The Lodge Wadjemup Review: A Luxurious Stay at Rottnest Island’s Latest Opening

Rottnest Island has never been short on charm — quokkas that smile for selfies, beaches so turquoise they look Photoshopped, and that distinct feeling of having stepped away from real life the moment your ferry pulls into Thomson Bay. But for years, the island’s accommodation options sat somewhere between basic and functional, perfect for backpackers and families who didn’t mind a bit of wear and tear, but not exactly the stuff of design blogs or weekend escape fantasies.

That changed in December 2024 when The Lodge Wadjemup opened its doors following a $40 million redevelopment — and this Lodge Wadjemup review will tell you everything you need to know about whether it lives up to the hype. Suddenly, Rottnest had something genuinely new: a property with heated pools, lake views over pink salt flats, a Mediterranean restaurant with an actual wine list, and interiors styled in those muted coastal tones that make you want to immediately update your own bedroom. TIME Magazine named it one of the World’s Greatest Places for 2025, and within weeks of opening, the property was drawing a different crowd to the island —one looking for something beyond the usual budget bunks.

We spent three nights at The Lodge Wadjemup in February 2026, right after the summer school holidays when the island quiets down but the weather still delivers those long, warm evenings perfect for sunset drinks overlooking the pink lakes. We upgraded from a Lake Room to a Poolhouse Lake View King, ate our way through the Sunsets restaurant menu, tested the pools, and explored how this new property fits into the broader Rottnest accommodation landscape. This review of The Lodge Wadjemup covers everything we experienced, from arrival to checkout, with all the specific details you’ll actually want to know before you book.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you book through them – at no extra cost to you.

About The Hotel

The Lodge Wadjemup opened in December 2024 following a $40 million redevelopment that fundamentally transformed what was previously known as Karma Rottnest (and before that, Rottnest Lodge). The project was developed by a group of WA families and is operated by Social Grounds Hospitality, the team behind Perth venues like Il Lido Cottesloe and The Mantle Bar. It’s a significant shift in ambition for Rottnest accommodation — not just a refresh of an old property, but a deliberate repositioning toward something more considered, more design-led, and more premium than the island has historically offered.

The redevelopment unfolded in two stages. Stage One, completed in December 2024, delivered 63 refurbished rooms across the heritage Courtyard and Lakeside buildings, alongside the Sunsets restaurant and The Gathering Ground, a cultural space acknowledging the island’s Noongar heritage. Stage Two followed in July 2025 with the completion of the 46 new-build Poolhouse rooms and the pool area — the most visually striking and contemporary part of the property.

The Lodge Wadjemup represents a $40 million transformation of the island’s accommodation landscape — the most ambitious hotel project Rottnest has seen in decades.

The property sits on land with deep and difficult history. Parts of the complex occupy buildings that date back 143 years, originally constructed as a reformatory and later used as a prison. Between 1838 and 1931, Rottnest Island — known as Wadjemup in the Noongar language — was used to incarcerate over 3,600 Aboriginal men and boys, primarily from across Western Australia. The acknowledgment of this history is woven into the property through The Gathering Ground and the use of the name Wadjemup itself, which translates to “place across the water where the spirits are.”

The design across the property leans into soft coastal tones — muted blues, sandy neutrals, natural cork flooring — with Mediterranean influences particularly evident in Sunsets restaurant. The aesthetic is clean and contemporary in the Poolhouse wing, more heritage-conscious in the Courtyard buildings, and somewhere in between for the Lakeside rooms. It’s not trying to be overly grand or resort-like; the feel is more boutique hotel meets island retreat, which suits Rottnest’s relaxed character well.

With 109 rooms total, The Lodge is now one of the larger accommodation providers on Rottnest, and certainly the most modern. TIME Magazine named it one of the World’s Greatest Places for 2025, which speaks to the buzz the opening generated — though as with any new property, the reality is in the details of how well it delivers on that promise day to day.

Location

The Lodge Wadjemup sits in the heart of Thomson Bay Settlement, the main hub of activity on Rottnest Island. This is the area where the ferries dock, where most of the island’s handful of shops and cafés cluster, and where visitors naturally gravitate when they first arrive. For a hotel, it’s about as central as you can get on Rottnest — you’re a 5-10 minute walk from the main jetty, surrounded by the island’s limited infrastructure, and well-positioned to access everything without needing transport for every errand.

The property backs onto Garden Lake, one of Rottnest’s distinctive pink salt lakes. The Poolhouse rooms and Sunsets restaurant take full advantage of this outlook, with views stretching across the salt flats toward the western side of the island — particularly striking at sunset when the light turns the landscape into something almost surreal. The settlement side of the property feels more pedestrian by comparison, with the bakery, museum and general island activity just beyond the entrance, but that dual aspect — lake-facing tranquility and settlement-facing convenience — is part of what makes the location work.

The Lodge sits between two worlds: the tranquil pink salt lakes on one side and the bustling Thomson Bay Settlement on the other.

Rottnest Island is small enough that nowhere feels particularly far from anywhere else, but distances still matter when you’re getting around by bike. The closest beaches — Thomson Bay itself and Pinky Beach — are both within easy cycling distance, a few minutes at most. The Basin, one of the island’s most popular swimming spots, is around 1 kilometer east. The western end of the island, where you’ll find the lighthouse and some of the more dramatic coastal scenery, sits roughly 8-10 kilometers away depending on your route — manageable on a bike, though you’ll want to pace yourself in summer heat.

In terms of neighbouring accommodation, Hotel Rottnest sits across the bay and operates at a similar level to The Lodge in terms of dining and overall positioning. Samphire Rottnest, another relatively recent addition to the island’s accommodation landscape, offers a more upscale boutique hotel experience a short distance away. Beyond that, the island’s options skew toward budget-conscious hostels, older holiday units, and campgrounds — which is exactly why The Lodge’s arrival felt significant. It filled a gap in the market that had existed for years.

Getting to the Hotel

Rottnest Island sits 19 kilometres off the coast of Fremantle, which means getting to The Lodge Wadjemup requires a ferry crossing—there’s no airport on the island and no bridge. You have three departure points to choose from (Perth, Fremantle, or Hillarys) and three ferry operators (Rottnest Express, SeaLink, and Rottnest Fast Ferries), each with slightly different schedules and pricing.

We took Rottnest Express from B-Shed in Fremantle, which is conveniently located right next to Fremantle train station. If you’re coming from Perth without a car, this is easily the most accessible option—just take the train to Fremantle and walk straight to the ferry terminal. Return tickets cost us around $80 per person, which felt reasonable compared to the Perth departure point (around $129+ return for the longer 90-minute crossing).

We boarded the 11:30am departure and arrived at Thomson Bay on Rottnest around noon. The crossing takes roughly 25–30 minutes depending on sea conditions, and on our summer February day, the water was calm enough that we spent most of the journey up on the outdoor deck watching Fremantle fade into the distance. If you’re prone to seasickness, sit toward the middle of the vessel and keep your eyes on the horizon—though we found the Fremantle route far less choppy than we’d expected.

Once you dock at Thomson Bay, The Lodge Wadjemup is refreshingly close. We walked from the jetty with our small carry-on suitcases, and the journey took between five and ten minutes along a paved route through the main settlement. You’ll pass the iconic Rottnest Bakery and the museum before spotting The Lodge just behind them in the central part of the settlement. The signage is clear, the path is flat and easy even with luggage, and we didn’t need to arrange any special transfers or hire bikes for this short stretch. If you’re arriving with heavy bags or mobility concerns, you can arrange a golf cart transfer through the hotel, but for most travellers, the walk is genuinely manageable.

The walk from Thomson Bay jetty to The Lodge Wadjemup takes 5–10 minutes through the settlement—close enough that you don’t need a transfer.

Arrival, First Impressions & Check-In

After the short walk from Thomson Bay jetty through the settlement, The Lodge Wadjemup announces itself quietly rather than with any grand entrance moment. We arrived from the settlement side — past the bakery and museum — which brings you in through the rear of the property near Sunsets restaurant. It’s worth knowing this before you arrive so you’re not second-guessing yourself wondering if you’ve found the right place.

Reception is a compact, functional space tucked alongside Sunsets restaurant—adjacent enough that the two feel connected, but separated enough that check-in doesn’t feel like you’re standing in the middle of a dining room. It’s not a grand hotel lobby by any stretch, but it suits the relaxed island setting well and doesn’t feel lacking for it.

The Lodge Wadjemup keeps check-in refreshingly simple — a staffed desk, two self-check-in iPads, and no unnecessary fuss.

For those who prefer to skip the desk entirely, two dedicated iPads in the lobby offer a self check-in option—a nice touch that keeps things moving if there’s a wait or if you simply prefer to handle it yourself. We checked in the traditional way, and our staff member was genuinely welcoming and friendly rather than just professionally pleasant. They walked us through breakfast arrangements, pool access, and took a moment to ask what we had planned on the island during our stay—the kind of check-in conversation that actually feels useful rather than scripted.

Impressively, our room was ready right on arrival at around midday, well ahead of a standard 3:00pm check-in time. For anyone catching that 11:30am ferry from Fremantle as we did, it’s worth knowing your room may well be ready when you land — though we wouldn’t count on it as a guarantee.

Our initial room was a Lake Room in one of the refurbished heritage buildings—and while it was perfectly comfortable, we didn’t immediately fall in love with it. The view was partially obscured by rooftops and trees, with only glimpses of the lake peeking through, and the older bones of the building were evident despite the renovation. We headed back to reception and asked about upgrading, and the staff handled it without any hesitation. As luck had it, a Poolhouse Lake View King room was available, and we moved across immediately. It turned out to be one of the better decisions of the trip.

The Rooms

The Lodge Wadjemup has three distinct room categories, and understanding the differences between them is probably the single most useful thing you can know before you book. They’re not just different price points—they’re genuinely different experiences in terms of age, size, style and what’s outside your window.

Courtyard Rooms

The Courtyard Rooms occupy the original heritage buildings from the old lodge—143-year-old structures that have been refurbished but remain heritage listed. That listing comes with one significant catch: no air conditioning. In a Western Australian summer, where February temperatures regularly climb into the high twenties and beyond, this would have been a dealbreaker for us. If you’re visiting in the cooler months and love the charm of sleeping in a historic building, these rooms have their appeal. In summer, we’d steer well clear.

Lakeside Rooms

The Lakeside Rooms are renovated rather than new-build, sitting in refurbished buildings with a more generous footprint at around 36m² — the largest of the three categories. Here’s where it gets a little confusing: despite the name, not all Lakeside Rooms actually have a lake view. The name refers to their proximity to the lake rather than a guaranteed outlook, and depending on which room you’re allocated, your view may be partially or fully obscured by rooftops and trees. This is exactly the situation we found ourselves in on arrival — a perfectly decent room, but not what we’d pictured when we’d booked with the lake in mind.

Not all Lakeside Rooms have lake views — the name refers to their location, not a guaranteed outlook. Check carefully when booking.

Poolhouse Rooms

The Poolhouse Rooms are the newest addition to the property, completed in July 2025 as part of Stage Two. Unlike the other two categories, these are a completely new construction rather than a renovation — and it shows. They’re smaller at around 26m² for standard rooms (larger for premium configurations), but the design is crisp, modern and feels entirely intentional rather than compromised. These are the rooms we’d book again without hesitation.

Our Room: Poolhouse Lake View King (Room 903)

After our brief stay in the Lakeside Room, we upgraded to a Poolhouse Lake View King on the second floor — Room 903 — at an additional cost of around $100 per night. Within minutes of walking in, we knew it was worth every cent of it.

The king bed is exceptional — genuinely one of those beds you sink into and immediately start calculating whether you can justify a nap at noon. The linens are soft and luxurious, the kind of quality that quietly communicates that someone has thought about the details. Opposite the bed, a large flatscreen smart TV sits above a minibar setup that includes a fridge, Nespresso machine and a proper coffee bar — everything you need for a slow morning without having to leave the room. A small corner closet handles hanging clothes adequately, though if you’ve overpacked (no judgement), you may find yourself being selective.

The king bed in the Poolhouse rooms is genuinely exceptional — one of those beds you sink into and immediately start planning your morning around.

The bathroom is compact but elegantly executed. Gold tapware pairs with deep teal blue tiling in a way that feels considered rather than trendy, and the walk-in shower is well-sized even if the overall bathroom footprint is modest. There’s a toilet and small vanity — it all functions perfectly well, and the finishes are lovely. We never felt cramped, though anyone expecting a soaking tub or double vanity will need to look at the premium room configurations.

The room is well stocked beyond the basics. An in-room safe and iron and ironing board are included, and the kitchen setup is surprisingly generous — plenty of wine glasses, coffee cups, plates, cutlery and glassware, particularly useful if you’re making use of the click-and-collect food service from Sunsets. One genuinely standout feature is the water station in each room: an on-tap chilled and filtered still water dispenser, plus sparkling water on tap. It sounds like a small thing until you’ve stayed somewhere without it in 30-degree heat — and the sparkling water option in particular is something we haven’t encountered before in a hotel room. A lovely touch.

Each room also includes a tablet that serves as the room’s information hub, phone and ordering system all in one. Through it you can browse hotel information, request housekeeping items, place food orders directly to the room, or call reception and other rooms. We used it to place a click-and-collect order from Sunsets, and reception called us back through the iPad once it was ready — a seamless little interaction that felt genuinely modern without being gimmicky.

The air conditioning worked well through the summer heat, which in a February Rottnest stay is non-negotiable. One minor frustration worth noting: while you can adjust the temperature freely, certain functions — switching between heating and cooling modes — appear to be centrally controlled rather than available to guests. On cooler mornings when we wanted to take the chill off the room, that restriction was a small but noticeable annoyance.

Soundproofing is a mixed outcome. The walls did an excellent job — we never heard a thing from the rooms on either side of us, which given the proximity of other guests is genuinely impressive. The door, however, is less successful. We could hear kids playing at the pool below, guests walking down the hallway, and conversations passing by our room. None of it was intrusive enough to disrupt sleep, but light sleepers or anyone sensitive to hallway noise might want to pack earplugs just in case.

What elevated our Room 903 above everything else is the balcony. Stepping outside, the view opens up across Garden Lake and the pink salt flats of Rottnest — a vast, quietly surreal landscape that shifts colour as the day progresses. We woke up to it each morning and watched the sun drop behind it each evening, and it never got old. That view alone justified the upgrade, and we’d make the same call every time.

The balcony view across Garden Lake and the pink salt flats is the kind of outlook that makes you forget whatever you were worried about before you arrived.

A note on the Poolhouse rooms and the pool itself: despite being marketed as heated, the pool was not heated during our February stay. We overheard multiple other guests making the same observation — more on this in the Pools section.

Our Recommendation on Rooms

If we were booking again, we’d go straight for a Poolhouse Lake View room. That said, if the Lake View configuration stretches the budget too far, we’d still choose any room in the Poolhouse building over the other categories — the new construction, modern finishes and overall feel of that wing make it worth prioritising. The Lakeside Rooms are comfortable and spacious, and plenty of guests will be more than happy in them — but if you’re booking one specifically for the view, call ahead and confirm exactly what you’ll be looking at. The Courtyard Rooms have genuine heritage character and work well outside of summer, but the lack of air conditioning makes them a hard sell for a February visit.

Amenities

The Lodge Wadjemup keeps its amenities focused on what matters most for an island stay: the pools, dining, and communal spaces. There’s no gym on property, which may disappoint some guests but feels in keeping with the relaxed island pace. Near reception, there’s a seating area with couches and some games that serves as a low-key communal space, particularly for guests in the Courtyard rooms. It’s functional rather than impressive, but it provides somewhere to gather that isn’t your room or the restaurant.

The Pools

The pool area opened in July 2025 alongside the Poolhouse rooms, and it sits at the heart of that new wing — a sunken space enclosed by the buildings on either side, with a striking limestone rock wall at the far end and a Hollywood-style “The Lodge” sign perched above it. It’s a well-conceived design that gives the area its own distinct character, even if the views are of the surrounding rooms rather than the lake.

There are two pools: a 12-metre adult pool and a 5-metre children’s pool sitting alongside it. Twenty-four sun loungers are arranged around the space, each pair sharing an umbrella for shade when the sun gets serious — and in February, it does. The pool receives sun throughout the day as it moves across the sky, meaning there’s really no bad spot for a tan at any hour. For those who prefer a bit of shelter, several sitting lounges and chairs cluster near the bar area at one end, also fitted with umbrellas. It’s a comfortable, well-equipped setup.

The pool area has a Hollywood-esque “The Lodge” sign floating above a limestone wall — it sounds a little much on paper, but it works.

Soft music plays through speakers during the day, the pace is unhurried, and pool towels are provided via lockers next to the drinks station — with the nice touch of rolled towels distributed across the sunbeds first thing each morning. The pool is open from 7am until sunset, which on a long summer February evening gives you a generous window.

Drinks and food are handled through a small poolside bar serving basic beverages, with a broader menu available by scanning QR codes linked to Sunsets restaurant. It’s a convenient system that means you rarely need to leave your lounger if you don’t want to.

There is, however, one issue worth flagging clearly: the temperature. The Lodge Wadjemup markets its pools as heated to 28°C, but during our February stay the water was noticeably cold — not refreshing-on-a-hot-day cool, but genuinely chilly. We weren’t alone in noticing it; we overheard several other guests remarking on the same thing throughout our stay. Our best guess is that heating may only be applied during the cooler winter months when it’s most needed, and switched off in summer on the assumption that the weather does the job. In February, it doesn’t quite. It’s a minor frustration rather than a dealbreaker, but worth knowing if a warm pool is important to you.

The pools are marketed as heated to 28°C — but in February, the water was noticeably cold. Factor that in if a warm swim is part of your plan.

Twenty-four loungers sounds like a reasonable number until you consider that The Lodge has 109 rooms. During our quieter post-school-holiday visit they were never completely full, but in peak season we’d expect competition. Getting down early — or taking advantage of those pre-rolled towels at 7am — would be the move.

Activities

The Lodge Wadjemup doesn’t operate its own activities program, but that’s not really the point of staying on Rottnest — the island itself is the activity. From your base at The Lodge, you’re well-positioned to access everything the island offers: snorkeling in crystal-clear bays, cycling the coastal loop to chase down quokka photo opportunities, beach hopping between turquoise swimming spots, playing a round at the island’s golf course, tackling mini golf, or hopping on the island bus if you’d rather skip the pedaling.

The hotel can point you toward bike hire at Pedal & Flipper and other activity providers, but most of what you’ll want to do is self-directed exploration. For a comprehensive breakdown of what to do on Rottnest Island — where to snorkel, which beaches to prioritize, the best cycling routes, and everything in between — check out our ultimate guide to Rottnest Island. It covers the island in far more detail than we can here, and it’s genuinely useful for planning your days beyond the hotel.

Dining

The Lodge Wadjemup has two dining options on property: Sunsets Bar & Dining, the main restaurant serving breakfast through to dinner, and the Pelican Kiosk, a compact café and snack bar open during the day. Between the two, most meals are well covered — though as with all dining on Rottnest, the island’s isolation means prices sit noticeably higher than equivalent mainland options.

Sunsets Bar & Dining

Sunsets is the heart of the property’s dining offering, located alongside reception with a terrace that looks out over Garden Lake. The menu is Mediterranean in inspiration — share plates, pastas, fresh seafood and grilled meats — and the setting genuinely earns the name, particularly in the evenings when the light across the salt flats turns golden. We ate breakfast on the lake-facing patio on several mornings, and it was as tranquil a way to start the day as you could ask for, seagulls notwithstanding. They are persistent, opportunistic, and entirely without shame — leave anything unattended and you’ll find out quickly.

Breakfast on the lake-facing patio at Sunsets is one of the quieter pleasures of staying at The Lodge — just watch your plate when the seagulls are circling.

Breakfast

Breakfast runs from 7am to 10am daily and is open to everyone — hotel guests and day-trippers alike. The spread is a buffet and a fairly generous one: scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes and hash browns on the hot side, alongside cold cuts of salami, ham and mortadella, a cheese selection including brie and blue, cornichons, pickled onions, smoked salmon, fresh tomatoes and cucumber. Freshly sliced sourdough and seeded bread sit next to dual toasters, with spreads like Nutella and peanut butter available, plus pre-cooked waffles, fresh fruit, overnight oats and Greek yoghurt. Juices — orange and pineapple — and a Nespresso machine round things out.

The buffet covers most bases well, but we did notice one gap: there are no made-to-order egg options. No fried eggs, no poached eggs — just the communal scrambled. For a property at this price point, that felt like a small but notable omission. If you’re someone who plans their morning around a perfectly poached egg, you’ll want to know that in advance.

The other slight disappointment was the frozen yoghurt situation. The Lodge advertises a ‘signature’ frozen yoghurt as part of the breakfast offering, which we were genuinely looking forward to. What arrived in its place was a standard vanilla soft serve machine. Not terrible by any means, but not what was promised — and for a detail-conscious property, it’s the kind of inconsistency between marketing and reality that stands out.

The breakfast buffet is solid and well-stocked, but there are no made-to-order egg options offered to us — a small but noticable gap for a hotel at this price point.

Coffee at breakfast is self-serve via a Nespresso pod machine, which is perfectly adequate for a morning caffeine fix. Barista-made coffee is available at an additional charge — we didn’t bother with the upgrade at breakfast, preferring to head to the Pelican Kiosk when we wanted something properly made.

Lunch & Dinner

Sunsets runs the same all-day menu from lunch through to dinner, which works well for the relaxed island pace. The menu leans into fresh local produce and WA seafood — Albany rock oysters, Abrolhos scallops, Rottnest swordfish — alongside more casual options like a cheeseburger, beer-battered WA Emperor fish and chips, and a handful of pastas. Larger mains like the lamb rack ($49), O’Connor scotch ($58) and the Rottnest swordfish ($55) sit at the premium end, while share plates and small dishes offer a more flexible way to eat.

We ordered the fish and chips, which were excellent — fresh, well-cooked, exactly what you want on an island in summer. The pesto pasta (Bucatini with sage and walnut pesto at $35) was fine in flavour but the portion was noticeably small for the price. It’s the kind of dish that makes you question whether to order another small plate to compensate.

In terms of atmosphere, Sunsets is enjoyable without being exceptional — think elevated pub dining rather than destination restaurant. Hotel Rottnest across the bay operates at a similar level (though for a more upscale dining experience, Samphire Rottnest is worth considering), and honestly the comparison is apt. It’s a relaxed, pleasant place to eat with a decent wine list and a good selection of local WA drops, but it’s not the kind of dining experience you’d travel specifically for. Given that it’s the best option on the property and one of the better options on the island, it doesn’t need to be.

Sunsets is best described as elevated pub dining — relaxed, decent quality, and perfectly suited to the island setting without quite being a destination restaurant.

Prices are fair in context. Rottnest Island carries a premium on everything — the isolation and logistics of supplying the island means you pay more than you would on the mainland for a comparable meal. Knowing that going in makes the menu feel more reasonable than it might otherwise.

Pelican Kiosk

The Pelican Kiosk is a compact café, snack bar and ice cream counter open daily from 7:30am to 4:00pm (these were the hours during our February visit — check with the hotel outside of summer as hours may vary). It’s a casual, low-key operation but it earns its place on one count in particular: the coffee. We’d go as far as saying it serves the best coffee on Rottnest Island, and we made it a regular stop throughout our stay whenever we wanted something properly made rather than pod-produced. If you’re a coffee person, factor this into your mornings.

We didn’t try the food or ice cream from Pelican beyond the coffee, so we can’t speak to those — but as a quick pit stop for a quality flat white before heading out to explore the island, it more than delivers.

Service

Service at The Lodge Wadjemup is a mixed picture — genuinely good in some areas, and in need of attention in others. The honest version is that the highs are warm and competent, while the lows are consistent enough to suggest some gaps in standards rather than isolated bad days.

The strongest service we encountered was at reception. Check-in was handled with warmth and efficiency, and when we returned to ask about upgrading our room, the staff member dealt with it immediately and without any friction — no awkward back-and-forth, no reluctance, just a straightforward and helpful response that left us feeling like the request was entirely reasonable. It set a good tone for the stay, and in moments like that the team genuinely shines.

When we asked to upgrade our room, reception handled it immediately and without hesitation — exactly the kind of low-fuss service that makes a stay feel easy.

Dining service at Sunsets was mostly good across our meals. Nothing reached the level of memorable or exceptional, but the table service was attentive and friendly without being intrusive — a reasonable standard for a relaxed island restaurant setting.

Where things slip is in the details — and unfortunately, the details matter at a property charging $500 a night. Rooms are serviced daily, which is exactly what you’d expect. The hotel notes that housekeeping typically runs in the afternoons, but during our stay the room was refreshed in the mornings while we were out exploring, which actually worked out better for us. The timing was fine. The thoroughness, less so.

Our windows — facing the lake and catching the sunset each evening — were covered in water stains, the kind left by rain sitting on glass. Given that it hadn’t rained on Rottnest for some time during our February visit and the windows sit under the balcony above, these were clearly not new marks. They hadn’t been cleaned in a while, possibly not since the last significant rainfall. For a room where the view is a central part of what you’re paying for, arriving to streaky, stained windows was a disappointment that should simply not happen.

Our lake-view windows hadn’t been cleaned in some time — a small but telling detail at a property where the view is central to the experience.

The floors told a similar story. Walking barefoot around the hotel room — which in a warm island summer feels entirely natural — left our feet noticeably dirty, to the point where we found ourselves rinsing them off in the shower before bed. Whether the floors weren’t being mopped between guests, or simply weren’t being done daily, the result was the same: a cleanliness standard that didn’t match the property’s positioning.

The pool area reinforced this pattern. During our time on the loungers we noticed the pool attendant was largely disengaged — guests were clearing their own used glasses from tables while the attendant sat at the bar on her phone. Used towels accumulated rather than being collected. For a pool area that’s one of the property’s signature spaces, the lack of active service was noticeable, and again we weren’t alone in observing it.

At the pool, guests were clearing other guests’ emtpy glasses and towels while the attendant sat on her phone — not the standard you’d expect from a property at this price point.

To be clear, none of this is catastrophic, and the overall stay was a genuinely enjoyable one. But The Lodge Wadjemup is positioning itself as the premium accommodation option on Rottnest Island, and at that level the details matter. Dirty floors, unstaffed towel service and uncleaned windows are exactly the kind of things that separate a good hotel from a great one. They’re also exactly the kind of things that are straightforward to fix — which makes them all the more worth mentioning.

Value for Money

We booked The Lodge Wadjemup through their midweek escape package: three nights in a Poolhouse Lake View King room with breakfast included, at around $500 per night. The third night was complimentary as part of the deal, which brought the effective nightly rate down from what would otherwise have been closer to $750 per night for the same room outside of the promotion. Even at $500, it felt expensive. At $750, it’s firmly in the premium territory that requires everything to be near-flawless to justify — and as we’ve covered throughout this review, there are enough small gaps in execution to make that price point hard to swallow.

To put it in context: $500 per night on Rottnest Island buys you a genuinely lovely room with a beautiful lake view, quality bedding, modern finishes, and a solid breakfast buffet. It does not, however, buy you spotless windows, consistently clean floors, attentive pool service, or made-to-order eggs. For some travelers, those omissions won’t matter. For others — particularly those comparing this to mainland hotels at the same price — the value equation starts to feel less convincing.

At $500 AUD per night with breakfast, The Lodge felt expensive. At the standard $750 rate (and almost $850 on weekends), it would need to lift its service standards to begin to justify the price.

Part of the pricing reflects the island’s isolation — everything costs more on Rottnest, from accommodation to meals to a bottle of water. The Lodge is also riding the wave of being the newest, buzziest property on the island, and that novelty carries a premium. TIME Magazine’s endorsement and the general excitement around the opening have created demand, and the rates reflect that. Whether those rates hold once the initial buzz fades remains to be seen.

If budget is a consideration, the Courtyard and Lakeside rooms offer a more affordable alternative. They’re not as modern or visually striking as the Poolhouse rooms, and in summer the lack of air conditioning in the Courtyard category is a genuine limitation — but for travelers who prioritize spending less over having the latest design, they provide a workable option. We’d still recommend the Poolhouse over the others if you can stretch to it, but we understand not everyone will want to.

Would we return? We had a genuinely good time at The Lodge. The lake views from our Room 903 were exceptional, the bed was one of the most comfortable we’ve slept in, and the overall experience delivered enough to make the stay enjoyable. But at $500+ per night, we’d likely wait for rates to come down before booking again. The property has real potential — it just needs to tighten up the service and housekeeping details to match the premium positioning it’s aiming for. If those improvements happen and the rates soften slightly, we’d be back without hesitation.

We had a great stay, but at current pricing we’d probably wait for rates to drop before returning — the experience doesn’t quite match the premium price point yet.

Who Should Book This Hotel

The Lodge Wadjemup is best suited to couples looking for an elevated island getaway. If you’re after a few days away from the mainland with quality accommodation, lake views, decent dining and a pool to lounge by, this property delivers that experience well. The Poolhouse rooms in particular feel designed with couples in mind — intimate, modern, and focused on the view rather than sprawling family-friendly layouts.

Families do stay here, and we saw several during our visit. The property offers interconnecting rooms and some configurations with communal entrances, which makes it workable for groups or families traveling together who want to stay close. That said, if you’re traveling with kids and prioritize value and space over design and newness, properties like Discovery Rottnest or Stay Rottnest may suit you better. Those options lean more into the family-friendly, budget-conscious end of the market, with less emphasis on boutique finishes and more on practicality. The Lodge can accommodate families, but it’s not where it shines brightest.

The Lodge works best for couples seeking a luxurious island escape — families can stay here, but may find better value and space elsewhere on Rottnest.

Who might not enjoy it? Light sleepers sensitive to hallway noise should be aware of the soundproofing limitations through the doors. Anyone expecting resort-level service across the board will find gaps — particularly around housekeeping and pool attendance. And budget travelers will likely find the pricing hard to justify when cheaper options exist on the island that deliver perfectly adequate stays for significantly less.

From our perspective as a couple, The Lodge hit the mark. We wanted somewhere comfortable and modern with a beautiful view, and that’s exactly what we got. The service inconsistencies were frustrating but not trip-ruining, and the overall experience felt like a genuine step up from most of Rottnest’s accommodation landscape. If you’re a couple planning a few nights on the island and you value quality over cost, this property should be on your shortlist.

Best Time to Visit

Summer is the prime time to visit Rottnest Island — December through February delivers the warm weather, long days and beach conditions that the island is famous for. The water is warm enough for swimming without a wetsuit, the sunsets stretch late into the evening, and the overall vibe leans into that classic Western Australian summer energy. If you’re after guaranteed good weather and the full island experience, this is when to book.

The trade-off is crowds and pricing. The school holidays — particularly the Christmas and January break — see the island at its busiest, with ferries packed, beaches full, and accommodation rates at their peak. If you can swing it, late February through to March offers a sweet spot: the weather is still reliably warm and sunny, the school holidays are over, and room rates start to soften. We visited in mid-February and found it noticeably quieter than the peak January crush, while still enjoying beautiful conditions.

Late February and March offer the best of both worlds — warm weather and lower crowds as school holidays end and rates begin to drop.

Autumn, winter and spring (April through November) bring cooler temperatures and less predictable weather, but also the best deals. This is when The Lodge and other properties roll out packages like the midweek escape offer we took advantage of — third night free, breakfast included, and rates well below the summer peak. If you don’t mind packing a jacket and you’re flexible about beach days, these shoulder seasons can deliver excellent value. Just be prepared for wind, occasional rain, and water temperatures that will require a wetsuit for most people.

Winter on Rottnest (June to August) has its own appeal for those chasing solitude and dramatic coastal scenery, but it’s not a warm-weather beach escape. Expect temperatures in the mid-teens, strong winds, and a much quieter island. The Lodge’s lack of air conditioning in the Courtyard rooms becomes less of an issue, but you’ll want to confirm the pools are heated if that’s part of your plan — as we discovered in summer, heating isn’t guaranteed year-round.

Our pick for the ideal balance? Late February or March. You get the tail end of summer warmth, fewer crowds, better rates, and the island still feels like the sun-soaked escape you came for — without the peak-season chaos or pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Lodge Wadjemup

How do I get to The Lodge Wadjemup from Perth?

Take a ferry from either Fremantle (25-30 mins, ~$80 return), Perth (90 mins, ~$129+ return), or Hillarys (45 mins, ~$132 return). We recommend Rottnest Express from B-Shed Fremantle if you’re coming by train from Perth. Once you arrive at Thomson Bay jetty, The Lodge is a 5-10 minute walk through the settlement.

Check out our complete guide to Rottnest Island here for advice on ferries and everything else Rottnest-related.

Does The Lodge Wadjemup have a pool?

Yes, there are two pools — a 12m adult pool and 5m children’s pool. They’re marketed as heated to 28°C, but during our February visit the water was noticeably cold and definitely not heated. The pool area is open 7am to sunset with 24 sun loungers, umbrellas, and a small poolside bar with a seating area.

Are the rooms family-friendly?

The Lodge can accommodate families with interconnecting rooms and communal entrance configurations available. However, properties like Discovery Rottnest or Stay Rottnest may offer better value and more space for families. The Lodge is best suited to couples seeking a more upscale, design-conscious experience.

What’s included in the room rate?

Standard room rates include daily housekeeping, in-room amenities (water station with still and sparkling water, Nespresso machine, minibar, tablet), pool access, and WiFi. Breakfast is included in some packages (like the midweek escape) but not in the standard rate. Barista-made coffee costs extra.

How far is The Lodge Wadjemup from the beach?

Thomson Bay beach is a 5-10 minute walk from the hotel. Pinky Beach is within easy cycling distance (a few minutes), and The Basin is approximately 1km east. The western beaches and lighthouse are 8-10km away by bike.

Can I see quokkas at The Lodge Wadjemup?

While quokkas roam freely across Rottnest Island, you’re most likely to spot them around the settlement area, beaches, and cycling paths – and that includes the hotel itself. The island is famous for its quokka population, so you’ll definitely encounter them during your stay. They are nocturnal creatures and tend to be more active in the early mornings and evenings.

Is The Lodge Wadjemup good for couples or families?

Best for couples. The Poolhouse rooms are designed with couples in mind — intimate, modern, lake views. Families can stay here with interconnecting rooms available, but may find better value and space at more family-focused properties on the island.

What’s the difference between Courtyard, Lake, and Poolhouse rooms?

Courtyard: 143-year-old heritage buildings, refurbished, NO air conditioning — not suitable for summer. Lake: Renovated rooms, largest at 36m², but NOT all have lake views despite the name. Poolhouse: Newest rooms (July 2025), smallest at 26m², fully modern with air conditioning. We strongly recommend the Poolhouse rooms.

Do I need to book Sunsets restaurant in advance?

Not required for breakfast (7am-10am buffet, open to all). For lunch and dinner during peak season (December-January school holidays), booking ahead is recommended. During our quieter February visit, we didn’t need reservations. You can order food to your room via the in-room tablet.

What’s the cancellation policy at The Lodge Wadjemup?

Cancellation policies vary depending on your rate and booking platform. Check directly with The Lodge or your booking site (Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia) for specific terms. Package deals like the midweek escape may have different cancellation conditions than standard rates.

Are there interconnecting rooms available?

Yes, The Lodge offers interconnecting rooms and some configurations with communal entrances, particularly useful for families or groups traveling together who want to stay close while maintaining separate sleeping spaces.

Is The Lodge Wadjemup accessible for guests with mobility requirements?

The property includes accessible Poolhouse room configurations. The walk from Thomson Bay jetty is paved and flat, and golf cart transfers can be arranged for those with heavy luggage or mobility concerns. Contact the hotel directly to confirm specific accessibility requirements.

Looking for more hotel reviews? Check out our other hotel reviews to find the perfect place for your next trip.

Have you stayed at The Lodge Wadjemup or are you planning a Rottnest Island trip? Drop your questions in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!