Cape Lodge by John Borthwick

The traveller seeking accommodation at Cape Lodge near Yallingup, can meander through cathedrals of karri forest at Borunup, stumble upon turquoise waters at Geographe Bay and cruise through old timber towns whose notable features range from banana smoothies and incumbent hippies at Nannup to the rather more flash boutiques and wineries of Margaret River.

The facilities

This luxury boutique hotel will remind you of a serene country estate. “It’s a garden for the eyes, ears and nose,” declares the executive chef Tony, sweeping a hand in the direction of the empire of senses that are the 18 hectares of Cape Lodge domain. Sure enough, there are purple explosions of Pride of Madeira and yellow freesias, plus the gossip of frogs and water music (and from the restaurant the post-prandial murmur of satisfied diners).

“The local fishos have dropped off the best of last night’s nannagai, dhufish and king crabs,” says the chef, “and there’s a bloke due soon with a pickup full of veggies from his friends’ gardens.” Over the next few nights I sample this very local fare at the lakeside restaurant: char grilled marron on palm sugar dressed greens, venison with rocket and parmesan, poached pear and passionfruit tart with double cream. This is all abetted by neighbourhood wines like a Vasse Felix riesling or Cape Lodge’s own 2000 sauvignon blanc.

The rooms
And so to bed. My spa suite (one of 22 suites) looks out onto the gardens and abroad, mirror-smooth lake. The suite is comfortable and the frogs gossip on and on, and somewhere out there a lighthouse beam sweeps the ocean night.

The Vineyard Residence and Residence Guest House are magnificent private luxury residences ideal for members of a family, a group of friends or for those who are seeking a private, stylish corporate retreat. The Vineyard Residence sits hidden on its own three acres, but is only a short stroll to all the guest amenities of Cape Lodge. Interiors throughout are light and understated with marbled bathrooms and expanses of timber floorboards.