The Best Hotels and Places to Stay You Can Book in Ballina, New South Wales

If your luggage includes running shoes, sweatbands and a yoga mat, then you’ll have no trouble keeping your exercise routine intact at Lennox Beach Resort. From the half-size tennis court to the heated lap pool, you won’t need to leave the grounds to get in a good workout. Seven Mile Beach may be a two-minute walk away, but you’ll merely consider it a warm-up stretch before you run the length of the Lennox Head Boardwalk.

For one of the century-old hotels in Ballina, Ballina Manor certainly has aged well. The blend of period antiques like the writing desks and other furnishings preserve old-world charm – while there’s no denying that dreamy spa baths add that extra touch of modern luxury every holiday could use. An evening of refinement awaits all guests and fans of the arts at the Ballina Players Theatre and Ballina Concert Band, just one block away.

We could give you 100 reasons to stay at 99 Acres Retreat, but we only need one to convince you that this Bangalow bungalow is amazing: the Guesthouse. Rent this five-room beauty out and you’ll have the run of the place. The pool, the kitchen and the glorious fire pit – all yours to indulge in. Each individual room can be rented, mind you, but if you want a peaceful stay without much interruption, the only thing you’ll need to share in your self-contained private villa is the view from atop the ridges.

If days spent strolling the farmers market and reading on the beach are your ideal vacation, then Ballina Palms has a room key for you. A warm brick accent wall set beside a cosy four-poster bed makes for a lovely reading space on a rainy day – but when the sun is shining, Gawandii Beach will call to you from across the Missingham Bridge. Scoop up a piece of fruit from the farmers market in Commemoration Park and you’ll have everything you need to enjoy the day.

Those old-school places to stay in Ballina are a rare find – thankfully, Leisure Lee Holiday apartments has kept its charm by doing the Twist since the ’60s. The vibe has been refined a bit with inclusions like a DVD player and a flatscreen TV, though the prices are going to hit your wallet as hard as the 21st century has. You can pony on down to North Creek Beach in moments, where you’ll discover that the sunset is still painting the same remarkable picture as it has since the Beehive was popular.

Fancy living in Ballina? Richmond Motor Inn lets you pretend you’re a local in their hip apartment. The brick walls and hardwood floors lend that home-sweet-home vibe to your stay – welcoming you to plop down on the couch and lose hours binging that sitcom you’ve seen 100,000 times. Is the couch potato life leaving you a bit famished? Your kitchen is five to six paces away, and Ballina’s coffee, cocktails and cuisine are only a few more strides out the door.

Ballina Islander Resort and Conference Centre is one of the best hotels in Ballina for business travellers – so, make sure you make them jealous with your mid-day, daiquiri-induced naps by the lagoon pool. Tip your glass to them at the Bambino Bar while they sip on something way too sober for your liking, then hop on a complimentary bike and watch them wave goodbye solemnly as you pedal to the beach.

Places to stay in Ballina don’t get much more tranquil than Ballina Beach Resort’s three acres (1.2ha) of tropical gardens. All queen rooms have a lush garden view, waking you up with such beauty that you’ll forget Lighthouse Beach is right across the road. No pressure to lounge on the sand if you prefer the pool – it’s one of the coolest places to cop a squat after a game of tennis.

The waterfront cabins at Discovery Parks have such an easy-breezy vibe that you’ll forget what “normal” life feels like. You’ll kick your shoes off and barefoot it by the bay for hours. No point in running inside while you’re barbecuing under the sun – unless you’re grabbing another grog from the kitchen. Be sure to send the ankle-biters over to the playground or activity room so you can grill in peace.

Psst. One of the best places to stay in Ballina is by the river, not the beach. Don’t believe us? Spend a night at the River Street Motel and see for yourself. Strap on a pair of sandals and walk the riverside trail to Fawcett Park, popping into the RSL for a coffee or the Wharf Bar for a plate of oysters. You might as well don the swimsuit while you’re at it – you’ll definitely be dropping by the pool before heading back to your room.