The 10 best hotels in Byron Bay

This little pocket of paradise in the heart of town is the latest addition to Byron’s collection of five-star hotel openings. Designed to feel like a home away from home, the free-flowing property features plenty of communal spaces, including a centrepiece magnesium pool and an eclectic lounge filled with board games, books, a bar and a fireplace. Soak up the sun on comfy loungers by the pool, make the most of complimentary snacks and coffee from the self-service bar, or retreat to one of 32 light-filled rooms. With a rooftop wellness space and bathhouse in the works for 2025, there’s even more reason to book a stay. 

For an A-class beach holiday in the boho-luxe land of Byron Bay, check out Elements of Byron. This award-winning resort is a hop and a skip from Belongil Beach, and it’s got all the amenities you could wish for (and some you didn’t even know you wanted). Sun loungers are dotted around the adults-only pool, a swim-up cocktail bar is ready to accede to your every spirit-based whim, and golf buggies will transport you from tennis court to nature trail to jumbo-sized fire pit. Elements’ eight freestanding villas are hot property in summer, so you’ll want to plan well in advance.

The shiny, white-washed stone façade of Raes has been a fixture of Byron Bay’s sparkling, celeb-dotted Wategos Beach for 30 years. Over the decades, the luxurious seven-room hotel has played host to some of Australia’s most elite guests, including Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Pink and Tom Cruise. While its waterfront location is the obvious drawcard – along with the secluded spa and freshly caught seafood at Raes Dining Room – the hotel’s two penthouses are as good as luxury gets in NSW, featuring sunken baths, plump daybeds and multiple ocean-facing balconies.

Opened in 2023, this stylish newcomer brought a new level of luxury to Byron Bay as the town’s first-ever five-star hotel. Each of the 24 chic rooms is dressed to impress with plush bedding, high-tech block-out blinds, bedside touchscreen lights and a private balcony. As the sun sets, head upstairs for some sips or dips at Byron Bay’s first and only rooftop bar and pool. Alternatively, head downstairs to Hotel Marvell’s sparkly oyster bar, where local seafood and seasonal produce steal the spotlight.

A globe-trotting journalist once told me that Blackbird Byron might just be the most magical spot she’s stayed at in Australia. A quick glance at the stunning photos of this secluded, adults-only Hinterland retreat makes it clear why. Blackbird is pure bucket list material, featuring three private pavilions, a magnesium pool and a private chef. You can wake up to breathtaking sunrises over the Pacific Ocean, relax in the infrared sauna, enjoy a seasonal three-course dinner by the pool, and spend the night decoding the sparkling night sky. Absolute bliss! 

Experience the perfect blend of coastal charm and ’70s-inspired boho aesthetics at this adults-only hotel, located right in the heart of town and just a five-minute walk from Main Beach. You can seamlessly switch between work, relaxation and play, with each of Swell’s 16 rooms featuring filtered water showers, a locally sourced minibar, lounge areas and plush king beds. If the ‘adults-only’ tag hasn’t sold you, perhaps the idea of complimentary surfboards, a sauna, an ice bath and a magnesium pool will cross you over the line. 

Hidden in the rolling hills of Byron Bay, this ’70s-inspired California ranch house was named by TIME magazine as Australia’s best place to stay in 2024 – so of course, it deserves a spot on this list. Dubbed the “Hotel of good times,” Sun Ranch is everything of your wildest dreams. Spread over 55 acres of regenerated farmland, the property offers adults-only pool suites, luxury off-grid barns and an ultimate private cowboy suite. Sun Ranch also doubles as a wellness retreat, featuring a 25-metre hinterland-facing pool, a wood-fired sauna, an ice bath, complimentary yoga classes, and cacao ceremonies and psychic readings as added extras. Don’t even get us started on the open Argentinian firepit where you could easily down a few Spicy Margs and still be in bed by 10pm.

You’re just close enough to boho Byron while still escaping the hustle and bustle at this tranquil retreat, surrounded by 45 acres of magical subtropical rainforest. Crystalbrook’s 92 sustainable suites are beautifully integrated into the natural landscape, complete with fully enclosed verandas that overlook the lush treetops or forest floor. Inspired by the healing powers of the Byron Bay region, this retreat offers restorative spa treatments, a peaceful pool, daily yoga, complimentary eco-bikes and nature-inspired dining experiences that celebrate local ingredients. 

Follow the sun to this reimagined retro brick motel, where artsy yet affordable rooms await young travellers and road-tripping families. The Sunseeker’s 12 Californian-style rooms and bungalows – plus a spacious three-bedroom residence – boast a private patio or balcony that overlooks the lush tropical gardens and kidney-shaped mineral pool. Little ones can burn off energy at the nature-inspired playground, while big kids can lounge around in the library or sip seasonal cocktails at the cabana bar. Did we mention that The Sunseeker is completely carbon neutral? Seems on-brand for Byron! 

Set on palm-filled grounds just a short stroll from town, this Byron Bay resort reimagines the classic beach hotel experience. Laidback luxury comes to life in The Bower’s 18 personalised rooms, ranging from a simple queen studio to a deluxe king room with a deep bath, a private adults-only barn and a charming cottage for up to ten guests. The resort’s crowning glory is its award-winning magnesium pool where you can float away your worries while sipping a cocktail from the neighbouring Garden Bar.