Local Guide: New Byron Bay Stays

Byron Bay holidays loom large in the Australian collective imagination, inspiring dreams of waking up in white linens to the sound of waves and walking barefoot along beaches bordered by rainforest. Home to two Assembly Label stores — one in the heart of town, one in Bangalow — Byron Bay has become one of the most desirable destinations in Australia. There’s no shortage of design-led accommodation and in recent months a handful of new boutique hotels have joined the neighbourhood. Here we share the new hotels to book for your next Byron stay.

The Swell

The Swell is a boutique stay inspired by the motorside motels of holidays past and designed for the age of self care and social media. A retro oasis in the middle of town, The Swell has been decked out in sunset tones, rich textures and an eclectic mix of contemporary and vintage furnishings that recalls the photography of Slim Aarons. The ozone pool is bordered by a bar where you can borrow a book and order a health elixir alongside a cocktail or spritz, and there’s an infrared sauna and ice bath for guests to unwind in at the end of the day.

The Sunseeker

When The Sunseeker opened in 2021 it immediately caught our attention. The 1980s motel had been reimagined as a Hollywood comes to Byron holiday experience complete with iconic vintage furniture, art in every room, a library, pool and fire pit. Now, the owners have unveiled their latest accommodation — a private three-bedroom retreat named The Residence. Set within The Sunseeker’s tropical grounds, The Residence caters to family and friends and features two bathrooms with luxe amenities, a fully equipped kitchen, laundry, barbecue and an outdoor barrel sauna. Stay a few days and you’d be forgiven for wanting to move in full-time.

Hotel Marvell

Experience a new, luxurious side of Byron at Hotel Marvell, the first five-star hotel in town. Hotel Marvell opened its doors in August 2023 and is situated a few sandy footsteps from Main Beach, but no one’s judging if you never leave the building — and why would you when you’ve got a private rooftop pool and bar with best-seat-in-the-house views. The tropical brutalist architecture and beautifully furnished suites take inspiration from the eclecticism, colour and relaxed warmth of “old Byron”, while the hotel’s seafood-driven restaurant, locally sourced products and personalised hospitality cater to those seeking modern comforts and flavours.

The Bonobo By Raes

The secret’s out — iconic Byron Bay hotel, Raes on Wategos, is opening a new luxury apartment hotel, The Bonobo by Raes. Designed by award-winning architects Richards & Spence, the hotel encapsulates Byron’s relaxed coastal lifestyle with 41 unique hotel-style apartments managed exclusively by Raes, and the precinct will also be home to a reimagined restaurant concept, lobby bar, rooftop pool and a wellness centre, along with high-end retail spaces on the ground floor. Construction for The Bonobo by Raes is well underway in Byron’s town centre with the project scheduled to be completed in late 2024.