Blessed with a dramatic volcanic landscape and surrounded by stunning waters, Lord Howe is an extraordinary tropical island paradise.
Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the island famously accepts only 400 tourists at a time. So it retains a sense of charm, isolation, and timelessness that few other places in Australia can offer.
Given these small numbers, you could be forgiven for believing that there are very few places to stay on Lord Howe Island. But actually, there are quite a few options available to the visitor.
Ranging from rustic budget accommodation that doesn’t even have WI-FI to deluxe suites that are furnished with private hot tubs and other luxury amenities, there are plenty of places on the island to suit all budgets and tastes.
Outlined below is a selection of 8 of the best places to stay on Lord Howe Island. For your convenience, we have split them up into two sections – luxury properties and budget accommodation.
Luxury Accommodation Providers
Capella Lodge
The deluxe five-star rated Capella Lodge is probably the best of all places to stay on Lord Howe Island.
Forming Part of the Baillie Lodges collection of luxury accommodation, the property boasts nine guest suites that are uniquely designed to showcase different features and views. Some of them feature stunning wrap-around verandahs, whilst others have palm tree-shaded decks that come with hot tubs.
Presenting stunning views of Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower, the Capella Lodge showcases them fantastically from its infinity plunge pool. As well as its restaurant and bar, via floor-to-ceiling windows that are double-height.
As you would expect, rooms here aren’t cheap, with rates starting from around $900 a night. But they are beautifully furnished and appointed with your utmost levels of comfort in mind.
Bowker Beach House
Surrounded by native forest, the Bowker Beach House is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway.
Nestled on the island’s western side, where most of the best sunsets can be viewed, the property offers stunning interiors and well-maintained outdoor spaces for you to enjoy.
This includes a king-size, timber bed that was made by a resident craftsman, as well as his and her dressing gowns. In addition guests are also given complimentary Molton Brown toiletries in the bathroom, and a selection of champagne, fine wines and gourmet food items.
When outside, you will be able to laze on hammocks that have been set up on a really cool tree-enclosed timber platform. There is also a rain shower which is perfect for washing off the sand, while two McTavish surfboards and stand up paddleboards are also provided for your convenience.
Pintrees Lodge
Pintrees Lodge is a quaint and upscale accommodation provider which has a strong focus on guest’s experience.
Dominated by its central boatshed deck, which is a great spot for both sundowners, as well as those who enjoy a spot of morning yoga, this is property offers weekly cooking classes for those who stay here.
In addition they also have ‘grazing table’ lunches and a number of shared social spaces that are designed to bring people together.
To encourage their guests to get out and about they also offer them gourmet bbq hampers, or picnic packs, as well as an esky full of drinks, which they will leave for you at any of the ten wood-fired bbq spots that are located around the island.
Arajilla Retreat
Taking the form of a small eco-retreat that sits in a banyan tree forest, just behind Old Settlement Beach, the Arajilla Retreat is an institution on the island.
Offering 12 luxurious suites, accommodation here is stylishly decorated and very comfortable. Well appointed with a range of contemporary amenities, they also come with their own private timber deck which is perfect for sunbathing, or simply enjoying some downtime.
Beautiful lodgings aside, guests are also treated to plenty of food options. This includes a gourmet breakfast and fantastic 3 course meal at the onsite fine dining restaurant, as well as lighter fare for lunch, pre-dinner canapes and a wide range of tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages.
The retreat can also provide guests with fishing gear, snorkeling equipment, bicycles and WI-FI too.
Budget Accommodation
Blue Lagoon Lodge
Offering exceptional value for money, the Blue Lagoon Lodge is a three star property that provides guests with a very good standard of basic accommodation.
It also offers a fabulous range of amenities for guests too, including a games room with billiards and table tennis, an all-weather tennis court, undercover gas barbecues, bicycle hire and a laundry.
Owned and managed by the Thompson family, these fabulous lodge apartments are also located adjacent to Thompson’s General Store, which is an acclaimed venue for lunchtime burgers. So you definitely won’t go hungry here.
Ebbtide Apartments
As self-catering options go, the Ebbtide Apartments are a real gem.
Perched atop a hill, about 900 metres away from Lord Howe’s main drag of cafes, restaurants and shops, the property offers the perfect balance between close proximity to town and a tranquil separation from it.
A lot more contemporary than most other self-catering options within the same price point, all the residences feature stunning timber flooring, gleaming white walls and quaint plantation shutters in the bedrooms.
All of its three garden units have their own private garden and barbecue areas, while other accommodations showcase fabulous views of the neighbouring isles.
Beachcomber Lodge
Situated about a 20 minute walk from the main downtown area, the Beachcomber Lodge is a clean and comfortable property that serves as a great place to explore the rest of the island.
Nestled within five acres of stunning grounds, the historic lodge was one of Lord Howe’s original homesteads, so it has a real sense of heritage about it.
Recently renovated, the property offers six self-contained apartments on site, which are a mix of studio and one-bedroom apartments, as well as a really quaint family cottage. Each of them has their own verandah which is perfect for afternoon tea breaks or late night star gazing.
Somerset Apartments
Centrally located, close to Lagoon Beach, Ned’s Beach and most of the best shops and restaurants in town, the Somerset Apartments are an excellent option for those who want to tour around the island.
Nuzzled within a gorgeous landscape of hibiscus, subtropical palm groves and Frangipani flowers, the self-catering apartments can house up to six people.
While the facilities are a little on the limited side and the interiors need a bit of love, you do have a the choice of five different unit types to stay at, all of which are well furnished and stylishly decorated.