward in delectable, complex but not fussy dishes such as Mount Cook Alpine Salmon with potato, yuzu and parsley and Southern Stations Wagyu with cabbage, tarragon and pinenut. One four course menu is featured at dinner each night; breakfast and lunch are a la carte. A typical course at dinner featuring Australian Wagyu beef. Activities in this area abound. Fly fishing for trout in the river is possible from the property or on Lake Taupō with the charter cruise company Chris Jolly Outdoors. (Apart from a prime boat and captain, lunch is a gourmet affair with rib steaks grilled on the boat accompanied by very tasty salads.) There are also hikes through forests and past streams surrounding the property among them paths through Tongariro National Park to Taranaki Falls and the Ōpepe loop to Huka Falls and the geyser field, Orakei Korako. Guests can opt for gentle boating: kayaking Lake Taupō to view Māori rock carvings or adrenaline rush: jet boating down the river to the base of Huka Falls. Since New Zealand is the birthplace of bungy jumping, guests who want to try that have an opportunity to bounce down 150-feet from a platform over the Waikato River, upstream from Huka Falls. A jet boat at the base and a helicopter above Huka Falls. (Photo by) Calmer adventures in the air are new helicopter excursions over the region's geothermal terraces and mountain peaks plus a culinary adventure to Craggy Range Winery in the North Island's gastronomic center, Hawke's Bay. But one adventure is possible without even leaving the lodge. As part of the new spa complex, there's a hot tub at the end of a walkway. But to get to it, there isn't a cold plunge, as there is in many current spas. There are buckets of ice water. It's up to the guest whether to pull the cord, flip the buckets over and stand in an icy splash.
