1834 Hotels Announces New Luxury Villas at Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, 7 April 2025
Adelaide, South Australia

1834 Hotels Announces New Luxury Villas at Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge

Artists impressions of the New Villas.

Eight boutique villas set to elevate the Kangaroo Island experience in South Australia

1834 Hotels, owner and operator of Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge, today announced the next major evolution for the property—and for Kangaroo Island’s broader tourism landscape. Located just off the coast of South Australia, Kangaroo Island remains a popular destination for both Australian and international travelers, drawn to its natural beauty and sense of escape.

Purchased by 1834 Hotels in 2021, the Lodge has already undergone an initial transformation, with behind-the-scenes upgrades to the property and a refreshed food and beverage offering. Now, the next phase begins, with construction of eight high-end boutique villas scheduled to commence mid-2025.

Set in the peaceful coastal township of American River, the villas will offer sweeping bay views, private settings immersed in nature, and exclusive guest amenities—while maintaining full access to the services of Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge.

“This marks a major step forward for both our hotel and the region,” said Andrew Bullock, CEO of 1834 Hotels. “We’re proud to invest in Kangaroo Island’s future with accommodation that complements its natural beauty and meets the growing demand for premium, experience-led stays. With the upcoming launch of SeaLink’s new ferries and increased visitation to the island, we anticipate strong demand for high-quality accommodation. And with exciting developments like The Cliffs golf course underway at Pelican Lagoon, not far from American River, the future of this region is incredibly bright.”

The new villas will be delivered by Wabi Systems, a trusted national construction partner. Based on Wabi’s Banksia 1 Model, the elevated villas will feature expansive glazing and glass balustrades, designed to capture the landscape from every angle.

Artists impressions of the New Villas.

“This is an exciting project for our team,” said Karl Plunkett, Owner & Director of Wabi Systems. “Our design embraces the surrounding landscape, with open plans and elevated structures that connect deeply to place.”

To ensure a premium guest experience, 1834 Hotels has also engaged hotel fit-out specialist Mark Flintoff, Managing Director of Hospitality International, to oversee the interior furnishing and installation of the villas.

“We were thrilled to be engaged by 1834 Hotels to assist with the interior fit-out of these villas,” said Mark Flintoff, Managing Director of Hospitality International. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to help shape a new level of accommodation on the island.”

In addition to the new villas, a full refurbishment of the existing bay view rooms within the main building is also set to commence. This will include new bathrooms and a complete internal upgrade, once again under the management of Hospitality International.

Artists impressions of the Bay View room refurbishment.

Both the new villas and the refurbished bay view rooms are expected to be available for the peak 2025–2026 summer season, including December 2025 and January 2026.

Bookings for the new villas will open mid-year, with prices starting from $600 per night. With demand for exclusive coastal stays at an all-time high, availability is expected to be limited.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rebecca Ward
Marketing Director
1834 Hotels
[email protected]
www.1834hotels.com.au

About 1834 Hotels
1834 Hotels is a leading Australian hotel management company, providing tailored white-label management solutions for independent and franchised properties across the country. With a proven track record in driving performance, operational efficiency, and brand growth, 1834 Hotels brings a full-service platform to owners and investors—from revenue strategy and marketing to systems, distribution, and F&B innovation.

Key Points:

• 1834 Hotels to build eight new boutique villas at Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge

• Set to open for Summer 2025–2026

• Designed in partnership with Wabi Systems and Hospitality International