The last decade has seen Byron Bay bursting at the seams with new restaurants, wellness centres and, of course, hotels. In the last 12 months, the NSW coastal town has seen the opening of its first five-star hotel, complete with a rooftop pool, a boutique hotel set on 22 hectares of the hinterland, and a spin-off of easily the most well-known hotel in Byron currently, Raes.
Ahead, we’re sharing details of the new hotels that opened at the end of 2023 and are set to open this year. Let one of these properties be your reason for booking a trip to Byron in 2024. As if the warm weather, laidback locals and array of healthy eating spots weren’t enough to sway you to go, of course.
Hotel Marvel
Byron Bay welcomed its first-ever five-star hotel in the form of Hotel Marvell, which opened in August 2023. The hotel features 24 rooms, a rooftop pool and bar, and a restaurant called Bonito.
The property was designed by renowned architect Harley Graham of Harley Graham Architects, and, according to its co-owner Scott Emery, captures the essence of Byron’s eclectic yet warm atmosphere.
It blends natural materials, like concrete and wood, with luxurious décor, including linen bedding and Japandi-style furniture, finishing the décor off with touches of greenery. A key feature of its design is a pedestrian laneway that gives the feel of walking through a tropical jungle.
The Bonobo
Set to open late 2024, The Bonobo is by the same owners as Raes, the aforementioned iconic hotel and restaurant in Byron. It was created in collaboration with the development group Podia, as well as the award-winning architects of Brisbane’s The Calile Hotel, Richards and Spence.
It’ll house 41 apartments, which can be booked for short or long stays, ranging from two bedrooms to four, plus will have a ground-floor lobby bar, another dining concept, retail spaces for local brands and a wellness venue. A rooftop pool and deck will be available for guests to use.
Sun Ranch
Opened in September 2023, Sun Ranch is a boutique hotel styled like a Californian ranch from the ‘70s with touches of Spanish influences. It’s set on 22 hectares of Byron hinterland, including 350m of creek frontage, and is a 15-minute drive from Byron and two minutes’ drive from the village of Bangalow.
The ranch was created by a team of 13 friends from creative and hospitality industries, including Jamie Blakey, former Creative Director and founder of One Teaspoon. It comprises five rooms in a guest house called The Rambler Longhouse, as well as six two-bedroom barns, Sun Ranch Barns. The group drew inspiration from its combined global travel experiences, aiming to create what they call a “hotel of good times”.
Basq Hotel
For a quiet Byron stay, opt for boutique property Basq House, which aims to be a calming oasis outside the buzz of Byron. Set to open this autumn, the 32-room hotel feels like a house with natural furnishings, light-filled spaces and an indoor-outdoor aesthetic.
Its reception area doubles as a bar, while a speakeasy-style lounge room flows through to the outdoors where you’ll find a pool lined with cabanas. The hotel also has a library, landscaped greenery and rooftop where one can meditate, do yoga, or book a personal training session.
The Swell Hotel
Adults-only hotel The Swell opened in Byron in November 2023. It’s Californian-inspired, with 16 suites, a marble-tiled pool with a bar, and an infrared sauna. The owners are a couple, Andrew Maltin and DayNa Decker, who spent much of their lives travelling but are now settled in Byron. Working alongside local designer Nyree Mackenzie, they designed the hotel to encapsulate some of their favourite overseas memories.
Related: Enter Your Yee-Haw Era at Byron’s New Ranch Stay
Related: 4 Culture-Soaked Walks in Byron’s Hinterland, Picked By a Proud Bundjalung Woman
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