The most luxurious accommodation in NSW

Just at the mouth of Wategos Beach is a whitewashed villa nestled between the sand and surf. Raes on Wategos embodies the essence of luxurious coastal living, with its sarong-wrapped clientele, in-house dining room serving platters of fresh-caught seafood, and soft trails of sand weaving up the stone stairs from the beach and into the hotel's foyer. In terms of which rooms you should stay in, the penthouses are where the magic happens – with sunken baths, plump daybeds, and multiple expansive balconies, your biggest problem will be choosing which stunning view to marvel at first.

Considered the blue-chip in Australian luxury accommodation, the Emirates One and Only Wolgan Valley retreat in the Blue Mountains has earned a reputation for exclusivity. Situated in a 7,000-acre national park, the resort consists of scattered, secluded villas from which you can watch wildlife, take in the crisp, mountain air, or just luxuriate with a full wineglass in hand and soap suds in your hair – oh, and there's a private pool in each villa. The exposed brick and taupe-toned furnishings go for a country chic aesthetic, so pull up those RMs and escape into the Blue Mountains' worst-kept secret.

Only accessible by seaplane or boat, this waterside home is a hybrid between a luxury rental property and a high-end hotel. 

Set across three floors (four if you count the rooftop yoga space), the lodge itself is a feat of design – with interiors by award-winning interior designer Carole Whiting complementing the light-filled space. Art from Aboriginal artists lines the walls, and the marble-trimmed kitchen is home to stacks of handmade crockery and designer glassware.

Downstairs, you'll find kayaks, paddle boards and a private jetty jutting into the river. If you don't feel like cooking, call the private chef and dinner will be prepared for you, or take the boat to a local riverside restaurant.

The past few years have seen a very welcome boom in stylish new hotels across the New South Wales coast, and while we're all here for the rise in the reimagined roadside motel, there's something special about waking up surrounded by nature. The Oaks Ranch – a receently renovated Spanish mission style hotel set on a 300 acre estate – offers a bit of both. Wake up to a family of kangaroos grazing outside your window, then take one of the golf buggies for a round of golf on the on-site golf course. Sunset drinks are best enjoyed from the deck by the magnesium-enriched swimming pool.

If seclusion sounds like the ultimate luxury, then Palm Beach's most sea-worthy getaway, the Lilypad, is for you.  Designed by master boatsmen, the floating villa sits on an island platform which drifts gently in response to the keens and rhythms of the ocean. There's no compromising on luxury here – the villa's hardwood floors, sleek décor and a bathroom plentifully stocked with Aesop tonics and tinctures won't leave you wanting. You can arrive in style, too – either by boat along the crystal clear waters or hire your own seaplane, care of the Lilypad. Steer your wings over to Jonah's Whale Beach if you're looking for a little more indulgence to finish off your weekend away.

There's a trend you start to notice walking along the high streets of the cool, westerly country town of Orange: old, heritage-style façades give way to interiors that have the look of someone's fashionable aunt having been let loose on the décor. The opening of Byng Street Boutique Hotel in 2019 was a strong indication of Orange's arrival as a hot getaway destination for city-slickers. It's high on the creature comforts –embroidered robes, marble bathtubs, sleek U-shaped lounges, pillowy macarons delivered before bedtime – but with a decidedly local lean. The spacious, uniquely decorated rooms are stocked with local Remy and Max tea, coffee by Bill's Beans from "down the road", and right outside is a secret guest passageway to Ferment, a funky local wine seller where you can get a taste of many of the high-altitude, cool-climate wines of the region before you scatter to visit the individual vignerons dotted around town.

You won't be called to lift even a single finger at Spicer's Sangoma Retreat in the Blue Mountains, where 'all-inclusive' service is the drawcard – but, you know, not in a carpeted cruise buffet kind of way. Stay in expansive, sumptuous lodges nestled in the forest and be plied with matched pairings of food and wine – with a continually restocked, complimentary bar fridge too, in case you get peckish between courses. If you're feeling adventurous, you can book in for a scenic helicopter flight to see the sweeping vistas from above. Abseiling sessions on the cliffside or private canyoning sessions are also available. In fact, you might want to work up a sweat just so you can sink into that freestanding bathtub afterwards. 

Situated just outside of Mudgee, Sierra Escape is an earthy luxury experience for those who fancy themselves children of the planet, even while shelling out the big bucks for a luxury stay. There's abundant wildlife cawing and ribbiting around the camp, from crismon rosellas to nimble green tree frogs. It's a tent, but with all the trappings of a deluxe hotel suite: think soft linens, hardwood floors and a platter of local delicacies and Mudgee-made wine on arrival. The outdoor bathtub is perfect for sipping a glass in the evening as the sky changes colour and the low serenade of wildlife takes you into the night.

The most glamorous way to earn your camping credentials, Paperbark Camp near Jervis Bay is luxury made even more striking because of its coupling with the rugged, natural beauty of its surroundings. Wake up in a safari tent to kookaburras laughing, with sweeping bush views and a deck to sit, sip tea and watch the wind swish the gum leaves. Off the back of a devastating fire season, your stay at Paperbark Camp is not only a decadent getaway, but it's also supporting local communities in recovery. When you feel like socialising, the Gunyah is the heart of the camp with a reception, restaurant and communal lounge space among the treetops. 

This 55 acre estate in the Byron Hinterland describes itself as "The Hotel of Good Times". Home to a 25-metre pool overlooking the rolling hills, an Argentinian-inspired outdoor dining space serving farm-to-table fireside feasts, and a floating sauna, we're willing to agree that it's an accurate description. The brain child of a group of friends from the creative hospitality industries, Sun Ranch is a luxury hotel with character: it's quirky and sun-soaked and a very Byron brand of sexy.