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There are few hotels in Australia whose name is as synonymous with luxury as Raes. The seven-room stay on the shores of Byron Bay’s most picture-perfect beach has been setting the gold standard for aspirational coastal indulgence since it opened in 1960. For decades, Raes on Wategos has been the place for celebrities to share plates of fresh pasta away from the clicks of the paparazzi, and newlyweds to pop a bottle of Champagne in an ocean-view suite that they’ve been saving for since they first said I love you. But the appeal of Raes isn’t built on clout alone. The famous beachside institution – home to a swimming pool rumoured to have been designed by Salvador Dalí – is as note-perfect as its reputation would have you believe, and the same can be said for Raes Guesthouses, the elegant offshoot of the brand that opened its doors last year just a few sandy steps from the original.
What are Raes Guesthouses?
Occupying two Mediterranean-style villas just 75 metres from Raes Hotel, Raes Guesthouses is an intimate boutique hotel home to ten thoughtfully designed rooms and suites – the first extension of the brand since the original hotel first opened its doors more than thirty years ago.
What are the rooms like at Raes Guesthouses?
Set across two flawlessly restored buildings, the rooms here are made for honeymoons: breezy, immaculately designed spaces with huge linen-draped beds and ornate free-standing bathtubs. With ten rooms to choose between, it’s worth browsing each to pick the space that’s right for you. For a secluded space steps from the quieter lap pool, we’d suggest reserving Suite 14, though all rooms are equally beautiful. The interiors, curated by renowned interior stylist Tamsin Johnson, are timelessly sophisticated: heavy antique features and tastefully curated artwork flooded with natural light through wooden-framed windows. There’s a sense of masterful maximalism to the whole space – colours and fabrics and features working together with the kind of harmony that even an all-beige-everything advocate couldn’t help but be seduced by, and the beauty isn’t just skin deep. Each feature – from the ‘Wellness Bar’ stocked with luxe skincare to the walk-in closet and well-stocked minibar – has been considered and crafted to make a stay here seamless. The palatial open-plan bathrooms deserve a special mention. Expertly crafted features – including excellent raindance showers and statement double sinks – are framed by grand white pillars and white, circular mosaic tiling that adds a modern accent. These are, in short, the kind of hotel rooms that you really never want to leave, the vision board for your one-day dream home and a perfect base for a special-occasion holiday.
Is there a restaurant at Raes Guesthouses?
On the first floor of the larger building, you’ll find Raes Terrace Bar – an open-air restaurant and lounge space for in-house guests only. The menu here is a divinely laid-back ode to Australian fine dining: fresh oysters, cute snacks (order the anchovy crostini) and delicately presented fresh fish that changes depending on the day’s catch. The vibe is delightfully casual, with bifold doors opening up onto the pool and the guests-only ethos meaning it never gets too busy. The menu (featuring everything from lobster toast to squid ink spaghetti and superbly cooked steak) is also available to order to your room or to the pool, so if you really can’t bring yourself to change out of your swimmers, you don’t have to. If you’re staying for a few nights, it’s also worth booking a table at Raes Dining Room – the signature dining offering from Raes, and the one that’s gained the hotel its reputation as a fine dining heavyweight (and its 2024 Time Out Food and Drink Award nomination).
What is the service like at Raes Guesthouses?
I write about hotels for a living (boohoo), but even for me, the level of service here is beyond exceptional. On arrival, our car is parked by the valet team, and a friendly host brings us welcome cocktails and delicately crafted canapés on decorative wooden discs. After dinner, we return to an immaculately turned-down bed, a note with the weather forecast for the following day and a pot of tea warming above a tealight. When we tell the team that we’re heading to the beach for a swim, they offer to carry chairs and an umbrella down to the shore for us, and as we tap away on our laptops by the pool the following day, they manage to anticipate our needs (another fresh juice, an iced long black, a power point for our charger) before we do. We’re only staying for a night, and though I desperately don’t want to leave, I worry that if I stayed any longer I might become inappropriately at ease with being waited on hand and foot.
Is there a gym at Raes Guesthouses?
There’s no gym on site, but you’ll stay active with the extensive hikes in the area, free-to-use e-bikes and the beach on your doorstep. If you do want a different kind of workout, guests at Raes have platinum member privileges (and free transfers) to Social Remedy, one of Byron’s most high-spec gyms.
Is there a pool at Raes Guesthouses?
Framing the buildings, you’ll find two long, turquoise pools – ideal for morning laps or setting up with a card game and a bottle of Champagne.
Is there a spa at Raes Guesthouses?
The spa is located at the original hotel, which means you’ll have to step out into the sunshine to get back to your room post-massage or sauna session (guests at Raes Guesthouses have complimentary access to the infrared sauna; you just need to book ahead).
What’s the area like around Raes Guesthouses?
Byron itself has gone through a huge transformation over the past few decades, and while the town itself lacks a bit of the bohemian charm it once had, it’s a popular holiday destination for a reason. The beaches are Byron’s key calling card, but you’ll also find a lot of top-rate restaurants, cute cafes, small brand boutiques in town, as well as a few fun pubs, a cinema and a magical subterranean bathhouse. The walk into town takes around an hour, but there’s a fleet of Raes-branded Lexuses waiting outside to ferry you there for free at the drop of a hat if walking or e-biking doesn’t appeal.
Why should you book a stay at Raes Guesthouses?
For an escape from reality into a wildly beautiful beachside paradise.
Address: 1-3 Marine Parade, Byron Bay, NSW 2481
Price per night: From $825
Closest transport link: Ballina Airport is a 36 minute drive from the hotel.
Book now: Over here.
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