Arajilla Retreat

Arajilla Retreat is a boutique hotel nestled under a canopy of palms and trees on Lord Howe Island.

This family-run property is surrounded by subtropical gardens and close to picturesque Old Settlement Beach where sea turtles can often be seen in the shallows. Arajilla Retreat offers excellent accommodation, personalised service, the island’s only Ayurvedic spa and 12 spacious suites, each with a private outdoor deck to take in the peaceful surroundings.

The property is perfectly placed to enjoy Lord Howe Island’s many enchantments, from cycling quiet roads to snorkelling in sheltered lagoons, walking the many trails or sunbathing on deserted sandy beaches. With just 400 visitors at any given time, Lord Howe Island is the ultimate escape from the pressures of daily life. Abundant with unique flora and fauna, the island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site whilst the seas are a protected marine park providing exemplary snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing and boating. Explore earth’s southernmost coral reef or take a boat trip to Ball’s Pyramid, the world’s tallest sea stack.

At the end of the day’s activities, wind down in the guest lounge with complimentary pre-dinner drinks and canapés before an indulgent three-course dinner in the restaurant. The kitchen turns out delicious gourmet meals each day, concocted from fresh local ingredients including homemade bread, artisan cheeses, pasture-fed meats, free-range eggs, the island’s abundant fresh fruit and vegetables (including produce from the hotel’s own veggie patch), as well as local line-caught fish, such as kingfish, yellow-fin tuna and wahoo.

Meals include a gourmet breakfast, light lunch, tea and coffee, selected pre-dinner wines from 5:30 – 6:30pm and a three-course dinner with the menu changing daily. Take a romantic picnic to one of the many scenic spots located across the island such as under swaying palms at North Bay, on the sand at Ned’s Beach or in front of the hotel on the grassy knoll at Old Settlement Beach.