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From the breezy wooden decks of The Summerhouse, you'd be forgiven for feeling a whole world away from the bustling urban scene of Byron Bay's tourist-laden streets.
Perched on a hill between Byron Bay and the refreshingly cute inland town of Bangalow, The Summerhouse brings its guests the best of both worlds. Whilst the sweeping coastal views to the far north and south of Byron Bay are beautiful from this peaceful perch afar, it's also stunningly deceiving, for just a five minute drive will steer you into the thick of it.
Common luxuries
The main attraction at The Summerhouse lies at its heart. An impeccable central common area provides guests access to kitchen facilities and a large indoor dining area, opening out onto an expansive verandah and wooden decks by the salt water pool. With 180 degree views from the pool's edge that stretch out over green properties to the coast, it's not much less from inside as the glass bifold doors are left wide open most of the day in good weather. The entire house is energised by the breeze wafting through and it's oh so easy to linger about here for hours with those daybeds calling. Don't miss a poolside sunset - it's truly mesmerising.
The rooms
Each pure and elegant in style, the well-appointed rooms perfectly complement the common area, with the same Moroccan-inspired finishing touch. Peaceful and bright, all rooms feature fantastic views of the ocean coastline and Byron Bay Lighthouse, as well as private en suites, a large flat screen TV/DVD/CD and climate control.
The rooms differ slightly in terms of space and facilities. The Premium Room is the largest with a his'n'hers spa bath and shower. The Superior Room is second largest with a spa bath ensuite, whilst the Luxury Room features purely an ensuite. All though, boast a private balcony and king size beds.
The poolside Deluxe Room is queen size, whilst the Studio is the smallest option, a petite but charming option for short stays. Two couples or a small family can be catered to in the Apartment, which sleeps up to four guests (two on a sofa bed). This room also includes a versatile kitchenette and spa bathroom.
Pampering services
Not only is it possible to book a massage or facial during your stay, but start the day pampered with breakfast cooked to perfection by an onsite breakfast chef. With high-quality continental offerings, including Gluten Free options, you can also choose from pancakes, fresh free range eggs, bacon, smoked salmon, fresh cappuccinos and a selection of teas.
Local grooves
Whilst Byron Bay itself offers a plentiful mix of breezy bars, utopian restaurants and shops to fit out your summer wardrobe, the true beauty lies in the region as a whole. Explore the many beaches surrounding Byron, including hidden spots like King's Beach and Bray's Beach, where you may even find one all to yourself. Considering you're half way there, don't miss cute little Bangalow. If you're able to venture a little further, head inland to discover green rolling pastures, rainforests and waterfalls. And then there's Nimbin, which has more to it than its seedy past may pose. Check out the candle-making factory, chuckle at the drug-inspired shop names, and be sure to tackle a mean satay tofu burger.
Coopers Shoot Road 9, Byron Bay, Australia
Contact tel: +61 (0)2 6685 3090,
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Perfectly perched on the brilliant white shores of Watego’s Beach, a pastel pink establishment somewhat reminiscent of Cycladic Greece rises above the backpacker culture ingrained into Byron Bay to offer a piece of divine opulence that only Rae’s on Watego’s can. The pinkish hues hint at the kind of experience you’ll discover. Romance is not hard to come by. Waves pound the shores at your doorstep, an extravagant, mood-lit interior will no doubt set the tone, and a treatment at thein-house spa, rated top 50 in the world, will bring you to exist in every mesmerising moment of your stay, all senses tuned.
Luxury and location merge together effortlessly. Removed from the bustling centre of Byron Bay, peaceful and scenic Watego's Beach lies at your doorstep, whilst the decadent pool inside brings with it further seclusion from the outside world. With only seven rooms throughout the classic Mediterranean and Moroccan styled villa, guest privacy and attentive service is guaranteed.
Luring the likes of Paris Hilton, Elle Macpherson and The Rolling Stones, Rae's on Watego's is one blissful escape that, for the rest of us, is never out of reach for that special weekend away.
The rooms
Each individually styled and decidedly different, a fascinating mix of Italian marble, antique hand painted Javanese tiles and mosaic features exude a luxurious and almost erotic feel. Exquisite decor and hand-crafted furnishings, some particularly eye-catching, create a warm and inviting hub for couples to relax and indulge.
Choose between three penthouses featuring large sun-drenched balconies overlooking the ocean, three suites with either courtyards or garden terraces, and a spacious two-level villa opening out onto the swimming pool fringed with tropical gardens. Penthouse 2, 'Ocean View', will also comfortably accommodate two couples.
Across all room types, highlights include Moroccan arched doorways, a sunken spa bath, a marble fireplace, and an antique Balinese four-poster bed. Take a closer look and let Rae's on Watego's help select the perfect choice for you.
World-class spa
Rae's Spa is the ultimate in luxury pampering. Just the sight of its shimmering gold mosaic corridor invokes a sense of awe. Nestled by the poolside, whilst the spa is small, it's perfectly intimate, creating a peaceful sanctuary for healing. A small team of experienced therapists offer massage treatments, skin care therapies and body treatments, as well as a range of nurturing spa rituals.
One gets the feeling this is not about repeating the movements. Treatments are intuitive. And next thing you know your mind is empty and you feel like you're floating mid-air. Once you've felt these magical hands at work, you'll too understand why Rae's Spa is rated in the world's top 50.
A standout treatment from the spa menu is The Pink Orchid. Incorporating precious gemstones, chakra point therapy and acupressure, this is one facial you won't forget.
Seaside Dining
Open for lunch and dinner during the summer months, whilst some tables inside provide a little more shelter, the dining verandah no doubt has the best seats with just a small green patch of palm-filled parkland between you and the ocean.
The 60 seat alfresco restaurant delivers a deliciously varied seafood-based menu full of quality produce and fresh local ingredients. With impeccable service and presentation, you will remember not only the flavours that pass your lips at Rae's Fish Cafe.
The very same kitchen provides all room-service catering for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as snacks from its all day dining menu. Choose to dine-in, order a nibble by the pool, or enjoy a meal from the comfort of your own exquisite room.
Menu highlights include the blackened fillet of yellowfin tuna with warm babaganoush and roast peppers, the barbecued lemongrass Moreton Bay bugs and the fresh seafood linguine in tomato, roast garlic and parsley salsa.
Local Lookouts
A trip to Byron Bay isn't complete without a visit to the iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse, built in 1901. Whilst it's possible to drive to the top of the 94-metre cliff, the most easterly point of mainland Australia, the real beauty lies in making your way there slowly. The Cape Byron Walking Track begins back in town, at Main Beach.
If you'd like to cheat a little however, Rae's on Watego's is perfectly positioned along the track just twenty minutes from the lighthouse. So there are no excuses for skipping the views hundreds flock to see every day. From the top you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the whole township, mountains inland, the bay and out to sea.
Marine Parade 8, Byron Bay, Australia
Contact tel: +61(0)2 66 855 366, fax: +61(0)2 66 855 695, e-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Services spa, swimming pool, near beach, parking, hotel restaurant, room service, internet access, concierge
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Set in a romantic boutique hotel on the shores of Byron Bay, you'd be forgiven for mistaking the exclusive in-house Spa at Rae's on Watego's for a golden lair discreetly nestled at the base of this pink 1960s establishment. With the arched wooden doors wide open and the gold mosaic corridor shimmering, it's hard to resist a closer look let alone eyeing off the spa menu. But once the doors are shut, and work is in progress, you'd have no idea it was even there.
Purveying the same sense of intimacy and privacy one comes to expect fromRae's on Watego's, offering an exclusive mix of three penthouses, two suites and a villa, you can relax assured of impeccable service and high-quality care. Featuring a Vichy room, steam room, and two treatment rooms that also open as a couples room, the space remains perfectly intimate, quiet and soothing. Far from simply actioning the movements, treatments are intuitive, engaging 100% of the therapist's attention. No phones ringing down the hall. No other therapists peeping their heads around the door.
Get the celebrity treatment
Offering massage treatments, skin care therapies, body treatments and nurturing spa rituals, the Spa menu comes celebrity-tested. With a long list of celebrity clients, the small team of therapists are of the highest calibre. Using La Gaia formulations with Naturaceuticals, a range scientifically devised and derived from nature, as well as the occasional product from Spanish line Germaine de Capuccini, quality and results collide.
From busy to bliss
Personally, I'm one of those clients who can only start to relax about ten minutes from the end, at which point I simultaneously begin to panic because I know the end is nigh. I think too much. Even if it's just about the lovely, sweet aromas filling the room, my mind races at any chance. But somehow in the hands of Marionne de Candia, known as a 'celebrity facialist' in the spa world, my brain lapsed into nothingness. All thoughts melted in 10 minutes flat, leaving my hyper-sensitive brain in a deep slumber that took nearly four hours to emerge from afterwards. This truly is a bliss unlike any other.
Standouts from the Spa menu
Spa ritual: Silver Rain
A stimulating body exfoliation and Vichy shower, accompanied by an aromatherapy massage.
Body treatment: The Golden Veil
Coated in a rich, golden algae blend and sealed in silken sheets, includes a body massage that stimulates the anti-ageing properties of this luxurious treatment.
Skin care: The Pink Orchid
Connecting head and heart, this opulent facial incorporates precious gemstones, charka point therapy and acupressure.
Extend the treat
With the Spa opening out onto the Rae's on Watego's pool and tropical gardens, and the hotel perched on a palm-fringed beachfront, the treatment doesn't have to end when you leave the treatment room. And being Byron Bay, where hippy and trendy merge, there are numerous organic and vegetarian delights to be found nearby to keep the goodness flowing.
Services facial, manicure, pedicure, body wraps, hot stone therapy, body scrub, reflexology, reikii, massage.
Contact tel: +61 (0)2 6685 5366, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Beach Suites is a very beautiful boutique hotel right in the heart of the famous holiday destination of Byron Bay, built to cater for people who can afford the best when staying in beautiful Byron. With absolute beach front that's a good start.
This high quality block of private apartments are owned by a celebrity and designed to cater for celebritys with a sense of prestige and privacy to go with it. In fact, they bill the Beach Suites as: "Byron Bay's most private beachfront luxury accommodation. The best of Byron with light filled and spacious rooms, quality furniture and fittings.
Two and three bedroom penthouse apartments with their own rooftop pool, Studio style rooms in a garden setting or Beachfront studios with their own private plunge pool and private front gates for direct beach access." This truly is stunning accommodation with great uninterrupted views to that famous beach across the road. The Apartment we stayed in was absolutely spot on clean and well maintained to perfection. Below is a shot taken from entrance to one of the ground floor garden apartments.
The in-apartment facilities are beyond what you would expect in a typical hotel - private washing machine, dryer, fully equipped kitchen etc. The roof top pool has to be a hit with any sane person - the ultimate in luxury. The pool has been carefully designed so that the glass pool fence creates a frame that exactly captures the beach scene - it is very cleverly done... and the poolside shower is a work of art , obviously a "one off" created by an artisan.
That's the amazing Byron Bay beach above. Well to get that close to the ocean you have to be able to afford staying at the Beach Suites without worrying about the price and I would say that this is totally 5 stars except there is no on-site restaurant, and as a guest paying $1500 per night I thought I could reasonably expect to go to the front desk and ask for restaurant recommendations. I was met with blank stares and "Oh I went to the xxx the other night and it was OK..." which made us laugh. I'd make a small suggestion - get a list together for guests not looking to cook!! but the Thai across the road became a favourite of ours and Byron certainly has a great range of food choices. The other possible negative to consider is that because of the central location, the Beach Suites are potentially quite noisy at night (especially when the bars and pubs close and the party crowd hits the street). Then again if you're young at heart you come to Byron for that party atmosphere.
That's the view from one of the penthouses above. Well sure, if it wasn't Byron, the price tag would scream "rip-off", but then again Byron Bay itself is a premium product and demand is high in this beautiful little town, hence the premium tag for staying in the iconic and laid-back establishment, and they do offer a lot for your money, particularly in value added extras and complimentary items such as wi-fi and secure undercover parking. This is a wonderfully built development, with owners obviously possessing impeccable style and good taste. The apartments don't need to be described in detail - they are as in the images only probably better. This would have to a great choice for that once in a lifetime honeymoon, offering days of bliss!
The housekeeping standards are great, with a complete detail each day. A fellow even comes in and cleans the balcony of sand and polishes the glass every day! Very good attention to detail.
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