The Best Places to Stay in Byron Bay, Australia

With just two penthouses and five suites, Raes on Wategos is the place to book if you’re searching for secluded luxury. Overlooking Wategos Beach on the Cape Byron Headland, it’s far from the main town, surrounded by wilderness. The hotel itself is far from wild, though. Rooms come with four-poster beds, while Raes Spa features a Moroccan bathhouse. The dining room serves gourmet Aussie food with a Mediterranean touch, and there’s even an artist in residence at this plush spot.

Book early to stay in this spacious home – the Cactus Rose Villa is one of a kind in Byron Bay. Located above a designer shop – Spell & the Gypsy Collective, right in the centre of Byron Bay – this converted one-bedroom attic is far more spacious than you might imagine and even features a palm-lined outdoor area with yoga mats. Guests have access to the adjacent swimming pool and are invited to get around town using the vintage bicycles at the villa.

The Lord Byron caters to a laid-back travel crowd, with everything about the hotel geared towards making your stay in Byron Bay as easy as possible. Every guest is provided with a complimentary late checkout, so you can make the most of your time on the beach, while the hotel swimming pool has a poolside bar offering cocktail and cold beer delivery to your sun lounger. Book into a deluxe queen room or bring along friends or family and stay in one of the swish two-bedroom apartments.

If you’re a barefoot luxury traveller, Elements of Byron is the spa hotel you need in your travel life. This luxury hotel features beachside villas spread across acres of secluded tropical coastline. Start the day with a treatment at the Osprey Spa and end it at the adults-only Summer Salt Bar for swim-up cocktails. Then there’s the Lagoon Pool, where drinks are delivered straight to your lounger.

One for the romantics, Abelia House is the old fashioned Byron Bay getaway that couples will love. This homely guesthouse is just a 10-minute drive from Byron Bay and the main beaches, but with a location among 40ha (100 acres) of secluded forest, it’s a world away from the bistros and bars of the town. Take a stroll through the trees then sit back on the veranda and watch the kangaroos bounce past as the sun sets.

Byron Bay is classic backpacker territory and you can expect your cash to go a long way in this part of New South Wales if you check into a budget hostel. One of the best hostels in Byron Bay is Aquarius Backpackers Resort, where travellers are just 150m (492ft) from the main beach. That said, you may not find the time to leave the outdoor swimming pool, bar and grill area. If you’re in Byron Bay to socialise, Aquarius Backpackers Resort is the place to be.

The Bower Byron Bay is where classy boutique accommodation meets laid-back beach vibes. The suites may feature four-poster beds and sleek decor, but no one is going to complain about you walking around the hotel in flip-flops. Groups can book out the Bower Cottage, a five-bedroom, 100-year-old spot that’s been renovated to exude effortless elegance.

Right on the sands of Main Beach, these luxury oceanfront studios have timber decking, gas barbecues and private plunge pools. Garden suites are surrounded by trees, providing guests with that added level of seclusion while sticking with the tropical vibe of northern New South Wales. If it’s privacy you desire, book a top-floor penthouse suite with a private veranda, swimming pool and unbeatable views across the Pacific Ocean.