Sequoia Lodge in Adelaide Hills has become the first mainland property in Australia to join the esteemed Relais & Chateaux group.
Fourteen properties have recently been added to the highly regarded Relais & Chateaux association, with the 175-year-old Sequoia Lodge in the Adelaide Hills wine region becoming the only Australian mainland property to be accepted.
Relais & Chateaux was established in France in 1954 with the mission to select outstanding properties with unique character to be part of an exclusive collection.


South Australian hotelier David Horbelt and his family, together with business partner Malcolm Bean, developed the luxury lodge on the grounds of the historic estate and opening their doors to guests in August 2021.
Bean says, “It’s an honour to have the Relais & Chateaux Association recognise Sequoia Lodge’s commitment to preserving local hospitality and culinary traditions, as well as our contribution to preserving local biodiversity”.
Horbelt says, “Surrounded by thousands of hectares of national parks and botanical gardens, Sequoia’s guests connect not only with the land, but with its people through luxury bespoke experiences that celebrate our local artisans and produce”.
“The Sequoia team’s mission is to give guests an unparalleled journey of discovery of the Adelaide Hills’ iconic food, wine, wellness, history and nature experiences through in-house dining and while exploring the region.”
Last year, Queensland’s Lizard Island was also added to the collection.
The property is a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia and works closely with the Lizard Island Research Station, a world leader in coral reef education and research, to protect and preserve the Great Barrier Reef.

The other 13 properties recently added to the list include:
- L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges
- Casa de Chá da Boa Nova
- Restaurant Pearl Morissette
- The Torridon Hotel, Scotland
- Casa de São Lourenço
- San Montano Resort & Spa
- Hotel Biaclyn Hakodate
- Ytri | Træna Island, Norway
- Borgo Pignano, Tuscany
- Hotel Katarina, Orebić
- Casa Góngora | Boutique Hotel & Winery, near Seville
- Nile Canopus, Egypt
- Few & Far Luvhondo | Luxury Safari South Africa
For more information, visit Relais & Châteaux.